Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia (2027): A Local Operator's Guide

Updated: November 3, 2026 · By Marta Fernández, founder of CABÚ Viajes, a local operator in Cartagena de Indias (RNT 215668). We plan private trips here for couples, families and groups from the US and Mexico.

The city · On the water · Food and nights out · Culture · A 4-day plan · FAQ

In the city

1. Walk the Walled City at 7 a.m. or at sunset

The old town and its fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 1984). Midday heat is the only real enemy: walk it early, when the plazas are empty and the balconies photograph best, or after 5 p.m. and finish on the walls for sunset. With a private guide you get the history behind each plaza and skip the street vendors. See our private historic center tour.

2. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

The largest Spanish fortress in the Americas sits on a hill just outside the walls, with tunnels you can walk through. Plan 1.5 to 2.5 hours and go between 7 and 9 a.m., when the stone is still cool. The entrance for foreign visitors is listed at about 38,000 COP; check the price at the gate, because it changes.

3. Getsemaní: street art by day, Plaza de la Trinidad by night

The neighborhood next to the Walled City is where the murals, small bars and street food are. At night the Plaza de la Trinidad fills with locals and travelers. It is a five-to-ten-minute walk from most of the old town.

4. Shopping: emeralds, design and hats

Colombia is the world's best-known source of emeralds, and Cartagena has serious jewelers alongside tourist traps. Our emerald guide and shopping guide explain where to buy and what to check.

On the water

5. A private boat to the Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands are part of the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park, about an hour by fast boat from the city. The shared tours leave crowded; a private boat leaves when you want and stops where you want. Our full-day private boats run from 850 to 3,800 USD per boat, depending on size, with food and drinks on board included and no separate departure tax. See the Rosario Islands guide and boat options and prices.

6. Cholón, the floating party lagoon

Cholón, off Barú, is a shallow lagoon where boats anchor side by side and the music starts around midday. It is the classic day for groups and bachelor or bachelorette parties. More in Cholón boat tours.

7. A beach club day

If you want a sunbed, lunch and a pool rather than a party, a beach club on the islands or in Barú is the calmer version of the boat day. Compare them in our beach clubs guide. For the beaches themselves, with travel times, see Cartagena, Colombia beaches.

8. Sunset sail on the bay

A short evening sail around the Bay of Cartagena, with the skyline of Bocagrande on one side and the old town on the other, is one of the easiest wins of the trip. See the bay by private boat.

9. Paddle board or kitesurf

For something active: paddle board in calm water, or kitesurfing when the trade winds blow.

Food and nights out

10. One long dinner in the old town

Cartagena has some of Colombia's best restaurants, and the good ones fill up on weekends and in high season. Book ahead; our restaurant guide lists where to go.

11. A private chef at the villa

For groups, the best dinner of the trip is often at home: a private chef cooking Caribbean food at your villa, from about 50 to 80 USD per person per dinner. It works especially well on the night after the boat day. See staffed villas.

12. Salsa and nightlife

Nights start late. Getsemaní has the salsa bars; the clubs and rooftops are spread between the old town and Bocagrande. Our nightlife guide covers clubs by area, dress code and table minimums.

Culture beyond the postcard

13. Meet the palenqueras and learn their story

The women in colorful dresses carrying fruit are palenqueras, from San Basilio de Palenque, a town founded by people who escaped slavery and declared by UNESCO a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005. Read who they are before taking photos, and pay for them.

14. The National Aviary in Barú

A good half-day for families on the way to the beaches of Barú: National Aviary of Colombia.

How to fit it in four days

Before you go: where to stay, the best time to visit, nonstop flights from the US and is Cartagena safe. Traveling as a group? See group trips with friends, the bachelor party guide and the bachelorette party guide.

Things to do in Cartagena: frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Cartagena?

Three to four days. That covers the Walled City, Getsemaní, the fortress, one full day on the islands and a night out. With five or more you can add a second boat day or a beach club.

What is the best thing to do in Cartagena?

For most visitors it is the day on the water: a private boat to the Rosario Islands or Cholón. In the city, walking the Walled City at sunset is the moment people remember.

How much does a private boat day cost in Cartagena?

With CABÚ, a full day on a private boat costs 850 to 3,800 USD per boat depending on size, with food and drinks on board included and no separate departure tax. The price is for the whole boat and is split among the group.

Is Cartagena safe for tourists?

The tourist areas (Walled City, Getsemaní, Bocagrande and the islands) are busy and well patrolled; the usual big-city care applies, especially at night. The US State Department rates Colombia as a whole at Level 3, and Bolívar, the department where Cartagena is, is not on its Level 4 list. Details in our safety guide.

Do I need to book activities in advance?

For private boats, villas and the best restaurants, yes, especially from mid-December to mid-January, Holy Week and June–July. Booking two months ahead with us also gets a 10% discount.