Cartagena is the perfect location for a girl’s weekend getaway.

Just a quick flight from the United States, Cartagena is one of South America’s most accessible cities for Americans to visit. The city is vibrant, energetic, hot, and welcoming. Importantly, female travelers should feel comfortable visiting Cartagena – alone or with a group of their best girlfriends!

Cartagena offers many activities and sights to fill a long weekend. The historic Walled City, and its trendy neighbor – Getsemaní, are a maze of colorful buildings disguising boutique shops, trendy restaurants, chic cocktail bars, and a plethora of hotels.

Cartagena is so photogenic that you and your friends will find it impossible to keep your iPhones away. Beyond the Walled City and Getsmaní, a day trip to one of the beautiful Rosario Islands rounds out the ultimate international girl’s weekend.

In this blog post I reminisce about the weekend I spent with my best girlfriend in Cartagena and list all the itinerary details that made the trip one of my most memorable girl’s trips yet!

Calle Cochera del Hobo – One of Cartagena’s Many Instagrammable streets

How Many Days in Cartagena

One of the reasons I love Cartagena is because it is an easy city to visit! I don’t mean that traveling there is easy (although that too!). What I mean is that the city doesn’t demand more than a couple of days of your time to explore and fall in love.

Anywhere from three to five days is the right amount of time! With this quantity of days, travelers will feel more than satisfied with their time in the Walled City and Getsmaní as well as have enough days for one to two-day trips outside of Cartagena.

The travel time required to reach Cartagena should always be a consideration. Travel to Cartagena is faster if you live on the east coast of the US. It is seriously just a four-hour flight from Miami! If you are coming from the west coast, you may want to add an extra day to make the travel time worth it. But only if that is important to you.

The Ultimate Girls Weekend Itinerary in Cartagena

All locations described in this blog post are pinned on the Google Map above. 

Side note: I’m in my thirties and married, so this itinerary is fairly tame and meant to focus on learning about the city and its culture, eating amazing food, enjoying cocktails, shopping, and relaxing. If you’re looking for information on late-night activities, like clubbing and the Chiva party buses, this isn’t the best blog for your planning purposes.

Monumento torre del Reloj

Arrival to Cartagena

The city of Cartagena is serviced by the Rafael Núñez International Airport. It is a quick 15-minute drive from the Walled City and Getsemani neighborhoods.

The easiest way to reach your hotel from the airport is by official taxi. The airport has two official taxi stands. Visitors can scan a QR code at the stand which will provide the current rate depending on their destination. In 2023, it cost 17,400 COP ($4.52) to go from the Airport to the Walled City. Have exact change ready or round up.

The airport website is helpful and has an English translation option. If you need to use an ATM before leaving the airport, there is an ATM in the Departures Terminal before Security.

If connecting through Bogotá, you will go through immigration and customs before catching your domestic flight to Cartagena. Immigration and customs in Cartagena is a smaller operation and usually faster than in Bogotá.

Check-in at Hotel Bantu By Faranda Boutique

From the airport head directly to your hotel to check-in, change clothes, and refresh after travel.

Cartagena is a major tourist destination. And with that title comes a lot of hotel options. For our girl’s weekend, we elected to stay at the charming Hotel Bantu By Faranda Boutique in the Walled City.

The three primary reasons we chose Hotel Bantu were:

• Two Queen Beds: Many hotels in Cartagena (and this is true of much of South America) don’t offer two double or queen beds in rooms. It is more common to have only a single queen or king-sized bed or two twins or a mix of both. As two adult women we didn’t want to share a bed nor did twin-size beds sound very appetizing.
• Rooftop Pool: It is very, very hot in Cartagena. Even if you think you won’t have time to use a pool during your stay, it was so incredibly nice to be able to cool off in the pool after a hot and humid day touring around Cartagena. Plus many hotels have amazing views from their rooftops.
• Moderate Price: At approx. $180 per night, Hotel Bantu is considered a mid-range hotel in Cartagena. Our room was spacious, had excellent AC, and comfortable beds. Breakfast is also included in the rate. Hotel Bantu By Faranda Boutique is a member of Radisson Individuals and Choice Hotels.

