Why visit
Cartagena is a UNESCO Spanish colonial walled city on the Caribbean. Ciudad Amurallada's plazas, Getsemaní's street art, Rosario Islands day-trips, and Colombian-Caribbean food.
Cartagena at a glance
City population
970k
Metro: 1.2 million
Elevation
2 m
7 ft
Time zone
UTC-5
America/Bogota
Airport
CTG
Rafael Núñez International
Founded
1533
Getting around
Walkable old city + TransCaribe BRT + taxis; small scale
Signature dish
Arepa de huevo, sancocho, ceviche, posta negra, limonada de coco
Neighborhoods for travelers
Centro Histórico (walled, UNESCO)GetsemaníBocagrandeManga
Colombia at a glance
Country center
4.0°, -72.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
1,141,748 km²
440,831 mi²
Country population
52.1 million
46/km²
Subregion
South America
Currency
Colombian peso ($)
COP
Dial
+57
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Colombian
Internet
.co
UN
Member state
ISO code
CO / COL
Where in the world
4.0° · -72.0°
Colombia
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Did you know
- Cartagena's walled old city was built over 200 years (1586-1796) to defend Spain's colonial treasure fleets.
- The city was Gabriel García Márquez's favorite: much of Love in the Time of Cholera is set here.
- The Rosario Islands off the coast are part of a marine national park: some of the Caribbean's best coral reefs.
- Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean.
- It produces over 1 billion red roses annually: most of the US supply comes from here.
Bordering Colombia
Traveler notes
- Walk the walls at sunset
- Getsemaní for restaurants + nightlife
- Rosario Islands day or overnight trip
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Cartagena
What currency is used in Cartagena?
Cartagena uses the Colombian peso ($), ISO code COP.
What languages are spoken in Colombia?
The primary language is Spanish.
What is the international calling code for Colombia?
The calling code is +57.
What airport serves Cartagena?
Rafael Núñez International (IATA: CTG).
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