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Things to do in Cartagena

A Colombian Caribbean city known for its walled old town, colorful colonial streets and beaches.

4 of the most-booked tours in Cartagena are listed below, rated 4.5 to 4.9 stars from more than 9,300 traveler reviews on GetYourGuide.

Updated September 23, 2026. Prices and availability come live from the partners when you click; ratings are re-checked on the date shown in the note at the end of the page.

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Top-rated tours in Cartagena

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Planning your trip to Cartagena

Best time to visit

The drier months from about December to April are the most comfortable, though it is hot and humid year-round. The Caribbean coast tends to see more rain in the autumn months, so pack for sudden showers.

How many days you need

Three to four days covers the walled Old Town, the lively Getsemani neighborhood and time by the sea. Add a day for a boat trip to the islands offshore.

Getting around

The walled city is compact and best explored on foot, ideally in the cooler early morning or evening. Taxis are common and often unmetered, so agree the fare before you get in. Ride-hailing apps can also work depending on the day.

What to skip

Unofficial offers from people approaching you on the street or beach, such as tours or rides, are worth declining politely. Book activities through your accommodation or a provider you have checked.

Where to stay in Cartagena

Hotels and vacation rentals around Cartagena with live prices from the big booking sites. Pick your dates on the map to compare.

Hotel map by our partner Stay22. If you book through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Best time to visit Cartagena

The most comfortable months in Cartagena are January to March and December, with average daytime highs of 88 to 91°F and 2 to 9 rainy days a month. March is the hottest month, averaging 91°F, and October the coolest at 85°F. October sees the most rain, around 26 days, while February is the driest with about 2.

Jan90°75°4 d
Feb90°76°2 d
Mar91°76°6 d
Apr89°77°15 d
May88°78°22 d
Jun86°78°24 d
Jul88°78°21 d
Aug86°78°24 d
Sep86°77°23 d
Oct85°77°26 d
Nov85°76°22 d
Dec88°76°9 d

Average daily high / low and days with rain, from Open-Meteo ERA5 records for 2019-2024. Highlighted months are the pick above.

Plan the rest of your trip to Cartagena

🏨Hotels in CartagenaCompare hotels and apartments through our partner RateHawk. 🚗Car rental near CartagenaCompare car rental prices for your trip with Discover Cars. ⛵Boat rental in CartagenaRent a boat or yacht, with or without a skipper, on SamBoat. 🎟️Museum and attraction ticketsSkip-the-line tickets for top sights in Cartagena, from Tiqets. ✈️Flights to CartagenaCompare airfares on Trip.com and search your route. 🛎️Hotels in Cartagena on Trip.comCompare hotels and homes in Cartagena for your dates. 🏩Hotels in Cartagena on ExpediaCompare hotel prices and reviews on Expedia for your dates. 🎡Things to do in Cartagena on ExpediaTours, tickets and activities you can book on Expedia. 🏡Vacation rentals in Cartagena on VrboWhole homes, villas and apartments with room for everyone. 🚖Airport transfer in CartagenaPre-book a driver who meets you at arrivals, from Welcome Pickups. 🧭Transfer, taxi or rideshare?Our guide to choosing the best ride from the airport into Cartagena. 🧳Luggage storage in CartagenaDrop your bags at a nearby shop or hotel and explore hands-free, with Radical Storage. 🙋Private local guideCustomizable private tours with vetted local guides from GoWithGuide. 📱eSIM data planGet mobile data before you land, with Airalo. 📶eSIM, roaming or local SIM?Our guide to staying connected on a short trip to Cartagena. 🛡️Travel insuranceCompare travel medical and cancellation cover with HelloSafe. ⏱️Flight delayed or cancelled?Check if you are owed compensation, with AirHelp. ✦Ask our AI conciergeTell us how many days you have and what you enjoy, and get a plan for Cartagena. 🏨Hotels in Cartagena on AgodaCompare hotel prices and reviews on Agoda, via our partner Stay22.🔎Compare hotels in Cartagena on KAYAKSearch and compare hundreds of hotel sites at once, via our partner Stay22.🛂Do you need a visa for Cartagena, Colombia?Check entry requirements and apply online with eVisas.com, a private visa service (service fee applies).

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Cartagena: common questions

When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
The most comfortable stretch is January to March and December, when average highs run 88 to 91°F with 2 to 9 rainy days a month. March is the hottest month at 91°F on average, and October the coolest at 85°F.
What is the rainiest month in Cartagena?
October, with roughly 26 days of rain. The driest is February, with about 2. Both are averages from 2019-2024 records.
How warm does it get in Cartagena?
July averages 88°F by day and 78°F at night, and January averages 90°F and 75°F. In the southern hemisphere those two are reversed.
How do I book tours, a hotel or an airport transfer in Cartagena?
Everything on this page books through our travel partners: top-rated tours and tickets, hotels, car rental, airport transfers, an eSIM and travel insurance. Voyaggora earns a commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you, and our AI concierge can put a day-by-day plan together first.

Some links on this page are sponsored: if you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ratings and review counts come from GetYourGuide and were last checked on September 23, 2026. Prices, availability and rules are set by the providers and change often. See our affiliate disclosure.