Cartagena
Colombia · Departamento de Bol�varCO
City in coastal northern Colombia
Cartagena, known since the colonial era as Cartagena de Indias, is a city and one of the major ports on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region, along the Caribbean Sea. Cartagena's past role as a link in the route to the West Indies provides it with important historical value for world exploration and preservation of heritage from the great commercial maritime routes. As a former Spanish colony, it was a key port for the export of Bolivian silver to Spain and for the import of enslaved Africans under the asiento system. It was defensible against pirate attacks in the Caribbean. The city's strategic location between the Magdalena and Sinú rivers also gave it easy access to the interior of New Granada and made it a main port for trade between Spain and its overseas empire, establishing its importance by the early 1540s.
Read more on Wikipedia →- Population
- 1,010,995
- Coordinates
- 10.400, -75.514
- Timezone
- America/Bogota
- Elevation
- 2 m
Overview of Cartagena
Cartagena is the kind of big-city destination you find in Departamento de Bol�var, Colombia. Its resident count stands at approximately 1,010,995. And it shows in how much there is to see. Plan around nature, water sports and culture and you will not run out of ideas. Seasons here follow the northern hemisphere.
Things to do in Cartagena
Nature in Cartagena
(21)Nature lovers get Beaches, Caves, Countryside, Desert and Forest. It is a direct read of Cartagena's activity profile. There are 21 tagged experiences in this group.
Water Sports in Cartagena
(19)Our data lists Bodyboard, Canoeing, Diving, Jet Skiing and Kayaking as water sports options here. The category holds 19 entries in our dataset. Straight from the activity profile stored for Cartagena.
Culture in Cartagena
(18)Under culture, Cartagena is tagged with Ancient Ruins, Architectural Buildings, Art Galleries, Bridges and Castles. Counting everything, 18 activities fall under this heading. This reflects only what is documented for Cartagena.
Sports in Cartagena
(14)Cartagena's sports entries include Biking, Golf, Hiking, Hiking Trails and Horse Trails. It is a direct read of Cartagena's activity profile. There are 14 tagged experiences in this group.
Adventure in Cartagena
(13)For adventure, expect Abseiling, Adventure, Adventure Parks, Amusement Parks and Boat Rides. The category holds 13 entries in our dataset. Straight from the activity profile stored for Cartagena.
Nightlife in Cartagena
(10)Our data lists Bars, Casinos, Clubs, Disco and Events as nightlife options here. The category holds 10 entries in our dataset. Straight from the activity profile stored for Cartagena.
Wellness in Cartagena
(7)Cartagena's wellness entries include Farms, Hammam, Ranches, Spa and Therms. These entries mirror the activity data we hold for Cartagena. 7 entries sit in this category, enough to fill more than a day.
Family in Cartagena
(4)Under family, Cartagena is tagged with Aquariums, Playgrounds, Water Parks and Zoo. Enough to anchor an afternoon or a full day. This reflects only what is documented for Cartagena.
Shopping in Cartagena
(2)For shopping, expect Food and Shopping. Enough to anchor an afternoon or a full day. Nothing here is guesswork — it reflects the recorded activity data for Cartagena.
More to do in Cartagena
(2)On the other activities side, Cartagena offers Fishing and Secret. These entries mirror the activity data we hold for Cartagena. These pair well with anything else on this page.
Best time to visit Cartagena
Water-based activities peak in June to September, when temperatures suit the coast and lakes. April to June and September to October keeps outdoor plans comfortable. December to February is when winter sports come into play. Even off-season, culture and nightlife give the trip a shape.
Getting there & around
Big-city infrastructure means Cartagena is both easy to reach and easy to navigate. Set your clock to America/Bogota on arrival.
Similar destinations
Places near Cartagena that share the same kinds of activities.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Cartagena known for?
- Travellers associate Cartagena with nature, water sports and culture. It sits in Departamento de Bol�var, Colombia and counts about 1,010,995 residents.
- What can you do in Cartagena?
- Cartagena is tagged with Beaches, Caves, Countryside, Desert and Forest, which is enough to structure a first visit.
- When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
- Water-based activities peak in June to September, when temperatures suit the coast and lakes. April to June and September to October keeps outdoor plans comfortable. December to February is when winter sports come into play. Even off-season, culture and nightlife give the trip a shape.
- Where is Cartagena located?
- Cartagena belongs to Departamento de Bol�var, Colombia, so it pairs naturally with other stops in the same area.
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