Cartagena receives each year an increasing number of international travellers, attracted by its colonial architecture, its beaches and its caribbean atmosphere. If this is your first time visiting the city from out of Colombia, this guide brings together the practical information that is most question before the trip: entry requirements, currency, transportation, and security, for which you get with basic doubts have already solved.
Entry requirements for Colombia
The requirements of a visa to enter Colombia vary according to your nationality. Many countries of America, Europe and other regions do not require a visa for stays tourist short, while others need to process it in advance. Before your trip, check the specific requirements depending on your country of origin directly with the consulate or embassy of Colombia, as these policies may change and the most reliable information is always the official and up-to-date, in place of general recommendations found in travel forums.
Currency and payments in Cartagena
The official currency of Colombia is colombian peso (COP). Although in some tourist establishments accept us dollar, the majority of shops, restaurants and transport only operate in pesos, so it is advisable to change money or have access to atms from the start of the trip. Credit cards and international debit are accepted in most hotels and restaurants, although smaller businesses tend to prefer cash, especially outside of the hotel areas main.
Language and communication
Spanish is the predominant language in Cartagena, and although the tourist industry often have staff with knowledge of basic or intermediate English, it is not guaranteed in all settings, especially outside of the tourist areas. Having some basic phrases in English or a translation application to hand it facilitates the communication of day-to-day, above all, to ask for food, transportation, or solving questions timely with taxi drivers, vendors, or personal services that do not work directly in the hotel sector.
How to get there and move around within the city
The majority of international travelers arrive to Cartagena airport-Rafael Núñez, which receives direct flights from several countries of the region, and from some cities in united States. Once in the city, move between Bocagrande, the historic center and Gethsemane is simple thanks to the relative proximity between these areas, either on foot or using local transport, without needing to rely on organized tours to move from one point to another.
If you want to delve into the transportation options available within the city, this guide on how to move in Cartagena explains the differences between taxis, transportation applications, and walking routes depending on the area.
Security for international travellers
As in any tourist town, Cartagena requires the usual precautions of trip: to avoid displaying valuables in the street, stay in crowded areas during the night and use reliable transportation instead of cars not identified. The main tourist areas, as Bocagrande, the historic center and the garden of Gethsemane, they usually have a good influx of people and police presence, which helps the overall perception of safety and security for visitors. These same precautions apply, regardless of if you are traveling alone, as a couple or in a group, and do not differ that much of that would you take any other international destination of a similar size.
Weather and what to pack
Cartagena has a warm and humid climate throughout the year, with a dry season between approximately December to April, and a higher probability of rain in the rest of the months. For any time of the year, it is advisable to pack light clothing, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets, in addition to a lightweight waterproof if your trip falls outside of the dry season. The temperatures remain high for practically the whole year, so winter clothing has no use in this destination, even for travellers arriving from countries with seasons.
Where to stay as international traveler
Bocagrande is one of the most recommended for international travelers who come for the first time, as it combines proximity to the beach, restaurants and a short drive from the airport. Hotel Regatta Cartagena, located in this area, offers oceanfront rooms that facilitate adaptation to the city from the first day, without the need to travel far to get to the main attractions or learn to move by lesser known areas just you land.
Practical advice for international travelers
- Check the visa requirements specific to your country prior to travel, direct with official sources.
- Carry cash in colombian pesos for small expenses, in addition to international cards for hotels and restaurants.
- Learn some basic phrases in Spanish or install a translation application prior to your trip.
- Keep the usual precautions of travel, as in any other tourist city international.
- Pack light clothing and sunscreen, no matter what time of year you travel.
Do I need to speak Spanish in order to travel to Cartagena?
It is not mandatory, but, knowing some basic phrases makes it much easier for the experience, especially outside of the tourist areas, where the English is not always guaranteed.
Is it safe to Cartagena for international tourists?
The main tourist areas tend to have good influx of people and police presence during the day and night. As in any tourist destination, it is recommended that the usual precautions of travel, especially during the night or in less fashionable parts of the city.
Is breakfast included in the hotel fee?
Yes. All rates of Hotel Regatta Cartagena include continental breakfast for the guests, no matter what country provengas or how long you stay.
Planning your first trip to Cartagena
If this is your first time visiting Cartagena from the outside, choose a accommodation located makes it easy to adapt from the first day, without the need of resolving questions of transportation, or located just to get. Contact us to know availability in Hotel Regatta Cartagena and plan your stay in Bocagrande.
