Top 5 budget-friendly things to do in Cartagena

Quick answer: The top 5 budget-friendly things to do in Cartagena are wandering the colonial walled city, spending a lazy beach day on Tierra Bomba, soaking up Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemani, walking at sunset from Bocagrande to Marbella, and climbing up to Castillo San Felipe. Stay central, walk everywhere and eat where the locals eat, and Cartagena won’t eat half your backpacking budget.

When travelling around South and Latin America, the queen of the Caribbean coast is an inevitable stopover and, in my subjective opinion, the most beautiful place in Colombia. Compared to other Colombian cities, Cartagena may appear a bit pricey: eating, drinking and going out will easily cost you more, simply because of the more contemporary and chic lifestyle. And if, like me, you’re a shopaholic and a fan of beautiful things, you won’t be able to peek into the charming boutiques without buying something every time. No panic though. Read on to find out how to enjoy a few days here on a budget.

How to save money in Cartagena

Stay central and walk

Central Cartagena is relatively small and you can get almost everywhere on foot. Choose accommodation in Centro (the walled city), Getsemani or at the beginning of Bocagrande, and you won’t have to spend money on taxis. These tourist areas are perfectly safe in the evening as well, so just enjoy walking around.

Use the pusetas

If you need to go further, hop on an urban minibus, called a puseta. There are several companies and the routes may seem complicated, but don’t worry, even locals often get confused. The drivers are happy to help: just hail a bus and ask if it goes to your destination. You can get off anywhere by shouting “parada!” and the bus will stop.

Eat like a local

“Costeños” are extremely friendly people who will go the extra mile to point a lost tourist in the right direction and share valuable tips. If you want to eat somewhere other than restaurants, let the locals show you the way to cheaper eateries; there are plenty a few blocks away from the main streets. Don’t be afraid to try food and drinks from the many street stands either. Everything is tasty and, in my experience, of very good quality. The only time I’ve had food poisoning in Colombia was after a seafood salad in an elegant bakery. I guess I was just unfortunate.

So how do you make the most of Cartagena when you don’t want to spend too much money? Here are my top 5 tips.

1. Walk up, down and around the colonial walled city

I recently came across an interesting TripAdvisor-based map that shows every country’s most popular tourist attraction. Some results are quite unexpected (France: Musée d’Orsay, UK: Harry Potter studio tour…). But guess what Colombia’s most visited place is? Cartagena’s walled city! So when travelling to Colombia, you just cannot miss la ciudad amurallada.

Cartagena’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a charming colonial-style labyrinth where I still occasionally get lost. Endless narrow cobblestone alleys wind between plazas, churches, museums and handicraft shops, and you feel like you’re in a different world.

Start your tour at Torre del Reloj, the famous clock tower, and step into Plaza de los Coches. In just a couple of days you’ll get very familiar with the clock tower, as it’s a popular meeting point. From there, go with the flow and choose any direction.

The walled city is divided into two parts, Centro and San Diego, and as the name says, the whole area is surrounded by a wall, built long ago to protect the city from pirate attacks. The best way to explore it is to wander leisurely and admire the architecture. How many different colours can you spot?

When you need a snack, look for a trolley selling tinto (a cup of delicious Colombian black coffee), arepas con queso (round maize bread filled with cheese) or jugos naturales (fresh fruit juices). Take a break in one of the many parks and squares, sit in the shade, listen to musicians play and, if you’re lucky, see a performance of Caribbean dance.

Once in a while, climb to the top of the wall to savour the stunning view in all directions: the walled city, the sea and the Bocagrande neighbourhood in the background. A tip for the adventurous and sporty: go for a jog on top of the wall.

As you’ll see in the picture, there are small nooks in the wall where you can escape the sun or have a romantic sunset date.

When the heat gets too much and you need some AC, take a break at one of my favourite coffee shops: ADN Café, Café San Alberto, Acabo Libros y Cafe and Pastelería Mila. For lunch and dinner you’ll find everything from traditional Colombian cuisine to specialities from all over the world. At dusk, enjoy a drink on one of the many terrace bars. Check out my recommendations here; great views are guaranteed.

2. Spend a lazy beach day at Tierra Bomba

Even though Cartagena is by the sea and the ocean views are spectacular, the city beaches are not that great. They’re fine for kite surfing, paddle boarding or a quick swim to cool down. Between overly crowded Playa Blanca and expensive stays on the Islas del Rosario and Islas de San Bernardo, my choice is Tierra Bomba, an island just 15 minutes from Cartagena. It’s definitely the easiest way to enjoy a relaxed day on the beach.

Getting to Playa Punta Arena

Playa Punta Arena is a beach you should not miss. Take a lancha (small boat) from where the Castillogrande neighbourhood starts; just ask around and you’ll find it.

• Cost: 7,500 COP (2.3€) one way. Have the exact change so they don’t try to charge you more.
• Journey time: 15 minutes.
• When to go: Early in the morning, and head back in the afternoon before the sea gets too rough and the lancha ride gets bumpy.

