Overview
Take a trip to Cartagena on your Colombia Vacation
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most incredible old towns in the Western Hemisphere, Cartagena is a large port city on the northern coast of Colombia, a must-visit on Colombia vacations.
Spanish conqueror Pedro de Heredia founded the city in 1533 on the site of the Carib Indian settlement of Calamari. It grew to become a major port in the Caribbean and was viewed as the gateway to South America. This caused the city to garner a great deal of attention from pirates forcing the Spanish to build up a series of forts around the town.
Cartagena continued to flourish and during colonial times, it was the most important location in the Spanish empire outside of Spain and was influential in Colombia’s history. It was one of the first places to declare independence from Spain leading the way for other cities throughout the country. The city has continued to expand and is the country’s largest port making Cartagena a major industrial centre.
While the city has modernized, the old walled town has changed very little over the years. In 1984, UNESCO named the city a World Heritage Site for having the most extensive fortifications in South America. Rich in history and romance, Cartagena is considered Colombia’s top honeymoon destination. It also provides excellent opportunities to enjoy nearby coral reefs and beaches as well as water sports activities like swimming, snorkelling, surfing, sailing and more on Colombia vacations.
While the city has modernized, the old walled town has changed very little over the years. In 1984, UNESCO named the city a World Heritage Site for having the most extensive fortifications in South America. Rich in history and romance, Cartagena is considered Colombia’s top honeymoon destination. It also provides excellent opportunities to enjoy nearby coral reefs and beaches as well as water sports activities like swimming, snorkelling, surfing, sailing and more on Colombia vacations.
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Unforgettable Journeys.8 Trips Found
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8 Trips Found
Classic Colombia: Bogota, Medellin & Cartagena
Cartagena and BogotaCities & breathtaking landscapes await in Colombia. Taste the culture in Bogota, explore Medellin's transformation, and wander the colourful streets of Cartagena.
10 days
From US$5,645/p.p.
Request a Quote
Panama & Colombia In Style
Cartagena and Panama CityFrom lush jungles to city streets, this journey unfolds across Panama and Colombia's Caribbean coast. Seek wildlife on the canal, then relish Cartagena's lively nights.
7 days
From US$3,787/p.p.
Request a Quote
Colombian Highlights: Mountains, Jungles & Bays
Cartagena and BogotaDiscover Colombia on this independent journey from Bogotá’s highland charm to Tayrona’s jungle trails and Cartagena’s Caribbean flair and colonial elegance.
9 days
From US$4,084/p.p.
Request a Quote
A Week in Paradise: Cartagena
CartagenaImmerse yourself in the charm of Cartagena on this getaway. From idyllic beaches on Baru to rich history in the city's colorful streets, every moment dazzles.
7 days
From US$4,153/p.p.
Request a Quote
Essential Colombia: Bogotá & Cartagena
Cartagena and BogotaExperience the colourful essence of Colombia through colonial charm, underground wonders, lively traditions and rich rum and chocolate flavours.
8 days
From US$3,875/p.p.
Request a Quote
Colombia in Style: Coffee Region & Cartagena
CartagenaDazzling coffee fields await in Colombia's Quindio, where you’ll uncover the rich traditions of coffee cultivation. Savor sun-soaked days in Cartagena, too.
7 days
From US$5,291/p.p.
Request a Quote
Colombia Unfolded: Mountains, Coffee & the Coast
Cartagena and BogotaPrivate-guided journey through Colombia’s highlands and coast, blending culture, coffee, art, and Caribbean rhythms with stories shared just for you.
10 days
From US$1,699/p.p.
Request a Quote
Holistic Wellness in Colombia
CartagenaImmerse yourself in Colombia's landscapes on this holistic wellness retreat. Reconnect your mind and body with tranquil spa therapies and serene coffee farm visits.
9 days
From US$3,499/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
Classic Colombia: Bogota, Medellin & Cartagena
Cartagena and BogotaCities & breathtaking landscapes await in Colombia. Taste the culture in Bogota, explore Medellin's transformation, and wander the colourful streets of Cartagena.
10 days
From US$5,645/p.p.
Request a Quote
Panama & Colombia In Style
Cartagena and Panama CityFrom lush jungles to city streets, this journey unfolds across Panama and Colombia's Caribbean coast. Seek wildlife on the canal, then relish Cartagena's lively nights.
7 days
From US$3,787/p.p.
Request a Quote
Colombian Highlights: Mountains, Jungles & Bays
Cartagena and BogotaDiscover Colombia on this independent journey from Bogotá’s highland charm to Tayrona’s jungle trails and Cartagena’s Caribbean flair and colonial elegance.
9 days
From US$4,084/p.p.
Request a Quote
A Week in Paradise: Cartagena
CartagenaImmerse yourself in the charm of Cartagena on this getaway. From idyllic beaches on Baru to rich history in the city's colorful streets, every moment dazzles.
7 days
From US$4,153/p.p.
Request a Quote
Essential Colombia: Bogotá & Cartagena
Cartagena and BogotaExperience the colourful essence of Colombia through colonial charm, underground wonders, lively traditions and rich rum and chocolate flavours.
8 days
From US$3,875/p.p.
Request a Quote
Colombia in Style: Coffee Region & Cartagena
CartagenaDazzling coffee fields await in Colombia's Quindio, where you’ll uncover the rich traditions of coffee cultivation. Savor sun-soaked days in Cartagena, too.
7 days
From US$5,291/p.p.
Request a Quote
Colombia Unfolded: Mountains, Coffee & the Coast
Cartagena and BogotaPrivate-guided journey through Colombia’s highlands and coast, blending culture, coffee, art, and Caribbean rhythms with stories shared just for you.
10 days
From US$1,699/p.p.
Request a Quote
Holistic Wellness in Colombia
CartagenaImmerse yourself in Colombia's landscapes on this holistic wellness retreat. Reconnect your mind and body with tranquil spa therapies and serene coffee farm visits.
9 days
From US$3,499/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
What do the experts say?
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Cartagena is always a popular destination while...
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Cartagena is always a popular photo opportunity...
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CartagenaPartly Cloudy
33°C / 92°F
55mm / 2.2"
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Thank you again to Bijal for all the work in making this once in a lifetime trip so exceptional!! We look forward to having Bijal help us plan our future trips.The Chadwicks and WilliamsI wanted to do a once in a lifetime vacation but had no idea where to start, other than knowing where I wanted to go. I reached out to goway.com and Jessica (shoutout!), who is an expert on our specific destination, sent me an itinerary quickly! She had me going into the jungle one day, so I requested to swap that nonsense for a fishing charter, and before I knew it, my trip was ready.
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Goway hires a local tour group, Jenman Safaris, to lead the safari in the 2 countries. The tour itself was amazing...the lodges that we stayed at were very nice and the food was great (except for one lodge's food). The Goway itinerary was slightly different than the actual Jenman Safari itinerary but most of the sites that we went to were the same as listed on the Goway itinerary. I would use Goway again because their choice of a local tour group was very good...nice lodges/camps and good food and knowledgeable tour guides.Ma FaOur GoWay tour representative, Michael Keon, was on top of all of our concerns and questions in a professional manner and we look forward to working with him in the future. Michael was very easy to work with and treated us like family.ThomasMatthew handled my honeymoon couple's very specific African itinerary like a pro! My clients went to four different travel agents who only wanted to send them on safaris. My clients had already done safaris and were specific on what they wanted to do and see. Matthew hit the nail on the head! Highly recommend!Amanda SchottSeamless prompt excellent communication from our first query about a possible destination to follow-up after the trip ended. Shalini’s knowledge, advice and enthusiasm were invaluable. Jane
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