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Going Places: Destinations |
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Cartagena de Indias is a city with many sides, all of them remarkable. In the old walled city, colorful colonial-style buildings line the streets and balconies overflow with bougainvillea. The nearby neighborhood of Getsemaní is a story of resilience and transformation. Once known as a dangerous part of town, Getsemaní now offers some of the best hotels, nightlife, and street art, while still being home to many Cartageneros.
Bocagrande, on the other hand, is the posh beachfront part of the city that gives off serious Miami vibes with its skyscraper-filled skyline.
Together, these very different neighborhoods capture the essence of Cartagena: a lively Caribbean city where history and modernity collide and beauty can be found in both the natural and the manmade. Read more in Jessica Poitevien’s Guide to Cartagena.
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Never miss a deal to Cartagena! Head to the Going app to find deals around $332 roundtrip (that's 55% off the regular price).
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One visit to Cartagena likely won’t be enough, between its traditions, history, posh beachfront, and creative energy. Still, here’s where you should start. |
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The walled city (Ciudad Amurallada): The historic heart of Cartagena, a UNESCO site packed with colorful colonial architecture, baroque churches, and centuries of history. Built by Spain to defend its treasure-filled port city from pirates and rival empires.
- San Felipe Fortress: One of the largest Spanish fortifications in the Americas. A statue of one-armed, one-legged, one-eyed naval hero Blas de Lezo guards the front.
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Getsemaní: Neighborhood once considered rough around the edges, now Cartagena’s creative heart, with street art, boutique hotels, nightlife, and some of the city’s best food.
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Bocagrande: The beach district, with high-rise hotels and a long stretch of Caribbean shoreline. Great for people-watching, seafood, and sunset views.
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Inquisition Palace: Palace turned museum, and a fascinating, sobering history lesson on the Spanish Inquisition. The building itself is one of the finest examples of Spanish colonial Baroque architecture in Colombia.
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Champeta: Born in Cartagena's Afro-Colombian community in the 1970s, and blends Colombian rhythms with West African sounds into something the government once tried to ban for being too sexy. It didn't work, and now it’s topping charts.
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The fruit sellers who made history
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If you see smiling women beckoning you to take a photo as they balance fruit baskets on their heads, you’ve met a Palenquera. They’re often thought of as the quintessential Cartagena photo op, but there’s much more to their story.
San Basilio de Palenque was founded in the 17th century by Africans who had escaped slavery and created this hidden town on the outskirts of Cartagena. In 1603, it became the first free Black settlement in the Americas. When slavery ended, the fiercely independent women of Palenque began selling fruits in the city to earn a living. The Palenqueras of today are the descendants of these women.
–Jessica Poitevien, Going contributing writer
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Cartagena’s food is a product of its coastline and history, bursting with Afro-Colombian flavors, fresh seafood, and coconut everything. |
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Coconut rice and whole fried fish: Consider it the definitive Cartagena beach lunch. Simple and fresh, paired with fried plantains and salad.
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Coconut limeade: The local alternative to a piña colada. Refreshing, not too sweet, and the perfect antidote to a hot Caribbean afternoon.
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Sancocho: A hearty fish soup, often made with coconut milk. Cartageneros swear by it as the ultimate hangover cure, but it's worth eating any time.
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Arepas: Start your mornings with arepas, a traditional corn cake stuffed with eggs and sometimes cheese (arepa de huevo). Commonly eaten with a cafe con leche (sweet milky coffee) or hot chocolate at breakfast.
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World-renowned coffee: Cartagena's cafés are a great place to slow down and sip one of the country's most celebrated exports.
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Why visit Cartagena in 2026 |
Heading into summer, when jet fuel prices and demand are pushing fares up to the rest of the world, routes to the Caribbean are quietly on sale.
Why? Hurricane season runs June through November, and it's usually enough to spook a decent chunk of travelers away from the region in summer. Airlines know this, so they price accordingly.
What most people don't realize is that "hurricane season" is a blanket term that doesn't tell the whole story. Not every destination carries the same risk. Some sit below the hurricane belt and see the occasional afternoon shower. Others have no real off-season to speak of.
Cartagena is one of those. In fact, deals are looking both abundant and significantly cheaper than we’ve seen in years, so if you've been wanting to get away this summer but balking at what it's going to cost you, this could be your chance to capture both the international experience and a deal worth jumping on.
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Hey, Limited member. You currently only see domestic deals. Upgrade to Premium now for deals to Cartagena and other international destinations! |
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Good to know
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Budget: $$$$$
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When to go: Dec–Apr (dry season, more tourists), May–Nov (higher precipitation, lower costs)
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Family friendly:
★★★☆☆
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Public transportation:
★★☆☆☆
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English speaking:
★★☆☆☆
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Main language(s): Spanish
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Global Peace Index rank: Colombia ranks #140 out of 163 countries. Cartagena is generally considered safe for tourists, especially in popular areas like the historic walled city, Bocagrande, and Getsemaní. As with any major city, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and pickpockets in crowded areas, and avoid poorly lit or less-crowded areas at night.
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LGBTQ+ Equality Index rank: Colombia ranks #24 in the world with a score of 71/100. Cartagena is considered relatively LGBTQ+ friendly, especially in more tourist-centric areas. The city has a growing LGBTQ+ community, and many local businesses, restaurants, and bars are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers.
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CTG flight price history:
Average Going deal: $332 roundtrip
Normal ticket price: $735 roundtrip
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