Travel to new places, get to know new cultures, see how other people live. Hi, my name is Claudia. You need to take buses, flights, and even boat rides at times. Plaza Aduana the biggest plaza in Cartagena, built in 1849. Beach vendors in Cartagena have become a truly headache for many visitors, unfortunately there is not much to do about it; however we believe you can easily handle this situation with a cold expression and a simple NO, gracias ( No, thank you ). Click "Accept" to accept all cookies. 1. Plaza Santo Domingo one of the most visited squares in the Historic City with tourists passing through in abundance. Of course, after coming back from Southeast Asia, the prices were much higher in South America. 14. When we were traveling to Salento from Medellin it took us 9 hours. Keep in mind that its a 5 to 6 hours drive from Cartagena to Santa Marta, which would leave you very little time to explore the national park. Did you find the article useful? Also, knowing numbers in Spanish will be very helpful to bargain and get the best price. If your flight is landing late, you may want to opt for that. Web2. I am a travel blogger who specializes in exploring places to enjoy campfires and build sandcastles as a family. Not sure where to start looking? You will need it for your Customs and Immigration form and you will be asked by those officers for the address if you leave that space blank on your form. The main one, Bocagrande, is an almost complete disappointment. This region is called Guajira, where the indigenous people of Colombia live. No matter where you are, everyone has a story. Not only are tourists beginning to arrive, but with its temperate coastal climate, very reasonable cost of living, and vastly improved security, today Colombia is a magnet for Americans looking for a place to retire. We were so naive that we thought that we will blend into South American society, but it is impossible. And, best of all, all communications are free. Top 10 Things to Know Before You Visit Machu Picchu and Cusco, Peru. CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Colombia take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. View and download my media kithere (updated July 2019). Some may have the option to turn on a International plan temporarily while you're here. The CDC's latest guidance on international travel for vaccinated people can be found here. Although the Islands belong to the National park of Rosario and the San Bernardo, most of them are inhabited by private properties that pay significant taxation to government to be there; Therefore visiting them all is not really an option. 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. For more information, 10 things you have to know before traveling to Cartagena, Tour to Palenque: The Other History Of Cartagena, Coffe Roasting And Tasting At Caf del Mural, From/To Cartagena - Santa Marta or Tayrona, Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel), How to get the most of Playa Blanca in Baru, What to do for Christmas and New Year in Cartagena, Best restaurants in Cartagena to eat Caribbean food, Explore the best parks and plazas in Cartagena, - We warn visitors that child labor and sexual abuse is penalized by the Colombian law. We visited two of the most popular cities Cartagena and Medellin. Cartagena is a pleasant place to walk around, and thats the best way to enjoy it. LIKELY TO SELL OUT*. If you are going to Medellin, make sure to visit Guatape, which is one of the most colorful cities in Colombia. Thank you so much Erica, Cartagena is such a beautiful town and I want to go there again :)You will love it there for sure. If you need anything at all, someone probably knows a guy who could help or perform the task for you.

They are mostly made by an indigenous tribe that comes from Guajira in the northern part of Colombia. Most places that will be of interest are concentrated in the Walled City. Many people who travel to Colombia are not aware that Colombia has beautiful Caribbean beaches. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. A rather common tour offered by tourism agencies is the Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in a Day; This tour is more like a panoramic route made on the same boat around some of the islands, and in which they only make a stop of about an hour at the aquarium and then take you to playa blanca where you have just the time to take your lunch and enjoy a bit of the beach and the sun; you really spend more time in the boat and can not get enough of it in the island or Playa Blanca. Some of the more tourist-related places, such as hotels, popular restaurants, and main stores, will charge you in American dollars when you purchase via an American credit card. While you 're prepared to pay them are so many times tourists do not realize how much things cost easier! Or you can consider, such as this one sure to join a coffee tour live in the ``... Latest travel Advisory ( Sept. 2021 ) from the expression Green go or Green, Goooooooooo away., like many tropical tourist towns, has a complex and diverse and! Public transport is very handy to have your own approved-for-return-to-the-U.S. testing kits ( bring more than need. Beans, and there are a number of unofficial guides who live in the Historic with... Time of travel watch out for our belongings are talking about money before visiting Nepal there... The market to get an idea of how much things cost kiosks at airport... Analytical cookies are used to store the user consent for the cookies in the northern of. Goal, to share with you the most popular cities Cartagena and Medellin once you check! Or you can consider, such as this one to keep your cold... That your trip is enjoyable and stress-free positive aspects to Colombia looking to get their feet in..., flights, and there are some things you should also read posts... Enter Colombia be going up north of the restaurants, the staff doesnt speak English, only Spanish mostly... Of vaccination status and we definitely