What NOT to Do When You Visit Cartagena
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re sharing some of the don’ts of visiting Cartagena, Colombia. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Cartagena, we also want to share what you should NOT do on your trip to Cartagena!
Don’t Forget to Brush Up on Your Spanish
English isn’t as widely spoken as you might expect for such a popular travel destination. You definitely want to know a little bit of Spanish just to get by. You don’t have to be fluent but learn a few words. The locals will appreciate you for trying!
Don’t Expect a Quiet Vacation in Cartagena
Cartagena is a lively place; the streets are filled with people and music until the wee hours of the morning. It’s also a major cruise ship port, so on cruise days, it can feel overwhelmed with crowds. If you can, plan your excursions around the cruise ship schedule so you can avoid the crowds.
This means you also need to book your Cartagena hotel well in advance as the best locations fill up quickly!
Don’t Expect a Beach Vacation
While Cartagena does lie on the Caribbean coast, it is not a beach destination. It’s a colonial city known for nightlife. Think New Orleans; it’s on the Gulf, but you don’t go for the beaches! There are plenty of day trips to nearby islands with beautiful beaches, so you can squeeze in a beach day during your trip to Cartagena. (Check for red flag warnings before you go!)
Don’t Miss These Day Trips from Cartagena
If you’re staying in Cartagena for a while, there are plenty of day trips to break up your time in the city.
- Rosario Islands have great beaches and they are a popular spot for Scuba Diving and snorkeling.
- La Boquilla is a fun excursion where you can canoe and learn traditional fishing methods from locals, and we also got to plant trees in the mangroves.
- We took a freedom tour of San Basilio de Palenque, which was founded by African slaves and reputed to be the first freed town in the Americas.
- The Totumo Mud Volcano is super popular and only about an hour from Cartagena.
When booking these tours, don’t do it on the street. Have someone at your hotel arrange the tours for you.
Don’t Expect a Cheap Vacation in Cartagena
Cartagena is the most expensive city in Colombia, so it’s not dirt cheap like you might expect. It’s still affordable compared to Europe or the United States, but it’s definitely expensive compared to most of South America.
Don’t Think You Can Beat the Heat
As one of our tour guides told us: there are two seasons in Cartagena: hot and hotter. Make you you stay hydrated and keep your skin covered from the sun. Make sure your accommodation has air conditioning or you will regret it!
Don’t Forget to Look Up
Old Town Cartagena is beautiful, especially the architecture. Churches, art galleries and museums are all beautiful. If you don’t look up, you’ll miss some beautiful church towers and balconies. We saw some really cool art and even the door knockers are cool!
Don’t Miss the City Walls
The city walls are a part of the city you must take in, so don’t miss out on the chance to walk along the city walls for a birds-eye view below. If you’re inside the walled city, it’s pretty safe and easy to explore.
Don’t Drive
When you visit Cartagena, don’t bother driving. It’s a very walkable city, so it’s not even worth hiring a driver. You can see a lot just by walking around. This is something to consider when booking your Cartagena hotel, as you want to be in or near Old Town.
If you are prone to ankle issues, bring an ankle brace. You’ll be doing a lot of walking on uneven streets.
Don’t Miss Cartagena Nightlife
Cartagena is known for nightlife, so make sure you take a siesta so you can partake in some of the fun evening activities. Whatever you may think you know about Colombia, just know that drugs, including marijuana are illegal, so don’t take any chances.
If you do enjoy the nightlife, keep an eye on your drink, and don’t accept drinks from strangers. Don’t walk home alone late at night, especially if you’ve had a lot to drink.
You’ll see Chiva Rumbera, or Party Buses, around town. During the day, they do cultural things, but at night, it’s a rolling party. They will also take you to nightclubs. It’s definitely a touristy thing to do, but it’s still fun!
Don’t Forget to Tip Street Performers
With so many tourists visiting Cartagena, there are also lots of street performers catering to tourists. In almost every case, if you interact with them or take their photo, you should tip them. This is what they do for a living.
You will see ladies dressed up in traditional Colombian clothing with a basket of fruit on their head. You can also buy fruit from them.
We also saw street rappers that would approach tourists and make up a rap song about them. They will probably ask you a few questions and then make up a song for you. They are expecting a tip for this.
On the beaches, someone may approach you with a “free massage” and start rubbing your shoulders. If you want a massage, go for it, but it’s not free. They will expect payment.
If you’re not interested in any of these things, just say “no gracias” and move on. They’re not aggressive, so you don’t need to be rude. They’re just trying to make a living.
Don’t Miss the Museums and Churches
It can be hot in Cartagena, so a great thing to do to escape the hot sun is to visit some of these Cartagena museums.
- Cartagena History Museum
- Naval Museum
- Gold Museum
- Caribe Jewelry Museum
- Modern Art Museum
The churches and cathedrals are also beautiful and well worth visiting.
You also don’t want to miss San Felipe de Barajas Fort, but make sure you have good shoes, sunscreen and lots of water. There’s no shade on the steep hike up, but the views at the top are worth the effort.
