There are no seasons in Colombia. It is a small town of a few thousand reside Copyright 2022 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. before 8 am is the best - so that you can avoid the tour groups that swarm the beach at 9 am. You will find them in the entrance of the malls. The higher altitude regions have . Although traveling during the dry season will offer some relief from the high temperatures, you should book sightseeing and tours before noon regardless of the season, to avoid the high sun and humidity. Though there are so many fun things to do in Cartagena, there are quite a few day trips that are worth doing if you have a couple of extra days. 16 Things To Know Before You Visit Colombia - Fifty, Fab, And Traveling Cartagena, Colombia: 10 Things Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting Tip | Unsurprisingly given the large number of of tourists now visiting the city, there are a lot of street vendors in Cartagena and on its beaches. If thats you, then we strongly recommend investing in a travel filter water bottle which will purify water from any source and greatly reduce the amount of single-use plastic you use on your travels. Currently, the city rates at a 82 while Bogota is at a 46, nearby Barranquilla at 47, and Medellin at 46. Avoid to exchange money at the airport as rates are the less convenient. A flight between the same two cities costs around $70,000 Colombian Pesos, or $24 USD. Touch device users, explore by touch . Cases increased in just about all of Colombia, first in Medelln and Bogot, and the first week of the new year saw Cartagena follow suit, with double digit cases nearly doubling day after day. Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Cartagena, Colombia Plaza Santo Domingo. I visited Bogota, Villa de Levya, Cartagena and Islas del Encanto last month and loved every minute of it! The best day trip from Cartagena is to Palenque de San Basilio, the first freed town in the Americas. Plan for Wide Swings in the Weather 4. And, inform them that you will be traveling to Colombia, so they don't put a security hold on your card. 10 things you have to know before traveling to Cartagena However, if you do plan to attend note that these dates correspond to high season in Cartagena, and high prices will be pushed even higher; its essential that you book in advance. But within a couple of days, we remembered that Cartagena Hot is another level of hot almost entirely - and thats before you factor in the 80-90% humidity! When traveling to a different country it is good to know if the destination has any visa requirements (like India) or passport validity rules. Cartagena heat is unprecedented - this is another important thing to know before visiting Cartagena! We highly recommend trying to enjoy the city before most of it wakes at least once on your visit. We shouldnt really have trusted him, but we did - and it all worked out ok in the end. Cartagena With Kids - 20 Amazing Things To Do - Families Love Travel If you need an internet break for the afternoon, here are some cafes in Cartagena with good WiFi. Watch. Reputation And Safety. Eat Cheap Like many places, Colombian cities have many dining options, but one of the cheapest food options is available on the streets. @Colombian from tx, You must be a miserable individual who was looking for trouble and when you look for trouble trouble follows you. Everything You Need To Know About Traveling With A Car Seat; Cartagena Entry Requirements As Of May 2021. The thing to know is that the Caribbean coast of Colombia is more expensive than elsewhere in the country, and Cartagena is generally the most expensive place on the Caribbean coast. Paper bills range from COP$1,000 to COP$100,000, but at the high end, that's only roughly $20USD so don't be surprised to see the large numbers on bills. From may to november we experience raining season being october the rainiest month. Cartagena also gets a 2.5 instead of a 2 because its one of the pricier destinations for travelers in Colombia. When the Caribbean breeze snakes its way towards you once or twice in the day, it is absolutely priceless. The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). When traveling in rural parts of Colombia, it's not uncommon to come across road checkpoints staffed by army personnel, who'll often ask to see your documents before waving you on your way. Everyone is out to rip you off In late January and early February each year, one of the most important literary and cultural festivals in the country takes place in Cartagena: Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias takes place. 21 Best Things to do in Cartagena - My Flying Leap Keep Reading | The nine best hostels in Cartagena and our pick of the best airbnbs in Cartagena for every budget. Ceviche is also a popular food to try in Colombia, especially when in Cartagena or elsewhere on the coast. Slow travel is a big part of our travel philosophy, and we try to spend a little bit longer in places so that we can go deeper, feel a little more connected to it, and also not have to rush around. Getting there. Traveling to Colombia: What to Know and Where to Go - Desk to Dirtbag It is hot and dry from december to april where there's breeze and almost no rain. If you are already in . Colombia is a wonderful, diverse, and fascinating country; it isnt your hedonistic playground or alternative Spring Break destination. Most dorms with 6-8 beds are 30,000 COP per night while 4-bed dorms cost 45,000-70,000 COP per night. Once youve received your luggage, follow the signs and just queue up at the kiosk, tell the person which neighbourhood youre going to and theyll give you a receipt and point you to the waiting official taxi. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. Cartagena Travel Costs. Cartagenas bus terminal is however a 45-minute, 20,000 COP taxi ride from the old town, but its you best place to go for the majority of onward transport connections to the rest of Colombia. And if youre an LGBTQ+ traveler, youll be happy to know that Colombia recognizes same-sex relationships. Be prepared to experience any kind of weather if you plan to travel throughout Colombia. Things to know before traveling to Colombia - Lonely Planet 11.12.18 Colombia, South America, Travel 9. Sofitel Bar Calablanca Beach Resort in Cartagena, Colombia Sep 15, 2022 4 min read. One highlight when visiting is the historic and famed Walled City in Old Cartagena. Cartagena Travel Guide | U.S. News Travel Always Carry Hand Sanitizer and Toilet Paper 9. However, when you arrive or leave or if youre on the wrong side of town after dark, its good to know how taxis operate. It's terribly hot. There are amazing things to see and do out here. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. Traveler Alert: Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! If you're thinking of visiting Colombia (you should! Colombians are lovely and welcoming, and with some knowledge of Spanish youll probably find yourself chatting away with just about everyone you meet during your trip. Nevertheless, whichever group you belong to, most of your time will be spent staying in and exploring around old Cartagena which is split into two neighbourhoods only a five to ten-minute walk apart: Getseman | Used to be the grungy, gritty, but very very pretty, backpacker district. Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022, Colombia Continues to Grow in Popularity With US American Travelers, El Salvador: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting. Related Post: Experiencing Cartagena Like A Local. We focus on showing you the local and authentic side of Cartagena, giving you a full picture of our culture and lifestyle throughout our professional travel experiences. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a protective hat are also valuable items to bring with you to Cartagena. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", Cartagena is a city as rich is history and culture as it is in color and food. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. The local currency is Colombian pesos, COP. you can also fly from most of Latin America, such as Buenos Aires, Mexico City, or Lima. Thousands of tourists visit the city every year to enjoy the beaches, colonial architecture and take in Cartagena's rich culture and history. Almost done! It might be handy to download these apps to your phone before your trip to Cartagena: The WiFi signal doesnt run super quick inside the walled city of Cartagena, but its decent. Getsemani: This is an ideal area for travelers who want to being near of the historic center on a budget. Customs recommend at least two free pages. Apr 15, 2016 - HollyDayz Travel & Lifestyle. Taxis are affordable and trips average between $4 and $5 USD. Go somewhere else unless you want to do drugs and meet hookers. Rates from $200-$300 per night. The difference in travel time? Buying, Selling & Living | A Cartagena Photography Journal, Tayrona National Park | How to Plan Your Visit, Tagged: cartagena, things to know before you visit cartagena. Punta Arena is another family favorite, with a wide shoreline and clear, calm . Located on Colombias Caribbean coast, Cartagena offers a wide variety of things to do like exploring the citys architecture, history, culture, and nightlife. Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit you'll likely see in Colombia. Although in theory you can go year round, depending on when you go you may encounter larger crowds of tourists, get quite a bit of rain (though since it is in the Caribbean, it can rain year round) and find the city to be unbearably hot and humid - we are speaking 80% . Travel insurance is always a good idea when going on any type of trip. Those Colombia entry requirements for Covid-19 vaccinations were announced by President Ivan Duque via Twitter on December 6, 2021. This amazing ambience paired with the warm hearted residents of Cartagena make this growing city a wonderful spot for a quick trip. Explore Old Town . Bocagrande is suitable for a few hours if youre really craving the rays, but definitely not somewhere that will give you a relaxing beach holiday. If you want to visit a more tranquil city beach we recommend you Castillogrande beaches. If you want to get the best price on a tour, our recommendation is to head to a hotel or hostel in Getsemani and ask all about them at their information deck. Located on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is one of the MOST popular destinations in Colombia. with therighthealth insurancejust in case you get sick or if your travel stuff gets stolen or lost at some point during your travels to Cartagena. 