Cost per day · Colombia
Cartagena on $25, $70 or $300 a day
How much does Cartagena cost per day? Budget travellers get by on about $25 a day, mid-range trips run around $70, and luxury starts near $300 — accommodation, food, transport and activities included.
Cartagena is the jewel of the Colombian Caribbean — a UNESCO-listed walled city of candy-coloured mansions, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and steamy Caribbean nights. Colonial grandeur meets Caribbean music, and the beaches of the Rosario Islands are a short boat ride away.
Cartagena is very affordable. Arepas cost $1, hostels in Getsemaní are $8, and the walled city is free to wander. The heat is intense — budget for cold beer and fresh coconut water. Avoid tourist restaurants on the main square.
✈️ How to Get There
🗺️ What to Do
The greatest fortress Spain built in the Americas — tunnels designed to swallow armies, and the hill that broke a British invasion.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →Eleven kilometres of colonial wall around the Caribbean's prettiest grid — bougainvillea balconies, and Getsemaní's street-art pulse next door.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →Located in Gethsemane, with beautiful views of the wall and Castillo de San Felipe, we deliver cooking experiences were people learn to cook, enjoy their own creations and most importantly live and share with others a wonderful experience. Discover the Chef inside you!
Get tickets on Tiqets →🏨 Where to Stay
Hostel accommodation with dorm beds and, usually, a few private rooms.
Check prices on Klook →Hostel accommodation with dorm beds and, usually, a few private rooms.
Check prices on Klook →Iconic Getsemaní hostel, social courtyard, incredible value
Check prices on Klook →Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Walled City on Foot ~$25
Day 2: Getsemaní & Beach ~$25
Day 3: Castillo & Market ~$30
Stay in Getsemaní for half the price of the Walled City — it's become very safe and hip. Eat arepas and empanadas from street vendors. Walk the city walls at sunset — free and stunning. Playa Blanca day trip by shared boat is $15 return.
Mid-range Cartagena opens up boutique hotels inside the Walled City, excellent Caribbean seafood restaurants, island day trips, and evening salsa lessons in colonial courtyards.
✈️ How to Get There
🗺️ What to Do
The greatest fortress Spain built in the Americas — tunnels designed to swallow armies, and the hill that broke a British invasion.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →Eleven kilometres of colonial wall around the Caribbean's prettiest grid — bougainvillea balconies, and Getsemaní's street-art pulse next door.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →Guided walking tour of the best street food and restaurants
Get tickets on Tiqets →🏨 Where to Stay
Colonial mansion in the Walled City, rooftop terrace and pool
Check prices on Klook →Four-star chain hotel, reliably comfortable rooms and full service without luxury pricing.
Check prices on Klook →Restored 17th-century convent, stunning pool and gardens
Check prices on Klook →Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: History & Sunset ~$80
Day 2: Rosario Islands ~$90
Day 3: Culture & Mud ~$80
Stay inside the Walled City for the magic of waking up there. Book Rosario Islands in advance (especially weekends). El Bistro and Carmen are the best restaurants. Horse carriage rides around the walls are touristy but fun at $20.
Luxury Cartagena is extraordinary — boutique hotels in restored 17th-century palaces, private boat trips to the Rosario Islands, and exclusive experiences in one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas.
✈️ How to Get There
🗺️ What to Do
The greatest fortress Spain built in the Americas — tunnels designed to swallow armies, and the hill that broke a British invasion.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →Eleven kilometres of colonial wall around the Caribbean's prettiest grid — bougainvillea balconies, and Getsemaní's street-art pulse next door.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →We are a company with more than 12 years of experience in tourism in Colombia, with a wide variety of nautical and land tours.
Get tickets on Tiqets →🏨 Where to Stay
Former convent, Michelin-quality restaurant, stunning pool
Check prices on Klook →Five-star international hotel with a full spa, notable restaurants and the service standard the brand implies.
Check prices on Klook →Cartagena's finest boutique, three restored 17th-century houses
Check prices on Klook →Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Private Old City ~$280
Day 2: Private Island Day ~$350
Day 3: Yacht & Gastronomy ~$320
Casa San Agustín and Sofitel Legend Santa Clara are the standout hotels. Book a private catamaran to the Rosario Islands. Restaurant Carmen needs 1-week advance booking. The Palenqueras (fruit women) in the Walled City are an iconic photo opportunity.
