Cartagena de Indias is a port city, colonized during the Spanish Colonial era, on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean. Cartagena is a strange mix of old and new. When you fly in you will be struck by the vibrant modern city filled with skyscrapers, cruise boats and commercial activity. With close to one million inhabitants, the city serves as one of the central ports of Colombia; it hosts many international cultural events and is home to some of Colombia's leading businesses. Cartagena's Old City/Ciudad Amurallada is a UNESCO World Heritage site and its main attraction. Particularly the inner walled town, consisting of the historical districts of El Centro and San Diego. It is a real gem of colonial architecture, packed with churches, monasteries, plazas, palaces and mansions with overhanging balconies and shady patios. The best approach to experiencing the Old City is to wander leisurely, savoring the architectural details, street life and local snacks along the way.
You bet! In fact, the sooner you let us know if you can make it, the better. Go to the 'RSVP' tab and enter your name to unlock your RSVP form. Please make sure to RSVP for all 3 events and let us know of any dietary restrictions.
To enter Colombia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your travel dates. For example, since you are traveling to Colombia in January 2020, your passport must be valid through July 2020. American citizens do not need a Visa to visit Colombia.
No need to worry. Cartagena is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Colombia, well-equipped to handle visitors from all over the world. While English is widely spoken throughout the city, be prepared for some shops and street vendors that only speak Spanish. We recommend downloading a smartphone app such as Duolingo to help you practice a few key terms. The Google Translate App offers a Spanish file to download that can still be used while offline if you will not have an internet connection while in Colombia.
Cartagena is perfectly safe and is now the safest metropolis in Colombia. Old Town (aka the Walled City) is one of the safest areas and has the strongest police presence. Just be aware of pickpockets and scams (it is a tourist destination, after all). In general, the further from Old Town, the less savory the neighborhoods. As in any other major city, stay aware, be cognizant of your surroundings, keep your belongings close, and don't flash valuables openly. WHAT'S THE NUMBER FOR 911? In the off chance that you run into any trouble, here are some emergency numbers everyone should know... National Emergency Number: 123 Tourist Police: (1) 3374413 Information: 113 U.S. Embassy in Colombia: (+57) (1) 275-2000
We highly recommend booking your accommodations as early as possible since January is the most popular time to visit Cartagena and places book up very fast. The wedding venue, The Sofitel Santa Clara, is located within the historical walled city and where many guests will be staying. Whether or not you decide to stay at the Hotel Santa Clara, we recommend staying within the walled city. Please refer to the Guest Accommodation page for more information on places to stay and group rates.
Yes, Uber is in Cartagena and we highly recommend using if you have an international data plan on your mobile phone. 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. So, be careful of inflated taxi fares in Cartagena. 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 from the airport are generally $13,400 COP ($4-6 USD) to most spots in walled city.
The Colombian Peso is the official currency and the symbols are "$", "COP", or "COL$". Check out https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/ to see conversion rates.
ATM'S are your best bet for exchanging money, as the fees are significantly less than those at the airport and most exchange houses in the walled city. Instead of converting US $ at the currency exchanges, we recommend getting Colombian pesos at an ATM (such as Bancolombia) instead. The exchange rate ATM machines provide will usually be very close to the actual exchange rates that can be seen on XE. Just remember that there are ATM usage fees for each withdrawal so try to plan your spending ahead.
Yes, credit cards are accepted in all major shops, restaurants, and hotels (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are the most common). Most credit cards offer no foreign transaction fees, but we recommend double checking with your bank and telling them that you will be traveling abroad to Colombia so they don't freeze your card. While many places accept credit cards, you will need cash for taxis and to purchase items from street vendors and mom-and-pop shops. You will also need cash if you plan to take any trips outside of the city.
It's typically customary to tip around 10%. Many of the nicer restaurants will automatically add a service charge (or propina) to your bill, so make sure to check before paying.
Yes, many of the hotels offer WiFi. Unless you have an international plan, you should switch your cell phone to “airplane mode” to avoid any surprise charges for international roaming, texting, and/or data usage.
Luckily, Colombia uses the same electric outlets as the US (plug type B). No need for adapters.
Cartagena is in the Eastern Standard Timezone. The average temperature in Cartagena in January is 81°F, with a high of 86°F and low of 75°F. January has a 1% chance of rain (fingers crossed!). Don't forget to wear sunscreen!
A LONG WEEKEND IN CARTAGENA WITH LAUREN SANTO DOMINGO: https://howtospendit.ft.com/travel/200526-a-long-weekend-in-cartagena-with-lauren-santo-domingo THE NEW YORK TIMES, 36 Hours in Cartagena: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/14/travel/things-to-do-in-36-hours-in-cartagena-colombia.html?_r=0 BON APPETIT, Already Thinking About Your Next Vacation? Make It Cartagena: http://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/city-guides/article/already-thinking-about-your-next-vacation-make-it-cartagena-colombia TRAVEL + LEISURE, Cartagena: A Hidden Retreat: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/cartagena-a-hidden-retreat
We're here to help! If you have any other questions not listed here, please feel free to reach out to us at kendallanddavid2020@gmail.com.