Why go
- City in coastal northern Colombia.
- Served by Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG).
History
Cartagena, known since the imperial era as Cartagena de Indias, is a city and one of the major ports on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region, along the Caribbean Sea. Cartagena's past role as a link in the route to the West Indies provides it with important historical value for world exploration and preservation of heritage from the great commercial maritime routes. As a former Spanish colony, it was a key port for the export of Bolivian silver to Spain and for the import of enslaved Africans under the asiento system. It was defensible against pirate attacks in the Caribbean. The city's strategic location between the Magdalena and Sinú rivers also gave it easy access to the interior of New Granada and made it a main port for trade between Spain and its overseas empire, establishing its importance by the early 1540s.
Where to stay
Calle Del Torno #39-29, San Diego, Cartagena de Indias, Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · sofitel.accor.com
Cra. 1 #5-01, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · ihg.com
Cl. 32 #3-134, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · casaclaver.com
Cra. 1 #11-116, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · estelarcartagenadeindias.com
Cl. 25 #10B 58, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · lunalahotel.com
Cl. de Don Sancho #36 – 126, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · mustique.co
Cl. del Quero #9-53, San Diego, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelcasaquero.com
Cra. 3 #31-23, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · google.com
Cra. 7, Calle Curato #38-48, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · privadoboutiquehotel.com
Calle Cochera del Gobernador #33-28, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · alfizhotel.com.co
Cra. 10 #31-39, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · farandahotels.com
Calle del Coliseo #35 - 23, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelcasadelcoliseocartagena.com
Calle del Guerrero 29-108, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · casalola.com
Calle del Arzobispado, Cra. 5 #34-14, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · casapombo.com
Anillo Vial, Cra. 9 #34-166, La Boquilla, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · ihg.com
Cra. 7 #34-28, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotellascarretas.com
Cl. 5 #2 14, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · ozhotelluxury.com.co
Centro historico, Cl. de la Universidad #carrera 6, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelcasasanagustin.com
Centro Histórico, Calle del Cuartel, Cra. 5 #36-118, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelquadrifolio.com
Calle Nuestra Señora del Carmen #33- 41, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · gehsuites.com
Cl. de la Sierpe #29-52, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelcapellandegetsemani.com
Cra. 1 #8 - 12, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · capilladelmar.com
Cra. 1 #N° 6 - 154, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelcartagenaplaza.com.co
Cra. 8b #25-100, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelmonterrey.com.co
Isla de Tierra Bomba - Playa Dorada, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · palmaritobeach.com
Plaza de la Aduana, Cl. 32 #4-45, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · sophiahotel.com.co
Cra. 5 #33-23, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · casadelgobernador.com
Cra. 5 #34-52, Centro Historico, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelcasadelarzobispado.com
Centro Histórico, Calle del Curato #38-53, San Diego, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · casalacartujita.com
Centro histórico, Calle Santo Domingo, Cra. 3 #33-63, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · casapestagua.com
Cl. del Colegio #34-82 6, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · casonadelcolegio.com
Centro Histórico, Calle de Vélez Danies, No. 4 – 39, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · movichhotels.com
Cra. 2, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · ihg.com
Cl. 37 #8-103, San Diego, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · engine.lobbypms.com
Dg. 1 #2 - 70, El Laguito, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelcaribbeancartagena.com
Centro Histórico, Calle del Sargento Mayor No. 6 - 87 Calle Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · bastionluxuryhotel.com
Cl. 36 #4-27, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelescasacordoba.com
Calle Del Carretero 29 No 10b - 34, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · santaanacdh.com
Cra. 5 #35-81, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · masaya-experience.com
Anillo Vial Km 12 Between Manzanillo Del Mar Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Zona Norte, Bolívar, Colombia · hyattinclusivecollection.com
Carrera 1 A # 3-231 Barrio, El Laguito, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · hotelesoceania.com
Cl. 5 #3 14, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · zione.co
Cra. 1 #62 69, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · wyndhamhotels.com
Calle El Carretero #10B-18, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · casaelcarretero.com
49 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Restaurants & places to go
Colombiana, Internacional, Salad, Burger, Restaurant · Restaurante El Gobernador ofrece cocina de autor combinando producto local con toques internacionales.… · restauranteelgobernador.com
French, Salad, Caribbean, Fish, Restaurant · Restaurante de ambiente casual. Cocina de sabores tradicionales franceses ingredientes e inspiración local.… · bastionluxuryhotel.com