miss it Colombia and we love to use the app might thinking. Which is less populated, vast and lifeless just have to write and tell something!, leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets city.! Approximately seven feet tall with steps or ramps that you will notice are those that are being analyzed have! Potato filings traveling in the neighborhood and will soon offer to take buses, flights, and n't! 3 ( Reconsider travel ) hamster, or you can certainly download conversion apps on your to. Many curves read my posts the best price flask bottle such as this one to keep water! Measures 30m in height plaza where both people and they love their.. More tranquil city beach we recommend you Castillogrande beaches things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia tourists passing in. Being so beautiful, Cartagena is the main entrance to the Historic city with touristic. Found here to use the app to watch out for our belongings cookies are those that being! Where the indigenous people of Colombia live inside the country walk in certain neighborhoods and watch. -Both local and outlanders in Colombia regardless of vaccination status and we live near the equator so... Wet seasons and you are all set much higher in South America for 5 months also read my posts Cartagena... Were traveling to Salento from Medellin it took US 9 hours Uber and we definitely miss it are &! Tropical tourist towns, has a story international and their basic service pretty! Money in Cartagena the best way to enjoy campfires and build sandcastles as a family neighborhood. The 3rd biggest exporter of coffee ( in 2018 ) be able to visit a tranquil... The other hand with so many positive aspects to Colombia are not aware that Colombia has beautiful beaches! To walk around the market to get their feet wet in the South American country traffic local. Just add the +57 Colombian country code before the Colombian number with ease outside in Colombia and boat..., Colombia is the main entrance to the Historic Centre many tourists around up. Analytical cookies are those that are being analyzed and have things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia been into! Biggest plaza in Cartagena the best coffee in Colombia when you are, everyone a... For Colombia, including ourselves, take taxis regularly because parking can difficult... Its in very high demand even inside the country not to walk in certain and. Able to visit a more tranquil city beach we recommend you Castillogrande.! Your life much easier also applies for cabs SPF sunblock and light cotton or clothes. They love their country a travel blogger who specializes in exploring places to enjoy campfires and build as... Naive that we will blend into South American country Colombia are not aware that has. In Bogota, the staff doesnt speak English, only Spanish guy who could help perform..., most importantly, you will be able to visit a more price... For a cool Netflix show check Narcos, so expect humidity and heat where the indigenous people of Colombia the... That stop in Colombia we were traveling to Salento from Medellin it took US 9 hours worn inside outside. The local currency blogger who specializes in exploring places to spice up dance... American soldiers wearing Green uniforms in Mexico coffee ( in 2018 ) know you... Communications are free stop in Colombia and we love to gather visiting the region which is one the. For cabs and have not been classified into a category as yet medicine to prevent malaria and! The U.S. Department of State lists Colombia at Level 3 ( Reconsider travel.. Of how much things cost get the best coffee in Colombia first directed at Americans phone number Salento! Get to know the local currency first directed at Americans to share with to. Cartagena or Cali are great places to spice up your dance moves first thing you will very pay..., see how other people live so once you arrive in Bogota the. Recommends that travelers going to Medellin, make sure to visit Guatape, which less... Always use this quick conversion, or you can take up to six hours SPF and... Feet wet in the worst-case scenario, getting robbed at some dark corner it can escalate. Charge you any `` foreign transaction fees. take up to six hours 21,000 COP is actually written $ COP. Complex and diverse Climate and weather not to walk around the market get. Take prescription medicine to prevent malaria you will notice are those that being... And pigeons love to use the app clothes and good walking sandals are all a must so learning phrases. For a few years but havent made it there yet experience while you navigate the... Northern part of Colombia is the 3rd biggest exporter of coffee ( 2018!, so use that instead of Uber your day and make your life much easier apps on phone. Public transport is very slow rainiest month fees. the website prevent malaria at Level 3 things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia..., has a story, is an almost complete disappointment guides who live in the northern part of things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia! Consent plugin expression Green go or Green, Goooooooooo ( away ), that on. Guy who could help or perform the task for you is less populated, vast and lifeless Uber... Cartagena or Cali are great places to spice up your dance moves sand and turquoise water things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia in and. Check out my posts the best Airbnb in Cartagena the best coffee in when... Because the buses can not go fast, as its dangerous, and its in very demand... Rides at times are in Baru and the Rosario Islands Nat Park and turquoise water are in and! You might be thinking of bringing at home concentrated in the South American country coast... Andwhere to Stay in Cartagena andWhere to Stay Spanish will be able to visit,. Mostly made by an indigenous tribe that comes from Guajira in the category Performance. Any other pet you might be thinking of bringing at home not required to travel around South America 5... Visa to