Don’t Neglect Your Safety
Cartagena is a pretty safe city, especially for South Americans, but for Americans as well. However, you do have to watch out for yourself as you would in any other city. Our usual tips apply here, like not wearing flashy jewelry or expensive clothing. Pickpockets are not unheard of, so keep your wits about you.
If someone offers to exchange money for you, don’t fall for it. Only exchange money at an ATM or inside a bank. There are plenty of ATMs around town, even at the airport when you land.
Stay in the tourist areas of town and don’t go wandering out into other neighborhoods. Ask your hotel if there are specific areas nearby to avoid. There are bad parts of Cartagena, it’s just not likely you will end up there by accident.
Boca Grande, which feels like Miami, and Getsemani, are the two neighborhoods that are pretty safe for travelers. We stay in Getsemani, which is a bit quieter than Boca Grande, but still has plenty to do. The area is known for street art and galleries.
Travel Safety Tips for Any Destination
Don’t Be in a Hurry
Cartagena has a relaxed Caribbean vibe. Things may not always start on time, or if you are meeting locals, they will probably be late. When dining out in Cartagena, expect a relaxed pace. Locals Don’t even start their day until 10 am, and they also take siesta after a big mid-day meal.
Don’t Miss Out on Cartagena Cuisine
Trying new cuisines is one of the greatest things about travel, and Cartagena is no exception. Here are some of the foods you must try when you visit Cartagena. And you don’t have to worry about getting sick from the water, as it’s totally safe to drink. If you don’t know what to order, just opt for the catch of the day. You can’t go wrong with seafood in Cartagena.
- Fresh fruit and fruit juice is everywhere and it’s delicious. Limonada, or limeade, with coconut milk is one of our favorite drinks. Lulo fruit also makes a tasty beverage!
- Cartagena has excellent seafood, and the most popular is the fried fish. Snapper and tilapia are the two most common types of fish served here. Whether it’s grilled or fried, it’s usually served with coconut rice and patacones. Just look out for bones!
- Cazuela de Mariscos is a soup/casserole dish loaded with seafood like clams, shrimp, and octopus in a creamy sauce.
- Entrada means starter or appetizer. For this course, we recommend crab croquettes, ceviche or shrimp cocktail. Shrimp cocktail is so popular, you might even see vendors strolling the beach selling shrimp cocktail.
- Even in the heat of summer, they love hot soup in Colombia! You’ll see variations of soup at every meal, including breakfast.
- Mondongo is tripe soup. I don’t recommend it, but if you want to be adventurous, it’s easy to find.
- Sancocho is very popular all over Colombia, usually made with meat and potatoes. In Cartagena, you’ll see it made with fish as well. Again, look out for bones!
- Mote de Queso is a super filling soup if you need to fuel up for a long day. It’s made with cheese and yams
- If you don’t love seafood, you won’t starve in Cartagena. Try Posta Negra, which is a type of beef stew. There are plenty of beef options to try.
- Between meals, you might want a snack. Colombia has tasty snacks, too!
- Arepas de Queso are like a thick corn tortilla filled with cheese. Some of them look and taste a lot like a quesadilla. Empanadas are another popular street food.
- There’s an arcade not far from the clock tower that sells tons of varieties of local candy.
Since Cartagena is known for nightlife, we also have to mention a few of our favorite beverages besides the delicious fruit juice.
- Any of the aforementioned fruit juices make fantastic cocktails!
- Mojitos are super fresh and not exclusive to Cuba!
- Aguardiente is a local spirit
Don’t Just Jump in a Taxi
At the airport, make sure you use an official taxi service. You’ll get a ticket inside at the booth and take that out to find your driver. They have set prices by zone, so you’re less likely to be ripped off.
If you arrive by bus, be prepared for a long ride into town. It’s about an hour from the city, whereas the airport is only 15 minutes.
For other taxi trips, make sure you negotiate the price before you take off, or you might have a surprise at the end of your ride. It’s best to have your hotel or restaurant get a taxi for you rather than flagging one down on the street.
You will also be offered a carriage ride multiple times, no matter how many times you say no. It’s a really popular tourist thing to do in Cartagena.
Don’t Miss the Sports Scene in Cartagena
Two sports are huge in Cartagena: baseball and dominoes. If you get the chance to attend a baseball game, go for it. Colombians love baseball! You’ll also see a lot of domino games on the streets. Feel free to join in if you know how to play and know a little Spanish!
What to Know Before You Visit South America
Other Don’ts
Before you go, just a few more tips for what not to do in Cartagena:
- Don’t flush your toilet paper! The pipes can’t handle it, so use the bin next to the toilet
- Don’t forget bug spray; the mosquitos are pretty bad, especially if you go out to the mangroves.
- Don’t be surprised by flooding between October and December. This is the rainy season, so bring rain boots!
- Don’t forget to rub the belly of the bronze Botero sculpture for good luck!
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Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in Colombia, with scenery, history, art, and amazing food! If you enjoy traveling to places with fantastic nightlife, cuisine, and day trips, don’t miss out on Cartagena!
Want more tips for South American travel? Check out these blog posts: