Is Cartagena Worth Visiting? The Good & The Bad, Colombia

Are you wondering if Cartagena is worth visiting? You’ve likely heard about this gem of a city on the northern shores of Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, but with so many people visiting, is it somewhere you should be adding to your itinerary, too?

I’ve been to Cartagena twice. The first time was in 2015, and more recently, it was in 2022. The city was certainly busier than the first time I had visited. Back then, it was a backpacker’s paradise with affordable accommodation, cheap food, and a great place for a party. 

This time, it was crowded with, at times, what seemed like more tourists than locals. Even so, it still had its fairytale atmosphere, the part of the city that I loved so much the first time around. But, with the hordes of tourists and the increased prices, is Cartagena de Indias still somewhere worth visiting?

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Uncover The Good And The Bad Of Cartagena De Indias And Decide If It’s Worth Visiting

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Is Cartagena, Colombia, Worth Visiting?

Cartagena is one of my favourite cities in Colombia. Therefore, if you ask me, I’m going to tell you yes, Cartagena is absolutely 100% worth visiting. However, ask Jack, and you’ll get a different answer! 

For me, there is so much to love about Cartagena. The old walled city is seriously gorgeous, the culture and history are unique, and I found the people more than welcoming. In fact, the first time I visited Cartagena, I was travelling solo and ended up partying with a group of locals who treated me like one of their own.

It was a fantastic experience and a beautiful interaction with people who didn’t need to be so kind. Since then, I’ve always told people Cartagena is worth visiting. So, when we had the opportunity to visit, I was beyond excited to show Jack the city.

However, since my first visit, it has become busier. I’m fond of cities, dancing into the early hours and enjoying the lively atmosphere, but for Jack, it was all a little too much. He prefers National Parks and fewer crowds. Generally, I do, too, but in cities, I don’t mind the buzz. 

Cartagena is also missing the tropical beaches you would expect to find in a Caribbean location, and well, honestly, it was just way too hot for him. So, it wasn’t his favourite destination!

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Summary: The Pros & Cons

• Pros: What Makes Cartagena Worth Visiting – There’s no denying that Cartagena has a beautiful old town with fairytale vibes; the city has a rich culture, delicious food, and exciting neighbourhoods. Nearby, there are gorgeous tropical islands perfect for day trips; the locals are friendly, and the nightlife is fantastic.
• Cons: What Makes Cartagena Not Worth Visiting – The drawbacks include over-tourism, which has led to higher prices than other places in Colombia, the need to pre-book accommodation and crowds. There are no beaches close by worth visiting, and the climate is very tropical, with HOT weather and little respite.

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The Best Reasons To Visit Cartagena

Let’s start with the best reasons for visiting Cartagena. I’ve highlighted a few above, but there are tons of great things about the city that make it worth visiting.

1. Fairytale Vibes

The number one reason for visiting Cartagena is to visit the Old Town. It’s a captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws in thousands of visitors a year. Built in the 16th century, the Walled City is surrounded by a vast stone wall: fortifications to protect it from attack during the colonial era. 

It’s become Cartagena’s signature attraction, and for me, it felt like walking into a fairytale – an atmosphere I love (likely due to all those Disney films). If this is your vibe, consider visiting Alsace in France, too!

Within the city, you can expect to see incredible colonial architecture painted in colourful hues and a robust Afro-Caribbean culture. The streets are narrow and weave through the buildings; flowers adorn balconies, and beautiful Palanqueras (ladies in bright dresses with baskets of fruit) stroll around; it’s a vibrant and stunning place to visit.  

2. Culture, History and Food

Cartagena has an interesting history dating back centuries. The city of Cartagena was founded on 1 June 1533, but the area had a pre-Columbian community before colonisation.

Over the years, it’s seen battles, slavery, freedom and, more recently, massive economic growth. There are many interesting attractions to visit, including the San Felipe Fort, which is one of Colombia’s top landmarks.

Due to its history, it’s evolved a unique culture. It’s a mix of African, Spanish and indigenous heritage and is now at the heart of Afro-Colombian culture. The best way to learn more about the people and this beautiful city is to join a guided walking tour. 

Another superb way to really get a feel for the city’s culture is through the food. Food is such an essential part of our daily life, and Cartagena’s cuisine is a delicious mix of flavours. We went on a food tour (since we’re big foodies, food tours are our go-to activities) and highly recommend it to you guys. 

Really, it’s like a walking tour combined with tastings, so you’ll kill two birds with one stone, so to speak! Join this Street Food Tour while visiting Cartagena for historical insights from a local and delicious traditional tasting.

3. Getsemani

Outside of the Old Town, another neighbourhood deserves your time: Getsemani. I love the walled city as a place for relaxing, people-watching and a romantic atmosphere, but Getsemani wins as the most upbeat and spirited part of the city. 

It’s where I stayed both times. Previously, it was a backpacker’s haven filled with cheap accommodation, but today, it’s filling up with fancier hotels. It’s still the best place to stay if you’re visiting Cartagena on a budget, though!

