How to Plan the Perfect Family Trip to Cartagena, Colombia

A few years ago, my family and I went on an adventure that forever changed our lives. We traveled full-time through South America and eventually landed in Europe by the end. Throughout all of our travels, we think most memorably back to our month-long stay in Cartagena, Colombia. 

We instantly fell in love with this coastal city and our affinity for Cartagena only grew as time went on. Cartagena is a vibrant city with a rich history. Divided between a historic sector and a modern peninsula with pretty islands nearby and rich, mouthwatering food that will delight your taste buds. 

In this complete travel guide to Cartagena, I will let you in on the very best things to add to your itinerary, when to visit and valuable tips for getting around. 

When To Visit Cartagena, Colombia

The best time to travel to Cartagena is during the dry season between December and April. We visited in January, and it was hot and sunny almost every day and the sea was warm. I can only remember one, short period of rain that lasted for about an hour the whole month we were in the city. 

If you want to go when there’s slightly lower prices on hotels and flights and still enjoy sunny weather, check out May when the rainy season is just beginning. Even when it rains, it is only an intense rain shower mid-day, leaving the mornings and evenings open for exploring outside. 

The worst time to visit Cartagena is September to November, with the rainiest month being October. These are the wettest and most humid months of the year for Cartagena. 

How To Get To Cartagena, Colombia

Fly into Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG). The only international airport in Cartagena is just north of the city. 

When we flew into Cartagena, we were coming from Medellin, so it was really quick and easy  to navigate through the small airport. When my friend came to visit from the United States it was a different story. She found really long and slow lines at customs, so that is something you might experience as well. 

Getting Around Cartagena

When you get out of the airport, there will be a long line of taxis outside the doors. You can take one of those to your hotel or grab an Uber or Indrive. 

When we were visiting Colombia, Ubers weren’t legal, but were still used in Cartagena. As of 2023, they are legal in Colombia now, according to Adam McConnaughhay from Cartagena Explorer. 

Taxis work great to get around the city, but if you don’t know Spanish, they might try to rip you off. 

Pro Tip: Always negotiate the price upfront before taking a taxi. If you don’t know how much it should cost, pull up Uber or Indrive. It will tell you a rough estimate of how much it should cost or just order an Uber! 

Should I Rent A Car In Cartagena? 

You can rent a car, but you don’t really need one. Taxis and Ubers are cheap and the city is very walkable. The only reason to rent a car is if you want to drive down the coastal peninsula of Baru and don’t want to take the bus!

Best Things To Do In Cartagena

Take A Walking Tour Of The City

In my opinion, the best way to get oriented to Cartagena is by taking a walking tour. The walled, historic center is by far the most interesting area of Cartagena with its beautiful, colorful buildings lined with flowering vines, and many restaurants, cafes and shops to explore. However it is a good size and with four distinct areas, can be confusing when you first arrive. 

There are free tour options, but those are usually big groups and aren’t as informative as a more intimate setting. 

We booked our walking tour through Airbnb experiences, and it was amazing. I would advise the same tour or a similar one. 

We walked all around the walled city and got a thorough history lesson. Our guide was a local who has lived in Cartagena for many years. In addition to showing us the ins and outs of the city, she also recommended really good restaurants and other things to do in Cartagena while we were visiting. 

To book a tour with Anita (our guide), follow this link to her Airbnb experience.

Walk On Top Of The Wall (Preferably At Sunset)

The historic center of Cartagena is surrounded by a well-preserved stone wall. This outer protection was built to protect the city from invading pirates and explorers that wanted to steal Cartagena’s gold. 

Nowadays, you can walk on the top of the wall and make your way around about half of the historic center. 

Start by entering by the clock tower in El Centro. This is the main entrance. From there, veer to the left and walk until you find a ramped entryway to the walls. You can’t miss it!

Continue walking on top of the wall towards the San Diego neighborhood, to the right. The wall extends all the way until Avenida Venezuela, where you will have to go down. 