It is also available for booking on Amex Travel.

For more hotel suggestions in Cartagena, jump below to Where to Stay in Cartagena.

Late Lunch at La Cevichería

Fans of Anthony Bourdain would have seen La Cevichería during season four of No Reservations when Bourdain spent time in Cartagena. Since this episode, La Cevichería has gained a following.

La Cevichería’s dishes are generous so beware of over-ordering. If you couldn’t tell by the name, the plate to get here is ceviche. They also serve a variety of hot seafood dishes.

If the Colombian heat is already getting to you, I suggest ordering a refreshing Limonada de Coco (nonalcoholic) or one of La Cevichería’s many cocktails on the menu.

Sunset Drinks at Cafe Del Mar

Cafe Del Mar is one of the city’s best spots to catch the sunset. However, it doesn’t come without crowds and steep prices.

Cafe Del Mar opens at 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday and at 4 pm on Friday through Sunday. A line to enter can form 30 minutes before opening. The sunset sets in Cartagena between 6 pm and 7 pm depending on the time of year.

Cafe Del Mar’s atmosphere is lively. All seating is outside on a roped-off patio. Only the bar and kitchen are covered. The patio offers 180-degree views of the ocean and sunset.

Outside drinks including water are prohibited.

Townhouse is another excellent bar where you can watch the sunset over Cartagena on your first day.

Café Del Mar’s Packed Patio

Dinner at Carmen Cartagena

Cartagena restaurants know how to do elegant aesthetics, delicious food, and strong cocktails.

Carmen Cartagena is no exception.  Everything about Carmen Cartagena is beautiful and inviting. The dim lighting, comfortable seating, and soft jazz set the mood for a wonderful first-night dining experience.

Their menu highlights the flavors and ingredients of the Colombian Carribean. 

To drink, I highly recommend the El Dorado mezcal cocktail. Carmen Cartagena also has a large wine list. For starters, order the Ensalada Caribe or the Langosta. For the main dishes, we enjoyed the Pargo Platero and La Posta.

The portion sizes at Carmen Cartagena are very large. You could easily order a few starters and share a main plate and dessert.

Free Walking Tour of Walled City & Getsemaní

I love free walking tours. They are the best and cheapest way to quickly learn about a city and explore areas you might not know about (or feel safe visiting alone). A good walking tour is under 3 hours and strings together the history and importance of the place in a memorable story as you walk.

We participated in Beyond Colombia’s Free Walled City and Getsmaní Weekend Tour. The tour covers a lot of ground in the Walled City and Getsmaní – nearly 5 miles of walking over 2.5 hours! During the tour, participants learn about the city’s history, including its achievements and struggles, during colonial and present times.

I especially valued the opportunity to learn more about the city’s architecture and Getsmaní’s ongoing struggle with gentrification and its rising popularity among outsiders.

As the name suggests, this tour is FREE! But please don’t forget to tip your guide at the end.

Bring a water bottle and cash to buy more water or street snacks throughout the tour. The heat and sun in Cartagena are no joke.

Beyond Colombia offers a few other tour options in Cartagena and additional cities in Colombia. Their website links to a free tour map and city guidebook.

The walking tour begins in front of the Clock Tower

Lunch at El Bololó in Getsemaní

The walking tour wraps up in the Getsemaní. You will need lunch and maybe a cool beverage at this point in the day.

El Bololó is an adorable yet unassuming, hole-in-the-wall lunch spot. They serve savory, Colombian-inspired rice bowls. While the menu is small, it is so delicious. El Bololó serves their rice bowls with proteins like jerk chicken, fried fish, or beef. They also have veggie bowls with falafel and smoothie bowls.

El bololó’s bowls pair nicely with a cold Aguila domestic beer.

Cooking Class at Lunático Experience

After some relaxing time at the hotel pool, it’s time to roll up your sleeves for a cooking class at Lunático Experience.