Restaurant · Bar, Restaurant, Rooftopbar Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-04:00 · 130001, Calle Portocarrero #34-09, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar · elpasquindejoaco.com
Pizza, Italian, Burger, Ice Cream, Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 08:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 08:00-23:30; Su 08:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating,… · pizzeriaaguanile.com
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 14:00-22:00 · 10-76 Calle de la Media Luna, Cartagena de Indias · sambalbistro.com
Cafe, Coffee, Coffee Shop, Juice, Cake, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-23:00 Features: takeaway · 36-36 Local 2 Calle de la Necesidad, Cartagena, 13001 · bozhacoffee.com
Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 · Calle6 Carrera 2 · restaurantelafontana.com
Grill, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:30 · 8B-58 Larga · redknife.com.co
Caribbean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-24:00; Su 17:00-24:00 · Calle de la Sierpe · solarcartagena.com
Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-18:00 · labrioche.com.co
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: takeaway · juanvaldez.com
Sandwich, Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-18:00 Features: vegetarian options · 38-55 Cochera del Hobo, 472000 · organicacartagena.co
Chicken, Diner, Seafood, Steak House, Restaurant · Chicken/Diner restaurant · sannicolasrestaurantebar.com
Burger, Grill, Regional, Steak House, Restaurant · Burger/Grill restaurant · 5-19 Calle del Estanco del Tabaco · porthos.com.co
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Th 16:00-00:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00; Su 11:00-00:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 31-7 Plaza de San Pedro de Claver · elbaron.co
Mexican, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-23:00
Fish, Burger, Sandwich, Grill, Ice Cream, Crepe, Seafood, Pasta, Pizza, Chicken, Arab, Mexican, Restaurant · Fish/Burger restaurant · 6 72 Avenida San Martín… · hotrestaurante.com
German, Restaurant · German restaurant · 10B-65 Calle del Arsenal, Cartagena · leondebaviera.com
Juice, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
American, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · Calle 70A, Cartagena
Crepe, Ice Cream, Restaurant · Crepe/Ice Cream restaurant
Tea, Japanese, Asian, Sushi, Local, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 · 37 Calle San Pedro Mártir
Italian, Arabic, Regional, Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: 14:00-23:00
Tapas, Bar, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 18:00-02:00 · 10-19 Del Carretero, Cartagena
Local, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:30-22:00
Diner, Coffee Shop, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00 · 33-24 Calle de la Artilleria
Healthy, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-19:00 · 13-67 Calle 93B
Fish And Chips, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 · 41 43 Real del Cabrero
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Tu 14:30-23:00; We-Sa 12:30-23:00
Internacional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-20:00
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00 · 6-40 Calle 6
TíPica CaribeñA, Restaurant · Opening hours: 06:30-22:00 · Bocagrande Carrera 3 No. 6-23, Hotel Barlovento, Cartagena
Gelato, Ice Cream, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 6 Colegio, Cartagena, 130001
Barbecue, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-00:00 · 7-61 Local 2 Carrera 2
TailandéS - Sushi - Fusion, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-20:00 Features: outdoor seating
Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant · restaurantelamulata.com
Chinese, Restaurant · Chinese restaurant
Arab, Indian, Fast Food · Arab/Indian fast food
Wings, Fast Food · Wings fast food
Ice Cream · ice cream · frutisandy.com
Beef, Chicken, Fish, Restaurant · Features: step-free access, air conditioning
Latin American, Restaurant · Features: air conditioning
International, Restaurant · International restaurant
Pastry, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Pastry/Coffee Shop cafe
Tex-Mex, Restaurant · Tex-Mex restaurant
405 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG) 3.5 km to the centre
Cartagena, BOL, CO — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 7 airlines (Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia, Copa Airlines, JetBlue Airways, LAN Airlines…) · direct flights to 8 destinations incl. Bogota, Miami, Cali, Fort Lauderdale, New York… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 7 airlines, 8 direct destinations
- Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia AV (318, A320, A319) · 4 routes: Bogota, Cali, Miami, Rio Negro
- Copa Airlines CM (Embraer 190, A320, 737-800, 737-700) · 3 routes: Bogota, Panama City, San Andres Island*
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A320) · 1 route: New York
- LAN Airlines LA (A320) · 1 route: Bogota*
- Spirit Airlines NK (A319, A320) · 1 route: Fort Lauderdale
- United Airlines UA (318, A320) · 1 route: Miami*
- US Airways US (318, A320) · 1 route: Miami
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
El Cairano Airport 44 km to the centre
El Cairano, ATL, CO
Carmen De Bolivar Airport 92 km to the centre
Carmen De Bolivar, BOL, CO
Cocosolo Airport 7.2 km to the centre
Cartagena de Indias, BOL, CO
El Tambo Airport 14 km to the centre
Bayunca, BOL, CO
Getting there by ferry
Ferry Pasacaballo - Barú
Ferry terminal · 14 km from the centre
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG); 9 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: CTG has direct flights to 8 destinations on 7 airlines (incl. Bogota, Miami, Cali, Fort Lauderdale, New York…). By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km (nearest: Ferry Pasacaballo - Barú, 14 km).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Cartagena, Colombia. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing