Itineraries for Your Trip to Cartagena
2 Days in Cartagena for First Timers
Before I arrived in Cartagena, I’d already fallen in love with Colombia. The country didn’t need to do anything more to impress me after I’d traveled from the rural south via lush coffee regions, the sharp peaks of the Andes, and vibrant cities such as Medellín and Cali, but Cartagena only enhanced my adoration of this delightful, diverse country.
The city is a cultural melting pot of Latin and Caribbean culture, so it thrums with the rhythm of cumbia and bursts with tropical colors, set against a backdrop of historical architecture. Plus, it’s home to some of Colombia’s best street food—nowhere satisfied my craving for bold flavors and spice better than Cartagena, after what felt like months of eating bland black beans. If it’s your first time visiting, here’s how to spend two days in Colombia’s most colorful city.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a street food tour—it’s a great way to see how Colombian and Caribbean cultures collide.
Cartagena’s dry season is December–April; outside of this time, tropical downpours can scupper sightseeing plans on land and sea.
Spend your first morning getting your bearings in the UNESCO–listed Old Town Cartagena on a private walking tour. Visit highlights such as the Cathedral of San Pedro Claver (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver), the recognizable Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj), and the Cartagena Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena), housed by a white-and-mustard 17th-century house.
This afternoon, leave the confines of the Old Town to visit two of the city’s most significant historical landmarks. Soak up sweeping harbor views and travel back to the 14th century at San Felipe de Barajas Castle (Castillo San Felipe de Barajas), before wandering among the flower-draped stone arches of Convento de la Popa, a 17th-century convent perched on Cartagena’s highest hill.
After a long day of sightseeing, you’re sure to have quite the appetite, so spend this evening sampling the city’s best street food on a culinary tour. Wander to vendors in Plaza de San Diego and Portal de Los Dulces, and sample traditional dishes such as ceviche (raw fish marinated in citrus), arepas de queso (cheese corn cakes), and tropical fruit.
After waking up with plenty of Colombian coffee, head to the UNESCO–listed village of San Basilio de Palenque in the foothills of the Montes de Maria mountains. Founded by people who escaped slavery in the 16th century, Palenque plays a crucial role in Colombia’s history. On a tour you’ll meet locals, sample African-inspired dishes, and delve deeper into the heritage of this significant spot.
This afternoon, swap sightseeing for a spa with a difference. Take a tour to the Totumo Mud Volcano (El Totumo), just an hour outside of the city, to bathe in the mineral-enriched mud inside the crater of this dormant volcano. Then, wash off in the freshwater lake beside the natural phenomenon.
On your final evening, escape the crowds on land during a sunset cruise on Cartagena Bay. Sip drinks and enjoy snacks as you watch the sunset on the Caribbean Sea. Or, if you’d rather stick to dry land, climb aboard an illuminated chiva (party bus and explore the city by night while sipping drinks.