Lunático Experience in Getsemaní hosts workshops like cooking classes, craft beer tastings, chocolate and rum pairings, and market tours. Their hands-on workshops aim to bring tourists one step closer to authentic Cartagena cuisine and culture. To top it off, their workshops occur with the stunning San Felipe’s Castle as the backdrop.

All of Lunático Experience’s workshops sound fun and enriching. We chose to do the Cooking Class. The Cooking Class is offered multiple days a weekend in the morning and afternoon. The proposed menu changes depending on the day of the week.

Lunático Experience’s workshop space is clean and organized. In our class, it was just my friend and me, but there was plenty of room for a big group to have a class.

During the class, we learned how to cook “fish wrapped in bijao leaves and arepa e’ huevo”. The lead chef provides an overview of the dish and ingredients and instructs you step by step on how to go about preparing and cooking it. It is a very hands-on workshop, and participants do most of the cooking.

Arrive hungry because you will cook a lot of food. To drink, the Lunático Experience offers a tasting of Colombia’s aguardiente liquor, water, and wine with the meal.

The cooking class is 3 hours long. Lunático Experience provides aprons and everything else guests need for the class. Reservations can be made online.

Night Out in Getsemaní – Café Havana

If you aren’t too full from the cooking class extravaganza, the night is just beginning in Getsemaní! A quick walk from Lunático Experience is a Cartagena establishment – Cafe Havana.

Cafe Havana is a Cuban bar known for its live salsa and rumba music, rum cocktails, and steamy dance floor. The bar attracts not just tourists but locals too. On busy nights, Cafe Havana fills up quickly and there is often a cover to enter.

If Cafe Havana is too full or not your style, there is a bar for everyone in Getsemaní. Cruise around the blocks and you will find one that meets your vibe.

If you want to skip formal bars and restaurants altogether, street parties like the one on Callejón Ancho and Plaza de la Trinidad offer cheap drinks, street food, live music, and ample people-watching.

Day 3 Cartagena Itinerary

Visit the San Felipe de Barajas Castle

Today’s history lesson takes place at the Castle San Felipe de Barajas. It dates back to the 17th century and played an important role in Cartagena’s self-defense against foreign invaders.

The fortress was built on a 130-foot hill and still looms large over the city. If you are a history buff, a visit to the San Felipe de Barajas Castle is essential! It is also a fun location for photography. 

The castle is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm. Tickets can be purchased online or at the fort upon arrival. An adult entry ticket cost 25,000 COP ($6.50).

Tour of the Fort

After purchasing a ticket, visitors can explore the fort grounds on their own. To have a richer experience at the fort, I recommend arranging a 1-hour tour with one of the official tour guides at the fort. Tours in Spanish are routinely given throughout the day.

To arrange a tour with an English-speaking guide, visitors need to consulate with the official tour organizers. The tour organizers conveniently position themselves just after the ticketing area. These tours are not free but the price is negotiable. My friend and I were able to negotiate a price of 80,000 COP (or $10 each) for the two of us.

Our group was just us and two other older women from Suriname. Our friendly guide led us through 3,000 meters of tunnels and to seven batteries within the fort.

During the tour, our guide recounted the history of one of the most famous battles there when 5,000 Spaniards defended Cartagena against 23,000 British soldiers.

How to get to the Fort

The fort is located just outside of the Walled City and Getsemaní. From the Walled City, it’s about a 20-minute walk or 10-minute car ride. From Getsemaní it’s only a 12-minute walk or 10-minute car ride due to traffic patterns.

We chose to walk to San Felipe de Barajas Castle since it was only 20 minutes. Looking back, we should have just taken a taxi.

Even though it was only 10 am, it was an incredibly hot walk. By the time we got to the Fort, we were already so sweaty and tired from the sun. At the fort, there isn’t a ton of shade and the tour is completely outside except for the tunnels. So arriving to the castle with heat exhaustion isn’t recommended.

We also didn’t see other tourists walking to the fort along the route we took. While it wasn’t unsafe, my friend and I looked out of place as soon as we were a few blocks from the Walled City.

My last recommendation for visiting San Felipe de Barajas Castle is to go as early as possible to beat the heat. The fort opens early at 7 am for a reason.

