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Things to do in Cartagena

Explore labyrinthine cobbled alleys and walk past historic city walls while visiting this Caribbean gem.

Our most recommended things to do in Cartagena

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

1. Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

Set sail for the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park on a full-day tour from Cartagena. The catamaran departs from the Muelle de la Bodeguita pier in front of the walled city. After your welcome drink, enjoy the journey to the Rosario Islands, sailing and motor sailing on the catamaran. The vessel is equipped with comfortable seats, where you can sit both in the shade and in the sun. There is a bar service on board, so you can enjoy a variety of soft drinks throughout the excursion.  Experience paradise with a stop in front of an idyllic beach of turquoise waters and white sands, where you can swim and play with fun inflatables. Practice snorkeling, if you wish, and admire the fascinating underwater life with colorful tropical fish and various types of coral. The crew will prepare a delicious lunch for you to enjoy on board while you sail back to Cartagena at the end of a relaxing day.

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

2. Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

Experience clear blue waters, white sand, and awesome corals on a day tour to the Corales del Rosario National Park. Discover the group of islands on the coast of Colombia, a perfect natural environment to have fun and relax. Start the day from the meeting point and after a speedboat ride, explore the fortress on Bocachica island. Continue to a relaxing private island where beach chairs and umbrellas await you. Spend time in the sun and have a seafood cocktail or lemonade in one of the most beautiful places you will visit. Afterward, continue to Cholon to enjoy a mini party in the water with music, drinks, and people from other boats. Finally, stop at Playa Blanca in Barú Island, where there will be a more private space waiting for you away from the main concentration of boats and vendors. Here, eat a typical island lunch and spend the rest of the day on the beach, relaxing and swimming, before returning to Cartagena.

Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Experience

3. Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Experience

Discover the natural landscapes of Colombia on this guided excursion. Visit Santa Catalina, and bathe yourself in the purifying mud of the volcano. As the minivan leaves town, hear some curious facts about Cartagena's history and some tips to ensure a better experience at the mud volcano. The trip to Santa Catalina, another beautiful Colombian city and the location of the volcano, lasts around 45 minutes. Upon arrival at the volcanic zone, be greeted by the owner of a small nearby restaurant. Then, prepare for a unique experience as you climb the 50 steps that surround the volcano; remember to wear old clothing as the mud can be rough on delicate materials. Immerse yourself in the volcanic mud, reaping the health benefits for your skin from the millions of minerals. Some people say afterward, you'll appear 10 years younger. Inside the volcano, you can float thanks to the high number of minerals present. There will be some locals around offering massages for an extra price of 2 USD. Outside of the volcano, pay to get your photo taken for another 2 USD. When the soaking is over, head to the lake for a shower.  Before continuing back to the city, enjoy a typical snack in a rustic restaurant. Get dropped off at your hotel.

Cartagena: Horseback Riding By The Beach (Morning & Sunset)

4. Cartagena: Horseback Riding By The Beach (Morning & Sunset)

1. We'll meet at a hotel in El Centro Historico where we'll wait for all bookings to arrive. We'll then catch transports that will take us to a beach town (15 mins away) outside of Cartagena where the activity occurs. 2. The destination is a local "fonda" where you will be taught how to ride a horse and be given any other specific instructions you may need. Our horses are quite tamed, perfect for beginners! We will then commence our trail which will last about 1.5 hours. 3. We then finish the tour at a local restaurant with amazing sea food and wonderful beach views! Food and drinks are not included, but we provide this option for our guests to order appetizers, drinks, and rest before returning. It will be the perfect end to an afternoon outdoors. Estimated drop off time will be 12-12:30 PM for the morning tour and 7-7:30 PM for the sunset tour!

Cartagena: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour & Optional Attractions

5. Cartagena: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour & Optional Attractions

Located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, few places on Earth are as beautiful as Cartagena. Sightseeing in this astounding city is a hugely enjoyable experience, offering both modernity and history. There is something to suit all tastes. From beautiful architecture to striking monuments, there is plenty of inspiring sightseeing opportunities while on your City Sightseeing bus tour. Discover all of beautiful Cartagena in 14 bus stops, as you explore the city's beautiful architecture and striking monuments in the most flexible and enjoyable way. Visit key sites in the city, such as the Clock Tower, the San Felipe Fortress, the walled city, the Rafael Núñez House, Rio Casino, and much more. With the many stops along the way, there are things to suit all tastes, including a complimentary walking tour inside the walled city, starting every day at 4:00 PM in front of the clock tower (stop 4). Choose between a 1-day pass and a 2-day pass. Take advantage of adapting your day along the routes between 9:00 AM and 7:30 PM. If you prefer, remain on the bus tour for the entire loop, listening to the informative audio commentary. You will see palaces, monasteries, plazas, and beautiful overhanging balconies, as well as Colombia's major seaside resorts, where you can enjoy beaches and scuba diving opportunities. Stops 1. Muelle de la Bodeguita 2. Centro de Convenciones 3. San Sebastian del Pastelillo 4. Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower) 5. Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas 6. Rafael Nunez Museum 7. Boquetillo (entrance to the Walled City) 8. San Francisco (entrance to the Walled City) 9. Plaza Bogrande 10. Avenida San Martin 11. Casino Rio 12. Hotel Caribe 13. Hotel Hilton 14. Iglesia de Castillo Grande

Cartagena: Sunset Cruise with Open Bar

6. Cartagena: Sunset Cruise with Open Bar

Discover Cartagena in a unique way. Sail around the bay while you enjoy the bar and restaurant on board the Sibarita Express Yacht. Benefit from an open bar with a nice musical background and the services of the lovely crew. Sit back and relax as your boat comes to a stop on the open water so you can watch the sunset. You will be welcomed by the lovely crew and set sail a short while later. Take in a panoramic view of the modern area of Bocagrande and arrive at the lighthouse. From there, head to Castillogrande, the most prestigious area of the city, to see the sunset on the ocean. Once the sun has set, head back to the inner bay where you can enjoy the night views of the modern area of Bocagrande and the residential neighborhoods of Manga and Getsemani. Finally, prepare to be welcomed back to the pier with a breathtaking view of the old city at night.

