Cartagena is a popular destination for visitors to Colombia. The colorful streets, delicious food, and beaches are just a few of the reasons people may choose to spend part, or all, of their vacation here. While you could spend a few days in and around Cartagena, this guide will cover how to spend one day in Cartagena, Colombia.
One Day in Cartagena
This itinerary is based off my own trip to Cartagena and while there are a few tweaks here and there, it mostly follows what I did during my trip.
Early Morning – Castillo San Felipe
Cartagena gets hot, and because of that, it’s important to plan your day around beating the heat. So, start your morning off with a visit to Castillo San Felipe. This is Cartagena’s hill top fortress that was built to protect the prosperous city from pirates. The remains of this fortress are still here today and can be visited.
My recommendation is to visit Castillo San Felipe, but either hire a guide or do a little bit of research first. There are a few informational signs around the complex, but not many. I read a quick deep dive the night before my visit and that helped to give me a little more context for what I was looking at. Without that, I think you’re mostly just paying for the views of the city (which are very nice, don’t get me wrong).
Castillo San Felipe was a fortress that was built to protect Cartagena, so it sits high on a hill. While I didn’t find this hill too strenuous to climb, you will be in the humid, Cartagena heat. The site opens at 7:00 am so beat the heat (and the crowds) and get here early.
I didn’t arrive right when they opened (instead choosing to have breakfast at my hotel first) and I arrived a little after 9:00 am. I’d recommend getting here no later than this. There was a short line to get in, but it was manageable (as were the crowds). Later in the evening, toward closing time, you could see just how busy the castle was (since everyone seems to head there for sunset).
My visit lasted about an hour and that gave me enough time to wander through the castle and venture into the tunnels. I was happy with my visit and would recommend most visitors set aside about an hour for their visit. Those with a love of history who hire a guide may want to set aside a bit more time.
Entrance to Castillo San Felipe costs 38,000 COP for foreigners (less for Colombian nationals).
Mid Morning – City Walls and Old Town
From Castillo San Felipe, take a stroll along the City Walls and work your way to the Old City. Like with Castillo San Felipe, these city walls were built to protect the city. The walls encompassed the city, though it has since expanded considerably. The Walled City, or Old Town, is what sits within the walls. The walls also offer some nice views, but I think they have better views of the sea than of the rest of Cartagena.
Inside the Old Town, wander the streets and enjoy the architecture. It’s a colorful, colonial style the streets feel alive with people with locals and tourists alike are going about their day. Like with most Old Towns, I don’t have a designated route to follow, but there’s a few things that I recommend keeping your eye out for as you walk.
Plaza de Santo Domingo – There are several squares throughout the Old Town and along these squares you’ll find vendors, tourists, and locals going about their day. These squares are fantastic for people watching and to get a sense of what’s gong on in the city. Plaza de Santo Domingo is just one of these squares, so don’t limit yourself to just this square. Wander the neighborhood and see what you find.
Plaza de Bolivar – While I don’t want this list to just be a list of all of the squares, I’m giving a special shout out to Plaza de Bolivar. It’s a mix between a small park and a square with plenty of trees and benches, making it ideal to sit and relax and people watch (though you will have to deal with numerous vendors). Plus, there’s a handful of museums right nearby if that’s your thing.
Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría – I feel like I have to include a church on this list and that’s Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría. The interior isn’t my favorite, but the exterior is gorgeous and makes for some great photos.
Monumento de Torre del Reloj – This is the clock tower and I’m listing it here because it’s easy to miss. Why? Because directly across is a whole row of vendors selling various candies and other treats and if you walk through here looking at what people are selling, you might find yourself completely ignoring the clock tower (ask me how I know).
I’ve already mentioned it, but it gets hot in Cartagena. Notice how everyone seems to gravitate towards whichever side of the street has shade. I constantly crossed the streets, trying to take advantage of whatever shade I could.
Lunch
Take a break from exploring and find a place to get some lunch. Take your time and relax. We’re getting to some of the warmest parts of the day and there’s no rush.
Early Afternoon – Siesta
It’s completely up to you, but I found it much more enjoyable to head back to my hotel for a little bit. Technically I went back to my hotel and then had a late lunch, but it’s still the same idea. It was so nice to take a break in the middle of the day and just chill. Literally, I went back to my hotel, caught up on my journaling, and just enjoyed the air conditioning for an hour. That (plus the extra water I drank) was enough to recharge and make for a much more enjoyable later afternoon.
