Trip and Attractions in Cartagena Colombia

Cartagena, Colombia can and is recommended to be visited on a Caribbean cruise. Usually, the ship remains in this port until the next day in the afternoon, which allows you to properly experience the most visited city in Colombia. It is a lovely, colorful, fascinating, and safe city that will be the highlight of your cruise excursions. Even the entry into the port is impressive, as you enter through a relatively narrow opening between fortresses, and soon you can see the many high-rises along the coast.

 

The port itself is a real surprise. One of the most well-kept and entertaining cruise ports I have seen in the world. The port has an abundance of trees, lush greenery, and many local animals, ranging from monkeys to peacocks and a wide variety of birds. Naturally, there is also a restaurant, a bar, and a large shop at the port.

 

 

 

The port is located about a 10-15 minute drive from the city center.

Recommended Tour Bookings in Cartagena from Viator:

Cartagena, the fifth-largest city in the country, is the largest port city in Colombia. The first Europeans to arrive were the Spanish, and their first settlement in the area was in 1525. The city features impressive ancient fortresses and a charming walled Old Town that contrasts with the high-rises in the newer parts of the city.

 

 

The Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. It is well-kept and clean, and it is a delight to wander on foot among the beautiful, preserved houses and numerous squares surrounded by colonial buildings, as well as many churches and statues.

 

 

The local Colombians are smiling, friendly, and welcoming to tourists. The Old Town is full of shops and stalls with attractive prices. Remember that bargaining is essential—aim to bring the price down by at least 40 percent from the initial quote. Throughout the city, there are numerous food and fruit stands, as well as women dressed in vibrant, colorful dresses selling fruit, who earn their living primarily from the tips they receive for taking photos with tourists.

 

 

Colombia has many long stretches of beaches, but they are not particularly impressive. Save your beach time for Grand Cayman and Cozumel; in Colombia, focus on enjoying the rich culture, vibrant city life, and, of course, shopping. Jewelry enthusiasts will be pleased to know that Colombia is world-famous for its high-quality emeralds, and Cartagena is filled with upscale jewelry boutiques featuring this beautiful green gem. This is also the place to purchase renowned Colombian coffee.

While wandering independently through the Old Town is pleasant and enjoyable, joining a guided tour is highly recommended to gain deep insight into the charming city's history, culture, and culinary scene.

Since you arrive for two days, it is recommended to join more than one tour. Don't limit yourself to the Old Town; visit other destinations in the city as well. Don't miss a visit to the highest point in town: Popa Hill (Cerro de la Popa), home to a convent converted into a historical museum, though the main highlight of the visit is the spectacular panoramic view of the entire city, including the port where the cruise ship docks.

 

 

 

Recommended Tours in Cartagena:

Guided Panoramic City Tour

Guianza Express offers a guided group or private tour lasting about four hours. It includes transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned private bus (unlike the non-air-conditioned public transit) to viewpoints and a panoramic tour of the new city and coastal areas, paired with a guided walking tour of the Old Town. This is the best way to take in the entire city in a relatively short time.

Segway Tour in the Old Town

A shorter yet highly recommended tour covering only the Old Town is the Segway tour by Segway Cartagena, which lasts about an hour and a half. During the tour, you will visit all the main squares of the Old Town, glide between impressive historic buildings, statues, and market stalls, and learn a great deal on an energetic, concise, yet thorough excursion.

For both of these tours, advance reservations are recommended. Both provide pickup from the port.

Street Food Tour

For food lovers, I highly recommend joining a guided food tour by Cartagena Connections focused on street food. During the tour, you will learn about the types of dishes, what they are made of, and their origins, while sampling an authentic, diverse, and inexpensive variety of local fare. Every item costs less than a dollar! Throughout the tour, you will explore less touristy corners of the Old Town and learn a great deal. The tour departs daily (except Sundays) from the center of the Old Town and lasts about two hours. If arriving on a Sunday or if you prefer a tour without other participants, private tours can be booked.

 

 

In the late afternoon of the second day in Cartagena, the ship departs Colombia. Don't miss sailing out of the bay where Cartagena is nestled, taking in the fortresses and the receding skyline of high-rises.

 

 

Authentic Cartagena Tour

For those seeking to experience authentic Cartagena and see how locals live outside the touristy Old Town, you are invited to join an engaging tour by Insider Experiences by FEM (website: www.insider.com.co), a non-profit organization helping local communities develop, learn, and grow. Local guides will take you into an everyday residential neighborhood, share details about the local lifestyle, and accompany you on an eye-opening visit to a massive, bustling local market where you won't see other tourists and prices are exceptionally cheap.

 

There is no need to haggle; everything is already inexpensive. The guides will introduce you to tropical fruits unique to the region, complete with tasting a fresh fruit smoothie, and will take you to a herbal medicine shop where they prepare traditional remedies.

 

A local artist, responsible for painting the city's street signs, will hand-paint a large, colorful poster for you:

You will learn about local music and receive a souvenir CD:

You will discover how handmade items are crafted, from straw baskets to metal hardware, such as this vendor cart:

 Various drinks and liquids sold in bags: 

You will sample local specialties and have the opportunity to purchase an abundance of gifts and souvenirs at bargain prices.