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¡Bienvenidos a Cartagena!

Cartagena wasn’t even on my radar this summer, but somehow, all the stars aligned, and I found myself booking a trip to meet up with my mom, who was flying in from Peru. Before selecting Cartagena, the only things I knew were the colorful streets, affordable prices, and… yeah, the pretty intense street vendors. Now that I’ve been, I can tell you—there’s so much more to boast about this place than just that!

Since I’m the type who plans every trip down to the last detail, I made sure to do my homework—researching everything with accessibility, affordability, and awesomeness at the core. With a whole week ahead of us, I wanted it to be a mix of adventures, excursions, and plenty of mother-daughter bonding.

What I Wish I Knew Before My Trip

1. The Rainy Season – So, it’s HOT. Like, walk-outside-and-you’re-immediately-drenched hot. We went at the end of August/beginning of September, and while the heat was next level, the sparing afternoon rains were surprisingly refreshing. The locals told me it only gets hotter, so keep that in mind if you’re visiting later in the year. Oh, and bring some serious bug spray. Those mosquitoes were sneaky, and I was not prepared.

2. Getting Around I’ll be honest, I didn’t study the map as much as I should’ve before the trip. So, when I got there, I had no idea where anything was. Thank goodness for Google Maps, but pulling my phone out in certain areas made me a little nervous. Tip: Take some time to familiarize yourself with the layout ahead of time. And wear comfy sneakers—Cartagena is all about walking, and trust me, your feet will need the support. Get familiar with Avenida Venezuela, Carrera 32 (Parallel to Avenida Venezuela) and Carrera 10 (Takes you down to Getsemaní)

3. Don’t Forget The Pesos – In September 2024, we were getting about 3,800 COP for 1 USD, which was great. While most restaurants include gratuity in the bill, having cash on hand was a lifesaver for tips, street food, and souvenirs. Definitely check out what’s normal for tipping beforehand—there were a few moments when I wasn’t sure how much was expected and calculating cash on the streets is never comfortable.

4. Vendor Interactions and Safety – I was feeling really anxious about what to expect from the street vendors. It wasn’t as bad as I imagined. Yes they can be persistent but they are also really polite and kind. The vendors are simply trying to make a living, and once you understand that, it becomes easier to deal with. I still suggest that you mentally prepare yourself for the most exhausting part: saying “no” assertively but kindly. They don’t take it personally, but you’ll have to say it a lot!

Fun Activities

Photo Tour

One of the highlights of my trip was the Photo Tour around Getsemaní and the Centro Histórico. It was such a great way to get familiar with the area while capturing some memorable photos. I booked the tour with César on Airbnb—it was affordable and a lot of fun! He was extremely patient, friendly, and open to answering any questions. We were able to do an outfit change at a local café where we stopped for a refreshing drink. We started at 9am, but I’d recommend starting even earlier because the heat was already kicking in by that time.

The photos ended up being one of the best souvenirs I could bring back from Cartagena. If you’re hoping to show off your vacation tan, you might want to book it towards the end of your trip. But if you’d prefer to get it out the way early, like we did, doing it at the start of your trip is a great idea too.

Uraku Spa Massages

Hands down, one of the best massages I’ve ever had! If I ever find myself back in Cartagena, this spot will be at the top of my list. Shout out to my talented and professional masseuse, Maria—she was incredible. They provide disposable undergarments for your treatment, which was a nice touch, and they’ve got A/C in the rooms (phew!). We did a 90-minute session—1 hour full-body and 30 minutes focused on my feet—and it was amazing.

The place was spotless, the staff super friendly and polite, and the prices were totally reasonable for the quality of service. They’re also really flexible with availability, so it was easy to book. All in all, a fantastic, relaxing experience and absolutely worth the investment.

Dancing Class On A Secret Rooftop

Taking a salsa class has been on my bucket list for ages, so I figured it was the perfect opportunity to kick it up with my mom. I booked this class on Airbnb Experience. The class was beginner-friendly, and the instructors created a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

We practiced three dance styles—salsa, bachata, and champeta. Champeta, a traditional Colombian dance influenced by African rhythms and Caribbean sounds. It’s all about energetic movements and playful expression, making it a blast to learn!

Even though I’m not a dancer and my rhythm could use some work, I managed to keep up thanks to the fantastic teachers and new friends. At the end they shared some common Cartagena slang words, which was a fun way to connect with the local culture.

Excursions & Tours

I was a bit nervous and unsure about booking tours for my trip. First, I didn’t know whether to reserve ahead of time or book on the spot, as both options have their pros and cons. Second, I was concerned about finding a reliable booking agency. After chatting with a few people, including my good friends Reyna & Cindy (who both provided amazing food recs) and Bianca from This Latina Travels, I decided it would be best to book in advance.

DMC Travels Booking Agency

I did some thorough research and discovered DMC Travels. Diana was absolutely amazing—responsible and incredibly helpful. Her partners were punctual, organized, and made my experience completely hassle-free. I ended up booking the Volcan Totumo tour and the Paue Beach Lounge through her agency, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision!