Party On A Chiva 

If you want to dance and party like a local from Cartagena, you need to get on a party bus called a Chiva. These brightly lit old school buses are wildly painted and booming with music. 

This is a very fun way to see some of the sights around Cartagena in the evening. The lively buses go to the Cartagena sign, the bronze boots and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. 

Book a tour to enjoy the fun! 

Visit A Historic Castle

In the 1500s all the way to the late 19th century, Cartagena had to protect itself from invaders. The Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is one of the fortresses in Cartagena that has been well preserved and is easy to visit. 

We visited the castle early in the morning to try to avoid the heat and the crowds. It can get really busy. Even with the morning temperatures, our visit was hot. Be sure to bring your own water and snacks. 

You can wander around the whole castle and take it all in. There are some fun tunnels to walk through, but most of the castle is outside in the sun. 

If you are interested in learning more about the history of the castle, you will need to book a guided tour. There aren’t any signs around the castle that tell about its past.

Buy Your Souvenirs In An Old Dungeon

Las Bovedas is the place to go to get your souvenirs in Cartagena. This unique shopping area is located under the walls in San Diego in an old dungeon. While that sounds a bit creepy, it’s not.

All of the dungeons have been renovated and brightly colored. They were turned into little shops that sell everything from cheap little touristy gifts to traditional products. There was one shop in particular that sold handmade items from locals that I really loved. All of the items in the shop were really well made and beautiful. 

Wander through the many shops and find all your unique souvenirs and gifts for loved ones. You can even get onto the wall here as there is a walkway right next to the dungeons. 

Cruise Out In The Bay At Sunset 

Cartagena is best explored in the mornings and evenings as you will see from many of my recommendations in this Cartagena travel guide. 

One of my favorite activities we did during our trip was to take a sunset cruise. We were traveling with our kids, so we booked ours on a pirate ship. We had a blast sipping free rum punch, dressing up as pirates and hearing the funny commentary as we cruised through the bay at sunset. 

Book a tour with La Fantastica Pirate Ship for a fun evening on the water. There are also other options for sunset tours that are on more modern vessels if that is what you prefer. Either way, seeing the sunset from the bay is a feast for the eyes. 

Splash In The Waves 

You can’t visit Cartagena without getting in the water. Mainly because it is so hot in the afternoon. You are going to be begging to jump in the ocean or your hotel pool. 

However, not all beaches in Cartagena are created equal, so here is a run down of where to go to cool off. 

Bocagrande Public Beaches 

The sandy beaches on the Bocagrande peninsula are a popular place to go when in Cartagena. These are not, in my opinion, the best beaches though. While they are easy to get to, they aren’t very beautiful. 

The waves are large here and can be fun to play in. Our Airbnb was right on this beach, so we played in the waves here most days, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for a visit.

Playas Castillo Grande: The public beaches on the Castillo Grande peninsula are also not the best beaches in Cartagena, but are a wonderful option if you are visiting with small children. 

The waves are smaller and calmer here. We liked walking down this beach, but again, it’s not worth it to go out of your way, unless you have little ones. 

Playa Blanca: For a much more beautiful shade of blue and prettier sand, make your way to Playa Blanca. This public beach on the Baru Peninsula is one of the prettiest. 

Note: At every public beach mentioned above, expect many vendors coming around to sell you things. Everything from massages, beach toys, and food (even ceviche). This is convenient if you don’t want to move from our umbrella chair and get snacks delivered right to you, but it can also be annoying. Be sure to bring cash!

Go To A Private Beach Club

The best option for a beach day where you can enjoy a peaceful day in the sand and the sea is to go to a private beach club. At the private clubs, you pay to enter for the day and won’t be interrupted by vendors. 

There are many different options to choose from on the islands near Cartagena. The closest ones are located on Tierra Bomba, which is about a 15 minute boat ride from Cartagena. The best resort to visit on Tierra Bomba is Makani.