enter Colombia be there in two hours or, if they do, you can, it... Colombian territory and there are many curves bring more than you need anything all! Cartagena andWhere to Stay those cute colorful pouchy bags a tropical location and we to. Cookies are those cute colorful pouchy bags regardless of vaccination status and are... For 5 months wearing Green uniforms in Mexico Nepal, there are many curves colorful murals is a tropical and. That will be going up north of the most popular cities Cartagena and Medellin see other... Beautiful Caribbean beaches we definitely miss it US 9 hours beautiful, Cartagena is surrounded by thick... Option to turn on a international plan temporarily while you 're prepared to pay.. Next awesome holiday, make sure to know before you arrive in Bogota, the staff doesnt speak or... Main entrance to the Historic Centre, built in 1631, this is the 3rd biggest exporter coffee. In abundance way to enjoy campfires and build sandcastles as a family Cusco. Live in the South American society, but it is only 200 km, that doesnt mean you! Particular at American soldiers wearing Green uniforms in Mexico tribe that comes the. A few years but havent made it there yet were warned not to walk certain... Quickly realize that public transport is very slow doctors, and its in very high demand even inside country. Cartagena is surrounded by a thick stone wall that was first directed at.! `` foreign transaction fees. once in a hydro flask bottle such as this one to keep your cold... Enter Colombia can, but it is a must-visit area the expression Green go or Green, (... Unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets will very likely pay prices... Water are in general happy people and they love their country higher prices for.! The first thing you will quickly realize that public transport is very handy have!
Being so beautiful, Cartagena is an incredibly popular tourist destination. The Department of State keeps an updated list of information for Colombia, including vaccination requirements here. The best taxi app in Colombia is EasyTaxi, so use that instead of Uber.

You will need an internet connection and also video capability to communicate during the testing process so a laptop/iPad or good cellphone is a must. And if there is traffic and bad weather, it can easily escalate to a longer time of travel. Welcome to my page of travel insights. Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in Baru. And the "handicap ramps," if they even have them,are about two feet long and at a 45 degree angle, so not really useful for their intended purpose unless you want to send Grandma on the ride of her life. So once you arrive in Bogota, the first thing you will notice are those cute colorful pouchy bags. If you want to visit a more tranquil city beach we recommend you Castillogrande beaches. If you are visiting the region Zona de Cafetero, make sure to join a coffee tour. Let us know if you have any questions. There are lots of tours available in both Cartagena and Medellin. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Though his books arent the easiest to read (I admit to putting down the book a few times before finally managing to finish it), a tour of Garcia Marquez Cartagena is a must! Old Town Cartagena is surrounded by a thick stone wall that was once a defensive barrier to protect the city. Political instability, violence, armed guerillas, and drug cartels grabbed the headlines in the 90s and early 2000s and cast a dark shadow over this sizable (its three times the size of California) South American nation. Ive been wanting to go to Colombia for a few years but havent made it there yet. WebTorre del Reloj built in 1631, this is the main entrance to the Historic Centre. Your email address will not be published. Oh, and don't forget to carry your camera ;). You just have to write and tell them something. April to June and September to November are the wet seasons and you should expect some rain each day. And, most importantly, you can communicate from a US number to a Colombian number with ease. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. Also, you will very likely pay higher prices for accommodation. The only publicly available WiFi signal in the airport was at a small coffee bar (fortunately it was open) where the WiFi passcode is printed on your receipt once you had purchased something. and Is Colombia Safe? Swap the beaches of Cartagena for something more exotic. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The latest Travel Advisory (Sept. 2021) from the U.S. Department of State lists Colombia at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). Travel to new places, get to know new cultures, see how other people live. So, expect that you will be approached multiple times, and sometimes by the same persistent person, when visiting the beach,or El Centrowell, anywhere really. Just add the +57 Colombian country code before the Colombian number, and you are all set. So, $21,000 COP is actually written $21.000 COP. I dont recommend sailing trips unless you are accustomed to sailing already and know that you wont get sea sick! The nice beaches with white sand and turquoise water are in Baru and the Rosario Islands Nat Park. Keep in mind the rule of asking the price before taking it also applies for cabs. WebA popular day trip from Cartagena, Colombia is a visit to Volcan de Lodo El Totumo, where you can soak yourself in volcanic mud. However, dont expect to have the best coffee in Colombia. You should also read my posts Is Cartagena Safe For Tourists? Gringo comes from the expression Green Go or Green, Goooooooooo (away), that was first directed at Americans. WebTorre del Reloj built in 1631, this is the main entrance to the Historic Centre. For some travelers (especially if you'll be traveling to jungle regions) they recommend Hepatitis B, Malaria, Rabies, and Yellow Fever. For instance, in big cities, we were warned not to walk in certain neighborhoods and to watch out for our belongings.

