Cartagena Colombia
Country: Colombia · Region: Panama and Central America · Currency: Colombian Peso
Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Colombia's Caribbean coast, founded in 1533 with a beautifully preserved walled colonial city and nearby beaches. It is the most visited Colombian city by tourists.
Top sights
Walled Old Town, Castillo de San Felipe, La Popa monastery, Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, Palacio de la Inquisición, Plaza de Bolívar
Things to do
- Convento & Iglesia de San Pedro Claver
- Named after a Spanish Jesuit who worked for slaves' rights, featuring his relics in a crystal arch and Afro-Caribbean art exhibition.
- Castillo de San Felipe
- A 1657 fortress built by the Spanish to protect gold shipments, featuring an extensive tunnel maze and 24-minute historical video.
- Palacio de la Inquisición
- Museum displaying torture instruments and history of the Spanish Inquisition tribunal that sentenced nearly 700 people.
- La Popa
- A 150-meter hill with a 17th century monastery offering great views over Cartagena and the harbor area.
Beaches
- Playa Blanca
- Beach accessible by boat from Muelle Todomar, with roundtrip tickets allowing same-day or extended stays.
- Bocagrande
- Long strip of hotel towers and condos fronting a beach, mostly within walking distance.
Where to eat
- Walled colonial city restaurants
- The old town contains many fancy restaurants.
Bars and nightlife
- Chiva Bus
- Colorful open-air buses offering evening tours with local music, drinks, and entertainment at COP$18,000-25,000.
Forecast for Cartagena
Loading the live forecast.
Weather in Cartagena by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 88°F | 76°F | 0.5 in | 5 |
| February | 89°F | 76°F | 0.2 in | 2 |
| March | 90°F | 76°F | 0.6 in | 5 |
| April | 89°F | 78°F | 2.5 in | 13 |
| May | 87°F | 78°F | 5.7 in | 22 |
| June | 86°F | 78°F | 6.0 in | 23 |
| July | 87°F | 78°F | 5.2 in | 21 |
| August | 87°F | 78°F | 5.6 in | 23 |
| September | 86°F | 78°F | 5.5 in | 24 |
| October | 85°F | 77°F | 7.3 in | 26 |
| November | 85°F | 77°F | 7.4 in | 21 |
| December | 87°F | 77°F | 1.3 in | 8 |
Getting around
The old town is best explored on foot; taxis (without meters, negotiate fare in advance) and Transcaribe buses serve other areas like Bocagrande and Castillogrande.
What to eat
The walled colonial city has many fancy restaurants; the Alcatraz boat tour to Playa Blanca includes a good lunch.
Tips
Negotiate taxi fares before getting in; confirm your destination and price with the driver to avoid inflated rates.
Best for
Colonial history, Caribbean beaches
More ports in Panama and Central America
← Every port we cover · All Panama and Central America ports