EXPLORING COLOMBIA

Accessibility Rating: 3 | Safety Rating: 4 | Walkability Rating: 3 | Affordability Rating: 4 | Night Life & Entertainment Rating: 3 | Language Ease Rating: 4 | Food Scene Rating: 4 | Transportation Rating: 4 | Connectivity Rating: 4 | Solo Traveler Rating: 4 |

Accessibility Rating: 3 | Safety Rating: 4 | Walkability Rating: 3 | Affordability Rating: 4 | Night Life & Entertainment Rating: 3 | Language Ease Rating: 4 | Food Scene Rating: 4 | Transportation Rating: 4 | Connectivity Rating: 4 | Solo Traveler Rating: 4 |

travel tips

  • Stay in the right neighborhood
    The Walled City (Centro Histórico) and Getsemaní are the safest and most walkable areas with the best food, nightlife, and cultural spots.

  • Humidity is intense year-round
    Pack light, breathable clothing, and expect to shower twice a day. Bring a mini fan or face wipes for walking the city.

  • Use reputable transportation
    Taxis inside the Walled City are generally safe, but apps like InDriver or Uber (for pickup outside main tourist areas) help prevent overcharging.

  • Avoid carrying flashy items
    Keep phones, jewelry, and large cameras discreet—especially in crowded plazas, beaches, and nightlife zones.

  • Visit popular attractions early
    Spots like the Castillo San Felipe and Convento de la Popa get extremely hot and busy by midday.

  • Be mindful at the beach
    Avoid aggressive vendors by firmly but politely saying “No, gracias.” If you order food or chairs, confirm the price upfront to avoid surprises.

  • Reserve restaurants ahead of time
    Cartagena has a booming culinary scene—places like Celele, Carmen, and Alquímico fill up quickly, especially with weekend crowds.

A woman in a black dress standing in front of a colorful mural of a singer holding a microphone, with a motorcycle parked nearby.

Local experiences in Cartagena

  • Stylish/ Upscale Spots

    Ana Restaurante Bar- Often paired with live music or a lively soundtrack that keeps the vibe warm and social. They offer a fusion of Caribbean and Asian cuisine. 

    Cande- Candé is where Cartagena’s Afro-Caribbean flavors really show off, with bold, slow-cooked dishes that taste like someone’s favorite aunt has been perfecting them forever. Come hungry! This was my birthday dinner so we had a ball ordering!

  • The Real Cartagena Tour- The Real Cartagena Tour takes you beyond the postcard views and into the heart of the city’s real culture, stories, and everyday life. It’s part history lesson, part neighborhood hangout and perfect for travelers who want to connect, not just take photos.

    Boat Day x Tribu Project- I love a good boat day and it’s always so much better when you get a good group of people! Tribu stopped by multiple islands and provided lunch on this tour but the last stop at Rosario Island is where all the fun really is! 

    Totumo Mud Volcano- The Totumo Mud Volcano is a tiny volcano near Cartagena where you can literally float in warm, mineral-rich mud. It’s messy, funny, and oddly relaxing!

    Tour Palenque- Palenque, is a historic Afro-Colombian town founded by formerly enslaved Africans and recognized by UNESCO as a cradle of Black resistance and cultural preservation. This was the best cultural experience that I’ve had during my travels to date! This can also be booked through the company Experience Cartagena. 

    Coffee Tasting- Colombia is known for their coffee so this tour is a must stop! Hosted by David Arzayus at Cafe de Mural this experience was a highlight for me even as a casual coffee drinker. 

    Rum Tasting- Be sure the request Sebas with El Arsenal’s rum tour! He did a great job educating us on the rum options and the history of rum in the country. 

  • Monkey Bar - Before arriving to Cartagena, Monkey Bar was up and down my FYP on the clock app. It lived up to the hype and was everything they said it was. Just don’t be like me and  arrive before midnight because that’s when the party begins. 

    San Nicolas Bar- The food and entertainment here was a great time! Just check my highlights on IG. 

  • Makeup:

    @villezamakeup 


Colombia Gallery

Group of women in colorful traditional dresses standing in front of a large sign that reads 'I love PALIENCE' in an outdoor setting with trees and power lines overhead.
A portrait mural of a woman with dark skin, wearing large gold hoop earrings, a red headwrap, and makeup on her lips and eyes, painted on a yellow background.
Four women in colorful traditional dresses celebrate in a street with colonial-style buildings; three women wear yellow, blue, and red dresses with matching headscarves, holding bowls of fruit on their heads, while one woman in black stands among the
A yellow sign with blue spray-painted text that reads 'SUTO MAX BLACK'.
A large sign reading "I Love Paeng" with four women in colorful traditional dresses standing in front of it. There are trees and power lines in the background.
Four women dressed in colorful traditional Colombian dresses with yellow, blue, and red skirts pose on a narrow street, with three women balancing bowls of fruit on their heads and one woman standing in the middle smiling.
Four women dressed in colorful traditional Colombian outfits, holding bowls of fruit on their heads, dancing in a street with colonial-style buildings.
Group of women in colorful traditional dresses standing in front of a sign that reads 'I ❤️ PALENGE', with trees and power lines in the background.
Group of women dressed in colorful traditional dresses standing in front of a sign that reads 'I Love Talerge' with decorative objects and trees in the background.
Latrice in a colorful swimsuit sitting on a boat, holding a bottle of champagne, smiling, with water and sailboats in the background.
Two smiling women standing close together in a warmly lit restaurant or cafe, surrounded by plants and decorated with eclectic furniture and artwork, with table settings visible in the background.
Bright, colorful painting of a woman with a headwrap, showcasing bold facial features and expressive eyes.
Group of six women standing in front of a large sign that reads "I LOVE PALENQUE," with colorful dresses and traditional attire, under a cloudy sky with trees and power lines in the background.
Colorful painting of a smiling woman with dreadlocks, wearing a headwrap and hoop earrings, depicted in a vibrant, abstract style with splashes of yellow, red, blue, and orange.
Latrice in a black dress smiling and standing in front of a colorful street art mural of a man singing into a microphone. There is a motorcycle to the right and potted plants on the left.
Group of women in colorful traditional dresses performing a dance in front of a sign that says 'I ❤️ Palenque', surrounded by trees and outdoor setting.