Cartagena in Colombia is a cultural gem that most of you probably haven’t heard of but you really should know about.  As the first Spanish colony on the American continent and set in the picturesque backdrop of the crystal blue Caribbean, it’s one of those up and coming places that you’ll soon see as the next top places to travel to in the world.

In the 1600’s, gold and silver is what did the talking as they were mined in the area and shipped out to Europe.  Pirates run rampant in the area and so a walled fort grew to protect both shipping and the slave trade.  It’s a different time now as Cartagena now stands as one of the continent’s greatest cultural treasures.  Keep reading to find your 3 day Cartagena itinerary.

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Cartagena where?

Catagena 1

I’ll be honest with you, when I first heard about Cartagena, I said “where?”  So let’s start off with that.  Cartagena is situated in the northern coast of Colombia and faces the Caribbean Sea.

Map of Cartagena

Okay now that we have our bearings set straight, what’s up in Cartagena?

Cartagena 5

Mazes of idyllic cobbled alleys, lovely architecture, spectacular diving and snorkelling, lush forests, rich culture your thing?  As you go through the city and the surrounding hot spots, you’ll find that Cartagena really has something for everyone.

Catagena 2

The city of Cartagena itself is basically composed of two different parts.  One is the remarkably intact walled colonial city, UNESCO World Heritage site, called “ciudad amurallada” and the other is the beachfront known as Bocagrande which is almost a mini-Miami and just a few kilometers southwest.  The city is extremely walking friendly and everything can be explored by foot.  Here you’ll start to really appreciate the city’s fabled past and experience its Caribbean charm.

If you’re a foodie or partier, the food scene is diverse and the night scene is hopping.

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Catagena 3

Outside of that you have many more beach options if you want to soak in the crystalline clear waters or if hiking and nature is your thing, Tayrona National Park is just four hours away.  Here, the jungle rolls right up to the edge of the sea and is well known for its unique coral formations.

Cartagena 4

Catch your attention yet?

3 day Cartagena itinerary

I’ve put together a sample 3 day Cartagena itinerary as a great starting point for your adventures to Colombia.

Day 1: Explore the old cityDay 2: Islands and beachesDay 3: One final hurrah
SummaryHopping with energy and excitement, the first day is perfect to explore the old city and its plazas, museums, churches, and shops. Get your camera ready.The easiest way to explore the Islas del Rosari and Isla Baru is via a day excursion. Or perhaps you just want to hit a beach and if that's the case make your way to Playa Blanca on Isla Baru. There are many companies out there so you'll have to do your research here but regardless, you're going to have a heck of a time out there.With this being your final day in Cartagena, it's your chance to do a bit more slow paced exploring new neighborhoods and take in the best views of the city.
BreakfastFree breakfast at the Casa San AgustinFree breakfast at the Casa San AgustinFree breakfast at the Casa San Agustin
Morning-After breakfast, literally drop yourself within the old city walls and start strolling down bougainvillea-line streets
-Literally just get lost and do things at your own place
-Book an excursion with a company like Taroa Adventures -If there's anything you feel like you missed inside the old city, take some time to roam around again right outside the hotel
-Venture out of the walled city and see Cathedral de San Pedro Claver and St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral which is steeped with history
Lunch-Play it by ear and enjoy one of the many sidewalk cafes or restaurants-Something local on the island of Baru or provided by excursion company
Afternoon-Plazas to keep an eye out for: Plaza Santa Domingo, Plaza de San Diego
-Museum: Museo del Oro Zenu (very interesting gold museum)
-Church: Templo de Santo Domingo
-If you're wanting a guided tour, the Segway tours are great or hire one of the official tour guides near Cartagena’s Clock Tower gate for a half-day walk
-Catch a local dance performance by the Clock Tower gate if you pass by around sunset
-Via the excursion, do things like snorkelling, 4x4 rides, meet locals, explore the mangrove forest, tan on the beach etc.-Right by the cathedrals is the fortress Castillo de San Felipe. It's an impressive fort with a chance to learn about Colombian culture and their struggles in the days of Pre-Columbian times. Audio tour recommended. It may look like a place you can easily go in and out of but most people end up spending hours here so budget accordingly
-Then make your way to El Convento de la Popa for amazing views of the city as the sun sets. Oh and don't miss the 22 karat gold altar
Dinner-The highly recommended El Boliche Cebicheria (Centro Historico, San Diego, Calle Cochera del Hobo No.38-17, Cartagena, Colombia) is within the city walls and boasts fresh Colombian seafood and cerviche -If you're back by dinner, consider Caffe Lunatico (Calle de la Media Luna, Getsemani No 10-81, Cartagena, Colombia) for its tapas. It's small in size but big on charm and tasty-Not quite Colombian food but there's an amazing Indonesia restaurant called Saint Roque Restaurante Cafe (Getsemani, Calle Espiritu Santo 29-214, Cartagena, Colombia) that is worth checking out
Evening-Take a walk along the city walls to walk off that delicious dinner-Take it easy. Grab a gelato at Gelateria Paradiso or a drink at Cafe del Mar at the northwestern corner of the old city wallsIf clubs are your thing, head out to Cafe Havana or Donde Fidel Salsa Club if you love salsa and tropical fun.
AccommodationsCasa San AgustinCasa San AgustinCasa San Agustin
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Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

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Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

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If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

William Tang of Going Awesome Places
About The Author

Will Tang

Will Tang, founder of Going Awesome Places, has traveled to 51 countries. He shares his insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists. Will’s travels have been featured on Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, and Entrepreneur.

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