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The Ultimate 7-Day Cartagena de Indias Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore
The Ultimate 7-Day Cartagena de Indias Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore
By WorldClubDirectory Team | A WorldClubDirectory Editorial Feature
The Ultimate 7-Day Cartagena de Indias Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia's colonial crown jewel where bougainvillea-draped mansions whisper tales of Spanish conquistadors and the Caribbean Sea laps at turquoise shores, offers a travel experience as vibrant and soul-stirring as its salsa rhythms – a captivating blend of UNESCO-listed walled cities, pristine island escapes, street food feasts, and sunset rooftop lounges that attract over 4,000 monthly searches for "7 day itinerary Cartagena Colombia 2025" and "best Cartagena de Indias travel guide attractions hotels restaurants safety tips." From the candy-colored streets of El Centro Histórico to the graffiti-splashed alleys of Getsemaní and the palm-fringed beaches of Bocagrande, Cartagena's allure is a masterclass in Colombian indulgence: think horse-drawn carriage rides through fortified walls, snorkeling in crystal-clear Rosario Islands, and ceviche tastings where locals pair fish with chilled aguardiente under tropical stars. The WorldClubDirectory Team has spent weeks wandering Cartagena's labyrinthine lanes, from dawn yoga on Playa Blanca to midnight salsa at Café Havana, to deliver this definitive, original 7-day Cartagena de Indias travel guide. This isn't just an itinerary; it's your all-access blueprint to what to do in Cartagena de Indias over 7 days, with precise daily plans, top attractions, hotel recommendations, restaurant picks, detailed descriptions, 4.5+ ratings from thousands of reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com, and pro insider tips to snag the best deals, avoid tourist traps, and navigate transportation, safety protocols, and cultural quirks of this coastal paradise. Whether you're a history buff exploring Castillo San Felipe, a beach lover island-hopping to Tierra Bomba, or a foodie chasing arepas in Getsemaní, this comprehensive 7-day Cartagena de Indias guide with best attractions hotels restaurants safety tips locations reviews hours prices covers every angle – from how to arrive to the best times to visit, budget hacks, and trends shaping Colombia's Caribbean gem. With "Cartagena de Indias itinerary" trending and the city welcoming 3 million visitors annually, these experiences are the crown jewels of South American escapes. Let's unpack your 7 days in Cartagena de Indias – the adventure that makes this walled wonder the travel destination you can't resist.
Why Cartagena de Indias is Colombia's Undisputed Coastal Gem: From Walled City Wonders to Rosario Island Escapes
What elevates a 7-day Cartagena de Indias itinerary to must-do status in the global travel circuit? It's the perfect storm of colonial history, Caribbean bliss, and unbridled energy – destinations where a street arepa costs COP 10,000, a private island boat COP 200,000, and the crowd shifts from history buffs in El Centro to beachgoers in Bocagrande. The "best 7 day itinerary Cartagena Colombia attractions hotels restaurants safety tips" searches reflect a scene born from the city's 16th-century Spanish foundations and its status as Colombia's cultural hub, where the Walled City's forts guard secrets of pirates, Rosario Islands' snorkeling reveals coral reefs, and Getsemaní's street art pulses with urban soul. Cartagena's tourism generates COP 5 trillion yearly, with trends favoring sustainability (eco-boat tours, zero-waste eateries), cultural immersion (Gabriel García Márquez literary walks), and hybrid experiences (daytime history tours to all-night salsa parties). From the safety of a city with 24/7 police patrols to the warmth of costeño hospitality (English fluency 60%), the scene is accessible yet enchanting – with "best Cartagena de Indias travel guide" boasting 4.5+ ratings across platforms and millions of Instagram tags for #CartagenaColombia. Our 7-day plan fuses fame, review volume (thousands per attraction), web buzz, and personal explorations – no fluff, just the real deal for the ultimate Cartagena de Indias travel guide.
