This is the most common question we've received and the short answer is, yes! Cartagena is the most visited and safest city in all of Colombia and the people are some of the friendliest you’ll ever meet! We do not recommend carrying your phone in your back pocket or counting your cash out on the street, as those are easy targets for pickpocketers. Just like traveling to any foreign country, you always want to be aware of your surroundings. A few words from Anthony Bourdain on Colombia: "It’s ludicrous that this place exists and everyone doesn’t want to live here. Have I said yet how beautiful the place is? It’s incredible. It’s fun. And, yes, it’s safe. Every day, more so. And yet many people still don’t go—I would urge you to put aside the stereotypes. If you want to find bad people in Colombia, you can surely find them, as you could in New York or Los Angeles. But nowhere have my crew and I been treated better or with more kindness and generosity. I’d bring my family on vacation there in a heartbeat. And hope to soon. As I said before: Colombians are proud. Let them show you what they are proud of."
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Get ready! Colombian weddings traditionally last quite a bit longer than American weddings into the early hours of the morning, and ours is no exception!
Yes, Uber is in Cartagena, if you have an international data plan on your mobile phone it can be used. It is safe, trackable, and you don't have to worry about currency conversions, meter scams or carrying Colombian pesos. Make sure to download the UBER app and link it to a credit card with no foreign transaction fees prior to travel.
It is also very safe to hail a taxi, especially from landmarks. Taxi drivers have set fares to the most popular destinations, so you should confirm the amount before you leave. Private taxi companies (that work directly with hotels) are usually white and will charge a little bit more, but rides are comparatively very inexpensive. Note that taxis in Cartagena do not have taximeters. To make sure you are not surprised at the fare at the destination when in Cartagena, always make sure to ask the fare to the destination before getting in a taxi. Taxis are generally $12,000 COP ($3-5 USD) to most spots in the walled city.
Nope! The Walled City is very tourist friendly, with many hotel and restaurant workers speaking some English. Be prepared for some shops and street vendors that only speak Spanish...but anything can be accomplished with smiling and pointing.
Yes, you do need a passport. American citizens do not need a Visa to visit Colombia. Please note all immigration/customs for Colombia is online. Please use this site below to fill out your forms up to 48 hours prior to arriving in Cartagena. You will need to repeat this process upon departure as well. https://apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/public/preregistro.jsf
The average temperature in Cartagena in May is 78°F, with a high of 88°F and a low of 75°F. However, it is very humid so please keep that in mind! The key to enjoying Cartagena is to explore the streets in the morning while it's cooler, and relax by the pool in the afternoon. Don't forget to wear sunscreen!!!
The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). For current exchange rates go to https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/ to see conversion rates. It is helpful to note that commas and periods are used oppositely to how they are used in the US, so $1.00 = $1,00 and $3,500 = $3.500. We recommend that you exchange some money at your local bank or at the airport when you arrive, but there are also some options near the hotels. There are also ATMs all over and most major credit cards are widely accepted.
No. Make sure to always have some Colombian pesos on you, which you can have exchanged from USD at the airport or withdraw from any of the many ATMs around.
There is typically a 10% tip (service) added to your bill. If the service was extraordinary, feel free to add some extra pesos. If not, you will not be offending anyone. Please tip any tour guides you may use around 10%
See U.S. Embassy's Colombia website for most up to date information: https://co.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ CDC requirements for Re-entry to US: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
Some tap water is safe, but to err on the side of caution, bottled water and beers (cervezas) are readily available in the area. You don't need to worry about ice in your drinks if you are eating at a restaurant frequented by foreign travelers, as the bar probably uses purified ice! When in doubt, beer is 95% water. Tap water is fine for showering and brushing your teeth.
1. There are many street vendors who are often pesky and insisting. If you're not good at politely saying "No" to them start practicing now. We recommend not to get too excited with items the street vendors sell you because before you know it, you will find vultures. We recommend anything you buy to be in-store to prevent unnecessary irritation. 2. Understand your pesos. Get familiar with the paper money. Don't mix up a 2,000 COP w/ a 20,000 COP. It happens to the best of us. Get familiar with your cash and organize it from small to large.