Cartagena Colombia
Country: Colombia · Region: Panama and Central America · Currency: Colombian Peso
Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Colombia's Caribbean coast, founded in 1533 with a beautifully preserved walled colonial city and nearby beaches. It is the most visited Colombian city by tourists.
Top sights
Walled Old Town, Castillo de San Felipe, La Popa monastery, Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, Palacio de la Inquisición, Plaza de Bolívar
Things to do
- Castillo de San Felipe
- A 1657 fortress designed by Dutch engineer Richard Carr with an extensive maze of tunnels and video presentation on the fortress history.
- Convento & Iglesia de San Pedro Claver
- Church honoring the Spanish Jesuit who worked for slave rights, featuring his relics and an Afro-Caribbean art exhibition on the second floor.
- Palacio de la Inquisición (Museo de la Inquisición)
- Museum documenting the Spanish Inquisition tribunal that tortured and convicted people, displaying actual torture instruments used.
- La Popa
- A 150-meter high hill with a 17th-century Santa Cruz monastery offering great views over Cartagena and the harbor area.
Beaches
- Playa Blanca
- Accessible by boat from harbors including Muelle Todomar, reachable on day trips with lunch included.
- Castillogrande
- An exclusive neighborhood with a quiet beach and modern amenities including places to jog.
Where to eat
- Walled colonial city restaurants
- The historic old town contains many fancy restaurants and dining options.
Bars and nightlife
- Chiva Bus
- An open-air colorful bus tour with music and drinking through the city, available afternoons and evenings with pickup at tourist hotels.
Forecast for Cartagena
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Weather in Cartagena by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 88°F | 76°F | 0.5 in | 5 |
| February | 89°F | 76°F | 0.2 in | 2 |
| March | 90°F | 76°F | 0.6 in | 5 |
| April | 89°F | 78°F | 2.5 in | 13 |
| May | 87°F | 78°F | 5.7 in | 22 |
| June | 86°F | 78°F | 6.0 in | 23 |
| July | 87°F | 78°F | 5.2 in | 21 |
| August | 87°F | 78°F | 5.6 in | 23 |
| September | 86°F | 78°F | 5.5 in | 24 |
| October | 85°F | 77°F | 7.3 in | 26 |
| November | 85°F | 77°F | 7.4 in | 21 |
| December | 87°F | 77°F | 1.3 in | 8 |
Getting around
The old town is best explored on foot; taxis (without meters, negotiate fare in advance) and Transcaribe buses serve other areas like Bocagrande and Castillogrande.
What to eat
The walled colonial city has many fancy restaurants; the Alcatraz boat tour to Playa Blanca includes a good lunch.
Tips
Negotiate taxi fares before getting in; confirm your destination and price with the driver to avoid inflated rates.
Best for
Colonial history, Caribbean beaches
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