Cartagena's walled old town is a UNESCO-listed maze of colonial mansions and plazas that comes alive at night with street music and open-air bars. It's hot and humid nearly year-round, so plan for slower midday hours and a boat trip to the nearby islands.
Month by month
Best: January, February, March, April, December
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak
How long to stay
3–5 days is the sweet spot.
Flight time
About 4.5h from the US East Coast, 10.5h from Europe, 20h from South Asia.
Good to know
- Heat and humidity are intense year-round; plan walking tours for morning or late afternoon, not midday.
- Negotiate or agree taxi fares before getting in — meters aren't standard, and Old Town hotels can call a reliable driver.
- December–April is driest; August–November brings the most rain and higher humidity.
Plan a trip to Cartagena
Pick your dates and Offdays builds a day-by-day itinerary from Cartagena's best places.
Destination