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.
How to use this result
Use it as a travel-city prompt
Cartagena is included because it has traveler appeal beyond being a dot on the map. Use the themes, neighborhoods, notes, and season guidance to decide whether it fits a weekend, longer route, or writing prompt.
Build a realistic route
For a real trip, check how Cartagena connects with nearby cities, airports, rail or bus routes, local costs, weather, and entry rules for Colombia.
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 ($)
COP
Dial
+57
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Colombian
Internet
.co
UN
Member state
ISO code
CO / COL
Where in the world
4.0° - -72.0°
Colombia
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Cartagena's walled old city was built over 200 years (1586-1796) to defend Spain's colonial treasure fleets.
- The city was Gabriel García Márquez's favorite: much of Love in the Time of Cholera is set here.
- The Rosario Islands off the coast are part of a marine national park: some of the Caribbean's best coral reefs.
- Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean.
- It produces over 1 billion red roses annually: most of the US supply comes from here.
Bordering Colombia
Traveler notes
- Walk the walls at sunset
- Getsemaní for restaurants + nightlife
- Rosario Islands day or overnight trip
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Cartagena
What currency is used in Cartagena?
Cartagena uses the Colombian peso ($), 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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