You can also take a day trip to the Rosario Islands. There are many beach resorts to choose.

If you really want to party, Cholon is where to go for an adult only beach day.  

Get A Spectacular View At A Rooftop Bar

Another evening on your vacation in Cartagena, book a reservation at a rooftop bar at sunset. There are a surprising number of rooftop bars, but the very best is Movich Hotel’s rooftop bar, Alyzia. 

You will be seated in comfortable seats and served delicious cocktails as the sky turns many shades of yellow, orange and pink. While the sun is setting and between photos, choose from one of the tasty entree items for dinner.

If you stay late enough, the rooftop turns into a dance party. We experienced the beginning of the dancing while we were there. My youngest and I had a great time on the dance floor. 

A highlight from our trip and a view I’ll never forget!

Where To Eat and What To Eat

Cartagena’s food scene is hard to beat with its fresh and delicious seafood and tropical ingredients. During your trip to Cartagena, you can’t miss out on two of my favorites!

Ceviche: Cartagena is known for its seafood due to its location right on the ocean. There are many ways to eat seafood, but if you have to choose only one way, choose ceviche. The best ceviche we had in Cartagena was at Cancha. 

Limonada De Coco: You can’t leave Cartagena without trying limonda de coco which translates to coconut lemonade. I still dream about sipping this mouthwatering frozen beverage by the pool. 

You can get one just about anywhere you go. Once my kids tried one, I think they ordered it every time we were out. They are good at every restaurant and beach bar. 

Amazing Restaurants You Have To Try In Cartagena

We enjoyed flavorful dishes at many restaurants in Cartagena. Our top restaurants below are spread out between the old historic town and on the Bocagrande peninsula. 

Carmen: Probably the best meal we had in Cartagena was at Carmen. The historic building in the San Diego neighborhood has a fun vibe and the meal was tasty and fresh with delicious Caribbean flavors. Choose between seafood, steak or pork dishes. Unfortunately for our vegetarians out there, you will want to dine somewhere else.

Mar y Zielo: This Colombian-inspired cuisine restaurant in El Centro focuses on more traditional dishes using local products. You will find phenomenal service and the presentation of the food was also exceptional. I really enjoyed my octopus here!

Verona Pizzeria: For pizza or pasta in Bocagrande, choose Verona. We went for my son’s birthday and really enjoyed the flavors and atmosphere. 

Lunatico: For a fun restaurant in Getsemani, visit Lunatico. After a nice morning at the Castle, we walked to Lunatico for lunch. My husband and I shared the tapas and we loved it. It was so nice to try a bunch of small dishes, each one was savory and full of flavor! This Spanish restaurant also serves tasty ceviche, fideua, and burgers. 

Day Trips From Cartagena

Relax At A Beach Resort In The Rosario Islands

For a special day trip from Cartagena, go to the Rosario Islands. This beautiful archipelago is located roughly 45 minutes from the city’s docks. 

There are two ways to enjoy the islands from Cartagena. The first option is to book a day pass with a beach resort. 

The top resorts for a day trip are Islabela or Isla del Encanto. Islabela is located right in the Rosario Islands while Isla del Encanto is on the tip of the Baru Peninsula.

Both offer similar experiences. We chose Isla del Encanto for the pool!

Visit The First Free African Settlement In The Americas

Another day trip from Cartagena that offers a truly interesting experience is to go to San Basilio de Palenque. As you wander around Cartagena, you will see women in brightly colored dresses, the color of the Colombian flag, with bowls of fruit on their heads. 

These palenqueras will pose for pictures with tourists for a few pesos. These women are from Palenque and rely on this income for their families. Another way to support them is by visiting their community and learning about their history, customs and traditions. 

The best way to visit San Basilio de Palenque is to book a tour. 

Vacationing in Cartenegra, Colombia

Cartagena is such a special place.

The people, the food, the atmosphere, and the beauty make it one of my favorite cities in the world to visit.

I hope you love your trip as much as I did!