Change the green landscape of the Andes by the blue of the Caribbean is one of the contrasts more cute that you can live in Colombia, and the journey from Cali to Cartagena is just that: less than a two hour flight to spend the Sultan of the Valley to one of the colonial cities, the most beautiful on the continent.
This guide brings together everything you need to know to organize your travel from Cali: options flight, travel times, approximate costs, and a suggested itinerary to make the most of your escapadaagen
How to get from Cali to Cartagena
Airplane
The fastest option and recommended one is the direct flight between the Airport Alfonso Bonilla Aragón (Cali) and the Rafael Nunez International Airport (Cartagena). Several airlines colombian operate this route with direct flights and last for about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
To get the best rates:
- Purchase at least 3-4 weeks in advance.
- Compare prices between different airlines and near dates (sometimes leaving a day earlier or later reduces the cost considerably).
- Avoid buying the last week before the high season (December, Holy Week, June-August), when prices rise significantly.
By land
The road from Cali to Cartagena takes between 12 and 14 hours on a bus, depending on the route and the stops. It is a valid option if the budget is very tight or if you want to make the journey part of the adventure, but for most travellers, the plane is still the most practical option given the time savings.
How much does the trip cost
Prices of flights Cali-Cartagena vary quite a lot depending on the season:
- Low season: rates are more accessible, especially by buying in advance.
- High season (December-January, Holy Week, June-August): the price can be doubled or more if you don’t reserve with time.
In addition to the airfare, considered to be within your budget:
- Transfer airport-hotel in Cartagena
- Accommodation
- Meals and activities
- Optional Tours (Rosario Islands, the Historic Centre of guided)
Recommended route from Cali
Weekend getaway (3 days / 2 nights)
- Day 1: Flight from Cali, check-in at hotel, afternoon free at the beach or pool.
- Day 2: Morning in the Historic Centre and Castle of San Felipe; an afternoon of rest in the hotel.
- Day 3: the Final morning of beach before the return flight.
Full tour (5 days / 4 nights)
- Days 1-2: Arrive, beach, pool and sleep in Bocagrande.
- Day 3: Tour to the Rosario Islands.
- Day 4: Tour of the Historic Center, Gethsemane and shopping of handicrafts.
- Day 5: free Morning before the flight back to Cali.
Where to stay to get from Cali
Bocagrande is the most practical for those who arrive on a direct flight from Cali: is less than 20 minutes from the airport and offers a beach, pools and restaurants within walking distance, without the need to move around a lot the first day of the trip when the fatigue of the flight can still be felt.
To maximize the contrast of ‘getting to the Caribbean’, it is worth to consider a room with a direct view to the sea: after a flight is relatively short, you awaken in front of the Caribbean causes the change of scenery will feel even more special.
Frequently asked questions about the trip to Cali-Cartagena
How long is the flight from Cali to Cartagena?
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes on a direct flight.
Are there direct flights every day?
Yes, several airlines colombian operating this route every day, although the frequency of schedules can vary according to the season.
Is it better to travel by plane or by bus from Cali?
The plane is the recommended option for time: 1 hour and 20 minute flight in front of 12-14 hours of travel by land.
When is it cheaper to fly from Cali to Cartagena?
In the low season and buying with 3-4 weeks in advance. Avoid buying the last week before the dates for the high season.
Do you already have your flights from Cali?
Please contact us through our contact page to secure your room in Bocagrande and coordinate the details of your arrival.