There are bathrooms, concession stands, and a gift shop located at the fort.

Lunch at Restaurante Candé

Restaurants Candé is a trendy restaurant found in an old colonial house near the La Serrezuela Mall in the Walled City. The interior is super cute. Upon entering you feel like you’ve stepped into a garden party from Alice in Wonderland.

We enjoyed the eggplant au gratin stuffed with crab meat, mini arepas with beef, and fresh white fish ceviche.

While our lunch at Restaurant Candé was unplanned and last minute. A boozy brunch here would be a fantastic addition to a girl’s weekend in Cartagena. Restaurante Candé is a little bit on the dressier side of restaurants in Cartagena.

Shopping in Cartagena

Cartagena’s Walled City offers great shopping opportunities. From clothing boutiques to artisan crafts for the home, you will have trouble fitting all your purchases into your luggage.

La Serrezuela Mall

La Serrezuela Mall is unlike any other mall. It is in a former bullfighting plaza and theater that dates back hundreds of years. In 1995, the plaza fell into ruins before being renovated into a high-end retail and cultural center in the 2010s.

Today, La Serrezuela Mall still maintains the look of an elegant bullfighting stadium. The center of the mall is very impressive. It combines old and new construction to create the impression of a classic Plaza de Toros and a modern-day shopping mall.

Besides gawking at the incredible architecture, you’ll be overwhelmed by the number of shops housed at La Serrezuela. It’s an excellent place to escape the heat while you browse Colombian and international brand stores.

Shopping in the Walled City

In the Walled City, shoppers will find a mix of high-end fashion boutiques and hole-in-the-wall tourist shops.

Tip: It can feel like a maze walking around the Walled City. If you see a shop that interests you, either try to save it on Google Maps or make a note of its location. I walked by a shoe store on our first day but sadly I was never able to find it again during our stay.

Shops worth checking out in the Walled City: 

• Entre Manos on Calle de Las Carretas
• Chiqui House Boutique
• Loto Del Sur
• Territorio
• St. Dom Cartagena
• Época Espresso Bar (Colombian coffee)
• Cafeto Café Y Regalos

Buena Vida Marisquería dinner & drinks on the rooftop

Cartagena is one of the best cities for rooftop dining. The views are full of character.

Buena Vida Marisquería’s menu is so fresh and flavorful. I recommend the Cartagena Bowl with coconut rice, shrimp, and sweet plantains or the Buena Vida Tacos.

We ate dinner inside but there is also a rooftop menu. After dinner, we were seated on the rooftop and sipped Buena Vida Marisquería’s signature rum cocktails.

Interested in more rooftop bars in Cartagena? Check out this guide.

Blue Apple Beach Day Trip

After three hot and sweaty days roaming the streets of Cartagena, you’ll be ready for some relaxation. The Rosario Islands off the coast of Cartagena are the perfect day trip from the hustle and bustle of the city.

I have an entire blog post dedicated to our visit to Blue Apple Beach. I highly recommend a day trip or even an overnight stay at the resort. It is serene and satisfying. Upon leaving Blue Apple Beach we felt refreshed and rejuvenated.

The only way to get to Blue Apple Beach is by boat. The boat leaves from the main entrance (Puerta 1) of the Muelle de la Bodeguita. It’s an easy 10-minute walk from the Clock Tower outside the Walled City.

We left at 10 am and returned to Cartagena around 4 pm.

For more information about our day trip to Blue Apple Beach, read this article.

Final Night Dinner at Restaurante Celele

If you eat at one restaurant in Cartagena from this blog, make it Restaurante Celele.

Restaurante Celele is my favorite restaurant in Cartagena. Celele describes its gastronomy as contemporary Colombian Caribbean cuisine. It is considered one of the best restaurants in Latin America and currently ranks #16 on the 2023 list.

Celele offers an à la carte menu or a 10-course tasting menu that focuses on the Caribbean coast. We opted for the à la carte menu since we had been stuffing ourselves since arriving in Cartegena four days ago.

