Things to Visit in Cartagena: Walled City and Caribbean Coast

The walls stretch 11 km around the Old City and stand up to 12 meters thick in places. Start at the Clock Tower Gate (Torre del Reloj) and walk counterclockwise toward the Café del Mar area for the best sunset views. The walk takes about 90 minutes at a casual pace. Free to walk anytime.

This 18th-century building served as the headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition in South America until 1821. The museum displays original instruments and documents from that era. Entry costs 22,000 COP ($5.50) and it's open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.

These three plazas form the social core of the Old City, each about 5 minutes' walk apart. Plaza Santo Domingo has a Botero sculpture and the densest cluster of restaurants. Plaza de Bolívar has shaded benches and is the calmest of the three — good for a midday break from the heat.

These 23 arched vaults built into the city wall in the late 1700s were originally dungeons and ammunition storage. Today they house artisan shops selling hammocks, jewelry, and handmade crafts. Prices are tourist-level — expect to negotiate 20-30% off the first price offered.

This neighborhood just outside the Walled City has transformed from a working-class barrio into the most photogenic area of Cartagena. Calle de la Sierpe and the streets around Plaza de la Trinidad have the densest concentration of murals — about 40 large-scale pieces within a 4-block radius.

Getsemaní's restaurants are 30-50% cheaper than inside the Walled City for the same quality. A full meal at a local spot runs 20,000-35,000 COP ($5-9) versus 50,000-80,000 COP ($12.50-20) inside the walls. Rooftop bars along Calle del Porvenir serve cocktails for 18,000-28,000 COP ($4.50-7).

Locals and travelers gather in this plaza every evening from about 7 PM. Street vendors sell beer for 3,000 COP ($0.75) and empanadas for 2,000 COP ($0.50). Live music and dancing often start spontaneously around 9 PM — particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.

This is the largest Spanish fortress built in the Americas — construction spanned 150 years (1536-1657). The tunnel system inside is 1 km of passages designed to amplify footsteps so guards could hear approaching enemies. Entry costs 33,000 COP ($8.25). Go early at 8 AM to beat the tour bus crowds that arrive by 10 AM.

Convento de la Popa sits 150 meters above the city on Cerro de la Popa. The panoramic views of Cartagena, the bay, and the coast are the best in the city. Entry is 15,000 COP ($3.75). Take a taxi up for about 25,000 COP ($6.25) round trip with wait time — the road up is steep and not great for walking.

Housed in a former Jesuit college from the 1600s, this museum traces Cartagena's maritime history from pre-Columbian times through the colonial naval battles. Two floors of exhibits take about 90 minutes. Entry is 14,000 COP ($3.50), open daily except Mondays.

Boats leave from the Muelle de la Bodeguita pier at 8-9 AM daily and return by 4 PM. Day trip packages including boat, lunch, and beach access cost 80,000-120,000 COP ($20-30). The ride takes 45-60 minutes each way. The clearest water for snorkeling is at Isla Grande and Isla del Pirata.

Playa Blanca is a 1.5 km stretch of white sand with turquoise water, 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena. Most Rosario Island tours include a stop here. If going independently, colectivo buses from the Bazurto area cost 15,000 COP ($3.75) one way and take 90 minutes by road. Arrive before 10 AM for calmer water and fewer vendors.

This 15-meter-tall mud volcano 45 km northeast of Cartagena has a crater pool of warm, buoyant mud. Entry is 35,000 COP ($8.75) including a mud bath and rinse-off in the nearby lagoon. Tours from Cartagena cost 60,000-90,000 COP ($15-22.50) including transport. The mud is thick enough to float in — you physically cannot sink.

These deep-fried corn pockets filled with a whole egg are Cartagena's signature street food, costing 2,000-4,000 COP ($0.50-1). The best ones are fried twice — once to seal the dough, then cracked open, filled with a raw egg, and fried again. Portal de los Dulces near the Clock Tower has reliable vendors.

The Palenquera women in bright dresses carry metal bowls of sliced mango, papaya, pineapple, and mamey on their heads. A fruit cup costs 5,000-8,000 COP ($1.25-2). They're found throughout the Walled City, especially near Plaza Santo Domingo and along the walls.

This sprawling market 3 km from the Walled City is where Cartagena's residents actually shop. Fish, produce, and cooked food stalls stretch across several city blocks. Lunch plates of fried fish with coconut rice and patacones cost 8,000-12,000 COP ($2-3). Go with a local guide or stay in the main aisles — the market is chaotic and easy to get disoriented in.

This covered arcade near the Clock Tower has been selling traditional sweets for over 100 years. Cocadas (coconut candies) come in 6+ varieties — caramel, tamarind, guava, and peanut are the most popular. A bag of mixed cocadas costs 5,000-10,000 COP ($1.25-2.50).

Cartagena averages 32°C (90°F) with 80-85% humidity daily. Carry water everywhere, wear light breathable clothing, and plan indoor activities between noon and 3 PM. Sunscreen above SPF 50 is essential — the equatorial sun is strong even on cloudy days.

App-based rides within the tourist areas cost 7,000-15,000 COP ($1.75-3.75). From the airport to the Walled City (15 km) runs about 25,000-35,000 COP ($6.25-8.75) by app. Licensed yellow taxis should use meters — agree on the price before getting in if the meter is "broken."

ATMs inside shopping centers and banks are the safest option. Most dispense up to 600,000-800,000 COP ($150-200) per withdrawal with fees of 14,000-18,000 COP ($3.50-4.50). Withdraw from ATMs inside Bancolombia or BBVA branches during business hours for the lowest fees and best security.

Popular spots inside the walls fill up by 8 PM, especially Thursday through Saturday. Dinner for two with drinks at a mid-range restaurant runs 120,000-200,000 COP ($30-50). For the same quality at lower prices, eat in Getsemaní instead — where the same meal costs 60,000-100,000 COP ($15-25).

Hotel and restaurant staff in the Walled City speak English, but taxi drivers, market vendors, and anyone outside the tourist core rarely do. Key phrases: "cuánto cuesta" (how much), "la cuenta" (the bill), "dónde está" (where is). A translation app with offline Spanish downloaded is a reliable backup.