How to Spend 1 Day in Cartagena, Colombia

In 2019 I got to visit Cartagena as part of a Panama Canal cruise. It was somewhere I had wanted to visit for awhile and while one day wasn’t a lot of time, the Old Town area is quite small so I got to see and do more than expected. That being said, I still returned in 2024 and spent a few days exploring and can now confidently share what I think are the must-sees and highlights. So, for anyone else who finds themselves in this colourful city for only a short period of time, then here are my recommendations for how to spend 1 day in Cartagena, Colombia.

The Best Things to do in Cartagena in 1 Day

Explore Old Town

Old Town Cartagena is a UNESCO world heritage site and this area is what you’ve likely seen on those postcard-perfect photos popping up on your Instagram feed. Bright and colourful buildings, streets lined with flowering trees, and local women dressed in multi-coloured tiered skirts with fruit baskets balanced on your head (fun fact, these women are called Palenqueras and are protected by UNESCO).

Old Town Cartagena was the Cartagena that I was so excited to see and explore and despite the fact that it’s pretty compact, there’s quite a bit to see and do. You can walk the old town walls, check out the shops, grab some street food, and of course photograph the beautiful streets. Since Cartagena is so hot, the city is quiet in the afternoon but comes to life in the evening, especially when the sun goes down. Head to the main squares to see local dancers and watch the sunset from the walls. 

If you have time, I recommend taking a free walking tour. They run for about 3 hours but offer some great insight to the history and local culture of this vibrant city. I did one with this company and really enjoyed it.

Parque del Centenario

Love sloths, monkeys, and iguanas? Guess what? You can easily find them just outside the gates of Old Town Cartagena. That’s right, between Cartagena Old Town and Getsemani is a little Park called the Parque del Centenario and if you walk around inside (it’s free!) you’ll find sloths, monkeys, plenty of birds, and even some iguanas. You need to keep your eyes peeled to the trees though as they can be tricky to find! I went multiple times during my most recent visit and had helpful locals point them out to me. If you can’t spot them yourself, look for the crowds. Tour groups often come here as well and the guides are good at spotting them! 

Check Out Getsemani

Getsemani is known as one of the best local neighbourhoods in Cartagena for visitors to explore. It’s only about a ten-minute walk from the walls of Old Town and is known for its street art. In the past, this part of the city was known for crime and prostitution and crime, but today it’s lively and considered to be the hipster part of Cartagena and is one of the safest places in the city. During my second visit, I stayed in this neighbourhood and absolutely loved it. There’s some great street food and cafes and the streets come alive in the evening with little tiny bars and happy hour deals. 

Try the Local Food and Drink

You can’t spend one day in Cartagena without trying the local food and drink. There’s no shortages of places to get some, from street food vendors to restaurants. Old Town and Getsemani are both great spots to grab a bite to eat or a cold drink.

When it comes to foods to try, you’ll find plenty of options. If you are looking to try the street food, look for a spot that sells arepas which are local cornmeal type pancakes that are stuffed with meat, vegetables, or cheese. You can also find cevice vendors, along with carts selling beef or chicken skewers. If you would rather eat at a restaurant, then you might want to try La Cevicheria which was a favourite of the late Anthony Bourdain or if you aren’t into seafood head to Crepes & Waffles. The menu is varied and delicious but the main reason I love to recommend it is that it employs 92% women, most of which are single moms or women in need. It’s also a certified B-Corp.  

I also highly recommend trying the limonada de coco or coconut lemonade. It’s a popular refreshing (and non alcoholic) drink found across Colombia and was my favourite thing to drink during my time in the country. 

If You Have More Time

Step Back in Time at Castillo San Felipe De Barajas

Castillo San Felipe De Barajas is Cartagena’s famous fortress. It was built in the 1500s and expanded multiple times throughout the years. It’s said to be the greatest Spanish fortress ever built. Today, Castillo San Felipe De Barajas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must visit when in Cartagena.

There is a small fee to enter Castillo San Felipe (about $3USD) though for a little extra you can get an audio guide for your tour as well. It’s worth the extra couple of dollars to get the history and stories of pirates and battles as you walk the walls and explore the underground tunnels.

Castillo San Felipe De Barajas is best visited in the morning, so you can escape the hottest parts of the day.

Chocolate and Rum Tasting

Chocolate and Rume- need I say more? This was such a fun experience and I’m so glad I got to do it. We got to try several types of rum paired with different chocolates and wow I loved them all. The staff here was really fun as well. This was a highlight for me in Cartagena and I absolutely recommend if you have the time but you absolutely need to book in advance. It sells out quickly! Book here. 

Take a Day Trip to a Beach

Cartagena has a couple of beaches, but they aren’t great. So if you are craving some ocean time your best bet is to take a day trip. Some of the top options are:

• Rosario Islands & snorkelling by catamaran 
• Relaxing boat trip to Baru Island
• Cartagena to Isabela Islands 
• Cartagena Party Boat

Final Tips for One Day in Cartagena

Cartagena is a lot of fun, but remember, like with all other big cities you do need to be careful of your surroundings. Pickpockets and theft can be common here for those who don’t keep an eye on their belongings.

Colombia has a reputation for being dangerous, but I never once felt unsafe during either of my visits to Cartagena. That being said, I stuck to the touristic areas, explored during the day, and made sure I was aware of my belongings and surroundings at all times- as you should do in any city. After dark, I made sure to take Ubers and stay in the tourist zones. 

Visitors should also know that Colombia has their own currency (the Colombian Peso) however, American dollars are widely accepted here as well. The exchange rate may not be the best, but if you are only in Cartagena for one day then it’s probably easier to deal with the higher exchange rate then trying to find an ATM or currency exchange office (both of which normally come with fees anyway).

One day in Cartagena may not seem like a lot, but you’d be surprised at how much you can see and do in this short period of time. That being said, you’ll probably end up like me and want to go back!

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I have used esims around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA- they are super easy and you don’t risk losing your home sim! There are two brands I have used and recommend so I suggest comparing both. 

Airalo: download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.

Truely: This one is easier in that it’s a one-time download instead of downloading an esim for each country. It also allows you to hotspot and tether- which not all esims do. Check out options here.

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas. 

Looking for a travel buddy?

Check out my group trips!