What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Cartagena, Colombia.
Photo: Igvir Ramirez / Wikimedia Commons
Cartagena is a walled Caribbean city on Colombia's coast, home to about 914552 people. Inside the old walls, colonial streets, balconies and plazas sit next to Getsemaní's street art and nightlife, while Bocagrande offers a beach strip of high-rise hotels. The heat and humidity are constant, so plan for it rather than fight it. The best months to visit are December, January, February and March, when rainfall is lower and days are drier, making it easier to walk the walled city and take boat trips to the Rosario Islands.
Plan on 2 to 3 days to cover the Walled City, Getsemaní, the Castillo and the main museums at a relaxed pace, plus an extra day if you want a full-day trip out to the Rosario Islands.
Centro
The colonial core of Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with narrow streets, balconies covered in flowers, churches and shaded plazas. Walking without a fixed plan is the best way to see it. Midday heat is strong, so many visitors explore in the morning and late afternoon.
San Lázaro
The largest Spanish fortress in the Americas, built on a hill to defend the city from attack by land. You can walk its ramparts and some of its narrow tunnels, and the top has wide views over the old town. There is little shade, so bring water and a hat.
Centro
Thick stone walls that surround most of the old town, with bastions and old cannons along the top. Walking the walls at sunset is a popular local habit, and several bastions have bars facing the sea.
Getsemaní
A former working-class neighbourhood just outside the main walls, now known for street art, small bars and cheaper places to eat. In the evening, Plaza de la Trinidad fills with locals, street food stalls and music.
Centro
A colonial mansion on Plaza de Bolívar that once housed the Spanish Inquisition, now a history museum. It covers the city's past, from colonial times to independence, and displays instruments of torture used during trials.
Centro
A church and former monastery named after a Jesuit priest who worked with enslaved Africans arriving in the port. The cloister has a quiet garden, and a small museum tells his story and shows religious and Afro-Colombian art.
Centro
A small museum on Plaza de Bolívar run by Colombia's central bank, showing gold work and pottery made by the Zenú people of the Caribbean region. It has air conditioning, which makes it a good break from the afternoon heat.
Cerro de la Popa
A colonial monastery on the highest hill in Cartagena, with a calm inner courtyard and a small chapel. The main reason to go is the view over the whole city, the bay and the coast. Most visitors go by taxi or on a tour rather than walking up.
Islas del Rosario
A group of small coral islands off the coast, reached by boat from the city. People go for clearer water than the city beaches, snorkelling and quiet beach time. Boat trips can be rough when the wind is strong.
Centro
A long row of vaulted rooms built into the city walls, first used to store weapons and later as a prison. Today they hold craft and souvenir shops, and the walls above give views of the sea.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Sea temp | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best month: January | 31°C / 24°C | 3 days (12 mm) | 11.1 h/day | 29°C | 8.6/10 |
| Best month: February | 31°C / 24°C | 2 days (6 mm) | 11.3 h/day | 28°C | 8.8/10 |
| Best month: March | 32°C / 24°C | 5 days (15 mm) | 11.4 h/day | 28°C | 8.4/10 |
| April | 31°C / 25°C | 14 days (63 mm) | 11.0 h/day | 29°C | 7.2/10 |
| May | 30°C / 25°C | 23 days (145 mm) | 9.7 h/day | 30°C | 7.0/10 |
| June | 30°C / 25°C | 24 days (153 mm) | 9.5 h/day | 30°C | 7.0/10 |
| July | 30°C / 25°C | 22 days (132 mm) | 9.8 h/day | 30°C | 7.0/10 |
| August | 30°C / 25°C | 24 days (142 mm) | 9.4 h/day | 30°C | 7.0/10 |
| September | 29°C / 25°C | 24 days (139 mm) | 9.3 h/day | 31°C | 7.0/10 |
| October | 29°C / 24°C | 26 days (186 mm) | 9.1 h/day | 30°C | 7.0/10 |
| November | 29°C / 24°C | 22 days (188 mm) | 9.3 h/day | 30°C | 7.0/10 |
| Best month: December | 30°C / 24°C | 9 days (32 mm) | 10.9 h/day | 30°C | 7.8/10 |
Dry and sunny. Highs of 30.7°C, about 3 rain days and 11.1 hours of sun a day. A best month, scoring 8.6.
The driest month, with highs of 31.3°C, only 1.6 rain days and 6 mm of rain. The top score of the year, 8.8.
Still dry, with highs of 31.6°C, 4.6 rain days and the sea at 28.3°C. A best month, scoring 8.4.
Rain returns, with 13.8 rain days and 63 mm. Highs stay at 31°C. Rated good, at 7.2.
The wet season starts, with 22.5 rain days and 145 mm. Highs of 30°C and warm nights at 25°C. Rated good, at 7.
