TRIP OVERVIEW
Day 1 – Parque Centenario · Muelle Los Pegasos · Plaza de la Trinidad · Torre del Reloj
Day 2 – Palacio de la Inquisición · Plaza de Santo Domingo · Catedral Basílica de Cartagena · Convento de San Pedro Claver
Day 3 – Bocagrande Beach · Museo de Arte Moderno · Barrio Getsemaní · Convento de la Popa
Day 4 – Museo del Oro Zenú · Playa Blanca · Oceanario Islas del Rosario · Isla del Sol
Day 5 – Castillo San Felipe de Barajas · Las Murallas de Cartagena · Claustro de La Merced · Castillo San Sebastián del Pastelillo
Day 6 – Playa del Laguito · La Boquilla · Casa Rafael Núñez · Baluarte de Santo Domingo
Day 1
1.Parque Centenario~45 min
A leafy colonial-era park just outside the old walls where dozens of green iguanas roam freely through the benches and palms, locals play chess in the shade, and street vendors sell cold coconut water — a genuine local gathering spot.
Open 24/7
2.Muelle Los Pegasos~30 min
The main departure pier for day trips to the Islas del Rosario and Playa Blanca — shared lanchas leave from here from 8:00am and return by late afternoon, with tickets including stops at the oceanario and Playa Blanca.
3.Plaza de la Trinidad~1 hr
The social heart of Getsemaní — a laid-back colonial square fronting the 18th-century Trinidad church, where locals pull out rocking chairs in the evening and vendors serve fresh juice and patacones.
Open 24/7
4.Torre del Reloj~30 min
The 18th-century clock-tower gate that marks the ceremonial entrance to Cartagena's walled city, its four arched passages opening onto Avenida Venezuela and the main plaza at the edge of the historic centre.
Open 24/7
Day 2
1.Palacio de la Inquisición~1 hr
A baroque colonial palace on Plaza de Bolívar that served as the seat of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, now a museum covering colonial history with original instruments and period artifacts.
Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm · Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm
Cash Only
2.Plaza de Santo Domingo~1 hr
Cartagena's most atmospheric colonial square — an irregular plaza anchored by the 1539 Iglesia de Santo Domingo, the city's oldest church, and Fernando Botero's bronze "La Gorda" sculpture, ringed by terrace restaurants and colonial façades.
Open 24/7
Iglesia de Santo Domingo: Mon – Sat 8:00am – 6:00pm · Sun 8:00am – 12:00pm
3.Catedral Basílica de Cartagena~45 min
Cartagena's principal Roman Catholic cathedral, begun in 1575 and rebuilt after Francis Drake's cannon bombardment, its terracotta-and-white façade sitting at the heart of the walled city on Plaza de la Proclamación.
4.Convento de San Pedro Claver~1 hr 30 min
A colonial-era Jesuit convent and church dedicated to Peter Claver — the Jesuit priest who ministered to enslaved Africans brought to the port — with a peaceful three-story courtyard and a museum of religious art.
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm · Saturday - Sunday 8:00am - 4:00pm
Cash Only
Day 3
1.Bocagrande Beach~2 hr
Cartagena's main urban beach — a broad golden-sand strip lining the Bocagrande peninsula, backed by hotels and open for swimming, with vendors offering fresh fruit and limonada de coco along the shore.
Open 24/7
2.Museo de Arte Moderno~1 hr
A restored 1912 rum warehouse on the old city waterfront now serving as Cartagena's principal modern art museum — five galleries of Colombian and Caribbean art from the 20th and 21st centuries, with rotating international exhibitions.
Tuesday - Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm · Tuesday - Friday 2:00pm - 6:00pm · Saturday 9:00am - 12:00pm
Closed Sunday - Monday
Cash Only
3.Barrio Getsemaní~2 hr
The vibrant historic neighborhood outside the walls, celebrated for its colorful street murals, authentic local culture, and community-run plazas — now one of the most-photographed neighborhoods in South America.
Open 24/7
4.Convento de la Popa~1 hr 30 min
A hilltop Augustinian convent at 150 metres offering the best panoramic views in Cartagena, reached by taxi up a winding road past a military checkpoint, with the city, bay, and islands all spread out below.
Day 4
1.Museo del Oro Zenú~1 hr
The Banco de la República's gold museum in Cartagena showcasing pre-Columbian goldwork and ceramics of the Zenú people, including intricate filigree work and cast figures, with free admission.
Tuesday - Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm · Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Closed Monday
Free
2.Playa Blanca~2 hr
One of the finest beaches in Colombia — a long stretch of white powder sand lining Isla Barú, with turquoise water shallow enough for wading and wooden palapas offering coconut cocktails and freshly grilled fish.
Open 24/7
3.Oceanario Islas del Rosario~1 hr 30 min
A coral-reef aquarium built on stilts in the Caribbean waters of the Rosario archipelago, home to nurse sharks, rays, moray eels, and sea turtles — the only marine aquarium of its kind on Colombia's Caribbean coast.