Getsemani has got character, a vibrant nightlife and incredible street art. It’s the most colourful part of Cartagena, loaded with hip bars, trendy cafes and lively entertainment. In fact, head to Trinity Square in the evening to witness street performers dancing Salsa, magic tricks, breakdancing, miming, and more. 

There’s a brilliant energy here, with food and drink stalls selling some fantastic burgers and hotdogs – be ready to be amazed when watching them making twenty burgers at once; plus, the pina coladas are fresh, strong and delicious!

⭐ Pro tip >> To really understand the history of Getsemani, visit the main sites and learn the importance behind the street art; consider this tour: Highlights and Graffiti Tour of Getsemani.

4. Tropical Islands

I mentioned earlier that Cartagena doesn’t have the best beaches (see more on that below – reasons not to visit Cartagena). Still, there are some tropical islands which are accessible from the city. 

The number one location to visit if you’re looking for tropical bliss is the Rosario Islands, a National Park made up of 27 islands. These islands are surrounded by a coral reef and are one of the only protected Marine National Parks in Colombia. 

If you’re in search of snorkelling, sun and beach, then this is the place you need to visit. You can organise an independent trip, but the easiest way is to jump on a day trip departing from Cartagena. 

If you fancy adding a visit to your itinerary, check out this full-day Rosario Islands day trip, lunch and snorkel included and all park entrance fees.

5. Vibrant Nightlife

I’ve touched on it already, but the entertainment in Cartagena is second to none. Honestly, it’s a superb place to visit for a night out. There are different vibes depending on which neighbourhood you visit, but overall, Getsemani is the most fun.

Cartagena is known for its salsa clubs, rooftop parties and stunning sunsets. One of the best ways to experience the sunset over Cartagena Bay is to join a sunset cruise.

Consider this Sunset Cruise; it comes highly rated and includes a complimentary cocktail.

Getsemani is filled with quirky bars, clubs and street entertainment. It’s got a gritty feel, sometimes a little seedy (if I’m honest), but it feels more like Colombia than the walled city. However, if you’re looking for rooftop parties and sundowners, head to the Old Town instead. 

Then there’s Bocagrande; I haven’t really discussed this neighbourhood much, and it’s not somewhere I would say is essential to visit. That said, it’s the third neighbourhood that you’ll come across in Cartagena, home to the large resort hotels. It’s the most modern part of the city, with skyrises, pool parties and high-end dining. 

⭐ Pro tip >> If you want a more refined evening, then consider visiting one of the hotel restaurants in Bocagrande – the Hyatt Regency is a good option with an outdoor bar.

6. Friendly Locals

Overall, Colombia is one of the most friendliest countries I have ever travelled. Now, you might think me biased; I am half Colombian after all, but ask Jack, and he will tell you the same.

While we were there, we met some incredible people. From making friends in cafes to talking to people on buses, to our hiking guides and even taxi drivers, the people from Colombia were more than happy to engage, tell us stories, recommend places and share insights. 

Cartagena was no different. Everyone met us with a smile or a friendly wave. We felt welcomed, or at least 99% of the time, but…the vendors can get aggressive. Oddly enough, this happened to us a couple of times, and we’ve only experienced it in Cartagena. 

⭐ Pro tip >> It’s also important to know that you can’t just take a photo of the Palanquera women. They expect payment for pictures and can get arsey with people who try to snap them without paying. For a few pesos, pay, get a nice smile and don’t ruin your trip!

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The Worst Reasons To Visit Cartagena

Now that I’ve covered the best reasons for visiting Cartagena, I want to share the worst parts of the city. I’m not gonna sugar coat it; there are reasons not to visit that you need to know about to make sure Cartagena is the right place for you!

7. It’s Hot, Very Hot.

Cartagena is a HOT city with high humidity. There’s really no escaping it, so if you’re someone who struggles in a hot climate (like Jack), there’s little respite, and it can become too much. Jack really struggled during our time in Cartagena; he found it very uncomfortable and even unbearable at times.

Cartagena sits at sea level within the tropics, so it’s characterised by a tropical climate; temps rarely fluctuate more than a few degrees throughout the year, averaging between 26°C to 29°C, but it can reach the low 30s. When we visited in May, it was about 30°C. 

May is also the start of the rainy season, which can make it feel even more sticky, but really, the city has a yearly humidity of around 80%. Although the weather might be off-putting for some, if you’re looking for a cheaper time to travel, the wet season is always more affordable as tourism dies down.

8. The Beaches Are Not Great

Even though Cartagena is on the coast, it doesn’t have beautiful tropical beaches. Ultimately, Cartagena is a port city and any palm-lined beaches it may have once had have been taken over by industry, marinas and shipping docks. 

It’s disappointing that the city doesn’t have a beautiful beach, considering its location, but you can visit the nearby islands if you’re in search of stunning tropical scenery. That said, there is a city beach in Bocagrande.

Don’t expect too much from this beach. It’s not the worst I’ve seen, but as with all city beaches, it’s not great. The road runs right beside it, there’s a lack of trees, and there’s nothing “tropical” about it. Keep this in mind if you visit; take it for what it is, and you won’t be disappointed.

