Voyaggora
Top sights in Cartagena
- Castillo San Felipe de Barajas – Castle in Colombia
- Rosario Islands – Caribbean archipelago off the coast of Colombia
- Plaza de los Coches – Colonial square in Cartagena, Colombia
- Convento de la Popa – Church in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Well-known landmarks, each checked against Wikidata (CC0), which also supplies the one-line descriptions. The bookable tours below are the second layer: guided ways to see them.
Top-rated tours in Cartagena
Planning your trip to Cartagena
Best time to visit
The drier months from about December to April are the most comfortable, though it is hot and humid year-round. The Caribbean coast tends to see more rain in the autumn months, so pack for sudden showers.
How many days you need
Three to four days covers the walled Old Town, the lively Getsemani neighborhood and time by the sea. Add a day for a boat trip to the islands offshore.
Getting around
The walled city is compact and best explored on foot, ideally in the cooler early morning or evening. Taxis are common and often unmetered, so agree the fare before you get in. Ride-hailing apps can also work depending on the day.
What to skip
Unofficial offers from people approaching you on the street or beach, such as tours or rides, are worth declining politely. Book activities through your accommodation or a provider you have checked.
Where to stay in Cartagena
Hotels and vacation rentals around Cartagena with live prices from the big booking sites. Pick your dates on the map to compare.
Hotel map by our partner Stay22. If you book through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Best time to visit Cartagena
The most comfortable months in Cartagena are January to April and December, with average daytime highs of 88 to 91°F (31 to 33°C) and 2 to 15 rainy days a month. March is the hottest month, averaging 91°F (33°C), and October the coolest at 85°F (29°C). October sees the most rain, around 26 days, while February is the driest with about 2.
Jump to a month: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain (about, mm) | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 90°F (32°C) | 75°F (24°C) | 0 | 4 | Best: 4 rainy days |
| February | 90°F (32°C) | 76°F (24°C) | 0 | 2 | Best: 2 rainy days |
| March | 91°F (33°C) | 76°F (24°C) | 10 | 6 | Best: 6 rainy days |
| April | 89°F (32°C) | 77°F (25°C) | 60 | 15 | Best: 15 rainy days |
| May | 88°F (31°C) | 78°F (26°C) | 180 | 22 | Shoulder: 88°F (31°C), 22 rainy days |
| June | 86°F (30°C) | 78°F (26°C) | 140 | 24 | Shoulder: 86°F (30°C), 24 rainy days |
| July | 88°F (31°C) | 78°F (26°C) | 160 | 21 | Shoulder: 88°F (31°C), 21 rainy days |
| August | 86°F (30°C) | 78°F (26°C) | 160 | 24 | Shoulder: 86°F (30°C), 24 rainy days |
| September | 86°F (30°C) | 77°F (25°C) | 180 | 23 | Shoulder: 86°F (30°C), 23 rainy days |
| October | 85°F (29°C) | 77°F (25°C) | 240 | 26 | Avoid: among the wettest, 26 rainy days |
| November | 85°F (29°C) | 76°F (24°C) | 180 | 22 | Shoulder: 85°F (29°C), 22 rainy days |
| December | 88°F (31°C) | 76°F (24°C) | 60 | 9 | Best: 9 rainy days |
Average daily high and low, and days with rain (a day with at least 1 mm), from Open-Meteo ERA5 records for 2019-2024. Highlighted rows are the pick above. Verdicts use only these numbers.
Rainfall: NASA POWER monthly normals. Sea temperature: NOAA daily satellite data.
Plan the rest of your trip to Cartagena
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Right now in Cartagena
Is it safe to travel to Colombia right now?
Official US, UK and Canada travel advice for Colombia, side by side, with each source and the time it was checked. See today's advisory for Colombia
Cartagena: common questions
- When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
- The best time to visit Cartagena is January to April and December, when average highs run 88 to 91°F (31 to 33°C) with 2 to 15 rainy days a month. March is the hottest month at 91°F (33°C) on average, and October the coolest at 85°F (29°C).
- What is the rainiest month in Cartagena?
- October, with roughly 26 days of rain. The driest is February, with about 2. A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain; figures are averages from 2019-2024 records.
- How warm does it get in Cartagena?
- Temperatures barely change through the year: average daytime highs stay between 85 to 91°F (29 to 33°C). The bigger seasonal difference is rain: October is the wettest month, with around 26 rainy days.
- What is the rainy season in Cartagena?
- The wettest months in Cartagena are May to November, with 21 to 26 rainy days a month. February is the driest.
- How many days do you need in Cartagena?
- Three to four days covers the walled Old Town, the lively Getsemani neighborhood and time by the sea. Add a day for a boat trip to the islands offshore.
- How do I get around Cartagena?
- The walled city is compact and best explored on foot, ideally in the cooler early morning or evening. Taxis are common and often unmetered, so agree the fare before you get in. Ride-hailing apps can also work depending on the day.
- Is it safe to travel to Colombia right now?
- Voyaggora shows the official US, UK and Canada travel advisories for Colombia on one page, with the source and the time each was last checked. Open the live advisory for Colombia before you book.
- What other places are near Cartagena?
- The closest Voyaggora guides to Cartagena are Medellín (290 miles), Aruba (400 miles), Bogotá (410 miles).
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