4.Isla del Sol~1 hr 30 min
A small, largely undeveloped island in the Rosario archipelago with clear snorkeling water directly off its beach, a handful of beachfront restaurants, and the kind of quiet that disappears by noon — the lancha back to Cartagena departs from here.
Open 24/7
Day 5
1.Castillo San Felipe de Barajas~2 hr
A massive 16th-century Spanish fortress atop San Lázaro hill, famed for its labyrinthine underground tunnels and commanding views over Cartagena Bay — the largest Spanish fortification ever built in the Americas.
2.Las Murallas de Cartagena~1 hr 30 min
The historic coral-stone ramparts encircling Cartagena's old city, built over nearly two centuries to defend against pirates and rival empires — walk the broad top of the walls for panoramic harbor views.
Open 24/7
3.Claustro de La Merced~45 min
A 17th-century Mercedarian convent in the heart of the old city — now the University of Cartagena's auditorium — with one of the finest colonial courtyards in the Caribbean: two-storey arcaded galleries, a central garden, and consistently uncrowded in the morning.
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Closed Saturday - Sunday
Exterior always accessible.
Free
4.Castillo San Sebastián del Pastelillo~45 min
A compact 17th-century fort on the tip of Manga island, facing the walled city across the inner bay — the exterior walls and waterfront terrace offer one of the best angles on the city skyline and Las Bóvedas from across the water.
Open 24/7
Day 6
1.Playa del Laguito~1 hr
A sheltered cove beach at the northern tip of Bocagrande — calmer water than the main Bocagrande beach, fewer vendors, and a genuinely local morning atmosphere with Cartagena families, joggers, and fishing boats launching from the shoreline.
Open 24/7
No pictures available.
2.La Boquilla~1 hr 30 min
A traditional Afro-Colombian fishing village where the Caribbean Sea meets the Ciénaga de la Virgen lagoon — local families offer short dugout-canoe paddles through the mangrove channels, and the wide oceanfront beach stretches north without resort development.
3.Casa Rafael Núñez~1 hr
The preserved Caribbean-style wooden home of Rafael Núñez — Colombia's four-time president and author of its national anthem — now a small museum in the El Cabrero neighborhood, just a short walk from the old city walls.
Tuesday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm · Saturday - Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm
Closed Monday
Cash Only
4.Baluarte de Santo Domingo~45 min
A 17th-century corner bastion built into the old city wall facing the Caribbean — one of the quieter sections of Las Murallas, with open-sea views, a shaded parapet walkway, and a natural end point for a last stroll along the walls before leaving Cartagena.
Open 24/7
Weekly Closures
Colonial Sites · Closed Saturday - Sunday
Art Museums · Closed Sunday - Monday
Historic Houses · Closed Monday
Tours
Viator
2.5-hour walking tour of the walled city: Castillo San Felipe, Palacio de la Inquisición, Catedral Basílica, and the inner plazas; small groups with a local guide.
2 hr 30 min · Group
Full-day speedboat tour from Muelle Los Pegasos; includes Oceanario entry, snorkeling over coral reefs, Playa Blanca stop, and open bar on return.
8 hr · Group
Evening walking tour of Getsemaní and the walled city; 8–10 local food stops including arepas, patacones, and Caribbean fruit; ends at a local bar with a welcome cocktail.
3 hr · Group
GetYourGuide
3-hour private walking tour of the walled city and Getsemaní; custom itinerary, photography stops at the colourful buildings, and insider context on Colombia's Caribbean history.
3 hr · Private
Day trip by lancha from Cartagena to five Rosario Islands highlights — coral reef snorkeling, the Oceanario aquarium, Playa Blanca beach time, beach club access, and a grilled fish lunch included.
7 hr · Group
Cappuccino
Café Mila · 4.5 · 800+ reviews
A modern specialty coffee bar in Bocagrande serving Colombian single-origin espresso drinks, cold brew, and fresh avocado toast — one of the few genuinely third-wave cafés in the neighbourhood.
Daily 7:00am - 9:00pm
Café del Mar · 4.6 · 1200+ reviews
A rooftop bar and café set on the top of the old city wall facing the Caribbean — espresso drinks and tropical cocktails served with a full view of the sea; arrive before sunset for the best light.
Daily 5:00pm - 12:00am
Restaurants Near Hotel
El Boliche Cebichería · 4.5 · 700+ reviews
Peruvian-Colombian kitchen in Bocagrande serving leche de tigre ceviches, tiradito, and fresh catch of the day in a casual counter setting.
Daily 12:00pm - 10:00pm
Marea by Rausch · 4.5 · 600+ reviews
An upscale Colombian kitchen from the Rausch brothers — ceviches, grilled meats, arroz con coco, and craft cocktails with sea views on the Bocagrande strip.
