Getting around · Cartagena · Colombia
Getting around Cartagena
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sgonzalezb, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The walled city, San Diego and Getsemaní are compact and best explored on foot. Taxis are the usual way to reach Bocagrande, La Popa and the airport, while boats from the Muelle de la Bodeguita serve the islands. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Walking
- Airports
- CTG
- Need a car?
- No
Ways to get around
Walking
Walking is the only sensible way to explore the old town and Getsemaní; distances are short but the heat makes early mornings and evenings the best times.
Taxi
Yellow taxis are unmetered and charge set fares by zone; rides between the old town and Bocagrande are short.
Agree the fare before getting in; ask your hotel for a typical price.
Ride-hailing
Ride-hailing apps operate in Cartagena and give a clear price upfront.
Pick-ups inside the walled city can be slow because of narrow, one-way streets.
Bus
Transcaribe is the city's bus rapid transit system along the main avenues; it is cheap but less useful for visitors than walking and taxis.
Boat
Speedboats and larger launches leave the Muelle de la Bodeguita near the Torre del Reloj for the Rosario Islands, Barú and Tierra Bomba.
Book through a reputable operator or your hotel, and expect a small port fee on departure.
From the airport
Rafael Núñez International Airport is in the Crespo district about 3 km northeast of the walled city. Taxis reach the old town or Getsemaní in about 10–15 minutes and Bocagrande in about 20 minutes, using an official taxi rank outside arrivals.
Do you need a car?
No. The old town is walkable and taxis are inexpensive; boat tours and organised trips cover the islands and the mud volcano.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Rosario Islands | About 1 hour by speedboat | Speedboat or launch from the Muelle de la Bodeguita |
| Playa Blanca, Barú | About 1 hour by road or 45 minutes by boat | Taxi or tour van via the Pasacaballos bridge, or boat |
| Totumo mud volcano | About 1 hour by road | Organised tour from Cartagena |
| San Basilio de Palenque | About 1.5 hours by road | Organised tour or private driver |
| Tierra Bomba | About 15–45 minutes by boat | Boat from Bocagrande or the Muelle de la Bodeguita |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Cartagena?
No. The old town is walkable and taxis are inexpensive; boat tours and organised trips cover the islands and the mud volcano.
+How do you get from the airport to Cartagena?
Rafael Núñez International Airport is in the Crespo district about 3 km northeast of the walled city. Taxis reach the old town or Getsemaní in about 10–15 minutes and Bocagrande in about 20 minutes, using an official taxi rank outside arrivals.
+What is the best way to get around Cartagena?
Walking: Walking is the only sensible way to explore the old town and Getsemaní; distances are short but the heat makes early mornings and evenings the best times.