3 Days in Cartagena: Bucket List for Colombia’s Colorful Caribbean City
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to Cartagena contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Looking for a guide for 3 days in Cartagena? This fast-paced itinerary highlights the best neighborhoods, historical tours, and a boat ride in this incredible city along the Caribbean coast.
This itinerary was tested and loved by my family and me when we visited Cartagena and Medellin in Colombia. Cartagena is known for its colonial architecture, vibrant art, and a genuine, laid-back lifestyle that is sure to make every tourist want to stay forever.
However, if you are only in Cartagena for a short trip, follow this itinerary for 3 days, revolving around the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with well-preserved buildings and a vibrant atmosphere. Take some time to stumble down narrow cobblestone streets as well as hit the open ocean on a fast boat.
While you could certainly spend more than 3 days in Cartagena, Sampler Platter Travel is dedicated to fast itineraries helping you prioritize things to do if you only have a short amount of time.
Happy sampling!
Is Cartagena part of a longer trip?
Check out our other Colombia guides:
10 Day Itinerary: Colombia’s Top Highlights from Cartagena to Medellin
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Monserrate in Bogota, Colombia
A Guide to the Best Long Layover in Bogota, Colombia
3 Days in Bogota, Colombia: Culture, Cuisine, & Colorful Streets
What to Do in Medellin in 3 Days: Columbia’s Famed Mountain City
Top Tours in Cartagena
3 Days in Cartagena Itinerary
Day 1 in Cartagena
(1) Take a Free Walking Tour
Taking a walking tour is one of the best ways to explore a new city! Sure, we can take a look at various landmarks on a map, but tours by locals provide us with an in-depth analysis and explanation of historical buildings. We may be able to marvel at a plaza, but we won’t know that it was featured in a famous movie franchise or played an important role in history unless the guide tells us!
Here is a fantastic tour operated by Cartagena locals which is offered in Spanish and English and is completely free. We recommend getting the most out of your day and starting your trip with a guided tour of the Old City.
The 2-hour walking tour begins daily at 10 am in Plaza de Santa Teresa, visiting various historic sites along the way.
(2) Walk the Old City Walls
While I bet the free walking tour took you to at least peer over the edge of the Old City walls, there is no doubt that there is more to explore!
The whole wall is over 6 miles (9.6 km) long, which means that there is a lot to explore and will certainly provide you with your daily exercise.
These walls, which were first built in 1586, give Cartagena the title of one of the most fortified cities in the Western Hemisphere. If you would rather not walk the entire 6 miles, don’t worry – we will be back for a leisurely cocktail later in the day.
(3) Santo Domingo Plaza
Next, wander over to Santo Domingo Plaza. This square is a hub for outdoor restaurants, bars, and occasional vendors.
However, it’s hard to ignore the square’s very bloody history. During the Spanish Inquisition, this square was the site of the executions of Jewish and other non-Catholic individuals.
Now, it is one of the most famous plazas in all of Cartagena, and if you are not familiar with the sculptor Fernando Botero, you soon will be. He’s known for his paintings and sculptures of enlarged people and animals, and one of his many sculptures can be found here in Santo Domingo Plaza.
(4) Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría
I always get excited when I see buildings that are very popular in photos of a certain destination. You have probably seen photos of the Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría, a famous cathedral that is even more colorful in person.
Better yet, it is located only a 2-minute walk from Santo Domingo Plaza.
While you don’t have to go inside, it marks a special part of the center of the city, where the cobblestone streets are narrow, and the trees provide much-needed shade. Take some time to explore the façade of the cathedral and the surrounding streets.
(5) Café del Mar
Finish the day with a trip to the beautiful Café del Mar. You won’t find a more awe-inspiring spot to drink a cocktail and marvel at the views of the Caribbean Sea. The best time to go is before sunset, but remember to get there at least 1 hour early to snag a table.
You have to try their famous and well-made mojitos!
While Café del Mar is a perfect place to wind down, we recommend eating dinner elsewhere. We had an amazing time at El Burlador Gastrobar, with live music and fantastic Spanish food.
Day 2 in Cartagena
(6) Boat Tour of the Islas del Rosario
Cartagena is an incredible city for island hopping. While it is certainly an option to explore some of the beaches along Cartagena’s Bocagrande neighborhood – known for beaches and resorts – we highly recommend taking a boat trip.
We greatly enjoyed our full-day boat trip of the Islas del Rosario (Rosario Islands), to get a good mix of exploring, relaxing, and snorkeling.
Most boat tours provide lunch and a snack as well as multiple snorkeling opportunities. In the end, you can relax on a beach.
We got caught in an insane rainstorm, and the tour guides were very knowledgeable about changing plans and adapting while not cutting out any of the fun.
Half-day options are certainly available, but even if you choose to go this route, we suggest leaving the rest of the day free. You will be quite exhausted after a day out in the sun and on the water!
Grab tickets for your boat trip here.
Day 3 in Cartagena
(7) Getsemani Neighborhood
On Day 3 of the itinerary, start the day wandering around the incredible area of Getsemani.
Getsemani is a lively and vibrant neighborhood where you will find tourists and locals taking over the streets and having a good time.
Calle del Arsenal is one of the most famous streets and is also where you might return if you are interested in nightlife. If walking around during the day is more to your liking, Getsemani has a ton of street art murals, as well as small, independently-owned galleries.
Don’t forget to check out Plaza de la Trinidad for local performers bringing the energy. This plaza seems to hold the heartbeat of the neighborhood.
(8) Centenario Park
Next, head to Centenario Park, located between Getsemani and the Old City, outside of the walls. Now, I may be a little bit biased toward this park because we saw a sloth, but I promise that it was more than just a freak sighting.
