Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
Massive Spanish fortress on a hill overlooking the city, with long ramps, bastions and a network of tunnels. Its commanding position shows how the port was defended in colonial times.
Cartagena
Boat trips run from this Caribbean port to the Rosario Islands, and the walled colonial old town is lined with colourful balconies.
Attractive locations
Walled City of Cartagena
The old colonial centre, enclosed by thick stone walls. Narrow streets, brightly painted houses with flowering balconies, plazas and cafes make it ideal for strolling.
Puerta del Reloj (Clock Tower Gate)
Yellow clock tower that forms the main entrance to the walled city. It opens onto the lively Plaza de los Coches, and is a handy starting point for a walk.
Cartagena Cathedral
Fortress-like cathedral in the old town with a tall tower and a plain, whitewashed interior. It is an active place of worship, so visitors should dress modestly.
Church of San Pedro Claver
Church and former monastery named after the Jesuit priest who cared for enslaved Africans arriving in the port. A small museum and a cloister can be visited.
Convento de la Popa
17th-century convent on the highest hill in the city. Its courtyard and church are quiet, and the viewpoint gives sweeping views over the bay and old town.
Rosario Islands
A coral archipelago off Cartagena with clear water, small islands and reefs, reached by boat in around an hour. Day trips offer snorkelling, beaches and an oceanarium.
Airports
Rafael Nuñez International Airport CTG
It is about 2 km in a straight line from Cartagena.
Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport BAQ
It is about 96 km in a straight line from Cartagena.
Golfo de Morrosquillo Airport TLU
It is about 102 km in a straight line from Cartagena.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Colombia page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan27.3 °C2 mm
- Feb27.6 °C3 mm
- Mar27.7 °C10 mm
- Apr28.1 °C60 mm
- May28.3 °C178 mm
- Jun28.7 °C135 mm
- Jul28.6 °C160 mm
- Aug28.5 °C160 mm
- Sep28.4 °C182 mm
- Oct28.1 °C242 mm
- Nov28.1 °C181 mm
- Dec27.8 °C56 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar. Wettest months: Sep, Oct, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 38% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
123 for all emergencies.
local government
Tourism Police (Policía de Turismo), National Police of Colombia
Helps with: Specialised police group for tourism. Its listed duties include watching over tourist attractions, giving tourists information and guidance, and handling their complaints. The phone is the police administrative switchboard; emergencies: 123.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors in Colombia. The police page also gives the national emergency number 123.
Phone: +57 6015159000
Address: Calle 14 Nro. 62-70, Zona Industrial, Puente Aranda
ngo
Cruz Roja Colombiana (Colombian Red Cross)
Helps with: Colombia's national Red Cross society, a private non-profit humanitarian body. Its work includes a blood bank, disaster risk reduction, health care and humanitarian projects.
Who qualifies: People in Colombia needing its humanitarian, health or disaster services; contact the national headquarters or a local branch.
Phone: 601 794 6566
Address: Av. Cra. 68 # 68 B -31, Bogotá
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Colombia
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Colombia it works with the government on migration management and protecting people on the move, and on solutions for displacement.
Who qualifies: Migrants and displaced people in Colombia, and government partners. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +57 1 6397777
Address: Carrera 14 N° 93B-46, Bogotá
local government
Emergency number 123 (police and ambulance)
Helps with: Reaches the police and the ambulance service in Colombia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 123
local government
Fire emergency number 119
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Colombia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 119