Wet and warm, with highs of 29.6°C and 24.1 rain days. The sea reaches 30.2°C. Rated good, at 7.
Highs of 30.1°C, 21.7 rain days and 132 mm of rain. The sea stays at 30.2°C. Rated good, at 7.
Rain falls on 23.6 days, 142 mm in total. Highs of 29.7°C and 9.4 hours of sun. Rated good, at 7.
Very wet, with 24.3 rain days and 139 mm. Highs of 29.3°C and the warmest sea, 30.5°C. Rated good, at 7.
Tough weather: rain falls on 26.3 days, the most of the year, with 186 mm. Highs of 28.8°C. Rated good, at 7.
The heaviest rain, 188 mm over 22 rain days. Highs of 28.7°C, the lowest of the year. Rated good, at 7.
The dry season returns, with 8.8 rain days, 32 mm and highs of 30.1°C. A best month again, scoring 7.8.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit Colombia →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for first-timers, sightseeing, couples
The old walled city has colonial streets, balconies with flowers, plazas, churches and many restaurants, so most sights are a short walk away. It is the easiest base for a first visit. It is also the busiest and most touristy part of town, and street vendors can be persistent.
Good for couples, quieter stays, food lovers
This corner of the walled city feels calmer and more residential than the area around the main plazas. It has small squares, cafés and good restaurants, and you can still walk to the main sights. Some evenings bring music from nearby bars.
Good for nightlife, backpackers, street art
Just outside the walls, this former working-class area has street art, small plazas, hostels and lively bars, especially around Plaza de la Trinidad. It has a local, creative feel and is easy walking distance from the old city. It can be loud late into the night, especially at weekends.
Good for beach access, families, high-rise hotels
A strip of modern high-rise buildings on a peninsula south of the old city, with city beaches, shopping and supermarkets. It suits people who want a beach on the doorstep and bigger hotel rooms. The beaches are not the clearest in the region, and you will need a taxi to reach the historic centre.
Good for families, quiet, long stays
A residential area at the tip of the Bocagrande peninsula, with calm streets, apartment buildings and a waterfront walk on the bay. It is quieter and more local than Bocagrande. There is less to do in the evening, and the old city is a taxi ride away.
Good for long stays, local life, budget-conscious
An island neighbourhood linked by bridges to the centre, with old republican-era houses, a marina and everyday shops. It shows how locals live and is close to Getsemaní. It has few sights or restaurants for visitors, and some walks back at night feel long, so many people take a taxi.
A corn arepa fried, split open, filled with an egg, often with minced meat, and fried again. Locals buy it from street stalls and beach kiosks as a breakfast or snack.
A whole fried fish, often mojarra or red snapper, served with sweet coconut rice, patacones and salad. It is a classic lunch in beach restaurants and on the islands near the city.
Beef slow-cooked in a dark, sweet and sour sauce made with panela, cola or wine, and spices. It is a traditional family dish, often served with coconut rice.
Chewy sweets made from grated coconut and sugar, sometimes flavoured with fruit such as guava or pineapple. Street vendors sell them around the old town, especially near the Portal de los Dulces.
A torpedo-shaped fritter of mashed cassava filled with seasoned meat or cheese. Locals eat it for breakfast or as a snack, bought warm from street stalls and bakeries.
A blended drink of lime juice, coconut cream and ice, thick and slightly sweet. It is a popular way to cool down with lunch in restaurants across the city.
December to March is the best time to visit Cartagena. These are the driest months. February scores highest at 8.8 out of 10, with only 1.6 rain days and 6 mm of rain. January and March are close behind, with 11 to 11.4 hours of sun a day. December scores 7.8 and is the start of the dry period, with 8.8 rain days.
The rainy season in Cartagena runs from May to November. In these months it rains on 21.7 to 26.3 days, and monthly rain is 132 to 188 mm. October has the most rain days (26.3), and November has the most rain (188 mm). The sun still shines for over 9 hours a day, and every month in this period is rated 7 out of 10.
Yes. August in Cartagena is rated good, at 7 out of 10, but expect rain. It rains on about 23.6 days, with 142 mm in the month. Days are hot, with highs of 29.7°C and lows of 25°C. The sea is at its warmest, about 30.2°C, and there are still 9.4 hours of sun a day.
Cartagena is hot all year. Average highs range from 28.7°C in November to 31.6°C in March. Nights stay warm, with lows of 23.7°C to 25°C. The sea is warm enough for swimming in every month. It ranges from 28.2°C in February to 30.5°C in September.
Plan on 3 days in Cartagena. The Walled City takes half a day, and Getsemaní 2–3 hours. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the Palace of the Inquisition and La Popa Monastery need 1–2 hours each. The Gold Museum and the Sanctuary of San Pedro Claver take about 1 hour each. That fills 2 days. A trip to the Rosario Islands takes a full day on its own.
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