🌤️ Your stay
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Cartagena.
💱 Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Colombian Peso, COP
Use ATMs inside banks or official exchange houses (casas de cambio) in the Old Town; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux due to poor rates.
Credit/debit cards widely accepted in restaurants, hotels, and larger shops; but many smaller vendors and taxis prefer cash; contactless is increasingly common.
10% tip in restaurants is customary (often automatically added for groups); small change for taxi drivers (round up or COP 2,000-5,000); hotel porters COP 5,000-10,000 per bag.
💸 Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Typical tinto (small black coffee) from a street stall or bakery: COP 1,500-2,500.
Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink, dessert) in a local eatery: about COP 15,000-22,000.
A main dish (e.g., bandeja paisa, grilled fish) at a casual restaurant: about COP 20,000-35,000.
Arepas, empanadas, and fresh fruit juices from street stalls in Getsemaní and near the Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj) are cheap and filling.
Supermarket chains like Éxito, Olímpica, and Ara are common in the 130001 area.
Affordable clothing is found at local markets (e.g., Mercado de Bazurto) and street vendors near Avenida San Martín.
Cheapest way: public bus (Transcaribe) for COP 2,100 per ride; from the airport (Rafael Núñez), take a shuttle bus (COP 8,000) or a shared taxi (colectivo) for about COP 15,000.
1) Eat at local 'menú del día' spots for lunch, not tourist restaurants. 2) Use Transcaribe buses instead of taxis. 3) Avoid buying water at tourist shops; buy from any grocery or street kiosk for half the price.
ℹ️ Good to know
Type A/B · 110V
safe in cities
$1 ≈ COP 3550.11 · COP
🍽️ Where to Eat
Reserve on OpenTable →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Cartagena, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
🛬 Your arrival
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →🚌 Getting Around
Book trains →Centro Histórico (Walled City) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros
💡 Negotiate the fare before starting the ride; use short-distance flat rates.
Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) - Bus Stop → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros (Nearest stop: Portal de los Morros)
💡 Buy a prepaid Transcaribe card at the station; exact change not required.
Centro Histórico (Stop: La Matuna) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros (Stop: Portal de los Morros)
💡 Use the Transcaribe app for real-time routes; buses have air conditioning.
Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros
💡 Take a yellow taxi from the official taxi stand outside arrivals; avoid unmarked cabs.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What time is check-in at Socialtel Cartagena?
Check-in at Socialtel Cartagena is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Where can I eat cheaply near Socialtel Cartagena?
Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink, dessert) in a local eatery: about COP 15,000-22,000.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Socialtel Cartagena?
Cheapest way: public bus (Transcaribe) for COP 2,100 per ride; from the airport (Rafael Núñez), take a shuttle bus (COP 8,000) or a shared taxi (colectivo) for about COP 15,000.
🗺️ Top Attractions
💡 Explore Plaza de la Trinidad in the evening for live music and food stalls.
💡 Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds.
💡 Allocate about 1-2 hours; entrance fee is around $5 USD.
💡 Go on a guided tour for fascinating historical insights; weekday mornings are less crowded.