The Rafael Núñez international airport is the gateway for most travelers arriving to Cartagena, and a good understanding of how it works before your flight makes the first contact with the city much easier. This guide summarizes what you need to know about the airport, the transport available and what to expect just you land.
Location of the airport is Rafael Núñez
The airport is located in barrio Crespo, very close to the area north of the city and within walking distance of Bocagrande, the Historic Center and the garden of Gethsemane. This closeness is one of the advantages of Cartagena compared to other tourist destinations: no need for long-haul routes to get from the airport to the areas where the majority of the hotels, which translates into less time wasted on transfers and more time to enjoy the journey from the first day.
What to expect when you arrive
Upon landing, the passengers pass first through the baggage claim area and, if the flight is international, through immigration control before you leave the arrivals area. The airport has the usual infrastructure of an international terminal: points information desk, currency exchange, atms and a zone of official taxis just outside the terminal.
It is recommended to have at hand the exact address of your hotel and, if possible, the name of the district, as it facilitates the communication with the taxi driver or the transport service of your choice.
Transportation options from the airport
There are several ways of getting from the airport to your hotel in Cartagena, and the best option depends on your budget and how many people will travel in the group:
- Official Taxis: available right at the exit of the terminal, with rates that are usually regulated according to the target area.
- Transportation applications: a practical alternative if you’d prefer to get to know the fare before boarding the vehicle.
- Or private transportation, the hotel is a more comfortable option for groups, families with children or travelers with a lot of baggage, as it avoids waiting in the row of taxis.
For those who stay in Bocagrande, the journey from the airport is often short compared to other areas of the city, which makes it easy to get to the hotel and start to enjoy the trip without losing a great part of the day in transfers.
National and international flights
The airport is Rafael Núñez receives both domestic flights, with frequent connections from cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, as a direct international flights from several countries of the region, and from some cities in united States. This combination makes the Cartagena is a destination accessible for both colombians and for those who come from the outside, without the need for additional connections in most cases.
If your trip includes a connection within Colombia before arriving to Cartagena, it is advisable to leave a reasonable margin between flights, especially in high season, when the volume of passengers at the airport increased considerably.
How to get around the city once you arrive
Once you’re installed, move within Cartagena is different to get there from the airport. Bocagrande, the Historic Center and the garden of Gethsemane have characteristic dynamics of transport, and the many attractions within each area can be explored on foot. Before your trip, it is worth reviewing this guide on how to move in Cartagena, which explains the differences between the transportation options available within the city and when it is appropriate to use each one.
Tips for your arrival
- Confirms the time of check-in your hotel before you schedule your flight to avoid any unnecessary waiting time if you arrive very early.
- Carry cash in colombian pesos for the initial transport, although cards are also accepted in most of the services.
- If you arrive on a night flight, prioritises the private transport or the hotel for convenience and safety.
- Saves the address of your hotel on your phone before landing, in case you do not have mobile data available to you when you arrive.
- If you are traveling with small children or older adults, estimated time additional to the baggage claim and the ride to the hotel prior to schedule activities for the day of arrival.
Where to stay near the airport and the main areas
Bocagrande is one of the areas most convenient to stay after landing at Cartagena, in that it combines a short drive from the airport with direct access to the beach and proximity to the Historic Centre. Stay in a room facing the sea in Bocagrande allows you to get, set up fast and start to enjoy the city without the need of going away the next day.
How long does it take to get from the airport to Bocagrande?
The journey from the airport Rafael Nunez until Bocagrande is usually one of the shorter between the hotel areas of the city, thanks to the geographical proximity between the two points.
Is it necessary to book transport in advance?
It is not mandatory, since the official taxis are available at the exit of the terminal, but if you are traveling with children, a lot of luggage or you arrive at night, book a private transportation in advance can be more comfortable and safe.
At what time can I check-in if my flight arrives early?
Check-in at Hotel Regatta Cartagena-in is from 3:00 p. m., with service early check-in subject to availability and additional charge for those arriving before that time. If your flight lands in the morning and you can’t the early check-in, you can take advantage of those first few hours to walk by Bocagrande, breakfast in the area, or simply relax in a common space as it is released your room.
Start planning your arrival to Cartagena
If you already have your flight is confirmed, the next step is to secure your accommodation in a nearby area and well connected to the airport. Contact us to know availability and coordinate in advance with the details of your arrival to Cartagena.
