South America· 10.4°N 75.5°W
CartagenaColombia
A walled Caribbean colonial city with bright façades, warm nights and islands offshore.
The vibe
BeachyRomanticEnergeticHistoricArtsy
Derived from Cartagena’s strongest Destination DNA attributes.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Region
- South America
- City size
- Large city
- English
- Low
Where is Cartagena?
Why you might like Cartagena
- Historic landmarks
- Beach
- Warm & sunny
- Island
- Nightlife
- Food
Cartagena's old town is a compact grid of balconies, bougainvillea and colonial churches inside seventeenth-century walls, with Getsemaní next door for bars and street art. Boats run out to the Rosario Islands for clear water, and it stays hot and humid all year.
Cartagena in facts
- Country
- Colombia
- Region
- South America
- City size
- Large city · ~1M residents
- English proficiency
- Low · 480/800
Urban area population · UN World Urbanization Prospects and national statistics offices, 2024
Country-level score · EF English Proficiency Index 2025
Why Cartagena stands out
The walled Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encircled by centuries-old Spanish colonial fortifications.
Balconied houses in pastel colors line narrow streets shaded by bougainvillea in the historic center.
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is one of the largest Spanish fortifications built in the Americas.
Getsemani neighborhood, once a working-class quarter, is now known for street art and rooftop bars.
Good to know
- The city is hot and humid year-round, with a rainier season roughly from May to November.
- The Rosario Islands are reachable by boat for day trips from Cartagena's harbor.
- Walking the walled city is best done in early morning or evening to avoid peak heat.
Who Cartagena suits
Best for
- Beach time
- Couples
- History and heritage
- Arts and museums
- Nightlife
Based on how Cartagena scores across the Destination DNA attributes shown below.
Attribute fit · 0–10
Destination DNA
Cartagena stands out most for Beach, Romance, Heritage & History and Museums & Arts.
How strongly Cartagena fits each travel attribute, from 0 to 10. These are attribute-fit scores, not an overall rating.
- Beach
- 9.5/10
- Romance
- 9/10
- Heritage & History
- 8.5/10
- Museums & Arts
- 8.5/10
- Nature
- 7.5/10
- Outdoors / Adventure
- 5/10
- Food
- 7/10
- Nightlife
- 8.5/10
- Activities
- 8.5/10
- Family
- 8/10
- Budget
- 8/10
- Walkability
- 7/10
Why this score?Hide explanation
Colombia Travel highlights Cartagena's Caribbean coastline, nearby islands and beaches such as those around Barú and the Rosario Islands.
Why this score?Hide explanation
The walled city, plazas, balconies, Caribbean sunsets and waterfront dining create a strong couples-oriented profile.
Why this score?Hide explanation
Heritage and historic sights is central to what Cartagena is known for, supported by its history and historic landmarks tags in Destination Finder's profile.
Why this score?Hide explanation
Museums and the arts scene is one of the main reasons travellers choose Cartagena, supported by its museums and art & architecture tags in Destination Finder's profile.
Why this score?Hide explanation
Colombia Travel highlights nearby islands, Caribbean waters, mangroves and coastal natural environments.
Why this score?Hide explanation
Outdoor activity and adventure is a solid, everyday part of what Cartagena offers rather than its headline draw, supported by its diving and water activities tags in Destination Finder's profile.
Why this score?Hide explanation
Colombia Travel highlights Caribbean cuisine, seafood, local markets and Cartagena's restaurant scene.
Why this score?Hide explanation
The official guide highlights bars, salsa, live music, clubs and evening life within and around the walled city.
Why this score?Hide explanation
Official tourism covers historic walks, islands, boat trips, museums, beaches and cultural experiences.
Why this score?Hide explanation
Colombia Travel highlights beaches, museums, historic streets, islands and family-friendly cultural experiences.
Why this score?Hide explanation
Value for money plays a prominent role in what Cartagena offers, supported by its budget friendly and backpacking tags in Destination Finder's profile.
Why this score?Hide explanation
Getting around on foot plays a prominent role in what Cartagena offers, supported by its walkable tag in Destination Finder's profile.
Experience
A feel for Cartagena
The three sides of Cartagena that come through most strongly in its Destination DNA.
Coast & water
beach
Slow & romantic
romantic
History & streets
historic landmarks · history
Current affordability
Current conditions · updated live
Weather now
Weather data by WeatherAPI.com
Travel conditions
Current environmental conditions in Cartagena — UV, air quality and daylight, in local time.
UV index
0 · Low
Air quality
Good · US EPA index 1
Sunrise
05:52
Sunset
18:15
Daylight
12h 23m
UV uses the WHO global solar UV index; air quality uses the US EPA AQI category scale. Updated 2026-08-24 21:15 local time. Data by WeatherAPI.com
7-day forecast
Daily outlook for Cartagena, in destination-local dates.
Today
Thundery outbreaks in nearby
30° / 26°
Rain 31%
Tuesday
Overcast
31° / 27°
Rain 51%
Wednesday
Overcast
30° / 27°
Rain 82%
Thursday
Thundery outbreaks in nearby
30° / 27°
Rain 64%
Friday
Patchy rain nearby
30° / 27°
Rain 62%
Saturday
Thundery outbreaks in nearby
30° / 28°
Rain 78%
Sunday
Thundery outbreaks in nearby
30° / 28°
Rain 82%
Temperatures in °C. Data by WeatherAPI.com
Typical climate
Long-term average monthly temperatures in Cartagena — climatological averages, not live conditions or a forecast.
- Jan27.2°C
- Feb27.8°C
- Mar28°C
- Apr27.8°C
- May27.5°C
- Jun27.5°C
- Jul27.4°C
- Aug27.4°C
- Sep27.1°C
- Oct26.7°C
- Nov26.7°C
- Dec26.9°C
Average monthly temperature in °C. Climate data: GeoRank / CHELSA v2.1 · 1981-2010
What is Cartagena best for?
Nature & Outdoors
- Beach
- Island
Climate & Season
- Tropical
- Warm & sunny
- Water activities
City & Entertainment
- Nightlife
- Live music
Culture & History
- History
- Museums
- Art & architecture
- Historic landmarks
Activities & Interests
- Diving
Food & Lifestyle
- Food
- Local markets
Trip Type
- Romantic
- Backpacking
Practical
- Budget friendly
- Walkable
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