How to Get There
The 2 main ways to get to Cartagena are:
-Directly from USA: there are direct flights from: New York City, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale!
-You can also connect though Bogota with direct flights from: Washington D.C., New York City, Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
If you are connecting through Bogota, do not follow the signs to domestic flights and do not get on any bus. Instead, please follow these steps:
-Go through customs (you will not have to claim your luggage as it will be sent directly to Cartagena but we recommend you confirm just in case)
-Exit the transit area with everyone else and take the escalator you will see in front of you up to the second floor.
Go through security for national flights to reach your gate and join us in Cartagena!
Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG) is only 10-15 minutes by car to the old city. When you exit the airport there will be a taxi service to your left next to the money exchange office. Wait in line and give your hotel address to the fare estimate assistant in the window. They will print a receipt with the approximate cost of your taxi in pesos. The taxi should be less than $10 USD. Re-confirm the price with the driver before getting into the taxi.
Entering Colombia:
-Colombian tourist visas are NOT required for citizens of the United States or EU.
-As of November 2021 negative COVID tests are NOT required to enter the country. You will only need to fill out a simple online immigration form prior to your departure. We recommend filling it out the evening before your flight and printing out the PDF that will be sent to your email as they may ask for it when you check in for your first flight in the states. It is linked here: Check-Migracion Colombia.
Entering the U.S.A. from Colombia
(Current as of November 11, 2021)
When you return to the states, you will need 4 things:
-Proof of a negative COVID test (either rapid antigen or PCR)
-Proof of vaccination
-Check migracion Colombia form (linked here)
-US travel attestation form (just to sign and present at airport) US Attestation Form to Enter USA
Weather: Cartagena’s weather is hot year round. In November during the day it gets up to 88° and at night it drops to a low of 75°.
Currency: Colombia’s currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). The current exchange rate is about 3,800 COP to 1 USD. Almost all stores and restaurants within the walled city of Cartagena will accept credit card, but street vendors and taxis will only accept cash.
Tipping Culture: In Colombia, it is standard for the waiter to ask at the end of the meal if you would like to include “servicio” which refers to a tip for the service. If you opt in to this, a standard 10% tip will be added to your bill before you receive it. No additional tip is expected. Sometimes this will be included on the bill without asking beforehand.