Mid Afternoon – Getsemaní
The Old City is full of colonial architecture but it’s only one area of the city that I recommend you explore. The other is Getsemaní, and it’s my favorite part of Cartagena. Like the Old Town, the streets are colorful and lively. While the Old Town felt more colorful because of its buildings, Getsemaní felt more colorful because of all of the street art. It’s fun to stroll and see what you can find.
Here’s what I recommend you keep an eye out for.
Plaza de Trinidad – Like with the Old Town, there are plenty of plazas to visit. Rather than listing out each one, I’m going to just mention one and that’s Plaza de Trinidad. I think in general, Getsemaní, like the Old Town is just made for wandering and for travelers to turn down the colorful streets to see what they can find.
Callejon Angosto – So many of Getsemaní’s streets are colorful and I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the streets. While doing my research, Callejon Angosto came up a few times, so I’m including it on my list too. Rather than a wider street, this is an alley. It’s still full of color, but it feels much more cramped than so many of the other streets in Getsemaní. Do I think that means you should skip it? No (obviously because I included it on this list), but all of the streets in this neighborhood are good. It’s a reminder to explore the colorful streets, wherever you find them in Getsemaní.
Sunset – City Walls
If you still have the time and energy, head back to the City Walls and find a place to watch the sunset. While many people say that Castillo San Felipe is the best place to watch the sunset (and the crowds I could see up at the castle seem to corroborate this), I think that the City Walls would also be a great spot.
Why do I say “would be”? Because I visited about an hour before sunset, but I didn’t stay long enough for actual sunset (since I had to pack and had an early morning the next day).
Is One Day in Cartagena Enough?
This depends on the traveler. For me, one day in Cartagena was enough, but others may feel differently. If you have an interest in history or want to visit the nearby Rosario islands, you’ll want to give yourself just a little more time in Cartagena.
Tips for Visiting Cartagena
So you’ve decided to visit Cartagena. Here’s a few of my top tips to have a great trip.
Cartagena is Hot
I cannot stress how hot and humid Cartagena can be. The city sits right on the ocean and it’s a hot, tropical climate all year round. If you’re coming from somewhere cold (I came straight from the cold, snowy winter of Wisconsin), it can be a slap in the face. On my first day, I went out for about an hour and a half, around 4:30 in the afternoon to get some dinner and see a bit of Getsemaní. I couldn’t believe that that little bit of walking caused some sweat (though it was nothing compared to the next day).
The city is hot and you need to plan accordingly. That means being strategic with your sightseeing and taking proper precautions.
Carry Water
One of those precautions is to carry, and drink, plenty of water throughout the day. If you don’t have water, you’ll find vendors all over the tourist areas selling bottles and don’t be afraid to take advantage of it.
If you’re heading to Castillo San Felipe, make sure to carry water. If you don’t have any, just buy a bottle from one of the vendors at the entrance. When I left that morning and told my hotel that I was heading to Castillo San Felipe, he made sure I had water before I left. So drink and stay hydrated.
Use Sun Protection
Not only is Cartagena hot, but you’re likely closer to the equator than where you live. The sun is not only warm but it’s also intense. Wear sunscreen and even consider taking a hat to provide some shade and sun protection. Don’t have a hat? There are plenty of vendors selling hats at all of the top tourist spots.
How to Get Around Cartagena
If you’re following this itinerary, the only thing you need to worry about is getting to and from the airport or bus station. From the airport, you can expect a taxi to cost about 21,400 COP (technically it’s 17,800 to Getsemaní but the drivers will almost certainly try to get you to pay the “Hotel Zone” rate of 21,400).
You can take taxis around the city, but they are unmetered and you’ll need to negotiate your price before getting in. The simpler solution is to use Uber (or Cabify or Didi). It’s often cheaper (or at least comparable) than a taxi but you have the added bonus of not having to deal with taxis in Cartagena.
Final Thoughts
Cartagena is a beautiful city that’s full of history and colorful streets. I think one day in Cartagena is enough to see the highlights, at least for most travelers, and this one day itinerary gives what I feel is a great introduction to the city.
Continue Your Adventure
Bogotá: Cartagena is just one of Colombia’s great cities. Learn how to spend one day in Bogotá, including a visit to Monseratte. With more time, consider a day trip to Guatavita and Zipaquirá.
Colombia: Start planning your trip with my Colombia Travel Guide which includes a realistic travel budget, my top travel tips, safety information, a nine day itinerary, and so much more.