17 Things to Know Before You Go to Barranquilla In Colombia's Golden Gate, dance (and eat) all night, then take a healing swim in a volcano. We had arrived on a Friday night in January, on one of the busiest night of the year, in high season. However, making the most of your time in Cartagena is also about understanding some of its quirks, its challenges, and the notable changes its undergone in the last few years. Colombia is a fabulous country and an easy vacation destination from the U.S. 7 Things To Know Before You Go To Cartagena, Colombia. Here are nine things you should know before heading to South America's most northern country. 3. A gorgeous and historic coastal city [] Clearly changing your money into pesos is better, but in a worst case scenario they will happily take your U.S Dollar. You already know it, drink lots of water and protect yourself from the sun when you come over! Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. Pinterest. Things to Know before Traveling to Cartagena, Colombia Visa Requirements. 14 Things to Know Before Traveling to Colombia (Plus Video 1. ), here are 16 essential things you need to know before you visit this beautiful country. The best shot here, is to take a day trip excursion to one of the hotels to offer the "day pass" service, however be aware of the option you choose as if your plan is to enjoy a quiet and relaxing day at the beach, most of this hotels host hundreds of people everyday; besides, not even all of them have really a beach. There are only 7 rooms, but 4 pools, creating an intimate atmosphere like none other in the city. Colombia's climate largely depends on the region and altitude that you're visiting. Cartagena, Colombia | Things to Know Before Going - Danae Rosario Have no worries because there is no tourist visa required for US citizens traveling to Cartagena under 90 days. Playa de Castillo Grande is a bit quieter, and Playa de La Boquilla, located a little north of Cartagena, is where locals usually vacation. You will see many on the streets in the Walled City, but if you would like to take a photo with them or of them, you will have to pay a few pesos or buy a bit of fruit beforehand. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 28 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 5:23 PDT. Cartagena Travel Guide | 14 Important Cartagena Travel Tips for First The best exchange rate is at the Bank of Bancolombia but to do so, you must need to fill up some papers and present your passport to prove you have been in Colombia less than 6 months. Cartagena Budget Travel Guide (Updated 2022) - Nomadic Matt's Travel Site Speaking to a few locals about the evident pace of change we could see in Cartagena due to the increased levels of tourism, they couldnt decide if it was all good or all bad either - they felt it was part of the story of new Colombia and the main hope was that the money would filter down and around the city as a whole. We recommend avoiding lodging in other areas not mentioned as these are the safest alternatives that also offer infinite options of bars, restaurants and points of interest, Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 7 de May de 2016 a la(s) 1:10 PDT. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. As of December 14, 2021 yes, all international travelers entering Colombia as tourists needed to show proof of having been vaccinated against Covid-19. Here are the top things to do in 2022. You can pay with debit or credit card almost anywhere, most of the stores and restaurants accept cards, although if you are hanging out at the beach or want to buy something from a street vendor take cash. If Cartagena is your first stop in Colombia, whether youve flown in to start your trip or travelled across from Panama, then some of the costs may take you by surprise. You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. But within a couple of days, we remembered that 'Cartagena Hot' is another level of hot almost entirely - and that's before you factor in the 80-90% humidity! Known as palenqueras, these ladies have long formed a part of the fabric of the city, but have more recently become poster girls for Cartagena. It is especially important for traveling to Cartagena. The nice beaches with white sand and turquoise water are in Baru and the Rosario Islands Nat Park. You can't reach Colombia by road. Pickpockets can be common, especially in touristy areas and if youre visibly carrying valuable items (note the dont offer papaya rule). Want something more secluded? Luckily, we have written this post How To Get from Cartagena to Santa Marta which shares the three main options with public and private transport, as well this guide on the best things to do there. Cartagena, Colombia: 10 Things Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting "No dar papaya" is a popular saying in Colombia which translates to "don't give papaya.". The Best Things to do in Cartagena: Day Trips. If you're planning on a trip to this South American country, here are 10 essential tips to know: 1. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 11 de Jun de 2016 a la(s) 9:38 PDT. When the Caribbean breeze snakes its way towards you once or twice in the day, it is absolutely . Here are some basic facts you should know before traveling here. 8. Especially if youre visiting Cartagena for the first time, heres some things to keep in mind: This is by no means an exhaustive list of the cultural etiquette for travelers to Cartagena, but its a start. You can typically stay for up to 90 days for your first visit. 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