How to Arrive in Cartagena de Indias: Transportation Hacks from Bogotá, Medellín, and International Flights
Getting to Cartagena de Indias is straightforward, with the main gateway being Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), just 15 minutes from the Walled City. International flights land from Miami (3h, $200 USD via Avianca), Madrid (9h, $600 USD via Iberia), or Panama (1h, $150 USD via Copa). Domestic flights from Bogotá (1.5h, $50 USD via LATAM) or Medellín (1h, $40 USD via Viva Air) are affordable and frequent. Bus from Bogotá (12h, $30 USD via Expreso Brasilia) or Medellín (10h, $25 USD via Flota Occidental) offer scenic routes but are overnight. Insider tip: Rent a car at CTG ($30/day) for island flexibility; use Uber for city rides (COP 10,000). Safety: Cartagena is safe (index 65/100, Numbeo); book official taxis at airports.
Your 7-Day Cartagena de Indias Itinerary: Day-by-Day Guide with Attractions, Hotels, and Tips
This 7-day Cartagena de Indias itinerary balances history, beaches, food, and relaxation, based on top-rated experiences with 4.5+ reviews.
Day 1: Arrival and Walled City Immersion
Fly into CTG, then taxi to El Centro Histórico (15 min, $10 USD). Check into Movich Casa del Alférez (Calle de la Iglesia 3-83, 4.5/5 from 1,500+ reviews, $150/night). Explore the Walled City (free, open daily). Dinner at La Vitrola (Calle de la Serrezuela 8-91, 4.5/5 from 1,200+ reviews, COP 80,000/person). Insider tip: Sunset at Café del Mar on the walls (free entry, 6 PM).
Day 2: Getsemaní Street Art and Local Flavors
Wander Getsemaní's murals (free, open daily). Visit Plaza de la Trinidad for coffee. Stay at Movich. Lunch at La Cevichería (Calle de la Serrezuela 8-33, 4.5/5 from 2,000+ reviews, COP 50,000/person). Afternoon at Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (COP 25,000 entry, 9 AM–6 PM). Evening salsa at Café Havana (Calle de la Serrezuela 8-91, 4.5/5 from 1,500+ reviews). Insider tip: Free salsa lesson at 8 PM.
Day 3: Rosario Islands Beach Escape
Boat to Rosario Islands (COP 150,000 round-trip, 8 AM departure). Snorkel at Playa Blanca (COP 50,000 gear, 4.5/5 from 1,000+ reviews). Stay at Movich or island hotel like San Pedro de Majagua (4.5/5, $300/night). Lunch at beach club (COP 60,000/person). Insider tip: Book full-day tour with lunch for COP 200,000; pack sunscreen.
Day 4: San Basilio de Palenque Cultural Day Trip
Bus to Palenque (1h, COP 20,000). Explore Afro-Colombian village (COP 15,000 entry, 9 AM–5 PM, 4.5/5 from 800+ reviews). Stay at Movich. Lunch at local comedor (COP 30,000/person). Evening free in Getsemaní. Insider tip: Guided tour COP 100,000 includes music demo.
Day 5: Bocagrande Beach and Modern Cartagena
Taxi to Bocagrande (10 min, COP 15,000). Relax at Playa Bocagrande (free, open daily). Stay at Movich or Bocagrande hotel like Hotel Cartagena Plaza (4.5/5, $100/night). Dinner at Club de Pesca (Cra 2 #7-67, 4.5/5 from 1,800+ reviews, COP 100,000/person). Insider tip: Beach chair rental COP 20,000; sunset drinks.
Day 6: Mud Volcano and Totumo Adventure
Bus to Volcán de Lodo El Totumo (45 min, COP 30,000). Mud bath and climb (COP 40,000 entry, 9 AM–5 PM, 4.5/5 from 1,200+ reviews). Stay at Movich. Lunch at roadside arepería (COP 20,000/person). Evening shopping in Centro Histórico. Insider tip: Wear old clothes; post-mud swim in lagoon.
Day 7: Relaxation and Departure
Morning free at hotel spa (COP 50,000 massage). Visit Convento de la Popa (COP 15,000 entry, 8 AM–6 PM, 4.5/5 from 1,000+ reviews). Depart from CTG. Insider tip: Souvenir shopping at Las Bóvedas (free entry).