About Cartagena
Hot, humid tropical Caribbean year-round (28–32°C). The dry season (Dec–Apr) is sunniest and busiest; rains come May–Nov, heaviest in October. Sea breezes take the edge off the evening heat.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 28° |
| 1d | 1d | 1d | 3d | 9d | 9d | 8d | 10d | 12d | 15d | 11d | 4d |
| high | high | high | high | mid | mid | mid | mid | low | low | mid | high |
The walled Old Town and Getsemaní are compact and walkable. Taxis have no meters — agree the fare first — and apps cover the rest; the Rosario Islands are reached by boat. It's too hot to walk far at midday.
A travel eSIM gets you online the moment you land in Colombia — data plans start at $4.50 — no roaming bill, no queue for a local SIM, and nothing to swap in and out of your phone. Install it before you fly.
The walled colonial city: balconied mansions in candy colours, plazas, the cathedral and boutique hotels. The postcard Cartagena, and the priciest.
Best for luxuryThe former working-class barrio just outside the walls, now the city's coolest quarter: street art, Plaza de la Trinidad nightlife and hostels.
Best for budgetThe calmer northern corner of the walled city: smaller plazas, local life and good-value guesthouses.
Best for midrangeThe Miami-style strip of beach hotels and condos on the peninsula; convenient sands, less colonial charm.
Best for midrangeA fishing village north of the city with mangrove tours, beach shacks and Afro-Caribbean culture.
Best for budgetWhite-sand islands an hour by boat: turquoise water, beach clubs and overwater stays.
Best for luxury- ✓Agree taxi fares before getting in — there are no meters
- ✓Carry small bills; vendors rarely have change for large notes
- ✓Stay hydrated and seek shade at midday — the heat is intense
- ✓Ask before photographing the palenqueras (fruit-sellers) — they expect a tip
- ✓Bargain politely in markets, but not in fixed-price shops
- ✓Carry cash for beach clubs and islands, where cards often fail
- ✗Accept "free" bracelets, sweets or photos — they come with a demand for money
- ✗Flash valuables or phones outside the walled city
- ✗Buy emeralds or "deals" from street touts
- ✗Walk lonely stretches of beach after dark
- ✗Underestimate the sun — it burns fast at this latitude
- ✗Expect punctuality — coastal "hora costeña" is even more relaxed
Travel Insurance for Cartagena
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for any trip to Cartagena. Safety is rated Generally safe in tourist areas — watch for pushy vendors and overcharging; take care outside the walled city at night. — even in safe destinations, unexpected medical emergencies or trip cancellations can be costly. Make sure your policy covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, trip cancellation, and emergency evacuation.
Visa note: Visa-free for up to 90 days (extendable to 180) for most Western nationalities.. Some countries require proof of travel insurance as part of the visa application.
Get travel insurance for Cartagena →FAQ: Cartagena Travel Questions
Is Cartagena safe to visit? ▾
Generally safe in tourist areas — watch for pushy vendors and overcharging; take care outside the walled city at night.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena? ▾
December – April (dry season) Hot, humid tropical Caribbean year-round (28–32°C). The dry season (Dec–Apr) is sunniest and busiest; rains come May–Nov, heaviest in October. Sea breezes take the edge off the evening heat.
How much does a trip to Cartagena cost per day? ▾
- budget: $25–$45/day
- midrange: $70–$130/day
- luxury: $300–$600/day
- business: $80–$200/day
Do I need a visa to visit Colombia? ▾
Visa-free for up to 90 days (extendable to 180) for most Western nationalities.
How do I get around Cartagena? ▾
The walled Old Town and Getsemaní are compact and walkable. Taxis have no meters — agree the fare first — and apps cover the rest; the Rosario Islands are reached by boat. It's too hot to walk far at midday. Taxi base fare ~$2. Day pass ~$2.
Is tipping expected in Cartagena? ▾
A 10% "propina voluntaria" is usually added; extra is optional. Tip guides and boat crews.
What currency is used in Colombia? ▾
The local currency is COP ($), and the official language is Spanish.
Cartagena vs Other Colombia Cities
Weekly destination guides, hidden gems, and tier breakdowns — straight to your inbox.