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3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia: Discovering The Colorful & Colonial

Last Updated: October 20, 2021 · Colombia, South America

Is there such a thing as a perfect city? Not at all. But the Caribbean port city of Cartagena, Colombia (also known as Cartagena de Indias) comes close.

With its white-sand beaches, 16th-century fortress and old town, colorful colonial architecture, tropical climate, fairy tale charm, fresh seafood, and SO much more, it’s easy to see why Cartagena is a popular bucket list destination.

Cartagena, Colombia definitely deserves its place on YOUR bucket list! To help you discover this lovely city, I’ve compiled a small guide about my experience. Without further adieu, here’s my 3-day itinerary of what to do and see in Cartagena, Colombia! 

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Table of Contents show
Day 1 in Cartagena, Colombia
Plaza Bolivar
Ice cream/gelato break
Shopping in the cute boutiques
Sunset & cocktail at Cafe Del Mar
Day 2: Beach Day at Playa Blanca
Getting there
Soaking it in
What to eat
Back to Cartagena
Day 3: Sights & Landmarks
San Pedro Claver
The 16th c. fortress
Ceviche!

Day 1 in Cartagena, Colombia

After a refreshing mountain retreat (and my misadventure) in Minca, I took the bus and headed to Cartagena. If you’re also taking the bus into Cartagena, you’ll most likely arrive outside of the city.

Grab a yellow taxi and negotiate a price before getting in and heading to Cartagena’s Old Town. The taxi driver will probably recognize the hostel’s address when you show/tell him where you need to go.

Click here to see TripAdvisor’s best-rated hotels within the Walled City.

Traveler’s Tip: Be cautious when traveling as a tourist in Cartagena. There have been negative stories about taxis taking advantage of foreigners in Cartagena, i.e. ripping them off, taking them off route, etc. I felt safe, but just as a rule of thumb always use your best tool when traveling: your instinct and rational judgment.

As always, make sure to have international travel insurance to cover yourself in case of travel accidents or injury.

When you arrive you’ll be dropped off in the bustling center. Bright colors and quaint streets immediately stood out as I neared the hostel. Fresh fruit carts, local vendors, fancy stores, and people dressed in tropical outfits lined the small streets on either side. If you’re like me, your feet will be itching to hop out and explore!

I dropped my bags off at the Casa Roman hostel, located in the old city of Cartagena. A shared room with six people cost us around 25k pesos each. The best part about it though was the location right in the heart of the historical center, within 100 meters of historic and monumental landmarks. I would definitely recommend booking a night here. Plus, the icy air conditioning in the rooms and warm showers were most appreciated!

Drop all your bags off, freshen up, and take to the streets (and don’t forget your camera). Cartagena is full of mystery; a charming building or burst of color is just waiting for you around the corner!

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

Plaza Bolivar

Get lost in the streets of Cartagena, and while you’re at it, swing by Plaza Bolivar (also named El Parque de Bolivar). Just a short 3-minute walk from Casa Roman hostel, this park is hard to miss. Take shelter from the unrelenting Cartagena heat and cool off under the park’s shady trees.

This park is filled with locals, and if you come by at dusk you’ll have the pleasure of seeing the Cartagena street dancers perform with traditional Afro-Colombian music and dance. It’s quite the treat (and an unexpected one at that!)

I found a lady dressed in the colors of the Colombian flag and asked her if I could take a picture. She was thrilled! I bought a mango from her fruit cart to say thanks. 🙂

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

Ice cream/gelato break

For whichever reason, whether hunger, heat or pure desire, make sure to grab a gelato pop or a scoop of creamy ice cream. Nearly every ice cream shop you pass will have fairly reasonable prices, but not every location has a place to sit inside where you can escape the streets and the weather.

Treat yo’self at the Gelateria Paradiso for oh-so-yummy ice cream while you relax in their unique, vintage-style shop. If you enjoy salted caramel ice cream, then you MUST go here. They have the best I’ve ever tasted!

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

Shopping in the cute boutiques

There are a plethora of adorable shops, from small Colombian businesses to large name brands. Take the afternoon to do a little window shopping and check out all the offers.

Testing out the prices of clothes, accessories, souvenirs, etc., on the first day of your trip will help you make wiser buying choices as you continue to explore Cartagena in the following days.