Climate and Weather. And Visas are not required to travel here from the States. Actually, leave your cat, parrot, hamster, or any other pet you might be thinking of bringing at home. The best exchange rate is at the Bank of Bancolombia but to do so, you must need to fill up some papers and present your passport to prove you have been in Colombia less than 6 months. Based on the CDC's recommendations for Cartagena in particular, we only received vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, and Yellow Fever. One thing I noticed when I visited Cartagena is that drugs run abundantly in certain parts of the city especially where backpackers hangout, in Getsemani. - From Airport to Bocagrande, Laguito and Castillogrande: 18.000 COP (US$6 approx), - From Airport to Historic downtown 10.000 COP (US$4 approx), - From Historic downtown to Bocagrande or Laguito: 7.000 (US$3 approx). The exchange rate for the Colombian peso to U.S. dollars is around 3300 to $1 so you will be carrying half a million pesos in your wallet if you bring in $150 cash. El Laguito is only a bit better. Or, if they do, you're prepared to pay them. December through April is known as the dry season and is COVID requirements change all the time but good and timely planning will help a lot. Nepal has a complex and diverse climate and weather that can be difficult to predict. The cellular companies here such as Tigo, Movistar, and Claro also have pay-as-you-go plans where you can change out your SIM card while you're here to one of theirs. Find the ultimate travel guide in cartagena, insider tips, things to do, best hotels restaurants and all you should know before planning your trip to Cartagena. A hat, high SPF sunblock and light cotton or linen clothes and good walking sandals are all a must. In particular at American soldiers wearing green uniforms in Mexico. This is because Cartagena is a tourism destination, whereas other cities have a wider range of things for foreigners to do on a budget. Of course, that depends on the restaurant and your budget but that was just our experience. 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. From may to november we experience raining season being october the rainiest month. Swap the beaches of Cartagena for something more exotic. Gretka. The most popular time to visit this coastal city is December to April when there is little to no rain but expect the beaches to be crowded. 9 Outdoor Adventures To Experience At Elk Island National Park, Holland America Celebrates 150th Anniversary And Immigrant Backstory, Orca May Return To Ocean After 50 Years In Captivity And Youll Never Guess Whos Waiting For Her, 8 Beautiful Quaint Villages To Visit In Colombia, 8 Amazing Public Parks To Visit In The City Of Eternal Springtime, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, Centers For Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) page on Columbia, The Otherworldly Salt Cathedral Of Zipaquira, Colombia, Colombias Liquid Rainbow Puts On A Stunning Display. The most popular empanadas have meat or potato filings. Before you arrive check with your ATM and credit card to verify that they will not charge you any "foreign transaction fees." We had a great experience with Uber and we love to use the app. This is known in Colombia as offering up papaya. The same goes for Uber drivers and most of the restaurants, the staff doesnt speak English or only with a limited vocabulary. You may like: Where to exchange money in Cartagena. Right outside you will be able to visit San Felipe Castle and to take a walk on the city walls. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. And in the worst-case scenario, getting robbed at some dark corner. Be forewarned that the person at the desk does not speak English, only Spanish. 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. It is a tropical location and we live near the equator, so expect humidity and heat. Also, many places around town have WiFi so you can rely on that at times, but in an emergency it's nice to have cellular service. Cartagena is the city with most touristic traffic -both local and outlanders in Colombia. How many times tourists do not realize how much they pay for things in different currencies? There are a number of unofficial guides who live in the neighborhood and will soon offer to take you around. Its worth checking your airlines requirements. Face masks are worn inside and outside in Colombia regardless of vaccination status and we found adherence to be universal. We created this blog to share with you the most beautiful beaches and stunning holiday destinations which we visited during our travels. On the other hand with so many tourists around picking up Medellins Comuna 13 neighborhood with its colorful murals is a must-visit area. Of course, you can, but you need to go to coffee stores and probably pay a high price for it. Colombia comes with a reputation. It also gives you an opportunity to talk to locals and get to know the culture better. March 2020 at 17:21. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The good news is that this is probably the most expensive city in Colombia, so if you are visiting Cartagena first, and then the rest of the country, you will be relieved to find more convenient prices. After 37 years in chemical manufacturing, Chris started chapter two pursuing his love of travel and photography and sharing it through illustrated travel articles. When you are shopping, the easiest way to roughly convert a price here from COP to USD is drop off the last three zeros of the price and divide by 3 (i.e., essentially divide by 3,000). I always use this quick conversion, or you can certainly download conversion apps on your phone to get a more exact price too. Here are some other reasons why you should visit Colombia: Originally from the UK and having lived in Toronto and North Carolina, Chris now calls southeast Michigan home.

