things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia

But, you will have a Colombian phone number. If you are visiting the region Zona de Cafetero, make sure to join a coffee tour. There are so many positive aspects to Colombia. We loved the atmosphere of each region in Colombia. There is really loads to see and do in Cartagena in fact, much more than youd imagine. A polite but firm no, gracias will normally send touts away. The tropical coastal city has lovely colonial architecture and the most colorful houses. Always keep in mind the saying no dar papaya. I found it to be crowded with tourists when I visited, a few years ago, and rumor has it that the city is now receiving even more visitors thanks to cheap flight connections, cruise ships and social media promotion. WebHave all your documents ready before you board, including your passport, visa, vaccination certificates and any other paperwork you may require. Most places that will be of interest are concentrated in the Walled City. Of course, there are exceptions, but when we were traveling in Colombia, we only spoke Spanish. You will also have to stretch your budget to get a room with air conditioning so that you can rest decently at night. If youre traveling around Colombia you will quickly realize that public transport is very slow. For this reason it preserves important military buildings SEE ALSO Colombias Most Beautiful Islands SEE ALSO Cerro Tusa An Epic Day Hike to The Pyramid Mountain (2) Wander Around The Walled City (UNESCO) Based on the CDC's recommendations for Cartagena in particular, we only received vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, and Yellow Fever. 14. Here are nine things you should know before heading to South Americas most northern country. Plenty of purchases you make here are small,from a roadside vendor or stand, or a taxi that won't take credit cards, so it is good to have some Colombian cash and coins here. There are amazing things to see and do out here. Dont believe them! We understand that this is an interesting topic, but you need to be aware that Colombians are not proud of Pablo Escobar and his crimes. | Claudia Tavani P. Iva 03780660928. If you are going to Medellin, make sure to visit Guatape, which is one of the most colorful cities in Colombia. Successive cruises Instead, there are taxis everywhere. We barely took any taxis during our travels in Colombia. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Just to give you an idea: A basic lunch in Southeast Asia would cost you 3-4, the basic lunch in Colombia costs around 7. And almost every plaza its either called Plaza Bolvar or has a statue of Simon Bolvar. Unfortunately, its generally not a good one and is enough to deter many visitors. BY PLANE The airport in Cartagena is called Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG) and serves both domestic and international flights. The most Since I was little I always wanted to see the world. Keep in mind the rule of asking the price before taking it also applies for cabs. The city is also famous for its colorful zcalos (murals) that adorn several buildings. Already on our first day, we had problems with communication. If you wonder where you can find them, you need to check out our guide to Salento which is located in the ZonaCafetero. In these days of COVID-19, it is very handy to have your own approved-for-return-to-the-U.S. testing kits (bring more than you need). Also, try to avoid trips and tours during the weekends. From sleeping in an ice hotel to walking through a Rio favela, rice mat weaving in rural China to sailing naked on the worlds largest square rigger, getting lost in the medina of Marrakech to sharing mate in Chile, every journey has created lifelong memories and often new friends. Check out El Ocaso for a great tour. Even businesses, doctors, and dentists will display their WhatsApp numbers. No dar papaya is a popular saying in Colombia which translates to dont give papaya.. March 2020 at 2:34. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a protective hat are also valuable items to bring with you to Cartagena. We spend there one week and we didnt want to leave. Go to the market and get some fresh fruits such as guava, lulo, papaya, guanabana or many things that you cant pronounce. Just add the +57 Colombian country code before the Colombian number, and you are all set. Especially in the area of Medellin and in the Zona Cafetera. Travel to new places, get to know new cultures, see how other people live. A city that sits right on the Caribbean Sea completely lacks a good beach. Most businesses here don't have websites and may only have a Facebook or Instagram page. Plus, make sure that your credit card will actually work in Colombia. Most things especially services are much cheaper than in the U.S. Avoid to exchange money at the airport as rates are the less convenient. Face masks are worn inside and outside in Colombia regardless of vaccination status and we found adherence to be universal. Again, make sure to know the local currency. Colombians love to dance and