Hotel Cartagena Plaza
All-InclusiveCartagena
Colombia
From Toronto (YYZ)VATDeparts Thu, Dec 17
- 7 nights
- Superior City View Room
- Flights incl.
From
$2,169
per person · taxes incl.
or $180/mowith FlexPay
Cartagena, Colombia
Balconied streets and sunset ramparts.
4.6 · 2,800+ Cartagena vacations booked by Canadians
City & Islands · Flights Included
Vacation Packages to Cartagena
Flight-and-hotel packages to Cartagena, from Old Town boutiques to Bocagrande beach hotels. Pair the city with a Rosario Islands day.
View all packagesFlying from
3.1
Decameron Cartagena
All-InclusiveCartagena
Colombia
From Toronto (YYZ)VATDeparts Thu, Dec 17
- 7 nights
- Room
- Flights incl.
From
$2,409
per person · taxes incl.
or $200/mowith FlexPay
At a glance
Everything you need to know about Cartagena
Cartagena, Colombia, is one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful walled cities, with balconied streets, sunset ramparts and island beaches a boat ride away. The walled Old Town is the star, a UNESCO maze of colour, plazas and rooftop bars, wrapped by centuries-old sea walls made for sunset strolls. Beyond the history, the Rosario Islands offer clear-water beach days a short boat ride out, and the food scene is among the region’s best. It is a city-and-sea trip rather than a resort week.
Cartagena, Caribbean CoastClimate
Climate
28–32°C · hot & tropical
JanDec
PeakShoulderAvoid
Hot and tropical with a long dry season (Dec–Apr) and constant Caribbean breeze.
Currency
Colombian Peso
1 CAD ≈ 2,900 COP · cards widely accepted
Entry
Visa-free
Valid passport · Check-Mig form
Things to do in Cartagena
Walled cityWalled Old Town
Wander the plazas, churches and colourful streets.
By boatCity walls at sunset
Stroll the ramparts as the sky turns.
SunsetRosario Islands
A boat day to clear water and beach clubs.
Essential info for Canadian travellers
Passport: A valid Canadian passport is all you need to enter Colombia for tourist stays of up to 90 days.
Check-Mig form: Complete Colombia's free online Check-Mig migration form within 72 hours before both your arrival and departure flights.
Travel insurance: Provincial health plans do not cover medical care in Colombia. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential.
Power & plugs: Colombia uses 110V/60Hz with Type A/B plugs — the same as Canada, so your devices work without an adapter.
Time zone: Cartagena runs on Colombia Time (COT, UTC-5) — same as Toronto in winter, one hour behind in summer.
Best time to visit Cartagena
Dec – AprPeak season
Dry, sunny and breezy. Busiest and priciest for Canadians.
May – AugShoulder season
Hot and humid with short showers and great value.
Sep – OctRainy season
Wettest months with heavy afternoon downpours; lowest prices.
NovShoulder season
Rain easing off as the dry season returns — good value before peak.
Where to stay
Cartagena zones & neighbourhoods
Cartagena offers a range of areas to base yourself, from the romantic walled city to beach-tower strips and offshore island resorts. Here's how to choose.
Centro Histórico
Walled city
The UNESCO old town of pastel mansions, flowered balconies, plazas and boutique hotels inside the colonial walls.
Best for
- Culture
- Couples
- Foodies
Getsemaní
Just outside the walls
A street-art-covered barrio of buzzing plazas, casual eateries and nightlife, a short walk from the old town.
Best for
- Nightlife
- Budget
- Street food
Bocagrande
Beach peninsula
The high-rise beach strip with big resorts, city beaches, shops and restaurants — minutes from the old town.
Best for
- First-timers
- Families
- Beach
Barú & Rosario Islands
Offshore south
White-sand beaches and coral cays at Playa Blanca and the Rosario archipelago, home to quiet island resorts.
Best for
- Beach
- Snorkelling
- Privacy
Beyond the resort
Day trips & excursions from Cartagena
The Rosario Islands, the mud volcano at Totumo, and Baru’s Playa Blanca are the classic day trips.
UNESCO World HeritageWalled City & Getsemaní Walking Tour
Half day · 3 hrsCity centre · On foot
Stroll the colonial plazas, city walls and street-art lanes of Getsemaní with a local guide and taste local bites.
Insider tips
- Go early to beat the heat
- Bring pesos for tastings
Island DayIslas del Rosario Catamaran & Snorkel
Full day · 8 hrsRosario archipelago · ~1 hr by boat
Cruise to the coral cays of the Rosario Islands for snorkelling, beach time and lunch on the water.
Insider tips
- Reef-safe sunscreen only
- Bring cash for beach clubs
Beach DayPlaya Blanca, Barú Beach Day
Full day · 7 hrsBarú peninsula · ~45 min by road
Relax on the powder-white sand and turquoise shallows of Playa Blanca, one of the coast's most famous beaches.
Insider tips
- Agree prices with vendors first
- Arrive early for quiet sand
Natural WonderTotumo Mud Volcano & Manzanillo
Half day · 5 hrsNorth of the city · ~1 hr by coach
Bathe in the warm mineral mud of the Totumo volcano, then rinse off in the lagoon — a quirky Caribbean-coast classic.
Insider tips
- Bring an old swimsuit
- Small tips expected for helpers
● Limited availability — book now
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Good to know
Cartagena travel FAQ
Everything Canadian travellers ask before booking
Is Cartagena a beach destination?
It is a historic city with nearby island beaches; for a pure beach trip, add the Rosario Islands or San Andres.
How long should I stay?
Three or four nights covers the Old Town, a rooftop or two and an island day.
Is it walkable?
The Old Town and Getsemani are very walkable; use taxis or apps for Bocagrande.
Is Cartagena safe?
The tourist areas are well-travelled; use normal city precautions.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
December to March is driest and most festive, with a second dry window in July and August; it is hot and humid year-round.
Do Canadian travellers need a visa for Cartagena?
Canadian citizens generally do not need a visa for short tourist stays in Colombia, and a valid passport is required. Entry requirements can change, so confirm current guidance on the Government of Canada travel advisory page for Colombia before you go.