There is an adorable shop that I stumbled upon called Aqua Rose. Ladies, visit here for adorable backpacks, tanks, shoes, lacey undies and bralettes, tropical bathing suits, and more. All of their products are handmade with love in Colombia in partnership with indigenous communities from all over the country, including the Wayuu of La Guajira.

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

Traveler’s Tip: You will definitely notice how many local vendors are selling items on the streets, but think twice before you make a purchase. Lots of the products are not handmade and it will be harder to settle on a reasonable price as you’ll need to negotiate a little. Plus, most of the items they feature are targeted for foreigners and tourists, so what you’re getting you could probably find in any other big Colombian city, like Bogotá.

If you manage to find a local store that certifies fair trade partnerships with the indigenous populations and locals who make the items (i.e. mochila bags) then buy there instead.

Sunset & cocktail at Cafe Del Mar

Finish off your first day with an exotic (yet pricey) colorful cocktail as you watch the bright orange sunset from the old city walls.

One of the most popular places for this is no other than at the Cafe Del Mar. Locals and tourists alike flock here to capture their best selfies as the sun sets and reflects off the Caribbean ocean!

From here across the sea, you can see the modern district of Cartagena, in all its concrete skyscraper glory. I much prefer the view within the walled old town. 😉 

Cafe Del Mar also couples as the perfect place to people watch (if that’s your fav hobby, like me!) You can stand by and watch the street performers (not the same as in Plaza Bolivar), enjoy the sea breeze, and snap a few photos with friends.

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

Day 2: Beach Day at Playa Blanca

Use your second day in Cartagena to explore its beautiful beaches. You have several options here but for the sake of simplicity and time, I would recommend spending a full day at the popular and picturesque Playa Blanca.

Getting there

You can take a boat, bus, or private car. On our way there, we got a private Uber. This was the safest and cheapest option since we were four girls and we were running kinda late. Our Uber driver was super friendly and dropped us off right near Playa Blanca, we then followed the trail all the way to the beach.

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

I must say, I was quite overwhelmed upon arrival. This beautiful, natural beach has become very popular (almost too popular) in recent years, and the beach, as a result, is lined with colorful umbrellas. Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing, but you can imagine how busy this place gets during the high season.

Despite the crowd, Playa Blanca was like a little slice of Caribbean paradise. It was not expensive at all, by the way, to rent one of the umbrellas. There are locals who will invite you to rent an umbrella/chairs for a small price. We paid around 15-20,000 pesos. And it was definitely worth it.

Soaking it in

Throw everything down on the table and run in the water! It’s so bright and blue, you almost don’t believe it. The sand is so silky white, it looks like it came straight out of a beach resort magazine.

The best part about Playa Blanca is not the amazing photo ops or even basking in the sun, but the local vendors who are so friendly and smiley! Locals will be walking up and down the beach to offer their goods and services to tourists. A sweet and sassy lady approached us and offered massages on the beach.

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

She first wanted to braid my hair, and when people play with my hair, well, she had me from the start, to say the least. Then she sweetened the deal with a price reduction if I caved in and got the whole back massage as well. For an extra 7 dollars, was I really going to (keep) saying no?

It was the best 7 dollars I spent all day! I came to find out through our broken Spanish conversation that she had 5 children! She was such a cool lady.

What to eat

When you get hungry, there’s no better place to be than at Playa Blanca. Dine on a freshly grilled fish with coconut rice, patacon, and side salad for around 20K pesos.

What could be better than eating fresh seafood in your bathing suit with cutely braided hair, relaxed muscles, and a breathtaking view of the Caribbean sea? 😉

Traveler’s Tip: Instead of buying bottled water, opt to buy the water packets/bags. They are SO much cheaper than bottled water and are just as refreshing. Not to mention it’s super fun to bite a little hole and slurp it up like it’s a popsicle. You can also buy a bigger water bag (like 6 L) and refill up recycled water bottles to save tons of money!

Back to Cartagena

Check the boat schedule in advance to find out when the last boat departs for Cartagena. The last boat leaves some time in the mid-afternoon, as the beach “closes down” early. Only the locals who live there and the tourists sleeping overnight at Playa Blanca get to reap the benefits of having the coastline all to themselves. How lucky!

