Cartagena, Colombia: the perfect 7-day itinerary
Seven days are the perfect time to get to know Cartagena de Indias without a hurry: enough to explore the walled city, to lie down on the beach, going out to the Rosario islands and still have evenings free to just enjoy the Caribbean. This city blends history, gastronomy and sea in a compact space, so that a week well-organized allows you to see what is essential, without feeling that you run from one place to another.
This itinerary is designed for those who are staying in Bocagrande, the neighborhood with the best combination of beach, restaurants and proximity to the main attractions of the city.
Day 1: arrival and first contact with Bocagrande
The first day is usually short for flight schedules, so it is best to dedicate your time to settle and walk Bocagrande no plans very ambitious. Walk down the avenue in front of the sea, watch the sunset from the beach and dinner near your hotel for a good rest before the second day, which tends to be the most intense of the itinerary.
If this is your first time in the city, it is worthwhile inform you before you travel on what to do in Cartagena on a first visit, to have a general idea of the areas and priorities before you start to move.
Day 2: historic centre and city walls
The second day was dedicated entirely to the historic centre. The colonial streets, squares and balconies full of flowers make that walk aimlessly to be part of the experience. Runs along the walls surrounding the walled city, becomes a colonial church and end the day watching the sunset from the top of the walls, one of the free plan and more popular among visitors.
To make better use of the time, it is advisable to inform yourself before about the historic center of Cartagena and about the history of the walls of the city, as well identify the sections more interesting and how much time to devote to each one.
Day 3: excursion to the islands of Rosario
The third day is ideal to leave the noise of the city and enjoy the open sea on the islands of Rosario. Are full day tours that include transportation by boat, beach time and, in most cases, lunch included. The turquoise water and the nearby reefs are worth getting up early to take advantage of the full day.
Before you book, check out this guide on the trip to the Rosario islands to learn about choices of operators, times of the journey and what to bring.
Day 4: beaches of Bocagrande and water sports
After a full day of excursion, the fourth day lends itself to a more relaxed pace on the beaches of Bocagrande, in front of the hotels in the area. It is a good time to try out various water sports such as kayaking, paddle board or jet of water, available in various points of the beach.
If you are interested in this type of activities, it is worth to learn more about the options of water sports in Cartagena and what to expect from each one. You can also complement the day visiting the best beaches of the city if you want to compare Bocagrande with other coastal areas.
Day 5: Castillo San Felipe, and local cuisine
The fifth day combines military history and good food. In the morning, visit the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the greatest strength built by the spaniards in America and one of the symbols of the city. By the afternoon or evening, take the time to try the local cuisine: fried fish, coconut rice, patacones, and ceviches are an essential part of the experience cartagena.
It is worth to learn more about the history of the Castillo San Felipe and about the typical cuisine of Cartagena, to locate the dishes that you can’t miss during your stay. If you’d prefer to close the day without leaving the hotel, the restaurant of typical and international food is an alternative comfortable in front of the sea.
Day 6: shopping and nightlife
The penultimate day is perfect to explore two different faces of Cartagena: the shopping during the day and night life in the evening. The artisan markets and boutiques in the historic center are good options to bring some souvenirs, while the garden of Gethsemane and the historic centre offer a scene of bars and live music that goes until the wee hours.
Before leaving, it is advisable to learn more about the bars and the night life of the city, so choose the environment that best suits your travel party.
Day 7: final resting before going out
The last day is usually a flight in the afternoon or evening, so the ideal is to leave you free to relax on the beach, take advantage of the hotel’s swimming pool or take a last walk in Bocagrande before you pack. It is a good time to relax no fixed plans after six days of activities.
Where to stay during your 7 days
Choose the area well of bed makes the difference on a journey of a week. Bocagrande is the most practical option: one facing the sea, close to restaurants and a few minutes drive from the historic centre and the Castle of San Felipe. Stay in a sea view room in Bocagrande allows you to start and end each day in front of the Caribbean, without wasting time on long trips between activities.
Practical tips for your itinerary
- Organize full-day excursions (such as islas del Rosario) in the middle of the week, to have a margin of rest before and after.
- Booking in advance on the transport to the islands, especially in high season.
- Leave at least a day without fixed plans to adapt to the climate or the pace of the group.
- Combine beach activities to cultural activities so as not to saturate any day.
Do I need the full 7 days to get to know Cartagena?
Seven days to meet with calm the historic centre, a trip to the islands, the beaches of Bocagrande and some nightlife, without the need to quicken the pace. With fewer days it is possible to see what is essential, but you are sacrificing activities such as excursion to the islands of Rosario or break times between plans.
What is the best time of year for this itinerary?
The dry season, between December and April, offers less chance of rain and is ideal for outdoor activities and boat excursions. Outside of these months it is also possible to enjoy the city, just good to have alternative plans under roof for those rainy days.
What is the check-in and check-out to organize the day of arrival and departure?
Check-in is from 3:00 p. m. and the check-out is until 12:00 noon, with service from early check-in and late check-out subject to availability and additional charge. It is worth bearing in mind when planning the activities of day 1 and day 7.
Starting to plan your week in Cartagena
If you already have a clear path of your 7 days, the next step is to make sure where you go to rest every night. Contact us to know availability and plan your week in Cartagena with the best view of Bocagrande as a starting point.
