Cartagena Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Cartagena tours, Colombia’s jewel on the Caribbean coast: the romantic walled Old Town and bohemian Getsemaní, boat trips to the turquoise Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca, lively Cholón party boats and sunset cruises, vibrant street-food and cooking tours, the quirky Totumo mud volcano, and the historic San Felipe Castle. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Caribbean trip.
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Explore Cartagena by interest
Whatever brings you to Cartagena — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Walled city
Old Town and castle.
ExploreRosario Islands
Turquoise beaches.
ExploreParty boats
Cholón and cruises.
ExploreFood tours
Caribbean flavours.
ExploreMud volcano
Float in warm mud.
ExploreAdventure
ATVs and jet skis.
ExploreBeaches
Playa Blanca and Barú.
ExploreDay trips
Palenque and beyond.
ExploreTop attractions in Cartagena
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Walled City
Colonial Old Town.
Rosario Islands
Turquoise beaches.
Cholón
Party-boat bay.
Caribbean Cuisine
Street food and rum.
Totumo Volcano
Warm mud bath.
San Felipe Castle
Mighty fortress.
Playa Blanca
White-sand beach.
Palenque
First free town.
Cartagena in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Old Town & castle
- 2Day 2: Rosario Islands
- 3Playa Blanca
- 4Snorkeling
Cartagena in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Old Town & castle
- 2Day 2: Rosario Islands
- 3Day 3: Cholón or mud volcano
- 4City, sea & fun
Cartagena with kids
- 1Old Town walk
- 2San Felipe Castle
- 3Island beach day
- 4Mud volcano
Cartagena Rosario Islands & beaches
- 1Speedboat to the Rosario Islands
- 2Snorkel over Caribbean reefs
- 3Beach day at Playa Blanca, Barú
- 4Cholón party boat & sunset
Cartagena walled Old Town & history
- 1Walk the walled Old Town ramparts
- 2Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
- 3Getsemaní street-art lanes
- 4Sunset on the city walls
Boat trip awayRosario Islands
Turquoise beaches.
Boat trip awayCholón
Party-boat bay.
1 hr awayTotumo Volcano
Warm mud bath.
Barú awayPlaya Blanca
White-sand beach.
In the city awaySan Felipe Castle
Mighty fortress.
1 hr awayPalenque
First free town.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Cartagena visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
December to April brings dry, sunny weather — the prime time to visit Cartagena for the Old Town, islands and beaches, though also the busiest and priciest.
Dry season (Dec–Apr)
Hot, sunny and breezy, ideal for boat trips, beaches and exploring; the peak season, so book ahead.
Shoulder (May, Nov)
Hot with occasional showers, fewer crowds and better value, with plenty of sunshine still.
Rainy season (Aug–Nov)
Hotter and more humid with afternoon downpours and a small storm risk; quieter and cheaper.
Festivals
Cartagena’s Independence celebrations in November and the January music festivals are lively, colourful times to visit.
Warm year-round
Cartagena stays hot all year (around 30°C), so it’s a reliable warm-weather escape in any season.
One day
The walled Old Town and a sunset cruise.
Two days
Add a Rosario Islands beach day.
Three days
The sweet spot: Old Town, islands and a party boat or mud volcano.
Four to five days
Add more beaches, Barú and a Palenque trip.
A week
Relax and explore the wider Caribbean coast.
Travelling with kids
Mix the castle, beaches and the mud volcano.
On foot
The walled Old Town and Getsemaní are compact and best explored on foot, with the colourful streets a sight in themselves.
Boats
The Rosario Islands, Playa Blanca and Cholón are reached by boat from the city’s docks, included on island and party tours.
Taxis & apps
Taxis are cheap (agree the fare first) and ride-hailing apps are handy for getting between districts and the airport.
Tours & transfers
Day trips to the islands, mud volcano and Palenque include transport from the city.
Stay aware
Cartagena is welcoming but keep valuables out of sight, use apps for taxis at night, and politely decline persistent vendors.
From the airport
Rafael Núñez Airport is just 10–15 minutes from the Old Town by taxi or transfer.
Colombian peso
Colombia uses the peso; carry cash for taxis, markets, beach vendors and tips, though cards work in hotels and restaurants.
Beat the heat
Cartagena is hot and humid, so explore the Old Town in the cooler morning and evening, and bring water, a hat and sunscreen.
Choose island tours wisely
Compare Rosario Islands tours for crowds and quality, and confirm what’s included, such as lunch, snorkelling and a beach club.
Sunset on the walls
Watch the sunset from the Old Town walls at Café del Mar or a rooftop — a magical free experience.
Vendors & tips
Friendly vendors and palenqueras may charge for photos; agree prices first, and tip guides and drivers.
Pre-book popular tours
Rosario Islands and party boats fill up — book ahead.
Rosario Islands
Island and beach boat trips sell out — book ahead.
Party boats
Cholón party boats are in demand — reserve early.
Walking tours
Old Town and Getsemaní tours fill up — pre-book.
Mud volcano
Totumo half-day trips are popular — book ahead.
Cooking classes
Small-group food tours fill up — reserve early.
Winter high season
December–April is busy — plan ahead.
Walking tours
Around €15–40 for an Old Town and Getsemaní walking tour.
Rosario Islands
About €30–80 for a Rosario Islands and beach day trip.
Party boats
Roughly €40–90 for a Cholón party boat with drinks.
Mud volcano
Around €20–40 for a Totumo mud volcano half-day tour.
Food tours
About €25–60 for a street-food tour or cooking class.
How to save
Join group boat tours, walk the Old Town, and travel in the shoulder season.
Cartagena through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Sunny, breezy days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal; book ahead.
- Best for
- Sun and value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Occasional showers.
- Best for
- Low prices, quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Humid; afternoon rain.
- Best for
- Caribbean heat ~30°C.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Always warm.