Tours and activities
in Cartagena
What to do in Cartagena? There are lots of tours and activities to choose from in Cartagena. You can explore the city’s highlights on foot, take a free city tour, visit the local market with a guide and take a cool day trip to an island off the coast. Here you’ll find everything you need to know to go out on your own or book the best tours. Check out our tips here.
12 Tips
Must do’s
1. Strolling through artsy Getsemaní
Take your time for Getsemaní; enjoy the street art and grab a coffee at one of the quaint coffee shops. A new surprise awaits around every corner. Fun streets include Callejon Augosto (umbrella alley) and Calle San Andres, the alley with the little flags.
2. Evening people-watching at Plaza de Trinidad
Plaza de Trinidad in Getsemaní is not a tourist square with expensive terraces. Instead, the charm here is to buy a beer and drink it on the steps in front of the church. There comes a nice mix of locals and tourists. Especially on the weekends, it is cozy with music, dancers and street food.
(Photo: © Lori Newman Flickr)
3. Watching soccer with the locals
On game days of the national soccer team, many fans walk early wearing national team T-shirts. The shirts are sold on the streets. Score such a shirt too and mingle with the fans, on the street, on a terrace or in a café.
(Photo: © Jeff Ruppenthal)
4. Cacao tasting at the Choco Museum
At the Choco Museum in San Diego, you get to taste a lot while learning all about the history of cocoa.Totally “into chocolate”? Then order a Mojito de chocolate or sign up for the “Bean to Bar” chocolate workshop.
5. Grabbing a free museum
Museo Del Oro Zenú (gold museum), Casa Museo Rafael Núñez and Casa Museo Arte y Cultura are within walking distance of each other in the historic center. The gold museum focuses on the history of the Indian Zenú community.
6. Trying out Cartagena's street food
From Cartagena’s specialty, the arepa de huevo (arepa with egg) to dedito’s de queso (cheese fingers); there is a lot to choose from at the street food stalls. The best way to try out the street food is with a street food tour. The guide will take you to the city’s best stalls. Want to know more about local food and drinks? Then check out Cartagena Culinary
7. Wandering around the tunnels of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
The fort is within walking distance of Getsemaní. Because of its prominent location atop a hill, you can’t avoid it. The well-preserved fortress from 1536, is the largest Spanish fortress in South America. In 1984, it received UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage Site. Tickets cost around COP25,000/€5. For more information, visit the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas website.
8. Enjoying the view at Café del Mar
The large terrace is on top of the city wall in the old town, a beautiful setting for a drink overlooking the sea. Rather enjoy the view on a low budget? Then buy a cold beer from one of the street vendors and climb the city wall to enjoy the setting sun.
9. Go local!
In a tourist city like Cartagena, you can have a great time exploring the tourist attractions. Still, we find it extra fun to go off the beaten path and seek out the local atmosphere. You can get a good taste of that atmosphere at the local market. During a guided visit to Mercado Bazurto, you will taste local food and fruits and get to know the stories behind the vendors, many of whom have been at the market for generations.
11. To the highest point of Cartagena
About 5 km from Centro, is Convento de la Popa, an old monastery from 1606. Because of its location on a 150-meter-high hill, you have the best view in town here. By cab from the center, you can get there in 15 minutes. While the cab waits for you, you can take photos and look around the beautiful courtyard.
10. To the Pegasus Pier for a sunset cruise
Where better to enjoy the sunset than on the water? During a sunset cruise, you’ll enjoy swinging music and views of the Cartagena skyline with a nice cold drink in your hand. Also a dinner cruise we find a very relaxing way to enjoy the skyline of Cartagena.
The pier Muelle Turístico de los Pegasos is easily recognized by the large statues of Pegasus.
12. Dance the night away...
Go for a night of salsa dancing at clubs such as cafe Havana or take dance lessons. Cartagena has many other rhythms besides salsa, such as vallenato, bachata, cumbia, reggaeton and dances with African influences, such as mapalé and champeta. If you want to party like a local, hop in an authentic chiva for a chiva party tour. The party bus-with open bar-drives past Cartagena’s top attractions while you dance to the swinging music.
Organized tours
City Tours
Mercado bazurto tour
On this tour, take a behind-the-scenes look at the local market. Mercado Bazurto is the Cartagena outside the tourist highlights, where you yourself are the biggest attraction.
Want to know more? Read our behind-the-scenes travel story about Mercado Bazurto here .
Street Food & Culture tour
A tour where you taste the most delicious snacks at the best stalls. Meanwhile, you will get information about the history and food culture of Cartagena and tips for the tastiest addresses.
Want to know more? Read our travel story Streetfood tour Cartagena here.
Free bicycle tour or city tour
The concept of free tours, is based on tipping. Per person, you pay the guide afterwards around COP30,000/€8. Among others, you can book through Freetourcartagana and FreebikingtourCartagena.
(Photo: © The Round the World Guys)
Boat trips
Islas del Rosario y San Bernardo
Snorkeling at Islas del Rosario
Most tours to Islas del Rosario, stop at Playa Blanca on Isla Barú. On Isla Barú you can also stay overnight, including at the idyllic, small-scale Playa Scondida Barú.
Boat trips to Isla Grande take an hour and leave from Pier Muelle Turístico de la Bodeguita.
#GoColombia tip
Extra relaxed, we think it’s best to take a tour by catamaran to Islas del Rosario.
photo:R.M. Nunes/shutterstock
Spend the night in a
hostel at sea
Hostel Casa en el Agua is built on a concrete foundation in the sea. It is a popular spot among backpackers, with a real party vibe. You can also have a drink alone, in the Bar en el Agua. If you’re staying on Isla Múcura, for example, you can get there with a 10-minute boat ride.
The trip from Cartagena to Casa en el Agua takes about 2 hours and departs from Pier Muelle Turístico de la Bodeguita
Check @casaenelagua on Instagram for more info.
Chill out on
paradise Isla Múcura
At the resorts on Isla Múcura, you can entertain yourself for a few days with snorkeling, kayaking or fishing. Very special to do is the plankton tour, where you can swim at night among the neon blue plankton, around the mangroves at Isla Tintipan (3km).
The trip from Cartagena to Isla Mucura takes about 2h and departs from Pier Muelle Turístico de la Bodeguita. You can also book a tour to Isla Mucura, such as this tour.
Check here the nicest accommodations in Isla Múcura and Isla Tintipan.
Day trips
Tour to San Basilio de Palenque
(55 Km from Cartagena)
Palenque is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was founded by former slaves who fled. The community has managed to preserve its own culture and traditions. During a tour in San Basilio de Palenque, you will get to know the Palenqueros and their traditions, language, music and food culture.
Tour to El Volcán del Totumo
(55 Km from Cartagena)
Taking a mud bath in the volcano’s (very small) crater is on the wish list of many travelers. El Volcán del Totumo is therefore a busy tourist attraction. You pay the locals a small fee for their services, such as a massage and taking photos, while you take a mud bath. Check out the tour to el Volcán del Totumo here.
Photo © Jack Zalium
Weekend trip Mompox
(322 Km from Cartagena)
The colonial town Mompox is located deep inland on the Río Magdalena, about a 6-hour drive from Cartagena. Mompox is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where time has stood still. Ancient crafts are still practiced, such as silver and iron forging. Nature is always nearby and there are monkeys, birds and (still) few tourists.
Want to know more? Then check out our travel guide Mompox.