Travel
We know Colombia is a long ways to travel for many of our guests, and we are so grateful to all of you for making the trek to be with us for our wedding! We are determined to make your trip to Cartagena as easy and fun as possible, so please read this page for more info on flights, accommodations, and other things to know.
Why Cartagena?
Cartagena is a historic port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast and one of the most popular destinations in the country. Its walled “Ciudad Vieja” is known for its beautiful squares, cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings. We have chosen to get married here because of our families’ love for Latin America, its proximity to the ocean, and the fact that there is no better place in the world to throw a party and dance the night away! We cannot wait to share the beauty that Cartagena has to offer with you all.
Air Travel
AIRPORT
Cartagena’s Airport is the Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG).
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You must complete this online immigration form prior to checking in for your flight, both to enter and leave the country. You can complete the form up to 72 hours prior to your departure and we recommend doing so in advance because the website is not the most user friendly. This form requests basic information about your trip. You can complete the form on the Colombian Immigration website called Check-Mig (linked here).
PASSPORT
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Colombia. If your passport expires within 6 months of your trip, you will need to renew it beforehand.
ROUTES
From the US, there are direct flights to Cartagena from the following cities (as of April 2024):
➤ New York JFK (5hrs, JetBlue)
➤ Atlanta ATL (4hrs, Delta)
➤ Miami MIA (3hrs, American)
➤ Fort Lauderdale FLL (3hrs, JetBlue & Spirit)
If none of these airports are convenient, you can also look into flights to Bogotá from your starting airport. This may be a cheaper option and there are many daily flights between Bogotá and Cartagena. This national flight takes about 1 hour and typically costs under $200. We recommend Avianca and LATAM airlines locally. Please be aware that Viva and Wingo are low-cost airlines that have very strict (and painful) policies for check-in and baggage.
RATES
Rates for a direct flight from the US can vary from around $300 to $1,000 USD depending on the route and how far in advance you buy your tickets.
Accommodations
We have negotiated special rates with four hotels at different price points. Nightly rates include breakfast for two people unless otherwise indicated. More information and promotional codes can be found below. To book, email or call the hotel and provide the booking code DANIANDMARTIN. In most cases, booking via the hotel website with our discount code is not possible. If you are traveling with a group, renting a private house or apartment on VRBO or Airbnb can also be a great option.
Please note that non-resident tourists are exempt from paying the 19% IVA (tax) on hotels. If you choose to book a hotel and are not a Colombian resident, make sure your hotel waives this fee.
WHERE TO STAY?
We strongly recommend that guests book accommodations within the walls of the old city (see below). This will allow you to walk to all of our wedding events and enjoy the area throughout the weekend. For guests who are on a budget and don’t mind having to take a taxi to and from wedding events, we have also negotiated a discounted rate at a larger hotel in Bocagrande (El Estelar). For more information, please see here.
WHEN TO BOOK?
The weekend of our wedding is high tourist season in Cartagena, so we advise you to book accommodations as far in advance as possible.
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Charleston Santa Teresa
The Charleston Santa Teresa is the most upscale, luxury option located just a short walk from our venue. It has beautiful colonial architecture, a rooftop pool, and houses the critically acclaimed Harry’s Restaurant on its central patio.
$350-600 USD / night
Code: DANIANDMARTIN -
Movich Cartagena de Indias
The Movich Hotel is also walking distance from our venue and is where our Welcome Cocktail will be taking place! It is known for its rooftop bar and pool area with the best view of the city. This is where we expect most of our guests will stay.
$270-300 USD / night
Code: DANIANDMARTIN -
Estancia de La Mantilla by Faranda Boutique
La Mantilla is a small, rustic, colonial-era boutique hotel that was recently remodeled and is located two blocks from our wedding venue. This is a great option for guests on a budget who want to optimize for location.
$160-230 USD / night
Code: DANIANDMARTIN -
Les Lezards BnB
Les Lezards is located in Getsemani, a lively neighborhood just outside the old city, about a 20 min walk / 10 min drive from our venue. Please note that this area is popular among backpackers staying in hostels, making it a good option for younger guests on a budget.
$100-140 USD / night
Code: DANIANDMARTIN
Travel Tips
Uber / Taxis: Uber is available and affordable in Cartagena. For foreign travelers, we recommend using Uber or asking your hotel to call a radio taxi for you and confirming upfront what the price of the trip will be. Taxis only accept cash. Please note: It is generally not safe to hail a cab from the street.
Stick to Bottled Water: It's best to avoid drinking the tap water in Cartagena, especially as a foreign traveler. Although it’s usually not a problem to use the tap water to brush your teeth, we recommend playing it safe and using bottled water to avoid getting sick ahead of the wedding.
Safety: Cartagena’s main neighborhoods are safe and tourist friendly. However, it’s best to be mindful of your belongings, aware of your surroundings, and not walk unaccompanied at night. If you are approached by a street vendor and are not interested, simply say “No, gracias.”
Currency: Colombia’s currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). The current exchange rate is about 4,000 COP to 1 USD. As a mental conversion shortcut, divide by 1000 then divide by 4.
You can check the official daily exchange rate here. Most stores and restaurants in Cartagena take credit card, but street vendors, restaurants on the islands, and some stores or restaurants on the mainland may only accept cash. Also, please note that American Express is usually not accepted in Colombia due to high fees.
Weather: Cartagena’s weather is hot year round. In April during the day it gets into the 90s and at night it drops to a low of 75. Expect high humidity with occasional tropical showers. Fingers crossed for nice weather on our wedding day, but we’ll dance in the rain if we have to!
Recommendations
THINGS TO DO
Watch the sunset from one of the baluartes
Walk around and explore the old city
Drink limonada de coco at any plaza café
Visit the cathedral and San Pedro Claver church
See pre-Columbian relics at the Museo del Oro Zenú
Shop for artesanías at Las Bóvedas
Admire historic landmarks like la Torre del Reloj and el Castillo de San Felipe
Explore the colorful Getsemaní neighborhood
Taste Colombian coffee, rum, and aguardiente
Go shopping at the new Serresuela mall
Visit the Islas del Rosario (day trip or spend a few nights at Hotel Las Islas or Hotel San Pedro de Majagua)
Go to the National Aviary (day trip, one hour drive from Cartagena)
RESTAURANTS & BARS
Candé (elevated Cartagena cuisine in a fun space)
La Cevichería (ceviche and seafood)
Don Juan (elevated Caribbean cuisine)
La Vitrola (historic restaurant with live Cuban music)
Crepes y Waffles (sweet and savory crepes, waffles, breakfast, and ice cream)
Alma (coastal Caribbean cuisine)
Harry’s Restaurant (mediterranean tapas)
Los Fritos de Dora (traditional fried snacks)
Carmen (elevated Colombian cuisine)
Celele (innovative tasting menu)
Porthos Steakhouse & Pub (burgers)
El Rincón (sushi)
Los Tacos del Gordo (tacos)
Uma (Peruvian)
Asha (bakery)
Amasa (good coffee and breakfast)
Ábaco Libros y Café (bookstore & coffee bar)
El Barón (great cocktail bar on a nice plaza)
Alquímico (experimental cocktails)
Andrés Carne de Res (lively and eclectic restaurant/club)
Café Havana (Cuban cocktails & salsa dancing)
La Movida (club with drinks & dancing)
EXPLORING COLOMBIA
If you’d like to extend your trip to explore more of the country, refer to this doc for our recommendations.
