Cartagena is incredibly special to us because it’s where we first fell in love. The week we met, Dani invited Elana to attend Mass at the San Pedro Claver Cathedral in the Old City. We will be getting married in that same 1500's cathedral - the first church we ever step foot in together. Of all the places in the world, no place felt more "us" than Cartagena and this church. We also believe encouraging our loved ones to travel for the wedding reflects our core values of embracing other cultures and exploring the world. Adventure is a top priority in our lives, and we are excited to share this journey with all of you! For more information about the city, here’s a great article recently published in Travel+Leisure highlighting Cartagena as a top vacation destination for 2024: https://www.travelandleisure.com/why-cartagena-colombia-is-one-of-the-best-places-to-go-2024-8418071
Cartagena is generally safe for tourists, especially in popular areas like the Old Town, where we still be staying and where the wedding festivities will take place. For those unfamiliar with Colombia, the city of Cartagena may surprise you with its safety, amenities and luxury. As with any tourist destination, exercise common travel precautions, such as staying aware of your surroundings, keeping valuables secure, and avoiding isolated areas at night.
Here’s a general idea of what you can expect in terms of costs for the trip: Flights: • St. Louis ~$550 USD round trip • Denver ~$400 USD round trip • Chicago ~$390 USD round trip • Atlanta ~$400 USD round trip • Miami ~$280 USD round trip • New York City ~$300 USD round trip • Lima, Peru ~$220 USD round trip • Frankfurt, Germany ~$750 USD round trip • Geneva, Switzerland ~$720 USD round trip Accommodations: Hotels in Cartagena are typically around $140 - 200 USD per night, and group rates will be available. Food: We will be hosting celebratory meals and covering food Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning. Other food costs: • Lunch at a local restaurant ~$6–$10 USD • Beer or glass of wine ~$3–$5 USD • Cocktails ~$6–$8 USD • Coffee at a café ~$2–$4 USD If you would like to attend but are unable for financial reasons, please contact us directly.
Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) is accessible from many major cities worldwide. From the U.S., there are convenient nonstop flights from cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Houston. For international guests, flights with connections in cities like Bogotá, Panama City, and Lima often provide easy routes to Cartagena. Major airlines, including Avianca, LATAM, Copa, and American Airlines, frequently service these routes. To get the best rates and itineraries, we recommend booking flights around 90 days in advance and checking various options for layover cities that suit your travel needs. From the airport, Uber can take you to your accommodation.
Cartagena offers a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to charming boutique inns. We recommend staying in the Old City for the best experience. Check the “Travel” tab at the top of this website for information on our hotel blocks at discounted rates within walking distance of the weekend’s festivities.
Absolutely! Our wedding planner’s concierge service, Two Lovers Travel, is available to assist with all your travel needs in Cartagena. They offer both a free and paid concierge service: • Free Service: If you need help booking accommodations, Two Lovers Travel can assist you at no cost. • Paid Concierge Service ($150): This provides 24/7 on-call assistance for anything you may need during your stay, including airport transfers, dinner reservations, excursion bookings, grocery delivery, and more. For more details or to book their services, visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZbyHaxPlxp9lJ2Usxw7CXThD_zO0dHO1/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=115292576206104430689&rtpof=true&sd=true
Uber is a great option for getting to and from the airport. It is widely used in Cartagena and provides a safe and reliable means of transportation. For those who would feel more comfortable riding with someone from the airport to the hotel, we will have an escort at the airport to assist with transportation.
We welcome families to attend together and would love to have your entire crew, including children.
Cartagena is a vibrant city with many street vendors, performers, and individuals trying to get your attention—whether to sell something, offer a service, or simply engage in conversation. While this is a normal part of the city's atmosphere, we recommend that you politely ignore them and keep walking. Making eye contact, responding, or engaging in conversation will often encourage them to follow you, as they see it as an opportunity to make a sale. It may feel unnatural at first, but the best approach is to stay focused on where you're going and avoid interacting. If you’re interested in buying something, it's best to do so in a controlled setting, like a market or a shop.
Absolutely! Cartagena is a beautiful city with rich history and vibrant culture. You can explore the historic walled city, visit the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas fortress, or relax on the nearby islands like Isla Barú or the Rosario Islands (which we will be visiting on our island excursion day!). There’s so much to see and do!
Most guests will not need a visa to visit Colombia for stays under 90 days (Citizens of the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Peru). You’ll just need a passport valid for at least six months after May 3rd, 2025, meaning it should not expire before December 10th, 2025.
Colombia uses the Colombian peso (COP). U.S. dollars are not widely accepted, so plan to exchange currency or withdraw pesos from the ATM at the airport.
Credit and debit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops in the Old City. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; in restaurants, a 10% service charge is often included, and additional tips are optional.
In Cartagena’s popular areas, especially the Old Town and tourist spots, many people, including hotel and restaurant staff, will speak some English. However, if you encounter language barriers, tools like Google Translate or ChatGPT can help translate anything you need quickly. It’s always appreciated if you know a few simple Spanish phrases, but you should be able to get by comfortably without it in most areas.
Uber is widely available in Cartagena. The historic center is also very walkable, allowing you to explore on foot.
Our wedding is Colombian formal. Think white linen shirts and khaki pants for men (with the option to wear a Panama hat) and bright, long dresses or formal cocktail dresses for women. For the welcome dinner and brunch, we suggest semi formal attire, with dress pants or khakis for men and sundresses for women. There will be a rooftop pool at the welcome dinner, so bring a swimsuit if you'd like to take a dip.
Cartagena in May is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 75°F to 88°F (24°C to 31°C). We recommend light, breathable fabrics.
Your formal invitation will specify how many guests are included in your party. We’ve done our best to accommodate everyone, but if you have any questions or need clarification, please feel free to reach out to us.
Check with your carrier about international roaming plans. Alternatively, you can buy a local SIM card upon arrival or rely on Wi-Fi, which is available at most hotels and restaurants.
Check Your Passport Ensure you have a valid passport. If not, apply for one as soon as possible as processing can take 3-4 months. If you already have a passport, check its expiration date. It should be valid for at least six months after May 3rd, 2025, meaning it should not expire before December 10th, 2025. Set Up Price Alerts for Your Flights Use Google Flights or another service to set up flight alerts from your city of origin to Cartagena to get the best fares. We recommend booking flights 90 days prior to departure to secure the best prices. When booking flights, keep in mind the wedding festivities will begin on Friday evening and conclude on Sunday afternoon, so plan your trip accordingly! Book Accommodations Book your hotel early, as May is a busy month for Cartagena. Group rates and hotel blocks are available on the “Travel” tab. RSVP! Please RSVP by March 10. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!