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

The boat ride back to Cartagena is so much fun. Try to get a seat in the front to maximize all the speed bumps. 😉 The boat drops you off just outside of the walled city, so you’ll be right back to your hostel or hotel in minutes. You’ll recognize the location with the picturesque yellow tower marking the entrance to the Old Town (known as La Torre del Reloj).

P.S. If a local approaches you while you’re just inside La Torre del Reloj offering homemade coconut ice cream in a tube, TAKE IT. It’s the best, cheapest, delicious, most amazing treat chunks of fresh, chewy coconut.

Day 3: Sights & Landmarks

Before you leave Cartagena, make sure to check off some of the iconic landmarks!

San Pedro Claver

Start your morning by observing the morning church service in the gorgeous San Pedro Claver Church. 

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

On my last morning in Cartagena, I got up before dawn and took to the streets. It was quiet and the street lamps were still glowing from the evening. I took the opportunity to stroll around and take photos of all the colorful colonial houses, and that’s when I stumbled upon La Plaza de San Pedro Claver. The sun was now up and shining bright on all the buildings. The mesmerizing glow was reflecting so warmly off the top of the church that I just sat out in the plaza and took it all in.

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

That’s when I noticed two Amazon parrots chatting and singing up on the roof just opposite. One of them flew over and basked in the sun on the church. The church bells chimed and it was time for the morning service to begin. I sat in the back and watched people from all walks of life come in and take a seat.  Many of them shared a welcoming smile with me. Whether you’re religious or not, a visit to the San Pedro Claver church (Saint Peter Claver) is a must.

The 16th c. fortress

You’ve already explored the walled city, so now it’s time to head over to the 16th-century fortress, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. This fortress is renowned for being the greatest fortress ever to have been built by the Spanish. It sits atop a hill overlooking Cartagena’s Old Town with the modern district towering in the back.

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

Do not miss exploring the tunnels! There is an entry fee of course (25,000 COP), but I opted out and just walked a full circle around the hill with a friend instead. So you’ll have to tell me how’s the view from the top! 😉

Ceviche!

To really complete your stay in Cartagena, you must eat ceviche (raw fish cured in citrus juices) at the one and only:  The Blue Lagoon. Inspired by the famous Blue Lagoon film with good ole’ Leonardo DiCaprio, this hidden little shack is the perfect place for ceviche.

3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

Its location is pretty sneaky though, and not where you’re likely to stumble upon it unless you purposely look for it. Hint: It’s located under the outdoor stairs at the Centro Commercial Getsemani!

It costs about 18-20,000 COP for the classic ceviche, but it’s worth every peso. The ladies who work there are so friendly, too!

There are so many places I did not get to cover in this small guide. I hope this 3-day travel itinerary will already help plan your stay. I hope you love discovering Cartagena just as much as I did. I’m already looking forward to going back!

Although it’s definitely got the more “touristy” feel to it, Cartagena, Colombia offers a much different vibe than in the desert region, Bogotá, in the Zona Cafetera (coffee country), the Amazon, etc. Colombia’s diversity is incredible! 🙂

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By: Bri · In: Colombia, South America

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Georgina says

    November 21, 2019 at 1:37 pm

    I have really enjoyed reading all your adventures in Colombia, what a wonderful place to visit, I’m definitely putting it on my bucket list, thankyou so much for taking the time to explain some really interesting places and things to see in Cartagena.

    Reply
    • Bri says

      November 22, 2019 at 8:41 am

      Awww thanks! Glad you liked it!! xx

      Reply
  2. Laurin says

    November 21, 2019 at 1:33 pm

    Thanks for this! My husband and I followed your itinerary and loved it!

    Reply
    • Bri says

      November 22, 2019 at 8:44 am

      That’s awesome! So glad you could use it to plan your trip 🙂 xx

      Reply
  3. Nish says

    November 20, 2019 at 1:29 pm

    Great writing! As expected. Such a great view and advice if anyone winds up in Colombia they must read this first!

    Reply
    • Bri says

      November 22, 2019 at 8:40 am

      Thanks so much Nish! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Riley Thompson says

    November 2, 2019 at 12:50 pm

    Omg I can’t wait to go to Cartagena now. Hope to go next August! Thanks so much for this guide.

    Reply
    • Bri says

      November 5, 2019 at 8:43 am

      Thanks Riley! You’ll love it there!!

      Reply

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
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📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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