9. You’ll Need To Book In Advance

One thing we noticed when looking into accommodation was how full everything was. Generally, we don’t book accommodation too far ahead of time; typically, we book only a few days in advance.

However, for Cartagena, we read that it was necessary to book in advance. About a week before we arrived, we started looking. It definitely wasn’t long enough. I actually didn’t listen to the advice all too well and thought it would be fine. The first time I visited, I just rocked up and found something straight away.

This time, we didn’t have much choice and found a hostel in Getsemani, which really wasn’t great, but it was okay. I was shocked to find out how expensive accommodation was, considering we were travelling at the start of the wet season; rates weren’t as low as we had hoped. 

If you’re travelling during the high season, I suggest booking accommodation as soon as possible. For my backpacker readers, a few weeks in advance is best. If this isn’t achievable, go with realistic expectations. You might be left with either pricey hotels or not-so-great hostels.  

⭐ Pro tip >> I did notice that there were tons of mid-level accommodations available, such as homestays and bed and breakfasts, which looked lovely. The best ones were booked up, but the city is sprouting accommodation on a regular basis, so you’re bound to find something! 

10. It’s A Busy Tourist City

Another reason you might want to avoid Cartagena is the crowds. It’s been growing in popularity for years. I noticed a difference between then and now. In the seven years between my two trips, Getsemani has evolved significantly; I don’t remember it being so popular or filled with as many bars or people. 

The Old Town wasn’t too bad, but then again, it wasn’t peak season. It was busier than we were expecting, and I can only imagine it getting worse, especially since we were travelling at the end of the Pandemic, so tourism hadn’t fully recovered.

The city seems to have catapulted onto every traveller’s South American bucket list, with good reason, but it just means it’s a busy tourist city instead of a hidden gem these days. You’ll find low-cost airlines flying directly from the USA, cruise ships docking at the port, and backpackers visiting in their thousands.

In Getsameni, I did feel there were more tourists than locals, especially while exploring the narrow streets. If you prefer an authentic experience, I doubt you’ll overly enjoy Cartagena. It does, at times, feel like a tourist trap, a beautiful tourist trap.  

11. More Expensive Than Other Colombian Cities

The result of increased tourism is higher prices; they go hand-in-hand, and it’s to be expected. However, I was a little shocked at the prices in Cartagena, especially the accommodation rates. 

We knew it was going to be more expensive. Still, having flown over the Pacific from Southeast Asia, which is, FYI, much more affordable and a better choice if you’re on a tight budget, we thought our money would go further than it actually did. 

The prices in Cartagena are higher than typical for Colombia; however, in comparison to Western Nations, it’s still an affordable destination. That said, if you’re on a budget, you might want to consider limiting your time in Cartagena to a couple of days.

⭐ Pro tip >> You’ll be using the local currency in Cartagena, the Colombian Peso (COP), which can be safely withdrawn from ATMs within the walled city. Find BCP bank for free withdrawals, or if you have a WISE account, you’ll get three free withdrawals a month.

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Top Rated Tours From Cartagena

Cartagena is a small city with the Walled City and Getsemani neighbourhoods being easily explored on foot. Within two days, you can see the main attractions, but there are a number of day trips to consider while visiting the city. 

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Is Cartagena, Colombia Safe?

If you’re wondering whether Cartagena is a safe place to visit, the answer is yes, more or less. In recent years, the government has invested heavily in improving security measures, and the police presence in tourist areas has been increased.

During the day, you shouldn’t experience any problems, although petty theft and pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded areas. Use your common sense and be careful, like keeping your valuables safe.

While we were there, we didn’t experience any problems, but every city has its risks, and Cartagena isn’t an exception. 

We did meet a lad who had been mugged the previous night. He told us how he had wandered after a night out down a dark street late at night. In doing so, he made himself a prime target. I recommend staying in well-lit areas and avoid walking alone at night.

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Mid-Level Accommodation Ideas

The three districts to consider staying in are the Walled City, Getsemani and Bocagrande. Although I’ve not stayed in the below, I’ve included three mid-level accommodation suggestions in each district to give you some ideas. 

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What To Pack

Due to Cartagena’s tropical climate, it’s important to pack appropriately. Even if you’re visiting during the wet season, it will still be hot and even more humid, but it won’t rain all day. Instead, expect short bursts.

Choose loose clothing and breathable fabrics: cotton and bamboo are winners. You’ll be doing lots of walking so comfortable shoes and clothing like shorts, T-shirts, light dresses and comfy sandals.

FAQs: Is Cartagena Worth Visiting?

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In Summary: Is Cartagena Worth Visiting?

To answer your question, Cartagena is definitely worth visiting, but it may not be for everyone.

The city has a lot to offer, from its beautiful old town with fairytale vibes to its rich culture, delicious food, and interesting neighbourhoods. It’s a captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site that you’re going to love if you’re looking for an upbeat, vibrant Caribbean city.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Over-tourism is the biggest issue overall, and if you want a budget-friendly location, it’s not the best option. However, I still think Cartagena is a unique and beautiful city that offers a lot. 

In my opinion, it’s definitely worth visiting, but it’s important to think about what you want from the trip and your personal preferences before booking.