Our Budget Guide to Cartagena

Vibrant colors. Vibrant city. Cartagena is a port city located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The beautiful cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings will make you want to get lost walking through the city.

It is one of the more expensive cities in Colombia, but Cartagena is still a relatively cheap city to visit. From transportation, activities to food and drinks, this budget guide will cover the average cost of visiting Cartagena for a week.

This was my first solo international trip, so you will get to read about Cartagena from my perspective as a solo female traveler!

There were some concerns about whether or not Cartagena is a safe city for a solo female traveler. Cartagena is a bustling city filled with tourists, so I always felt safe. As always, you should stay alert and be aware of your surroundings, no matter the destination.

 

Getting There

Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) is the international airport serving the city of Cartagena. I flew from Chicago (ORD) with a layover in Miami (MIA) before landing in CTG.

It is a pretty small airport, so it took a long time to get through customs. I would expect to wait in lines for 2-3 hours. The plus side to this small airport? If you’re flying out of CTG, you won’t need that much time to get through security.

The airport offers free Wi-Fi for your first 30 minutes, but you will have to pay for usage after your time is up.

From the airport, you can wait in the cab line or call an Uber to get to your next destination. It is about 10-15 minutes to get to the city center and will cost you about 30mil Colombian Pesos (COP).

Where to Stay in Cartagena

Cartagena is the fifth largest city in Colombia. It is just slightly smaller than Chicago, so there are a few neighborhoods and areas to stay in. Below are 4 of the areas I visited.

1. Getsemaní: this is also known as the extension of the Walled City. This up and coming city is known for it’s hipster vibes, historic buildings with colorful murals, and tourist attractions. It was once known as a rough area with a lot of crime, but the neighborhood has seen revitalization over the years.    
2. The Historic Walled City: this is the city center and considered one of the safest areas due to the main streets being busy and well-lit at all hours. It’s the most historic part of the city and will allow you to talk to many tourist attractions. 
3. Bocagrande: this is the modern part of the city with lots of high-rises and luxury buildings and shops. It’s known for the city beach life, as it’s situated along the Caribbean coast.  
4. Manga: this is more residential filled with tree-lined streets and quiet parks. This area will be more low-key compared to the others, but it is just south of Getsemaní and not too far from all of the action. 

Being a solo female traveler, I wanted to be in the center of everything. Location was the most important thing for me, and I wanted to feel safe in my area.

Getsemani and the Historic Walled City neighborhoods are perfect for first-timers! I stayed at Socialtel Cartagena (formerly known as Selina) in Getsemani where I rented a micro-room for ~$65/night. This boutique hostel chain offered the best experience. The staff were friendly and welcoming. The space was designed with remote travelers in mind. I was still working while traveling, so I appreciated the high-speed internet and the co-working space! I also got to meet a lot of other solo travelers here through “community-hosted” events.

What to Do in Cartagena

• Learn how to salsa dance at Cafe Havana. Located in Getsemani neighborhood, this popular spot is Cuban-themed with live music. You can catch professional dancers or novices, like myself, salsa dancing and having the time of our lives.   
• Spend the day at a local beach. You can use a tour guide or purchase a water taxi ticket on your own to get to one of the local beaches. The water is clearer than you can imagine, and it’s a full-day activity. Do your research because each beach will have a different vibe: family-friendly or party-energy.  
• Go on a sunset sailboat tour. This was the highlight of my trip being able to watch the most beautiful sunset on the water. The way the city lights lit up with the stars above us; it was a magical time! I booked through the hostel I was staying at, and it was about $45 USD for a 3-hour tour. 
• Meet new friends on a pub crawl. This was a great way to safely explore the city nightlife! Selina hosted a pub crawl with the first stop starting at the hostel’s rooftop bar. Everyone looked out for one another, and we had a group chat to ensure we all moved from one bar to the next together.

 

What to Eat in Cartagena

From street vendors to fine dining, there are plenty of good eat options throughout the city. In addition to traditional Colombian dishes such as coconut rice, fried fish, and patacones, you can find Asian, Italian, Spanish-inspired and many other cuisines.

• La Cevicheria: this restaurant specializes in fresh ceviche and mainly seafood dishes. 
• La Cocina de Pepina: this casual restaurant offers up traditional Colombian dishes such as stews & empanadas.  
• Alquimico: this is a hip bar, rated one of the top in the city with a rooftop terrace. This spot is great for small plates, fun drinks, and lively atmosphere. 
• Townhouse: this rooftop is located inside the Townhouse Boutique Hotel. It’s a beautiful view of the city, and the perfect spot for delicious tapas. 
• Epoca Cafe: this cafe serves Colombian coffee, roasted in Cartagena. It’s 100% specialty coffee, and the place to be for brunch.

 

Easy Ways to Save Money

My flight to Cartagena was the most expensive cost, but once I was in Cartagena, everything was relatively affordable or reasonably priced compared to US prices.

• Minimize using the ATMs: the ATM fees are high (~$5 fee + 7% markup), so if you need to take cash out, do so as little as possible. Figure out the exchange rate beforehand, so you know how much you’re taking out.
• Walk to get around: Cartagena is a very walkable city! If you must travel far, check Uber for a rate. If you’re hailing a cab, ask for the rate before hopping in. Most of the cabs do not have meters, so to avoid getting overcharged, ask for the price upfront. Bus is also an option, too!
• Hang out at the square: in Getsemani, near Plaza de la Trinidad, many locals and visitors sit at the square and watch street performers while eating and drinking from small street vendors. Otherwise, you can also go to a corner market and bring your own food and drinks, just to hang out in the lively atmosphere.
• Shop around: if you’re planning a day trip to one of the nearby beaches or you’re looking to do an activity, shop around different tourism agencies for the best deal. You can bundle for a better rate or even negotiate!
• Stay in a hostel: there are a lot of great hotels and rentals, but there are a lot of nice hostels as well. Boutique hostels are the new trend where you’re able to choose from a variety of housing options, not just a bed in a shared dorm. You can rent a micro room with a shared bathroom, a private room and bathroom, or a whole suite for a fraction of the cost of hotels and rentals.

That’s a wrap on our budget guide to Cartagena! Anything we missed? What else would you want us to cover? To help with your packing, here is 12 packing hacks that will help save you money.