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Cartagena

Colombia travel guide

What to see in Cartagena

Colourful houses, balconies full of flowers and walls facing the Caribbean.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 6 must-see places
  • Best time: from December to May
  • Stay in Walled City
  • Typical food: Arepa de huevo
Photo: Igvir Ramirez · CC BY-SA 2.0

Cartagena highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

    A Spanish fortress on San Lázaro hill.

  2. Clock Tower

    The main gate into the walled city.

  3. Palace of the Inquisition

    A history museum in a colonial palace.

  4. Walls of Cartagena

    Colonial walls for a stroll at sunset.

  5. Convento de la Popa

    A hilltop convent with panoramic views.

  6. Rosario Islands

    A coral archipelago for a day trip.

Where to stay in Cartagena

The handiest areas for getting around and going out.

  • Recommended areas

    Walled City · Getsemaní · Bocagrande

Day trips from Cartagena

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Cartagena

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Cartagena are from December to May. If you can, avoid from August to October (hurricane season).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb no warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun with warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with strong warnings
  9. Sep with strong warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov with warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • from June to November

    Hurricane season

    Hurricanes can form from June to November; August, September and October are the riskiest months. There are almost always days of heavy rain and humid heat.

    What to do: Book with free cancellation, take out travel insurance that covers weather events and check the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts a few days before you go.

Typical food of Cartagena

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Cartagena from your kitchen).

Arepa de huevo
Photo: Jdvillalobos · CC BY 3.0

Arepa de huevo

A fried arepa split open while hot to slip in a raw egg, then fried again. It’s the street snack of Colombia’s Caribbean coast, from Cartagena to Barranquilla.

  • Serves 4
  • 40 min

Ingredients

  • 250 g pre-cooked yellow cornmeal
  • 330 ml warm water
  • 1 teaspoon each of salt and sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • Oil for frying

How to make it at home

  1. Knead the cornmeal with the water, salt and sugar until you have a soft dough.
  2. Shape into balls and flatten into thin discs about 12 cm across.
  3. Fry them in oil at 175 °C until they puff up, then take them out.
  4. Make a cut in the edge to open a pocket, slip in a raw egg and seal it with a little dough.
  5. Fry them again until the egg sets and they’re golden.

The trick: Crack the egg into a glass first so you can slide it into the pocket without spilling.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a set-lunch spot (menú del día). The dishes you can’t miss are in the Colombia guide.

Frequently asked questions about Cartagena

What to see in Cartagena?

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Clock Tower, Palace of the Inquisition, Walls of Cartagena, Convento de la Popa and Rosario Islands.

What to see in Cartagena in one day?

Don’t miss Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Clock Tower, Palace of the Inquisition, Walls of Cartagena, Convento de la Popa and Rosario Islands. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

Where to stay in Cartagena?

The handiest areas to stay are Walled City, Getsemaní and Bocagrande.

What’s the best time to travel to Cartagena?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Cartagena are from December to May. If you can, avoid from August to October (hurricane season).

What day trips can you take from Cartagena?

Rosario Islands and Castillo San Felipe.

What is the typical food of Cartagena?

Arepa de huevo. A fried arepa split open while hot to slip in a raw egg, then fried again. It’s the street snack of Colombia’s Caribbean coast, from Cartagena to Barranquilla.

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Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.