PA’UE Beach Lounge

Thankfully we had our reservation at PA’UE Beach Lounge all set providing us a smooth check-in at Muelle de la Bodeguita. I had my worries about getting seasick, but the delightful breeze on the luxury sport boat was so relaxing and refreshing—more than anything. Upon arrival to the beach lounge which sits on Rosario Island, we settled in, opting for the adult-only section where we could enjoy some tranquility and stunning views.

The tour included a complimentary archaeological boat tour, and thanks to my mom’s eagerness, I decided to join her because I was so close to skipping it. It turned out to be one of the highlights of the day, and trip to be honest! The tour lasted about 45 minutes, featuring cold drinks, fantastic music, and the chance to meet new friends while exploring the entire island.

Back at the lounge, we had various activities to chose from like swing sets on the beach, kayaking, and paddle boarding. With lunch included and an atmosphere that felt both safe and vibrant, it was the perfect spot to unwind and create lasting memories with my mom. Diana from DMC Travels sent us a customized text to check-in and we had no complaints! We departed around 3 PM, filled with gratitude for such an unforgettable day in paradise.

Volcan Totumo

Volcán Totumo is a unique mud volcano located just an hour outside of Cartagena, know for its therapeutic mud baths that are said to offer various health benefits, including skin rejuvenation and relaxation. I figured this would be a fun adventure outside my comfort zone, and I was eager to see what it was all about.

Our tour was impressively organized, and we set off on an air-conditioned bus, departing right on schedule from Torre del Relog. Upon arrival, each group had the opportunity to enjoy a 15-minute soak in the warm, thick mud. It was a surreal experience! We received massages and had someone capture the moment with photos—definitely a must for the memories. I can’t lie it was a bit scary because you don’t actually touch the ground in the mud bath. You’re basically doggy-paddling your way all around.

Afterward, we rinsed off in the nearby river, where friendly staff assisted us in cleaning up and getting all that mud off. Just a heads up: we paid 5,000 COP for each service, so be sure to bring COP to avoid any hiccups.

Following this adventure, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Coco Beach Club, a local beach spot that added a perfect touch to our day. I absolutely love discovering these local gems! Diana, checked in on us during this excursion too, and all we could do was rave about the amazing time we were having. We returned around 4 PM feeling exhilarated and grateful for such a memorable experienc

Free Historic Walking Tour

Even though we had already enjoyed the Photo Walking Tour earlier in our trip, my inner history nerd couldn’t resist booking a historic tour to dive deeper into Cartagena’s rich culture and past. This free, gratuity-based tour lasted 2.5 hours and took us through the charming streets of Centro Histórico and Getsemaní. I booked it on freetours.com via NEXPERIENCE. While they offered the tour in English, I chose to go with Spanish to help my mom feel included and to practice my language skills.

Our guide, Nancy, was absolutely fabulous—she connected with everyone and brought each sight to life with her engaging storytelling. We scouted out some great spots to return to for souvenirs and learned about the fascinating symbolism woven into Cartagena’s architecture and culture. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you attend in the late afternoon, like we did around 4 PM. We tipped 75000 COP for the both of us (approx 20 USD).


Good Eats & Vibes

I have to say, Google Maps didn’t do much for finding food spots, which made things a bit tricky. Instead, we made notes of places we spotted during our tours and activities. Plus, some friends recommended their favorites, and we decided to give those a shot.

Here are some memorable places we discovered:

Restaurante Coroncoro

For authentic local cuisine, this spot is a must-try. Be sure to ask about the daily lunch special—it’s a great way to enjoy delicious dishes without breaking the bank. Note: This place does NOT have a/c so you might be sweating OD but it’s worth it.

Multaos Gastro Bar

Right at the heart of Getsemaní. I tried the salmon here, and it was fantastic! The atmosphere was lively and inviting. Yes, it did have A/C but also had open doors. During the evening we got to witness small bands parading outside.

La Juma Bar Cartagena

This bar is an absolute gem! Tucked away on a corner of the plaza, it’s small and charming. I had such a great time here and would definitely return.

Pink Dolphin Gastrobar

The music here was incredible, and the vibes were on point. It’s a stylish place with refreshing drinks, though I didn’t get a chance to snack—I’d love to next time!

Lastly, if you’re looking for picturesque spots, you absolutely need to visit the beautiful streets of Getsemaní. There are plenty of photo ops! We wandered through there a couple of times and even had the chance to snap a picture with the palenqueras— the lovely afro women in colourful dresses expertly balancing bowls of tropical fruit on their heads—what a vibrant experience!

A Trip to Remember

What an unforgettable trip, especially since it was completely unexpected! The best part was definitely exploring a new city and country with my mom. While I’ll have to endure a long winter before I can return to Cartagena’s heat, I’m confident I’ll find my way back someday. It’s a beautiful, historic city with so much to offer.

If you have any questions, or want to chat more about your upcoming trip, please feel free to reach out. Safe travels!