Ocean waves, balmy breezes and the sounds of salsa give Cartagena its romantic allure. If you’re planning a trip to this Caribbean escape, here are a few tips on how to make the most of it.
Stay within the walled city
While neighborhoods like Bocagrande and Getsemani are certainly up-and-coming, your best bet is still to stay within the walled Old City (El Centro). Secure and busy, you can walk most anywhere at night. While hotels and vacation rentals in El Centro can be slightly more expensive, they’re still very wallet-friendly. We found four-star hotels on a recent search starting at $55/night.
Take money out of a bank ATM
Don’t bring your dollars to the cambios in town. Some charge too much and use dubious math. Instead, just use your ATM card at one of the banks in the major plazas (like BanColombia in Plaza Colon). You’ll usually get a better exchange rate, pay less in fees and bonus points if your bank pays for international transaction fees.
Service included
At most every restaurant, regardless of your order or size of your group, an 8% gratuity charge is added to your bill. Usually, the waiter will point this out to you as a courtesy. It’s customary to leave a little extra because, man, does the dollar get a great exchange rate down there.
Take it slow
Another thing you’ll notice at most restaurants is that service is rather… slow. If you’re used to the typical American get-em-out-the-door-in-30 speed, you could get frustrated if you’re not attuned to the pace of Costeño life. So enjoy the wait. Sit back, relax, talk with your dinner mates and take things despacito.
Tip the traditionally-dressed ladies
Throughout the walled city, women walk around in brightly colored dresses, holding baskets of fruit on their heads. Even if you’re not interested in their wares, many realize this as a cool photo op. But don’t just take a snap and walk away. Many of these women rely on tips from tourists to make it day-to-day, so give them a few pesos before you switch your lens onto something else.
Learn basic Spanish
While Cartagena is a major tourist destination, knowing the Spanish language makes it that much easier to navigate. Even now, some restaurants don’t have English menus (or English-speaking staff). So embrace your vacation mode and learn how to communicate. It’ll help you with everything from ordering food to haggling over a Panama hat.
Skip Bocagrande, head to Baru
You would think being oceanside means a pristine coastline to explore. While the beaches of Bocagrande get the job done, we recommend planning an excursion is to Baru or Playa Blanca. Only accessible by boat, these islands boast cleaner beaches and clearer water. If you’re not comfortable with accepting a boat ride from one of the hawkers on the street, charter a boat through your hotel.
Embrace the midday shower
Real talk. Cartagena’s proximity to both the ocean and the Equator means year-round hot, muggy temperatures. By the time 3pm rolls around, your blow-out is looking more like a blow-ugh. But that’s okay because it’s perfectly acceptable to take a midday break and duck back into your hotel room to refresh. So pack extra skivvies and maybe a little more soap than you normally would.
Savor the siesta
Around midday, not a lot is going on in El Centro. Some restaurants shutter their doors, even shops will take a break. Use this to your advantage. Visit one of the street vendors for an arepa or buñuelo (always con queso and/or loaded up with crema). Visit another for a coco frio, and then hit a plaza. Sit on the benches to observe passers-by or take in an impromptu performance.
Book a chiva
You’ll hear them before you see them. Cartagena’s chivas (party buses) have become a tourist attraction. For around $15, you can grab a seat on one of these converted school buses, get a tour of the city, take shots of Aguardiente (traditional Colombian liqueur) and listen to live music. It’s a fabulous way to end the night.
Feel like a bit of Colombian flavor is exactly what you need this season? We’ll help you find the right flight to Cartagena and beyond.
Methodology: Hotel prices based on a double-occupancy room for check in: Friday, September 29 until check-out: Saturday, September 30, unless otherwise stated. Prices, availability, and cancellation policies may vary. Please check actual provider policies before making a reservation.
