Yes! Cartagena is one of the most visited and safest cities in Colombia. Like any tourist destination, don't make yourself an easy target for pickpocketing. Don’t leave your personal property unattended in public and be aware of your surroundings.

Yes. To enter Colombia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your travel dates. Since you are traveling to Colombia in February 2025, your passport must be valid through September 2025. American citizens do not need a visa to visit Colombia. Getting through customs/immigration is as easy as filling out this form.

Cartagena is tropical, so you can expect it to be hot! During the day, it's usually in the high 80s and at night it drops down to the mid 70s. The key to enjoying Cartagena is to explore the streets in the morning while it's cooler, and relax by the pool in the afternoon.

While Spanish is the official language of Colombia, Cartagena is a major tourist tourist destination, so you can expect to find plenty of English speakers.

Friday Welcome Drinks: Cocktail casual — no jeans, please.

Wedding Ceremony and Reception: Formal attire — suits (including linen suits!), floor-length gowns, fancy cocktail dresses, or elegant jumpsuits. Like other Caribbean cities, Cartagena has a tropical climate, so guests should feel welcome to wear light or breathable fabrics. Guests who would like to lean into lively tropical colors should also feel free to do so.

When exploring Cartagena, we recommend lightweight, breathable, and flowy fabrics. As for shoes, the streets in the walled city are mostly cobblestone and can be hard on the feet.

As much as we love children, our welcome drinks, ceremony and reception will be for adults only. If you would like your children to experience the magic of Cartagena, we are happy to provide you with the contact information for a local childcare provider.

The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). It has a very favorable exchange rate to the U.S. Dollar. There are plenty of ATMs and currency exchange stores in town. Credit cards are widely accepted, but taxis and some small shops and vendors are cash-only. We recommend carrying some cash.

10% is the customary tip in Colombia. Some sit-down restaurants will automatically include the 10% fee, or they might ask you if you wish to include "el servicio." Bargaining is limited to informal trade and services, such as markets and street stalls.

As foreign travelers, it's best to err on the side of caution when it comes to drinking water. Bottled water and beers (cervezas) are readily available in the area. We recommend taking probiotics one week before traveling.

Colombian weddings last quite a bit longer than American weddings — into the early hours of the morning — and ours will be no exception.

Those who lived through the 80’s and 90’s may remember that Colombia has a dark past fueled largely by American demand for cocaine.

Colombia has worked hard to overcome the devastating consequences of a painful drug war that crowded out vibrant sectors of the economy and powered political corruption, armed violence, and the decimation of rural communities. We ask that you keep this in mind when making decisions about your activities, purchases, and comments.

We have zero tolerance for sex or drug tourism.

We encourage you to support local small businesses, artisans, and street vendors, and to take advantage of the incredible natural, cultural, and culinary treasures Colombia has to offer.



Val’s Pick: Stroll along the streets and visit el Palacio de la Inquisición

Josh’s Pick: Spend an afternoon snorkeling at las Islas del Rosario

Val’s Pick: La Serrezuela — a historic bullfighting ring lovingly restored and transformed into a beautiful shopping center with five floors of boutique shops and an upscale food court

Josh’s Pick: La Plaza de Las Bóvedas — a series of dungeons once used to house prisoners now form an outdoor market featuring souvenir shops as well as artisan items handmade by local artists

Val’s Pick: Pargo rojo con arroz de coco y patacón (Fried red snapper with coconut rice and plaintain)

Josh’s Pick: Arepa de huevo (Grilled cornmeal cake stuffed with fried egg. Neither its name nor its description do it justice. Trust us.)

Val’s Pick: Lulo

Josh’s Pick: Maracuyá

Val’s Pick: Limonada de Coco

Josh’s Pick: Licuado de Maracuyá

1. Get a gourmet popsicle (paleta) at La Paletería.
2. Visit el Castillo San Felipe de Barajas to learn about Cartagena’s history and see a real-life fortress from 1536. Opt for an English-speaking guide or an audio tour.
3. If you're looking to spend time on the beach, we STRONGLY recommend that you head over to a beach on the nearby islands as opposed to one on the mainland. The best way to do this is by booking a day trip to one of the private beach resorts on Rosario Island or Barú. Better yet, join us on our Thursday beach day if you’re in town a little early!
4. We recommend that you rely on Google Maps, as Apple Maps is not as reliable in Cartagena.
5. Take a daily probiotic one week before traveling - it's made a huge difference in all our travels and has never failed us!
6. Some street vendors can be as persistent as they are friendly. A simple but firm “no, gracias!” while you keep walking should do the trick.

Rough Guides: The Rough Guide to Colombia

Lonely Planet: Colombia

Moon: Cartagena & Colombia's Caribbean Coast