Here is what we ordered, and PS, it was all fantastic.

Cocktails:
The Guayarita with mezcal and tequila
The Mojito Graviola with rum

Appetizer:
Buffalo Burrata from Planete Rica
Journey Cakes

Entrees:
Local Confit Hen
Celele Style Pork

Reservations are strongly encouraged but there are a few tables near the bar that are allocated for walk-ins. If you don’t have a reservation, arrive early to be one of the first in line to snag a walk-in spot.

Breakfast at Época Espresso Bar

On your final morning in Cartagena, skip the free hotel breakfast and head to Epoca Espresso Bar for a hearty pre-travel meal. Epoca serves specialty coffee drinks, breakfast, and lunch. They also sell Colombian coffee beans and grounds to take home.

Everything looked and smelled delicious inside Época. We ordered the following;

• Waffles de Panela Orgánica
• Huevos Divorciados
• Huevos Shakshuka

Epoca’s cold brew and iced lattes are a must order in Cartagena’s heat.

Last-minute shopping in the Walled City

Before bidding farewell to Cartagena, save time for one more swoop of the Walled City. This is a good time to stop by any shops you saved for souvenir shopping.

More Day Trips from Cartagena

We could only fit one day trip into our itinerary but there are other attractions besides the Roario Islands worth visiting with more days.

• Catamaran tour of Rosario Islands: Spend the day aboard a Catamaran cruise. Includes snorkeling and lunch.
• San Basilio de Palenque: This is a day trip to the first “free settlement” in the Americas formed by African slaves in the 17th century. Today the community still preserves the founding African slaves’ culture, dance, music, cuisine, and language. Going with a guide is strongly encouraged.
• Volcán el Totumo: Visit a mud-oozing, active volcano and bath in its creamy mud that may or may not have medicinal properties.

Check out this guide for more information on day trips from Cartagena.

More Activities in Cartagena

Two tours in Cartagena that I would have done with more time are a sunset cruise and a Buzarto Market tour.

• Sunset boat cruise: Bask in the Cartagena sunset while taking in views of the Cartagena skyline during this two-hour-long tour.
• Buzarto Market tour: Visit Cartagena’s bustling local market. During this tour, a guide will lead visitors through the hundreds of stalls to learn about exotic fruits and spices, meats, and veggies used in your favorite Cartagena dishes. Lunático Experience offers a Buzarto Market tour paired with its cooking class.

There are tons of Airbnb Experiences offered in Cartagena. Dance classes, painting, rum tastings, fishing, photography, rooftop hopping… the options are endless!

Where to Stay in Cartagena

Where to stay in Cartagena is the hardest planning decision of the girl’s weekend. There are just so many hotels!

The first step to narrowing down where to stay is location – the Walled City, Getsemaní, or near the beach.

We chose to focus on staying in the Walled City since it is the most central and the beaches in Cartagena aren’t much to rave about.

While we ultimately chose Hotel Bantu, below are the other hotels we considered for our ultimate girls’ weekend.

High-end Hotels Cartagena

Under $1200 for 4 nights

• Movich Hotel – $1,165 | twin room | rooftop pool | #45/315 on Trip Advisor for best value
• Amarla Boutique Hotel Cartagena – $1,027 | king bed | rooftop pool | #111/315 Trip Advisor for best value
• Sophia Hotel – $921 | 1 queen bed | rooftop pool | #16/315 Trip Advisor for best value
• Hotel Boutique Casa Del Arzobispado – $1,116 | king bed | pool | #11/315 Trip Advisor for best value
• Casa Claver Loft Boutique Hotel – $948 | king bed | rooftop pool | #18/315 Trip Advisor for best value

Mid-range Hotels Cartagena

Under $800 for 4 nights

• Alfiz Hotel – $562 |  juinor suite with 1 queen bed  |  small pool  |  #9/315 on Trip Advisor for best value
• Hotel Casona del Colegio – $770 |  double bed |  small rooftop pool  #110/315 on Trip Advisor for best value
• Hotel Casa La Fe – $636 | 2 twin beds | rooftop pool  | #28/315 on Trip Advisor for best value
• Voila Centro Historico – $669 | 1 queen bed // rooftop pool | #101/315 on Trip Advisor for best value

