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Colombia · Central & South America

Cartagena

Walled colonial city on the Caribbean with boutique hotels and beach islands.

Best time
December to April (dry season).
Stay
4 nights
From US
3h from Miami, 5h from NYC
Lang / Cur
Spanish · Colombian Peso (COP)

Cartagena's UNESCO old town is a maze of bougainvillea-draped balconies and pastel streets. Add day trips to the Rosario Islands and you get city + Caribbean in one trip.

01

Highlights

  • 01Sunset from the Ciudad Amurallada walls
  • 02Getsemaní street art walk + Plaza Trinidad nightlife
  • 03Day trip to Isla Barú or the Rosario Islands
  • 04Castillo San Felipe de Barajas fortress
  • 05Chef-driven dinners in San Diego and Centro
02

Where to stay

Centro HistóricoGetsemaníSan DiegoBocagrande
03

4-day itinerary

  1. 01Old town

    Walk the walls at sunset, dinner in San Diego.

  2. 02Fortress + culture

    San Felipe, Palenquera food tour.

  3. 03Beach day

    Boat to Isla Barú's Playa Blanca.

  4. 04Getsemaní

    Street art tour, Café del Mar sunset.

04

Local intelligence

  • 01Uber works but ask driver to sit up front to avoid police fines.
  • 02Don't book beach boats from strangers on the street — use hotel or verified operator.
  • 03Rainy afternoons are common May–Nov; plan mornings for outdoor sights.
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