4 to 5 hours ashore
The Walled City
- Taxi 10 to 15 minutes to the Clock Tower.
- Wander the plazas, balconies and city walls.
Rather book it? A walking tour of the old city.
Cartagena shore excursions
A colorful colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast, with a UNESCO-listed walled old town, a massive Spanish fortress, and island beaches offshore.
Getting ashoreShips dock at the cruise terminal on Manga Island, about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from the historic Walled City. The terminal grounds include a small park with tropical birds.
Cartagena port day essentials
read this before you book
Which pier you're at
Cartagena cruise terminalIn a working container port on Manga Island.
The Walled City is about 10 to 15 minutes away by taxi.
Taxis
Official taxis wait at the terminal exit. Agree on the fare before you get in; the return trip costs about the same.
| Walled City (Clock Tower) | about 32,000 to 40,000 pesos (US$8 to $10) |
|---|
Money
Colombian pesos. US dollars are not as widely taken as elsewhere, so use the ATM in the terminal and carry small notes. Restaurants and bigger shops take cards.
Language
Spanish. English is spoken at the terminal and in the main tourist spots.
Back on board
All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before sailing; your ship's daily planner has the exact time.
Be aware
- Bring a passport book. Some cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, don't accept a passport card or birth certificate for sailings that stop in Colombia; check your line's rules.
- Don't walk out of the port: the route runs through a busy industrial zone with no safe sidewalk.
- Street vendors can be persistent, especially around Plaza de Santo Domingo. Buy emeralds only from fixed-price shops with graded stones.
Last checked November 2026. Prices change; confirm before you pay.
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Plan your day in Cartagena
pick by your time ashore
6 to 8 hours ashore
Walled City, fortress and Getsemaní
- Visit Castillo San Felipe de Barajas.
- Walk the old city, then the street art in Getsemaní.
Rather book it? A city tour with the fortress.
9 hours or more
Rosario Islands
- Boat about an hour to the Rosario Islands.
- Beaches and snorkeling on clear water.
Rather book it? A Rosario Islands tour with a return guarantee.
Times are approximate. Whatever you choose, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. Compare tours for each idea below.
Compare Cartagena tours
Start times and meeting points vary by tour. Check them against your ship's schedule before you book.
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Cartagena tours from GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide's own search results for Cartagena Colombia, in GetYourGuide's order. Check each tour's start time and meeting point against your ship's schedule.
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Cartagena tours from Shore Excursions Group
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Scout's notes on Cartagena
Short port days
The Walled City, with its balconied streets and plazas, is the highlight and an easy taxi ride from the terminal. The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas fortress is on the way. Walking tours often include the lively Getsemaní neighborhood.
Long port days
Boat trips to the Rosario Islands or the beaches of Barú take most of a day. The Totumo mud volcano, where you float in warm mud, is about an hour away by road.
Getting back on time
Midday heat in the old town is intense, so plan for shade and water. Boat trips to the islands can be delayed by sea conditions and long lines at the docks, so save them for a full day.
From fellow cruisers
Tips from people who've been, read by us before they go up.
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