Plan your Cartagena, Colombia vacation

Cartagena is a Caribbean jewel where a UNESCO-listed walled city meets turquoise island beaches, vibrant street art in Getsemani, and a food scene built on fresh ceviche, arepas de huevo, and coconut rice. Groups who want history, beach days, and late-night dancing will find it all here at prices that stretch every dollar.

Below is a sample itinerary generated by Roamly's AI based on example group preferences. Create a free account to get a personalized plan for your group.

Example group preferences

Sample preferences for Cartagena

Budget: $800 to $1,500 per person
Adventure level: 55/100 (Balanced)
Interests: beach, cultural, food, nightlife, history
Trip length: 5 days
Notes: Group of friends wanting a Caribbean getaway with a mix of beach days, exploring the old walled city, street food, and nightlife in Getsemani

Cartagena on the map

Walled City (Centro Historico)GetsemaniBocagrandeCastillo San FelipePlaza de la Trinidad

AI-generated Cartagena itinerary

Dates

•July is part of Cartagena's dry/low-wind season with lower humidity than the rainy months (August through November), making it ideal for beach days and island excursions with calmer seas around Islas del Rosario
•July is also shoulder season for tourism compared to the December-January peak, meaning slightly better hotel rates and fewer crowds at popular attractions like Castillo San Felipe
•5 days is an excellent length for Cartagena, enough time to cover the Walled City, a full island day trip, Getsemani nightlife, and beach relaxation without feeling rushed
•Cartagena's Caribbean heat peaks in July at roughly 88-95 degrees F (31-35 degrees C), so early morning and evening activity scheduling is strongly recommended throughout the itinerary

Budget

•The estimated cost of ~$1,100 per person (excluding airfare) comfortably fits within the $800-$1,500 budget range and leaves meaningful buffer for optional upgrades, extra drinks, or souvenir shopping
•The largest daily expense is Day 3 (Islas del Rosario boat trip plus nicer dinner) at ~$195 per person, representing the trip's premium experience and strong value for a full-day private island excursion
•Accommodation is the biggest overall cost driver: budget travelers choosing hostel-style options (~$50/night) will land closer to $850 total, while those choosing mid-range boutique hotels (~$150/night) will land around $1,100-$1,200
•Cartagena's food scene is extremely affordable. Street food, local fonditas, and fresh seafood keep meal costs low, and Colombian beer costs $1.50-3 USD per bottle, making the nightlife budget very manageable

Cartagena

Colombia

92% match

Cartagena is the ultimate Caribbean escape combining a UNESCO-listed walled city packed with colonial history, vibrant street art and nightlife in Getsemani, pristine island beaches at Islas del Rosario, and an incredible street food scene, all within a budget-friendly destination that perfectly matches a group seeking culture, beaches, and after-dark fun.

~$1,100 / person (excl. airfare)

2026-07-06 to 2026-07-11

Day 1

~$145/person

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel or a local cafe in the Walled City, pan de bono and tinto (coffee) (~$6 per person) / Lunch at La Cevicheria (Calle Stuart, San Diego) for world-famous ceviche and fresh seafood (~$18 per person) / Dinner at Carmen Restaurant (San Diego) for upscale Colombian cuisine to kick off the trip (~$40 per person)

Day 2

~$155/person

Meals: Breakfast: arepas de huevo and fresh fruit juice from a street cart near the Torre del Reloj (~$6 per person) / Lunch: fresh grilled fish and patacones at a beachside kiosk in Bocagrande (~$12 per person) / Dinner: La Peppa Grill in Getsemani for casual Colombian grilled meats and local beers (~$22 per person)

Day 3

~$195/person

Meals: Breakfast: grab an empanada and coffee before the early boat departure (~$5 per person) / Lunch: fresh whole grilled fish, coconut rice, and patacones at a beachside restaurant on Isla Grande (~$18 per person) / Dinner: La Vitrola (Walled City) for a celebratory seafood dinner with live Cuban music (~$45 per person)

Day 4

~$175/person

Meals: Breakfast at El Boliche Cebicheria y Sangucheria near the Walled City (~$9 per person) / Lunch: light street snacks, try bunuelos, cocadas, and fresh fruit from vendors around Plaza de los Coches (~$7 per person) / Dinner: casual dinner before the night out at a Getsemani restaurant with generous portions and cold Club Colombia beer (~$20 per person)

Day 5

~$175/person

Meals: Breakfast: full Colombian breakfast (calentado, eggs, fresh juice) at a local fondita near your hotel (~$8 per person) / Lunch: whole fried mojarra fish, coconut rice, and cold beer at a rustic palapa restaurant at La Boquilla beach (~$14 per person) / Dinner: splurge farewell dinner at Celele Restaurant (Getsemani), modern Caribbean-Colombian tasting menu (~$50 per person)

Where to stay

Travel tips

!Best transport within the city is tuk-tuks (mototaxis) and yellow taxis. Always agree on a price before getting in; most rides within the city center should be 5,000-15,000 COP (~$1.50-4 USD) per person
!The Walled City and Getsemani are walkable but extremely hot and humid. Plan outdoor sightseeing for early mornings (before 11am) or late afternoons (after 4pm) and carry water at all times
!Book the Islas del Rosario boat trip in advance through a reputable operator like Aviatur or a hotel-recommended agency to avoid aggressive touts at Muelle de los Pegasos; licensed trips depart at 8am sharp
!Getsemani is a vibrant and increasingly safe neighborhood but use standard big-city awareness at night. Stay on lit streets, keep phones discreet, and travel in your group rather than solo
!Colombia uses the Colombian Peso (COP); use ATMs inside shopping malls or banks rather than street ATMs, and notify your bank before travel. The exchange rate makes Cartagena very affordable, with most street meals and beers costing under $3 USD

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