Cheaper Hotels Cartagena

Under $400 for 4 nights

• Casa India Catalina – $312 | 2 twin room // balcony 
• Casa Lorenza Hotel – $237 | 2 twin room
• Hotel 3 Banderas – $399 |2  twin on Trip Advisor for best value

A sloth in Parque Del Centenario 

Safety Tips for Women in Cartagena

When choosing a city to visit in South America as part of a girl’s weekend, general safety for women traveling alone or in groups should be considered.

My friend and I felt very safe in Cartagena. I truly believe that Cartagena is an amazing destination in South America for a girl’s weekend. 

During the day, within the Walled City, we never once felt unsafe.

We freely used our phones for photos and directions. Outside the Walled City, we exercised more precautions like keeping our phones away, knowing where we were headed, and not wandering down deserted streets but again had no uneasiness.

At night, in the Walled City, we felt totally at ease walking to dinner, bars, and hotel. Walking to Getsemaní we did experience minimal catcalling (when did “you want boyfriend” ever work as a pickup line?) and unwanted attention but it didn’t catch us by surprise nor did it last longer than a few seconds as we walked by.

A note about safety for ANYONE visiting Cartagena. Be aware of your surroundings and belongings when you are approached by a street performer or vendor.

Some of these people may use this opportunity to pickpocket. We generally tried to avoid putting ourselves in these situations but saw other tourists being followed and enveloped unwittingly by street rappers with boom boxes.

Tips for safely visiting Cartagena

• Stay in a reputable hotel
• Use the hotel safe to store extra cash and valuable belongings
• Leave your flashy jewelry at home
• Carry minimal cash and credit cards with you
• Use a crossbody bag
• Trust your instincts
• Don’t carry your passports with you, store a picture on your phone in case of an emergency
• Use travel insurance in case of theft or health emergency

Popsicle Shop 

What to pack for a trip to Cartagena

This blog post mentions it a few times, but I’ll say it again – I have never been so hot and sweaty as I was in Cartagena. It’s hot and humid, and the temperature doesn’t drop much at night. I wouldn’t even bother backing pants.

Below is what I do recommend to bring:

• Cool, light, breathable clothing
• Fun dresses for a night
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Flat sandals or wedges for at night – cobblestone and heels don’t vibe
• Bathing suits
• Bathing suit cover-up
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Crossbody bag
• Larger bag with zipper for day trips
• Travel Neck fan
• Portable Bluetooth speaker

What to Read Before Traveling to Cartagena

Two novels that are excellent reads before visiting Cartagena are by Nobel Prize-winning Colombian author – Gabriel García Márquez.

One Hundred Years of Solitude
Love in the Time of Cholera

I loved both of these books. They are not true stories but highlight themes relevant to history and culture in Cartagena.

Looking for more book recommendations about South America? Check out my page – Books for Travel.

Final Travel Tips for the Ultimate Girl’s Weekend in Cartagena

Vaccinations: Vaccines are currently not required for Americans visiting Cartagena. However, if you are traveling from Brazil first, you will need a Yellow Fever vaccine at least ten days before entering Cartagena.

Street Vendors: There are tons of street vendors in Cartagena. On the positive side, it’s really easy to buy things like water, snacks, sunglasses, sun hats, or last-minute tours. It may feel overwhelming a first trying to fend off vendors wanting your business but a polite “no thank you” or “no gracias” usually works.

Cash: We used our credit cards at almost every restaurant. Tourists only need cash for taxis, street vendors, and tipping guides or hotel staff.

Photos: You will see women dressed up in traditional, colorful dresses posing for photos or asking if you would like to take a photo. If you say yes or take their photo, expect to pay a small fee.

I hope this blog post inspires and encourages you and your girlfriends to travel there!

Don’t forget to read my full blog post on Blue Apple Beach on Tierra Bomba Island.

Did we miss anything on the ultimate girls’ weekend itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!

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