Punta Arena Beach Hostel day pass

I know this place looks paradisiacal and even a bit luxurious, but it really is budget-travel friendly. At Punta Arena Beach Hostel you pay 20,000 COP (6€) for the day and can use all the facilities, including a swimming pool and a large selection of hammock beds. There are more expensive options if you want something really fancy, but this was perfectly fine for me and my friends. Plus, on a Monday or Wednesday morning, there was barely anyone there!

They also have an overwhelming choice of food and drink (prices were OK), but I just had a delicious jugo de maracuyá. Then simply enjoy beach life, like we did, with the Cartagena skyline in the background.

If you get bored, local vendors in Punta Arena offer a wide range of activities and services, such as massages and jet ski rides. The good thing is that they don’t bother you as much as the ones in town. So if you prefer, just bring a book, pick your hammock and turn on your Latino music playlist. That’s a perfect day at Tierra Bomba. If I still lived in Cartagena (oh, if only…), this is where you’d find me on every day off.

3. Explore life at Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemani

Getsemani, a central neighbourhood opposite the walled city, is where young backpackers generally head, with great hostels, cheap bars, street art and cool vibes overall. I totally recommend you book your stay there.

Plaza de la Trinidad is the perfect place to hang out. Grab a beer, some street food and your friends, choose a spot in front of the Trinidad church and enjoy the music, evening breeze and chilled atmosphere. You can even go alone; you’ll make new friends before you notice it.

Walk around the plaza and you’ll see families sitting on their porches or watching TV in their living rooms with the doors wide open. It’s a glimpse of real life in Getsemani and how locals live. There’s also a huge, ever-changing collection of street art, which impresses me every time!

Affordable restaurants in Getsemani

If street food isn’t your thing, check out these great affordable to mid-budget restaurants, all around the corner:

• Good pizza and a nice terrace: La Basilica. Like everywhere in Colombia, you can pick two different pizzas and they’ll make it half and half for you.
• The best fusion sushi and noodles in town, with great cocktails (during Happy Hour, 2 cocktails for 20,000 COP!): Kokoa Sushi and Wok. Special deals on Tuesdays (#MartesSushi) and Thursdays (#HappyJueves). Say hi to owner Pepe from me!
• Burgers, US-style sandwiches and tapas: Chachara. Great food, and you can sit outside here as well.

Budget hostels in Getsemani

For hostels, I recommend Mamallena if you want to party, and Friends To Be if you’re looking for a more tranquil setting.

4. Walk at sunset from Bocagrande to Marbella

When I lived in Cartagena, I did this almost every Sunday evening. I just walked, listened to the waves breaking on the shore and paused at times to admire the sunset. Living by the sea was magical, and I quickly got used to it. Back in Paris, I miss it every day, so please enjoy it while you can. This activity costs nothing and is one of the best things Cartagena has to offer.

The perfect time to set off is around 5.30pm, right before the sun starts to go down. Walk for an hour or so and you’ll see the seaside in every shade of sunset. Depending on where you’re based, you could also start from El Laguito, or continue to Crespo or La Boquilla. Here’s my 5km route on a map (walking bottom to top, from Bocagrande to Marbella):

5. Climb up to Castillo San Felipe

Cartagena is mostly about walking around its different neighbourhoods, but one sight not to miss is the fortress of Castillo San Felipe. A short history lesson: without this castle, the Spaniards would not have managed to defend Cartagena when the English attacked, and the future and culture of the whole country, and even the whole continent, could have turned out very differently.

A video we saw even explained that had the English managed to take the city, the language spoken in South America might be English instead of Castellano. Impressive, and so are the panoramic views from the top.

• Time needed: 20 minutes for the walk up and an hour and a half for the whole visit.
• Entrance: 17,000 COP (5€), with a reduction for students who present a student card.
• See another photo of Castillo San Felipe

Cartagena on a budget: costs at a glance

Activity	Cost
Walled city, Getsemani and sunset walk	Free
Lancha to Tierra Bomba (one way)	7,500 COP / 2.3€
Punta Arena Beach Hostel day pass	20,000 COP / 6€
Castillo San Felipe entrance	17,000 COP / 5€

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cartagena expensive for backpackers?

It can be pricier than other Colombian cities, but staying central, walking, using pusetas and eating street food keep costs low.

What is the best cheap beach near Cartagena?

Playa Punta Arena on Tierra Bomba, a 15-minute lancha ride away, where a hostel day pass with pool and hammocks costs 20,000 COP.

How much does it cost to visit Castillo San Felipe?

Entrance is 17,000 COP (5€), with a student discount. Allow about an hour and a half for the visit.

Prices were correct at the time of writing; check before you go.

Conclusion

Of course, this is just a small part of what there is to see and do in Cartagena, but it’s something to get you started. For questions, more recommendations, or if you’d like to share your own tips, feel free to leave a comment!

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Author’s Bio

Originally from Finland and based in Paris, Emilia speaks 5 languages and her circle of friends is more than multi-cultural. She’s a big fan of long walks, sunsets, rooftops and sushi, and she escapes to the sea whenever possible. Passionate about writing, she started travel blogging about South America during a volunteering mission in Colombia, where she fell in love with the Caribbean culture and lifestyle. You can read about her adventures on Disfruta El Mundo.

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