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Things to do in Cartagena

Explore labyrinthine cobbled alleys and walk past historic city walls while visiting this Caribbean gem.

Our most recommended things to do in Cartagena

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

1. Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

Set sail for the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park on a full-day tour from Cartagena. The catamaran departs from the Muelle de la Bodeguita pier in front of the walled city. After your welcome drink, enjoy the journey to the Rosario Islands, sailing and motor sailing on the catamaran. The vessel is equipped with comfortable seats, where you can sit both in the shade and in the sun. There is a bar service on board, so you can enjoy a variety of soft drinks throughout the excursion.  Experience paradise with a stop in front of an idyllic beach of turquoise waters and white sands, where you can swim and play with fun inflatables. Practice snorkeling, if you wish, and admire the fascinating underwater life with colorful tropical fish and various types of coral. The crew will prepare a delicious lunch for you to enjoy on board while you sail back to Cartagena at the end of a relaxing day.

Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Experience

2. Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Experience

Discover the natural landscapes of Colombia on this guided excursion. Visit Santa Catalina, and bathe yourself in the purifying mud of the volcano. As the minivan leaves town, hear some curious facts about Cartagena's history and some tips to ensure a better experience at the mud volcano. The trip to Santa Catalina, another beautiful Colombian city and the location of the volcano, lasts around 45 minutes. Upon arrival at the volcanic zone, be greeted by the owner of a small nearby restaurant. Then, prepare for a unique experience as you climb the 50 steps that surround the volcano; remember to wear old clothing as the mud can be rough on delicate materials. Immerse yourself in the volcanic mud, reaping the health benefits for your skin from the millions of minerals. Some people say afterward, you'll appear 10 years younger. Inside the volcano, you can float thanks to the high number of minerals present. There will be some locals around offering massages for an extra price of 2 USD. Outside of the volcano, pay to get your photo taken for another 2 USD. When the soaking is over, head to the lake for a shower.  Before continuing back to the city, enjoy a typical snack in a rustic restaurant. Get dropped off at your hotel.

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

3. Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

Experience clear blue waters, white sand, and awesome corals on a day tour to the Corales del Rosario National Park. Discover the group of islands on the coast of Colombia, a perfect natural environment to have fun and relax. Start the day from the meeting point and after a speedboat ride, explore the fortress on Bocachica island. Continue to a relaxing private island where beach chairs and umbrellas await you. Spend time in the sun and have a seafood cocktail or lemonade in one of the most beautiful places you will visit. Afterward, continue to Cholon to enjoy a mini party in the water with music, drinks, and people from other boats. Finally, stop at Playa Blanca in Barú Island, where there will be a more private space waiting for you away from the main concentration of boats and vendors. Here, eat a typical island lunch and spend the rest of the day on the beach, relaxing and swimming, before returning to Cartagena.

Cartagena: Private Boat Tour Around the Islands

4. Cartagena: Private Boat Tour Around the Islands

Explore the beautiful and stunning islands along the Caribbean coastline with this private boat hire in Cartagena. Choose from a variety of yachts and speedboats ranging from 29 feet (8.8 meters) to 62 feet (18.9 meters) long that accommodate up to 10-18 people. With the help of your captain, plan your own personalized itinerary based on your interests and sightseeing wishes. Cruise along the islands on your private boat and combine relaxation, pleasure, and fun. At any time, feel free to request to stop for lunch, visit beaches, or be taken to a secluded area to enjoy some time for swimming in the sea. Play your favorite tunes on the boat's fully equipped sound system to ensure the perfect soundtrack to your day. With your own private boat for just you and your group, what you see and what you do is entirely up to you.

From Cartagena: Day Trip to Playa Blanca with Lunch

5. From Cartagena: Day Trip to Playa Blanca with Lunch

Enjoy a paradisiacal day relaxing on the white sand beach of Baru Island's aptly-named Playa Blanca. After getting picked up from the los Pegasos dock, take a 1-hour journey in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan to Baru. Begin the day with pickup at the meeting point at 6:40 am. Be accompanied by a bilingual who will provide you with a fruit salad for you to snack on along the way. Ride in a climate-controlled vehicle and arrive on Baru Island at around 8:00 AM. Take a 5 minute walk along the shore of the beach until we get to the Mambo Beach Club restaurant which is located in front of the beach. Upon arrival be welcomed by the Mambo team. Be provided with beach chairs, huts, bathrooms and lockers (subject to availability). In the afternoon, savor a delicious lunch with several options including vegetarian and meat dishes. If none of the options take your fancy feel free to order anything else on the menu and only pay the difference. Head back to the beach after lunch to relax for another few hours before beginning the journey back to Cartagena in the evening.

Cartagena: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour & Optional Attractions

6. Cartagena: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour & Optional Attractions

Located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, few places on Earth are as beautiful as Cartagena. Sightseeing in this astounding city is a hugely enjoyable experience, offering both modernity and history. There is something to suit all tastes. From beautiful architecture to striking monuments, there is plenty of inspiring sightseeing opportunities while on your City Sightseeing bus tour. Discover all of beautiful Cartagena in 14 bus stops, as you explore the city's beautiful architecture and striking monuments in the most flexible and enjoyable way. Visit key sites in the city, such as the Clock Tower, the San Felipe Fortress, the walled city, the Rafael Núñez House, Rio Casino, and much more. With the many stops along the way, there are things to suit all tastes, including a complimentary walking tour inside the walled city, starting every day at 4:00 PM in front of the clock tower (stop 4). Choose between a 1-day pass and a 2-day pass. Take advantage of adapting your day along the routes between 9:00 AM and 7:30 PM. If you prefer, remain on the bus tour for the entire loop, listening to the informative audio commentary. You will see palaces, monasteries, plazas, and beautiful overhanging balconies, as well as Colombia's major seaside resorts, where you can enjoy beaches and scuba diving opportunities. Stops 1. Muelle de la Bodeguita 2. Centro de Convenciones 3. San Sebastian del Pastelillo 4. Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower) 5. Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas 6. Rafael Nunez Museum 7. Boquetillo (entrance to the Walled City) 8. San Francisco (entrance to the Walled City) 9. Plaza Bogrande 10. Avenida San Martin 11. Casino Rio 12. Hotel Caribe 13. Hotel Hilton 14. Iglesia de Castillo Grande