sing, so if youre traveling to Colombia, make sure to head to the local bar or join a dance class to learn the moves. We spent one month in Colombia, and we definitely enjoyed it. Bus Ticket in Cartagena and TransCaribe ( massive state transportation system ) is 2.000COP each way (less than US$1). These are the 10 best things to do in Cartagena when exploring town! When researching hotels, flights or information, make sure you have the right Cartagena in Colombia. We strongly recommend you Gente de Mar Resort or the Majagua Hotel; if you could, you should stay at least overnight to truly enjoy this natural paradise. They follow their customs and traditions as much as they can. It was a good time to visit. This is probably the most surprising thing to learn when visiting Cartagena! The good news is that it is really close to the city, and you can easily get there by taxi (they have fixed prices based on where you are going), colectivo (shared shuttle) or private transfer. On LATAM flights, cloth masks were not permitted you had to wear either an N95 or blue surgical type mask. Here, we mention all our favorite spots and things to do in Colombia. It was so hot that heat exhaustion hit me and I cut my time in the city short and move south. SEE MORE: HOW TO SPEND 2 AWESOME WEEKS IN COLOMBIA. Just be smart about what you choose to eat. Hence, I thought Id share a list of things you should know before visiting Cartagena from interesting facts to tips that will help you plan your trip. Dont despair! After 37 years in chemical manufacturing, Chris started chapter two pursuing his love of travel and photography and sharing it through illustrated travel articles. READ MORE: THE BEST PHOTO SPOTS IN CARTAGENA AND THINGS TO DO. Hope you have a nice stay! Also, in Medellin, there is a very good museum called Memory House Museum, which is dedicated to all victims of Pablo Escobars crimes. Hi, my name is Claudia. Colombia has finally managed to get rid of its reputation of being a dangerous country, Where To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay, A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Bogota, A Complete Guide To Hiking Valle De Cocora, Colombia, A Concise Guide To Villa De Leyva, Colombia. Some may have the option to turn on a International plan temporarily while you're here. We also have Punta Arena, a closer and nicer beach on Tierra Bomba Island just 7 min away. Colombia requires you to complete a Health Check Migration form (known as Check-MIG) prior to entry and a second MIG form to depart the country. Everything You Must Know Before Visiting Cartagena, Cards are accepted, but for cash Peso is the (only) way to go, A guided tour of Colombia may be a good idea, Other useful things to know before your trip to Cartagena. WhatsApp is truly amazing because even if you have very limited cellular service you will be able to send a text, even with a photo. This is because Cartagena is a tourism destination, whereas other cities have a wider range of things for foreigners to do on a budget. Here are our 22 essential tips before you decide to travel in Colombia. So, before a waiter or receptionist charges your credit card, be sure to ask them to charge you in Pesos (COP), not dollars. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Closely followed by a check to see how long you can remain in the country. However, in general, we felt very safe. In every city, you can see many colorful murals or houses. There are a number of unofficial guides who live in the neighborhood and will soon offer to take you around. It offers a temperate year-round climate that supports one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, and visiting is very affordable and its nearer than you think. For instance, the weather in Zona Cafetero is mostly wet and evenings and morning are cool. Not only that the best rooms at reasonable prices are the first to be booked out, so as soon as you have set your dates for your trip to Cartagena, start looking for a place to stay. I highly recommend it. Travel to new places, get to know new cultures, see how other people live. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check to make sure you dont end up tipping twice. That sounds great and awful nice of them, but it will cost you 3.5% to do so. For more information, see this handy summary by Medellin Guru. We can recommend Macondo though, of course, the tour is only as good as the guide. So yeah, you will be always just a gringo No hard feelings. