The Best Things to Do in Cartagena, Ranked
Cartagena's top-rated experiences in one list — from the Rosario Islands and San Felipe Castle to Getsemaní street art and sunset cruises, ordered by real traveller review scores.
Available
15 options
Avg. rating
4.6 - 14,568 reviews
From
$49424 COP
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Best Things to Do: what to know before booking
Cartagena's top-rated experiences in one list — from the Rosario Islands and San Felipe Castle to Getsemaní street art and sunset cruises, ordered by real traveller review scores.
- Availability
- 15 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $49424 COP before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.6 stars across 14,568 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Across Cartagena — the Walled City and Getsemaní in the centre, with island and beach trips departing from the Bodeguita pier
- Best time
- December–April for the clearest island water; walk the Old Town and castle early or near dusk to beat the midday heat
- Ticket note
- Most are date- or time-stamped; island boats leave on a fixed schedule, so arrive 30 minutes early
Best Things to Do in Cartagena
Sorted by review signal, price, and availability. Tap any card to book through the provider checkout.
Everything you should know before you book
Cartagena pairs a UNESCO-listed colonial Walled City with Caribbean islands an hour offshore, and the best trip mixes both. This ranking pulls the city's highest-rated bookable experiences — the Rosario Islands, San Felipe Castle, Old Town and Getsemaní walks, sunset cruises, and food tours — so you can build a shortlist fast.
Book the island and beach trips ahead in high season. Morning Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca departures sell out December through April, and the seas are calmest early. Everything below is bookable with instant confirmation and, on most options, free cancellation, with live review counts to compare.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Cartagena?
A Rosario Islands day trip and the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas are the two essentials, with a Walled City and Getsemaní walk close behind. This list ranks them all by traveller reviews.
How many days do you need in Cartagena?
Two days covers the Walled City, San Felipe, an island beach day, and a sunset cruise; three lets you add a Totumo mud volcano or San Basilio de Palenque day trip. See our 2- and 3-day Cartagena itineraries.
Is Cartagena expensive for tourists?
Less than most Caribbean destinations. Tours and tickets are mid-priced, though island beach clubs and the port/dock tax add up — carry pesos in cash.