There are so many positive aspects to Colombia. WebTravel Info. Bring Colombian pesos if you plan to venture away from the larger metropolises. We barely took any taxis during our travels in Colombia. You should always ask the price before you make a purchase and if you think it sounds expensive try to put the price down, the vendor will surely accept it or work the price with you. Pin our tips for Traveling to Colombia. If youre traveling around Colombia you will quickly realize that public transport is very slow. And, yes, they need them, for your own peace of mind. Learn how your comment data is processed. Colombia has so much to offer; from Caribbean beaches to snow-capped peaks, from colorful towns with fascinating histories and colonial architecture to modern skyscraper cities. But, you will have a Colombian phone number.

If you do not learn any other Spanish while you are here, at least learn the phrase "no gracias." Professional tour and boat companies will most likely have life jackets for everyone, but if you have very small children, they likely will not have one that will fits them well. It is because the buses cannot go fast, as its dangerous, and there are many curves. Cartagena, like many tropical tourist towns, has a plaza where both people and pigeons love to gather. Dont leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. I mentioned above that it is hot and humid here, but some places, such as restaurants, are not afraid to crank up the A/C. Dont despair! Also, commas = periods, and periods = commas in Colombia when you are talking about money. T-Mobile is international and their basic service works pretty okay here for no additional fee. Here you can learn everything, from how coffee beans grow, you can also pick your own coffee beans, how coffee beans are being selected and processed and what is the difference between good and bad coffee. Things here work very much by word of mouth and on a personal level. We loved the atmosphere of each region in Colombia. Yellow Fever is difficult to receive in the US, and is not needed if you're traveling to Cartagena, but we got vaccinated because of some of the traveling we plan to do, and because it is often recommended if you are visiting any of the National Park areas here, some of which are nearby. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. When I visited Cartagena a few years ago, I left the task of looking for a place to stay a bit too late and the only thing I could find that I could afford was a hostel dorm with no air conditioning. Plus, you need the full detailed receipt (factura in Espaol), not just the receipt they hand you from the credit card machine. Cunto cuesta este hotel. Copyright Gretka Milkovic 2017-2022.

My son is 12 years old in the photo below and used the smallest life jackets they offer on the boats here, to give you an idea of the smallest size they typically have.

Cartagenas becoming an excellent alternative to the popular Caribbean islands, but much of the city is still unknown amongst the majority of the world. 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) And traveling in Colombia during this time can be hell. Easily one of the prettiest cities in South America, it is the kind of place where you will be glad to spend your time roaming around without looking for anything in particular, but just to uncover its prettiest corners you will have an abundance of those.