Daily 12:00pm - 3:00pm · 6:00pm - 11:00pm
La Cocina de Pepina · 4.4 · 900+ reviews
Traditional Cartagenera home cooking in Bocagrande — arroz con coco, sancocho de gallina, and Colombian stews in a family-run dining room.
Tuesday - Sunday 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Closed Monday
Downtown Restaurants
La Vitrola · 4.5 · 800+ reviews
A legendary Cartagena dining room with live bolero and vallenato — arroz con coco, sancocho, and Colombian stews in a colonial house unchanged in forty years.
Daily 12:00pm - 3:00pm · 6:00pm - 12:00am
Alma · 4.4 · 620+ reviews
Contemporary Colombian kitchen at Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa — modern technique, craft cocktails, and a colonial-house setting on Plaza Santa Teresa.
Daily 7:00am - 10:30pm
Local Tastes
Cazuela de Mariscos
Cartagena's definitive dish — a rich Caribbean seafood stew with shrimp, clams, squid, and fish cooked with coconut milk and a sofrito of tomato, onion, and ají dulce. Served in a clay pot at nearly every traditional restaurant.
Arroz con Coco
Toasted coconut rice — the essential Caribbean side dish of the Colombian coast, with a subtle sweetness from the coconut cream that caramelises in the pan. Served alongside grilled fish and cazuela at virtually every coastal restaurant.
Patacones
Green plantains sliced, smashed flat, and twice-fried until golden and crisp — the Caribbean equivalent of a chip, eaten salted as a snack or as a base for shredded chicken, hogao, and ají picante throughout the old city and Getsemaní.
Limonada de Coco
A blended lemonade made with fresh lime juice, condensed milk, ice, and young coconut flesh — the signature refreshment of Cartagena's beach vendors and open-air bars, best ordered at the Bocagrande beachfront stalls in the afternoon.
Sancocho de Gallina
A thick chicken stew with yuca, potato, corn, and cilantro — the Colombian coastal comfort dish eaten for Sunday lunch; the correct accompaniment is white rice and a wedge of lime squeezed at the table.
Food Delivery
Rappi
Foreign number: accepted. — the Rappi app accepts international numbers at signup; SMS verification code arrives on US, Canadian, and European numbers without issue.
The dominant food delivery platform in Colombia; coverage across Bocagrande, Centro Histórico, and Getsemaní is strong with delivery times of 30–50 minutes; selection includes local restaurants, Éxito and Carulla supermarkets, and pharmacy delivery in one app.
Uber Eats
Foreign number: accepted. — OTP verification arrives reliably; connect the same account used elsewhere; no Colombia-specific signup required.
Narrower restaurant selection than Rappi in Cartagena but often faster delivery in Bocagrande; strong coverage of chain restaurants and hotel-district cafés; reliable for late-night orders when local kitchens are closed.
Shows, Performances & Concerts
Teatro Heredia
A 19th-century domed theatre staging classical concerts, Colombian folk music, and touring theatre; worth visiting even without a performance.
Café Havana
The top live salsa venue in Getsemaní; a colonial house filling nightly — arrive before 10pm and order rum before the floor fills.
Centro de Convivencia Ciudadana
Cartagena's main outdoor venue for the International Music Festival and Hay Festival; major events run January to March.
Getting Around
Uber
Foreign number: accepted. — OTP arrives reliably on US, Canadian, and European numbers; use the same account as at home with no additional setup required.
Reliable across Bocagrande, Getsemaní, and the walled city; surge pricing applies during carnival week in February and during cruise-ship days when demand spikes at the port gate; drivers navigate the narrow old-city streets well.
InDriver
Foreign number: accepted. — international country-code selector at signup; SMS OTP arrives on foreign numbers; download and register before arrival to save time.
Consistently cheaper than Uber for longer trips to Convento de la Popa, La Boquilla, and Casa Rafael Núñez; the bidding model lets you propose a fare and the driver accepts or counters — typically 20–30% below Uber's quoted price on the same route.
Worth Knowing
Pay in pesos — USD is technically accepted but always costs you more
The Colombian peso — COP — is the only currency that gets you market-rate prices in Cartagena. Street vendors, taxi drivers, and smaller restaurants routinely quote in USD for tourists but apply a 15–25% conversion premium. Withdraw COP at any Bancolombia or Davivienda ATM — both reliably accept foreign cards and charge lower fees than hotel exchanges. Visa and Mastercard work broadly; American Express is hit-or-miss outside luxury hotels.
The walled city and Bocagrande are safe to walk during the day. After dark, Getsemaní is lively on the Plaza de la Trinidad but quieter side streets warrant the same caution you'd give any Latin American city at night — keep valuables out of sight and take Uber rather than walking across the moat. The US State Department rates Colombia Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution.
The city's main international airport, Rafael Núñez — airport code CTG — is 15 minutes from Bocagrande by Uber — close enough that early departures are low stress. Taxis from outside the terminal are unmetered; agree the fare before you get in or use Uber from the arrivals hall to avoid the negotiation entirely.
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