City review

Cartagena on the Caribbean Sea’s shores and its colorful streets full of charm make it the gateway to South America. It is in the north of Colombia and is the capital of the Bolívar region. ‘La Heroica,’ as they call it, has several archipelagos and islands surrounding it that are paradises for your enjoyment.

Cartagena adds to its charms the attractions of intense nightlife, cultural festivals, and exuberant landscapes. The city’s beaches invite you to go sightseeing, rest, and have fun with the refreshing breeze and the sea’s warm waters.

This fantastic destination keeps the secrets of history in its walled city, on its balconies, and on its narrow stone paths that inspired Gabriel García Márquez, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, in 1982.

Framed by a beautiful bay, Cartagena de Indias is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved cities in America, a treasure that, today, is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Colombia.

Best
activities

What to expect
from the city

Experiences from our clients

Sandra florez
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Muchas gracias a inser y todo su personal médico , enfermeras, personal de recepción y laboratorio por su calidez humana excelente atención.
Cristina Arisrizabal
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La experiencia y conocimiento que tienen se nota en cada detalle , super amables y realmente todos aman lo que hacen y lo reflejan. Me he sentído muy bien acompañada en todo el proceso.
Liliana Montes
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Definitivamente estar en INSER es sentirte en casa! Cada uno de los profesionales, asistentes, equipo administrativo, enfermeros y personal del servicio son increíbles seres humanos que hacen que nuestras ilusiones y ánimos siempre se mantengan en alto. La ética y el profesionalismo de los doctores es incomparable..Cada uno hace que esta experiencia de cualquier manera valga la pena. Gracias

Best activities

Undoubtedly, you should get to know the architectural and cultural heritage of the city by touring its historic center, which is surrounded by long kilometers of ancient walls that make up the walled city. The beauty and importance of this Cartagena landscape made it declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.

Cartagena, Colombia, is a vibrant city with countless perfect plans for all. An example of this is the varied gastronomy that the city offers. In this way, the restaurants in Cartagena range from international cuisine to traditional places where you can try Cartagena delicacies, such as rice with “chipi chipi,” pork loin in tamarind sauce, and prawn cream.

In addition, the city has the Caribbean Sea, which allows rest and fun with a consistently pleasant climate. Another option is to enjoy the cruises that leave from Cartagena and the beautiful landscapes of the Colombian coast. In the same way, if you prefer to stay in the city, the beaches near Cartagena are perfect for enjoying a cocktail or a local dish, sunbathing, resting, or even venturing out to practice all kinds of water sports.

Cartagena has more than five island formations around it, providing more than 20 beaches to visit and enjoy. The white sand, the palm trees, the sea breeze, and in some cases, the coral reefs will welcome you to these resting paradises. The primary and best beaches in the Cartagena area are found on the Rosario, Barú, San Bernardo, and Tierra Bomba Islands.

What to expect from the city

• The best time or season to travel to Cartagena varies a little during the year and depends on your interests. January is ideal for enjoying cultural events such as the Hay Festival, a great gathering around writing, and the Cartagena Music Festival. Another great time to visit Cartagena's beaches and beautiful landscapes is between the end of November and the end of April. A good period considering that the climate is drier and less hot due to the sea breeze.

• To get to Cartagena de Indias, you can take a cruise or a plane if you come from abroad. Airlines such as American Airlines, JetBlue, Interjet, KLM, Delta, and Copa fly directly into Cartagena's Rafael Núñez International Airport.

• Getting around is easy, especially by taxi since distances are not long in tourist areas. However, we recommend you check the taxis' prices beforehand to avoid inconveniences due to cost overruns.

• Accommodation options include cheap hostels, traditional and colonial hotels, and exclusive boutique hotels.