Cartagena de Indias: 2-Hour Sunset Cruise

7. Cartagena de Indias: 2-Hour Sunset Cruise

For the most romantic evening, this sunset cruise excursion is ideal. Leave at 5:00 PM from the Muelle de la Bodeguita pier in front of the walled city. Enjoy the relaxing but at the same time exciting sailing through the Bay of Cartagena de Indias. Accompanied by good music, enjoy a non-alcoholic cocktail or a soft drink and a delicious appetizer in a magical atmosphere. Watch the sunset and the lighting of the spectacular skyline of the city of Cartagena while you sail into the night.  The itinerary of the tour includes departure from the Bodeguita Dock/Pegasos Dock, located in front of the walled city of Cartagena. First sail between Manga and Bocagrande neighborhood. Then continue sailing between Castillo Grande and Manzanillo Island. Enjoy the sunset while sailing between El Laguito neighborhood and Tierrabomba Island. Then sail back to the departure point.

Cartagena: Sunset Cruise with Open Bar

8. Cartagena: Sunset Cruise with Open Bar

Discover Cartagena in a unique way. Sail around the bay while you enjoy the bar and restaurant on board the Sibarita Express Yacht. Benefit from an open bar with a nice musical background and the services of the lovely crew. Sit back and relax as your boat comes to a stop on the open water so you can watch the sunset. You will be welcomed by the lovely crew and set sail a short while later. Take in a panoramic view of the modern area of Bocagrande and arrive at the lighthouse. From there, head to Castillogrande, the most prestigious area of the city, to see the sunset on the ocean. Once the sun has set, head back to the inner bay where you can enjoy the night views of the modern area of Bocagrande and the residential neighborhoods of Manga and Getsemani. Finally, prepare to be welcomed back to the pier with a breathtaking view of the old city at night.

Cartagena: Party Boat to Cholon Island

9. Cartagena: Party Boat to Cholon Island

Enjoy a different experience of the Caribbean waters on this party boat tour to Cholon Island. Join one of the biggest weekend events in the area and delight in a day full of great music, drinks, and beautiful views and people. Soak up the all-round great vibes in the most incredible location, just a 45-minute boat ride from the city of Cartagena. After making your way to the meeting point, set off from Cartagena toward Cholon Island. Once there, dance waist-deep in the crystal clear water of the Caribbean Sea as reggaeton and electronic music blast out over the sound system. Keep the party going with an open bar of Colombian rum, beers, soft drinks, and water. Lunch is included, with red snapper fish and chicken available. This is a true island party experience for tourists and Colombians alike. At the end of the tour, return to Cartagena delightfully tanned, tipsy, and in the right mood to hit the town after.

Cartagena: Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine

10. Cartagena: Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine

Climb aboard a beautiful yacht and enjoy a 2-hour cruise along the calm waters of Cartagena Bay. Sit back and take in the amazing views of the colonial city from the water. Get a panoramic view of the palm-lined promenades of the upscale neighborhood of Bocagrande as you sail towards the lighthouse. Continue to the elegant district of Castillogrande, and then head back to the inner bay. Soak up the night views of the cruise ship port and residential neighborhoods of Manga and Getsemani. Continue back to the departure pier and enjoy breathtaking views of the old city at night. Enjoy a 3 or 4-course meal. Choose from a menu of seafood risotto, beef in wine sauce or noodles with beef, chicken or shrimp as your main dish. Relax to the sound of background music and experience the magic of the city after dark.

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What people are saying about Cartagena

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2,619 reviews

We were hesitant to book this experience, but glad we did. Yes, it is a very touristy activity, but being in the mud is an experience that's hard to describe, therefore you'll have to experience it for yourself. Being in the mud feels incredible! It's about a one-hour drive to the area, you leave your bags with the guide and head up to the mud pit. Once inside you'll spend about 20-minutes getting massaged and hanging out in the mud, then it's to the lake to get cleaned up. After that, you'll be served a beverage and an empanada. Plus, you can give your phone to one of the guys and he will take a ton of pictures of your group. A very nice service. Overall, it was an inexpensive, unique activity.

Best excursion we had during our stay in Cartagena. Don't be fooled by tourist trap excursions that involve any type of shared speedboat transportation to the Rosario Islands. The Catamaran Bona Vida is the best option. Professional, organized, beautiful, fun and so much more. An absolute 10/10! Thank you Equipo Bona Vida for such a wonderful and memorabile day.

This was one of the best things I did during my stay in Cartagena. The staff were all very friendly, and they definitely kept the rum with lemonades coming! Very relaxing sail to the end of the peninsula, where you watch the sunset, and sail back to the pier, looking at Cartagena's buildings lit up. Highly recommend, especially if you drink rum.

Exactly as advertised. Romantic, beautiful views, party vibe on the boat, don't miss it. If you're single though, try to get friendly with a group as the seating is set up for small groups.

Einer was an excellent guide and the tour was a great start to our day! Recommended for sure!!