What currency is used in Cartagena?

Cartagena uses the Colombian peso (COP).

How much does a day in Cartagena cost?

Roughly $35-55 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $90-160 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Cartagena?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Cartagena without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Cartagena travel guide

Colombia

A walled Caribbean port of balconied colonial houses and bougainvillea, hot and humid all year. Beyond the walls, the islands offshore offer clear water and quieter beaches.

Essentials

Language: Spanish; English is spoken in many hotels and tourist businesses in the old city
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
Plugs: Types A and B, 110 V
Emergency number: 123
Tipping: Restaurants usually ask whether you want to add a suggested 10 percent service charge; it is voluntary.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $35-55, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $90-160, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Cartagena

Ciudad Amurallada: the walled old city: plazas, churches and painted colonial streets.
Getsemaní: just outside the walls, with murals, street life and lively squares at night.
Bocagrande: a peninsula of high-rise hotels and city beaches.

Getting around Cartagena

The old city and Getsemaní are walkable. Taxis have no meters, so agree the fare first, and boats to the Rosario Islands leave from the Muelle de la Bodeguita.

Best time to visit Cartagena

December to April, the driest and breeziest months.

Top things to do in Cartagena

Explore the tunnels and ramparts of the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the great Spanish fortress above the city
Spend an evening in Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemaní, where locals gather after dark
Visit the Palacio de la Inquisición museum on Plaza de Bolívar
Take a boat out to the Rosario Islands for snorkelling and clearer water
Go up to the Convento de la Popa, on the highest hill in the city, by taxi

What to eat in Cartagena

Arepa de huevo: a fried corn arepa with an egg cooked inside, a coastal street snack
Posta negra cartagenera: beef slow-cooked in a dark, sweet panela sauce
Pescado frito con arroz de coco: whole fried fish with coconut rice and patacones
Cocadas: chewy coconut sweets from the stalls at the Portal de los Dulces

Day trips from Cartagena

Rosario Islands: coral islands and clear water, about an hour by boat
Playa Blanca on Barú: a long white-sand beach, around an hour by road
Volcán de Lodo El Totumo: a small mud volcano you can float in, roughly an hour north

Local etiquette

Cover up a little more away from the beach, and a firm no gracias is enough with persistent vendors. Agree prices before any service starts.

Staying connected

Claro, Movistar and Tigo SIM cards are sold in phone shops and malls (bring your passport), eSIMs work, and hotels and cafés have Wi-Fi.

Staying safe

Touts, vendors and overcharging are the main nuisance, so agree taxi, boat and beach prices in advance. Pickpocketing happens in busy squares, and the midday heat is strong, so carry water.

A local tip

Walk along the top of the city walls at sunset, when the heat finally breaks.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Cartagena on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Cartagena for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Cartagena, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Cartagena

What currency is used in Cartagena?: Cartagena uses the Colombian peso (COP).
What is the emergency number in Cartagena?: In Cartagena, call 123.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?: December to April, the driest and breeziest months.
How much does a day in Cartagena cost?: Roughly $35-55 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $90-160 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Cartagena?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Cartagena without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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