There are plenty of sloths and other wildlife creatures in this urban park. Most people are not necessarily lucky enough to see a sloth, but the park has a large population of iguanas and monkeys.
Centenario Park was modeled on the Luxenberg Gardens in Paris, and one man from Bogotá is responsible for feeding a lot of the wildlife.
If you are there during the weekend, you’ll find an extensive market of neighborhood arts, crafts, and artisanal items.
(9) Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
Finally, end your tour of Cartagena in the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, located across the bridge from the Getsemani neighborhood.
This fortress was built in 1536 and sits atop the Hill of San Lázaro, providing a fantastic vantage point to those who wanted to protect and defend the city of Cartagena.
With an entrance fee of around 6 USD, you can walk around the grounds and climb up the walls.
We suggest doing this towards the end of the evening because the grounds are completely uncovered, and there is no tree shade.
Where to Stay in Cartagena
We highly recommend staying in one of 2 notable neighborhoods. The first option is the Old City, where you’ll be in the heart of famous landmarks within the walls.
The second option is the quirky and colorful neighborhood of Getsemani, known for live music and art galleries.
Some travelers do enjoy the Bocagrande area, but we don’t recommend it because it is just a strip of beaches and resorts, and you can stay at a resort anywhere!
In Cartagena, we suggest staying in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old City.
Best Hotels in the Old City
| Price and Rating | Name | Benefits |
| Average $167/night (9 stars on Booking.com) | Alfiz Hotel | Boutique hotel in restored colonial building4-star hotel with breakfast Sun terrace and swimming pool in an internal patio |
| Average $171/night (9.2 stars on Booking.com) | Casa La Fe by BespokeColombia | Charming republican house Rooftop bool with scenic viewsRooms in a classical style |
| Average $209/night (9.3 stars on Booking.com) | Amarla Boutique Hotel Cartagena | Garden, terrace, pool, and restaurantViews of the cathedral from the rooftop poolBreakfast available |
Best Hotels in Getsemani
| Price and Rating | Name | Benefits |
| Average $103/night (9.5 stars on Booking.com) | Casa Jaguar Hotel Boutique | Boutique hotel with outdoor pool and gardenRestaurant and bar on siteEach room has a patio |
| Average $126/night (9.2 stars on Booking.com) | Violá Signature Casa Isabel | Excellent breakfastHot tub on the roofIncredible walkable location |
| Average $196/night (9 stars on Booking.com) | Osh Hotel Getsemani | Large hotel with pool, fitness center, and gardenBuffet breakfast served dailyBeautiful and aesthetically pleasing |
How to Get Around
Cartagena’s Old City is super small and condensed. If you are staying within the walls, we recommend walking around, as most landmarks are located near each other.
While a taxi is needed to get to and from the airport, once you’ve made it, you won’t need to take another taxi.
Even if you plan on taking a day trip to the Islas del Rosario, the port for tourist boats is right outside of the Old City walls.
However, if large resorts are more your vibe and you do want to stay in Bocagrande, you will need to take a taxi to get into the Old City.
When is the Best Time to Visit Cartagena
December to March: Dry Season
The weather during this season is warm and dry, with temperatures ranging from 75 to 90°F (24 to 32°C). This is the best time for beach activities, and the weather is super sunny for outdoor excursions.
Unfortunately, this means that it is peak tourism season, especially around Christmas and New Year. Expect to see higher prices and more crowds. It is also incredibly crowded during Semana Santa (Holy Week) which happens in March or April.
April to June: Transition to Rainy Season
While there are plenty of sunny days during this season, you will also start to see an increase in the chance of rain which can limit a lot of outdoor activities. There are far fewer tourists and prices for hotels and accommodations will be lower.
July to August: Hot and Humid (And Technically Rainy Season)
This season is when Cartagena gets super hot, with temperatures frequently in the 90s °F (32°C). While there are fewer crowds because of the weather, do keep in mind that the heat and humidity can be quite intense.
We visited Cartagena towards the end of August but would not recommend it in terms of the best weather. We sure did sweat a lot!
September to November: Intense Rainy Season
These are the wettest months in Cartagena with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and warm weather. This is the least crowded time to visit the city, so you’ll find the lowest prices on accommodations. Rain can certainly hamper your plans, and you might find yourself getting beach and boat plans canceled.
FAQs About 3 Days in Cartagena
Is 3 days enough in Cartagena?
While you could certainly spend an entire lifetime in Cartagena, you can see the main sites in just 3 days. The walled Old City is very condensed, so you only need 2 days to explore it, leaving one free day.
We suggest leaving the third day for a boat tour to the Islas del Rosario, a super unique opportunity to snorkel and enjoy a day on the ocean.
Is it better to stay in the Walled City in Cartagena?
Yes! We highly recommend staying in the Old City of Cartagena because of how unique it is. While you can stay in Bocagrande if you are more interested in larger resorts, the Old City of Cartagena is infinitely more interesting. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has multiple options for accommodation regardless of your traveling budget.
Which is better, Cartagena or Medellin?
We believe that both cities are completely worth visiting and have different vibes. Cartagena has a Caribbean feel, with boat trips, beaches, and old colonial buildings.
Medellin is a bigger metropolitan city, with tons of lively neighborhoods, modern restaurants, bustling markets, and more.
Both cities offer wonderful experiences with historical significance and the opportunity to relax, lay back, and have fun. If you have the chance to visit both, you must.
That’s all for this enchanting Colombian city! We hope you enjoyed this fast-paced and walkable itinerary for 3 days in Cartagena, one of the most magical places to watch a sunset and walk around cobblestoned streets.
While this itinerary certainly isn’t for a long stay, we hope you got a little sample of everything.
Looking to extend your stay? Check out our guides on South America.
Happy sampling!