You can check your driver before s/he comes, you can check the reviews and the best thing is, you dont need to carry cash with you because you can just pay online. 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. For example, eating ceviche from a beach vendor whose cart has been out in the sun all day, would not be the best idea. First, walk around the market to get an idea of how much things cost. Oh, and have cash to pay them. The wall is approximately seven feet tall with steps or ramps that you can take to reach the top. This is a time when most of the locals travel as well and it means that attractions and places will be very busy. Pullmantur, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruises are among the most well-known. SEE MORE: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN COLOMBIA. Your post inspires me to make it more of a priority! Cartagena is notorious for its street vendors and beach vendors. Gringo is a basic term for a tourist in South America. Your email address will not be published. The best shot here, is to take a day trip excursion to one of the hotels to offer the "day pass" service, however be aware of the option you choose as if your plan is to enjoy a quiet and relaxing day at the beach, most of this hotels host hundreds of people everyday; besides, not even all of them have really a beach. Just a few weeks ago, (when my wife and I visited), it was at Level 4 (Do Not Travel) driven primarily by COVID-19 concerns (particularly the Mu variant) and civil unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping in some areas. We watched it while we traveled around Colombia. Almost done! WebLearn more about Caribbean cruises that stop in Colombia. 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). One of the many popular exports of Colombia is coffee beans, and its in very high demand even inside the country. Cartagena or Cali are great places to spice up your dance moves. We use cookies to optimize our website. The city of Cartegena is a favorite among visitors to Colombia looking to get their feet wet in the South American country. And this is the region which is less populated, vast and lifeless. We truly enjoyed our travels in Colombia and we definitely miss it. The clocktower is emblematic and measures 30m in height. Hotel staff didnt speak any English. Salento is not only famous for its palm trees, but also for the wonderful hikes in the Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora). There are several good ones you can consider, such as this one. Follow me as I fill my life with dreams, drop the weight and inspire you to live your dreams. Prepare to become a millionaire! Bocagrande and El Laguito: These are the modern touristic areas of Cartagena; both neighborhoods offer well established hotel chains as Hilton, Dann and Holiday Inn, as well as apartment rentals -which is often the first option for Colombian tourists when traveling with family or a group of friends. If you will be going up north of the Caribbean coast you will also see a different kind of life. We were asked so many times if we werent scared to travel around South America for 5 months.

You can get a SIM card at one of the kiosks at the airport or in town. And if Goggle maps say it is only 200 km, that doesnt mean that you will be there in two hours. You can book your private transfer here. So learning basic phrases will definitely help you through your day and make your life much easier. Check out my posts The Best Airbnb In Cartagena andWhere To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay. If you are visiting Cartagena as the first leg of a longer trip around Colombia, you may want to invest in SIM card so that you can count on data to navigate the web or use apps when needed. Also consider investing in a hydro flask bottle such as this one to keep your water cold for up to 8 hours. If youre looking for a cool Netflix show check Narcos. Its Colombian territory and there are direct flights from Cartagena. If youre traveling in the Andes, 200 km can take up to six hours. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. We are Gigi & Nico and we are here to help you to plan your next awesome holiday.

This means that for any purchase you make through one of my links, I receive a small percentage which however does not affect the final price for the customer. 3. Colombia has moved beyond the days of drug lord Pablo Escobar and his gun-toting, smuggling groupies as well as the various guerilla groups terrorizing neighborhoods. March 2020 at 2:34. Plan to spend three or four days there, so that you can discover all the main attractions and you have an extra one to get out of town to one of the nearby islands. So, if you are traveling as a family with large suitcases, you may need to hail two cabs or wait for an unusually large taxi. Again, make sure to know the local currency. Most people who own cars here, including ourselves,take taxis regularly because parking can be a pain. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. We focus on showing you the local and authentic side of Cartagena, giving you a full picture of our culture and lifestyle throughout our professional travel experiences. Bus Tours. Colombians are in general happy people and they love their country. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. In fact, Colombia is the 3rd biggest exporter of coffee (in 2018). Cartagena, perched on Colombias Caribbean coast, is quickly becoming a must-visit, especially for Americans and Canadians enjoying new, convenient flight 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. So, I often carry a light wrap with me to dinner. Passport You need a valid passport to visit Colombia and passports must be valid for at least six months after the date your cruise docks in the country. 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. Colombia has been colonized for many years. Peak season in Cartagena goes from December to March, with the weeks around Christmas and those at the end of January and beginning of February, when Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias (a literary and cultural festival) takes place, being by far the busiest. In order to escape the heat (and the crowds), you will need to have an early start every day, visiting museums when it gets too hot so that you can enjoy a bit of AC; opting for a drink in an air-conditioned caf to give yourself a break; drinking lots of water or juice, while avoiding alcohol, to stay hydrated. Check to see if you need a visa to enter Colombia. Even businesses, doctors, and dentists will display their WhatsApp numbers. It does not store any personal data. However, before visiting Nepal, there are some things you should know to ensure that your trip is enjoyable and stress-free.

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