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In big cities, there are of course many ATMs, but most of the time you need to pay almost everywhere in cash. And, most importantly, you can communicate from a US number to a Colombian number with ease. Cartagena, perched on Colombias Caribbean coast, is quickly becoming a must-visit, especially for Americans and Canadians enjoying new, convenient flight routes. Getting them here and home will be the most stressful part of your travels if you decide to bring them. When we were traveling to Salento from Medellin it took us 9 hours. Water in Cartagena is safe to drink, which will come as a massive relief as this way you wont have to worry about brushing your teeth with it, or eating a salad that has been washed in it. Locals are very friendly and if you need any help they are there for you. Want to save money and reduce stress while traveling? Of course, that depends on the restaurant and your budget but that was just our experience. You can read more about thisday trip and book itright here. There are several good ones you can consider, such as this one. The clocktower is emblematic and measures 30m in height. Plaza Aduana the biggest plaza in Cartagena, built in 1849. And every large city in Colombia has a traditional market, where you can get these cute souvenirs. Anyways, do not get offended by the term, locals usually do not mean it in a negative way. It is because we knew that Uber is available in Colombia, and we just try to take Uber as much as we could. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Gringo comes from the expression Green Go or Green, Goooooooooo (away), that was first directed at Americans. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, this nation of 50 million, with its long and rich cultural history, geographical and ecological diversity, modern cities, and colorful towns is a living juxtaposition that is emerging from its dark days like a butterfly breaking out of its chrysalis. Its worth checking your airlines requirements. Make sure to avoid expensive stores as they charge definitely more than on the market. You can pay for an International plan from T-Mobile for only $20/month more per phone line while you're here to be sure you have T-Mobile's fastest speed service. We only drink bottled water, but the water out of the tap is fine for brushing your teeth, showering, and washing your fruits and vegetables. Our Spanish is not that great, but we quickly realized that this is the situation, and we need to pick up our Spanish as soon as possible. El Laguito is only a bit better. Of course, after coming back from Southeast Asia, the prices were much higher in South America. We are Gigi & Nico and we are here to help you to plan your next awesome holiday. Main Especially if youre visiting Cartagena for the first time, heres some things to keep in mind: Dont drink the tap water. The clocktower is emblematic and measures 30m in height. If you are offered any, you have the simple, reasonable and responsible option of saying no and walk away, or should you decide to say yes and take those drugs accept any possible consequences if things go wrong. Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the country with option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism. The best things to do in Cartagena in Colombia include beautiful sunsets, historic fortresses, colorful streets, free museums and impressive monuments. I love beaches and I love discovering tropical destinations. Colombia is attracting more and more tourists every year. So if you would like to check it out, click here for our selection of authentic Wayuu bags. Cartagena or Cali are great places to spice up your dance moves. A growing number of people are deciding to retire here, too. #1 The colorful streets of the historic city Cartagena is the most beautiful city in Colombia. Nepal has a Although Colombia officially remains on the U.S. Do Not Travel list due to potential safety issues, there are plenty of tour operators offering packages here. Although the city is on the Caribbean coast, and it does have long stretches of beach, the beaches of Cartagena are really nothing to write home about, so if youre after a sandy getaway youre best popping down the coast to El Rincn del Mar in the South-West or Parque Tayrona and Palomino We have had some visitors whose credit cards were supposed to be international cards, but actually only worked at certain stores. Did you know that Colombia is home to the tallest palm trees in the world? Or, if they do, you're prepared to pay them. This is when they started to invade almost every country in South America. The best attraction of Cartagena is the old town within the city walls. Nepal has a complex and diverse climate and weather that can be difficult to predict. Right outside you will be able to visit San Felipe Castle and to take a walk on the city walls. We never had a visitor do it, but we have been told that at the DIAN desk inside the Cartagena airport, you can show them your receipts, fill out a form, and you will receive the tax back. Another thing you shouldnt miss when visiting Cartagena is a tour that follows in the footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 28 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 5:23 PDT. More than 50 cruise lines operate across the world and 33 of them offer Caribbean cruises that stop in Colombia, because the country is so attractive to visitors. One of the many popular exports of Colombia is coffee beans, and its in very high demand even inside the country. My wife and I recently spent eight days here, felt very safe, and plan to return