Getting Your Bearings
Cartagena's tourist areas are spread across several distinct neighborhoods rather than clustered in one continuous district. The historic core — the Walled City (Centro Histórico) and adjacent Getsemaní — forms the walkable heart of the city. Other places visitors commonly want to reach, such as Bocagrande, Castillo San Felipe, the northern beaches, and the island docks, sit farther out and generally require some form of transport.
Traffic congestion is the main practical obstacle to moving around, and it is worst in Bocagrande during the late-afternoon peak. Build extra time into any plan that involves crossing the city around then.
Walking
Walking is the best way to experience the Walled City, Getsemaní, and San Diego, where attractions sit just minutes apart along flat, paved streets. The Old Town and Getsemaní are also well connected to each other on foot, and the island dock at Muelle La Bodeguita is a short walk from Getsemaní.
Walking is less practical elsewhere. Bocagrande lies well beyond comfortable walking distance from the Old Town, and the route there involves busy roads and missing sidewalks. Castillo San Felipe is uphill with little shade, and there is no pedestrian route to the northern beaches.
Timing matters. Midday heat is intense and humid, making long walks risky, so plan heavier walking for the morning or evening. The Old Town is generally comfortable to walk during the day and into the evening, and Getsemaní's main streets stay active later. Tourist police are present in the Old Town. After around 11 p.m., avoid walking between neighborhoods, and take care on the edges of Getsemaní near Parque Centenario. Side streets can be dark, and petty theft such as phone snatching does occur, so keep phones out of sight near traffic.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Cartagena has no rail, metro, or tram network for visitors to use. Getting around the city relies on road transport, walking, and boats.
Buses and Public Transport
The city's public transit system is TransCaribe, a bus rapid transit network. It is air-conditioned and charges a single flat fare per ride, which is considerably cheaper than the minimum taxi fare. You cannot pay in cash on board: you need a rechargeable card, which is sold at station booths.
For visitors, TransCaribe is more commuter-oriented than tourist-oriented. Routes can be complicated to navigate, stops are not always close to visitor destinations, and the buses get crowded at rush hour with no real space for luggage. It is generally not recommended late at night. One route does link the area near the airport with the Centro Histórico and continues toward Bocagrande, running on weekdays from early morning until evening, which can make it useful for longer stays or budget-conscious travelers who are comfortable with local transit.
Taxis
Yellow taxis are plentiful throughout Cartagena. They do not use meters; instead, fares are set by zone, so the price for a given trip is fixed rather than calculated by distance. Always confirm the price before getting in, and carry small bills so you can pay with exact change. Sit in the back.
Because there are no meters, be wary of a driver claiming the meter is broken. Other common issues include being quoted well above the going rate, drivers claiming to have no change for large bills, and drivers taking a longer route — since the fare is fixed by zone, a detour costs you time rather than money. Negotiating in Spanish or asking hotel staff to confirm a fair price in advance helps. Taxis make sense for short daytime hops, when ride-hailing prices surge, or for very early airport runs, where you can agree on a price the night before.
Ride-Hailing Apps
Ride-hailing is the recommended default for any trip beyond walking distance. Uber is the most popular option with tourists, InDriver uses a bid-and-negotiate system and is often slightly cheaper, and Didi is a budget alternative. All show the price before you book, take payment through the app, and offer GPS tracking, driver ratings, and trip-sharing.
Coverage extends across the Old Town, Getsemaní, Bocagrande, the airport, Castillo San Felipe, and the major beaches. Waits are typically short during normal daytime and evening hours, but longer in the early morning, very late at night, during heavy rain, and at the afternoon peak. Journeys within the tourist zones are quick in normal traffic, but add extra time during the morning and evening rush hours. Expect surge pricing during heavy rain, major events and festivals, and very late at night. Fares are generally cheap by the standards of Western cities.
Ride-hailing operates in a legal gray area in Colombia, so drivers may ask passengers to sit in the front seat to avoid police fines. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
Boats and Ferries
Boats are the only way to reach the Rosario Islands, and they also serve beach destinations such as Tierra Bomba and Barú. Departure points include Muelle de la Bodeguita in the Old Town, Fenix Beach Pier, Castillo Grande Pier, and La Boquilla, which is also the base for mangrove tours.
Costs vary widely depending on the trip: island day tours, beach club access, and private boat rentals all sit at very different price points. Afternoon waters can be choppy, and return trips typically leave before mid-afternoon, so plan your day around an early departure. Book Rosario Islands boats early in the morning, check the weather before heading out, and bring cash for boat captains and beach vendors.
Bicycles, Scooters and Cars
Bicycle and e-bike rentals are available in Getsemaní and Centro and are pleasant along the city walls, though the midday heat makes them uncomfortable and Bocagrande's traffic makes cycling there unwise. Scooter and motorcycle rentals are uncommon for tourists and come with heavy traffic, unpredictable drivers, theft risk, and expensive deposits. Renting a car is discouraged for city travel because of congestion, scarce parking, one-way streets in the old town, and police checkpoints; a car is only really useful for trips out of the city, such as to Barranquilla, Santa Marta, or Tayrona.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) sits close to the main tourist zones — a short ride of roughly twenty minutes in normal traffic. A taxi is the recommended option: official airport taxis operate on fixed prices posted inside the terminal, and you can pay at a kiosk or taxi stand. Ride-hailing services such as Uber and InDriver must pick up outside the terminal rather than at the arrivals curb, and are usually slightly cheaper. Pre-arranged hotel pickups are also available, with a driver meeting you holding a sign; these usually cost more than ride-hailing and must be booked in advance. Walking from the airport to the Marbella area is technically possible but not advisable with luggage or in the midday heat.
Practical Safety and Money Tips
- Use ride-hailing or taxis at night rather than walking between neighborhoods.
- Confirm the taxi price before entering, and carry small bills for drivers, boat captains, and vendors.
- Keep phones out of sight near traffic, and use crosswalks.
- Avoid walking alone on dark streets, cycling in heavy traffic, accepting rides from strangers, and "unofficial tours" offered by beach hawkers.
- Check the weather before any boat trip, and book island boats for the early morning.