From Cartagena: Day Trip to Playa Blanca with Lunch

7. From Cartagena: Day Trip to Playa Blanca with Lunch

Enjoy a paradisiacal day relaxing on the white sand beach of Baru Island's aptly-named Playa Blanca. After getting picked up from the los Pegasos dock, take a 1-hour journey in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan to Baru. Begin the day with pickup at the meeting point at 6:40 am. Be accompanied by a bilingual who will provide you with a fruit salad for you to snack on along the way. Ride in a climate-controlled vehicle and arrive on Baru Island at around 8:00 AM. Take a 5 minute walk along the shore of the beach until we get to the Mambo Beach Club restaurant which is located in front of the beach. Upon arrival be welcomed by the Mambo team. Be provided with beach chairs, huts, bathrooms and lockers (subject to availability). In the afternoon, savor a delicious lunch with several options including vegetarian and meat dishes. If none of the options take your fancy feel free to order anything else on the menu and only pay the difference. Head back to the beach after lunch to relax for another few hours before beginning the journey back to Cartagena in the evening.

Cartagena de Indias: 2-Hour Sunset Cruise

8. Cartagena de Indias: 2-Hour Sunset Cruise

For the most romantic evening, this sunset cruise excursion is ideal. Leave at 5:00 PM from the Muelle de la Bodeguita pier in front of the walled city. Enjoy the relaxing but at the same time exciting sailing through the Bay of Cartagena de Indias. Accompanied by good music, enjoy a non-alcoholic cocktail or a soft drink and a delicious appetizer in a magical atmosphere. Watch the sunset and the lighting of the spectacular skyline of the city of Cartagena while you sail into the night.  The itinerary of the tour includes departure from the Bodeguita Dock/Pegasos Dock, located in front of the walled city of Cartagena. First sail between Manga and Bocagrande neighborhood. Then continue sailing between Castillo Grande and Manzanillo Island. Enjoy the sunset while sailing between El Laguito neighborhood and Tierrabomba Island. Then sail back to the departure point.

Cartagena: Party Boat to Cholon Beach with 2 Drinks & Lunch

9. Cartagena: Party Boat to Cholon Beach with 2 Drinks & Lunch

A tour where the party is the main protagonist, accompanied by beautiful landscapes, beaches and a typical meal where you can choose between chicken, fish or vegetarian. Cholon is one of the most famous and visited rumba beaches in the world. Where yachts and boats arrive ready to party. Live the experience, you will not regret it. Pick up at some hotels from 7:30 am for those who are not in certain hotels must be at the meeting point, clock tower at 8:00 am, the return of the tour is at 4:00 pm. The transportation will not drop you back at the hotels, it will drop you off at the pier a few steps away from the meeting point. You will be in a place of music and party. You can bring your own drinks and snacks as everything on the island is more expensive. Instead of renting an expensive boat or yacht, here you can enjoy the party in Cholon without paying so much money with lunch and two drinks included.

Cartagena: Private Boat Tour Around the Islands

10. Cartagena: Private Boat Tour Around the Islands

Explore the beautiful and stunning islands along the Caribbean coastline with this private boat hire in Cartagena. Choose from a variety of yachts and speedboats ranging from 29 feet (8.8 meters) to 62 feet (18.9 meters) long that accommodate up to 10-18 people. With the help of your captain, plan your own personalized itinerary based on your interests and sightseeing wishes. Cruise along the islands on your private boat and combine relaxation, pleasure, and fun. At any time, feel free to request to stop for lunch, visit beaches, or be taken to a secluded area to enjoy some time for swimming in the sea. Play your favorite tunes on the boat's fully equipped sound system to ensure the perfect soundtrack to your day. With your own private boat for just you and your group, what you see and what you do is entirely up to you.

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What people are saying about Cartagena

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 3,133 reviews

Great expérience. The boat was very comfortable with plenty of seating in the sun and in the shade as well as 3 bathrooms below deck. The ride to the first set of islands was about an hour and a half and it’s a very nice ride very relaxing. At the first stop there is swimming and snorkelling with optional life jackets and poop noodles (altho not much to see underwater, just nice to jump in the water!) about and hour ride to next stop where you are served lunch and salad bar which was quite delicious. At the second stop you are anchored for 2 hours close to a nice beach which we swam to and enjoyed some time on the smooth, sandy shores. Quick swim back to the boat with a spirited ride back to the dock where we just lounged, had some cocktails, and enjoyed the view. All in all a nice day!

I was the only English-speaking traveller so I essentially had a private tour with one of the Islanders. The islanders and staff are friendly and helpful. The beach was quiet with only 4-5 other travelers. I recommend this excursion if you are looking to relax and enjoy the sun

Our guide was Nelson and he was excellent. His 30 years of experience showed. He knows everyone and is very knowledgeable about Cartagena. We had an individual guided tour. Much better than big bus cruise excursions.

Our driver was outside waiting for us after spending 3 hours in customs. We were so grateful! Amazing service. It was great not worrying about hauling a taxi.

Excellent market tour and cooking class with Jasmine. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip. Jasmine is authentic, warm, friendly, and very talented.