for a more extensive visit to discover more of this gem of a nation. Just make sure to read reviews before you go. Cartagena is worldwide well known for its history and culture, our beaches are not the best but not everyone is aware of that, so they can get a big disappointment when they come to see the sand and water are not exactly as the caribbean postals they expected. Good to know: Spain also has a coastal city called Cartagena. Many people who travel to Colombia are not aware that Colombia has beautiful Caribbean beaches. For instance, if you travel to cities like Bogota, Medellin, Cali, the atmosphere there is definitely different than visiting cities on the Caribbean coast like Santa Marta or Cartagena. We were so naive that we thought that we will blend into South American society, but it is impossible. I always use this quick conversion, or you can certainly download conversion apps on your phone to get a more exact price too. BY BUS Its interesting to note that while the airport is really close to the city, the main bus terminal is at 45 minutes drive from the historic center. It is a tropical location and we live near the equator, so expect humidity and heat. As always, use common sense and avoid places specifically called out by the U.S. travel advisory. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 25 de May de 2016 a la(s) 8:55 PDT, Currency exchange places in Cartagena usually take dollars, euros and some of them, Brazilian Reais. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. If you will be going up north of the Caribbean coast you will also see a different kind of life. More than 50 cruise lines operate across the world and 33 of them offer Caribbean cruises that stop in Colombia, Colombia was one of our favorite countries in South America. per adult. This place actually reminded me of Cuba a lot. Passengers have to show their departure details before being allowed to enter no more than 3 hours before scheduled departure. It is very simple to use and just the fact that everything is online will give you that extra peace. If youre looking for a cool Netflix show check Narcos. He is known for freeing South America and gaining independence for several countries. When traveling to a different country it is good to know if the destination If you want to take a photo of the Palenqueras (the colorful ladies selling fruit, as pictured above), you will either have to pay for the photo, or buy some fruit or a drink from them. Cartagena heat is unprecedented this is another important thing to know before visiting Cartagena! Colombias most famous and celebrated writer lived in Cartagena most of his life and based his most popular novel 100 Years of Solitude right in the city. And, yes, they need them, for your own peace of mind. #26 YOU ARE GOING TO FALL IN LOVE WITH COLOMBIA. This region is called Guajira, where the indigenous people of Colombia live. To avoid any surprise, make sure you agree on a final price before hopping on and try to carry small bills to pay at the end of your ride. There are also other cities that thrive in colors, such as Bogota, Cartagena, Jardin, Manizales, Salento, Santa Marta and many more. If you would like to travel to Colombia, make sure to avoid holidays. They have discovered the beauty and history of Colombia and know they are onto a winner. Feel free to comment if you have any others and I'll answer the best I can. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. Also, knowing numbers in Spanish will be very helpful to bargain and get the best price. Pullmantur, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruises are among the most well-known. We had a meat guy, a water guy, a painting guy, a paddleboard guy,a favorite driver, a guy who weaves outdoor furniture, etc. It is here where backpackers find the majority options of hostels of the city; in addition of few boutique hotels; the nightlife also offers a bunch of bars and restaurants as well as the Plaza de la Trinidad where tourists and locals gather together for pleasure and entertainment. Before you arrive check with your ATM and credit card to verify that they will not charge you any "foreign transaction fees." Also, the best thing is that you know how much the ride will cost upfront, and you do not have to argue with a taxi driver and be overcharged. I love beaches and I love This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Many people before they travel to Colombia wonder a lot about safety. WebA popular day trip from Cartagena, Colombia is a visit to Volcan de Lodo El Totumo, where you can soak yourself in volcanic mud. For 2018, the total value of your purchases had to be greater than 331,560 pesos (about $110 USD), for example and it may change each year. The other part of town you should not miss is Getsemani, once riddled by petty crime, drug dealing and prostitution, then a backpacker hub and now one of the most up and coming areas of Cartagena, with lots of interesting street art, gorgeous narrow alleys and beautiful squares.

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