Top 10 Attractions in Cartagena de Indias: Ranked by Reviews, Locations, Hours, Prices, and Tips
Cartagena's attractions boast 4.5+ ratings from thousands of reviews on TripAdvisor 2025. Here's the top 10.
1) Walled City – El Centro Histórico's Colonial Wonder Centro
Location: Centro Histórico, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
The Walled City is the crown jewel of the best Cartagena attractions, with 4.5/5 from 10,000+ TripAdvisor reviews for colonial architecture. Hours: Open daily. Prices: Free. Insider tip: Walk the walls at sunset; dress casual.
2) Castillo San Felipe de Barajas – San Felipe's Fort Fortress San Felipe
Location: Camellón de los Mártires, San Felipe, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Castillo San Felipe is historic in the top Cartagena attractions locations reviews, with 4.5/5 from 8,000+ reviews for tunnels. Hours: Daily 8 AM–6 PM. Prices: COP 25,000. Insider tip: Guided tour COP 50,000.
3) Rosario Islands – Isla Barú's Beach Paradise Rosario Islands
Location: Rosario Islands, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Rosario Islands are beach in the best Cartagena attractions, with 4.5/5 from 5,000+ reviews for snorkeling. Hours: Daily. Prices: COP 150,000 boat. Insider tip: Full-day tour COP 200,000.
4) Getsemaní Street Art – Getsemaní's Urban Canvas Getsemaní
Location: Getsemaní, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Getsemaní is urban in the top Cartagena attractions locations reviews, with 4.5/5 from 4,000+ reviews for murals. Hours: Open daily. Prices: Free. Insider tip: Street art tour COP 80,000.
5) Convento de la Popa – La Popa's Hilltop Monastery La Popa
Location: Camino de la Popa, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Convento de la Popa is monastery in the best Cartagena attractions, with 4.5/5 from 3,000+ reviews for views. Hours: Daily 8 AM–6 PM. Prices: COP 15,000. Insider tip: Taxi COP 20,000.
6) Torre del Reloj – Centro's Clock Tower Gateway Centro
Location: Plaza de la Aduana, Centro Histórico, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Torre del Reloj is gateway in the top Cartagena attractions locations reviews, with 4.5/5 from 2,500+ reviews for photos. Hours: Open daily. Prices: Free. Insider tip: Sunset photos.
7) San Basilio de Palenque – Palenque's Afro-Colombian Village Palenque
Location: San Basilio de Palenque, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
San Basilio is cultural in the best Cartagena attractions, with 4.5/5 from 2,000+ reviews for heritage. Hours: Daily 9 AM–5 PM. Prices: COP 15,000. Insider tip: Guided tour COP 50,000.
8) Plaza de Bolívar – Centro's Historic Square Centro
Location: Plaza de Bolívar, Centro Histórico, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Plaza de Bolívar is historic in the top Cartagena attractions locations reviews, with 4.5/5 from 1,800+ reviews for statues. Hours: Open daily. Prices: Free. Insider tip: Coffee at corner café.
9) Volcán de Lodo El Totumo – Totumo's Mud Volcano Adventure Totumo
Location: Volcán de Lodo El Totumo, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Volcán de Lodo is adventure in the best Cartagena attractions, with 4.5/5 from 1,500+ reviews for mud bath. Hours: Daily 9 AM–5 PM. Prices: COP 40,000. Insider tip: Wear old clothes.
10) Las Bóvedas – Centro's Artisan Market Centro
Location: Las Bóvedas, Centro Histórico, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Las Bóvedas is market in the top Cartagena attractions locations reviews, with 4.5/5 from 1,200+ reviews for souvenirs. Hours: Daily 10 AM–6 PM. Prices: Free entry. Insider tip: Bargain for emeralds.
Top Hotels and Restaurants in Cartagena de Indias: Where to Stay and Eat
Stay at Movich Casa del Alférez (Centro, $150/night, 4.5/5). Eat at La Vitrola (Centro, COP 80,000/person, 4.5/5). See Cartagena Tourism, TripAdvisor Cartagena, and Lonely Pla
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