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Avianca + LATAM flights, Pullmans, and lanchas to/from Cartagena — UNESCO walled colonial city on the Caribbean coast

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Cartagena de Indias is Colombia's tourism crown jewel — a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the Ciudad Amurallada (Walled City), built starting in the 16th century as the main Spanish port for Caribbean treasure-fleet logistics. The colonial center inside the walls is the country's most photographed: orange + blue + ochre colonial mansions, the Plaza Santo Domingo with its Botero statue, the Catedral de Santa Catalina, the Iglesia San Pedro Claver, and rooftop bars overlooking the Caribbean. Just south of the walls, Getsemaní has emerged as the bohemian + backpacker + nightlife alternative — graffiti, restaurants, the Plaza de la Trinidad as the evening hangout. Above the city sits Castillo San Felipe de Barajas — the largest Spanish colonial fortress in the Americas, walkable in ~1.5 hours.

Spring Bus connects you to operators running scheduled service to Cartagena. Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) is ~15 minutes from the historic center — direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, NYC, Newark, Atlanta, Mexico City, and across Latin America. Long-distance Pullmans from the Terminal de Transportes de Cartagena (~30 min east of the center) run to Santa Marta (~4–5 h, COP 30,000 – 60,000 / US$7 – 15), Medellín (~13–15 h overnight, COP 140,000 – 220,000), and Bogotá (~18–22 h overnight, COP 200,000 – 300,000). Lanchas (speedboats) to the Islas del Rosario (the Caribbean island chain ~45 min offshore) depart from the Muelle de la Bodeguita for popular day trips.

Popular routes to Cartagena

Estimated travel time, distance and shared-shuttle fare ranges for the most common routes into Cartagena.

From Santa Marta (Pullman)

Duration: ~4–5 h
Distance: 230 km
Fare (shared shuttle): COP 30,000 – 60,000 / US$7 – 15
Frequency: Frequent Pullmans

From Medellín (overnight Pullman)

Duration: ~13–15 h
Distance: 640 km
Fare (shared shuttle): COP 140,000 – 220,000 / US$35 – 55
Frequency: Nightly

From Bogotá (overnight Pullman)

Duration: ~18–22 h
Distance: 1,050 km
Fare (shared shuttle): COP 200,000 – 300,000 / US$50 – 75
Frequency: Nightly

From Bogotá (flight)

Duration: ~1.5 h
Distance: —
Fare (shared shuttle): COP 250,000 – 700,000 / US$60 – 175
Frequency: Multiple daily, every airline

From Medellín (flight)

Duration: ~1 h
Distance: —
Fare (shared shuttle): COP 200,000 – 500,000 / US$50 – 125
Frequency: Multiple daily

From Islas del Rosario (lancha day trip)

Duration: ~45 min boat
Distance: —
Fare (shared shuttle): COP 80,000 – 200,000 / US$20 – 50
Frequency: Multiple daily tours

How to get to Cartagena by bus

Cartagena is reached by direct international flight to CTG, by overnight Pullman from Bogotá / Medellín, or by Pullman from Santa Marta.

By air (CTG — Rafael Núñez International)

CTG has direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, NYC, Newark, Atlanta, Mexico City, Panama City, and across Latin America. Avianca, Copa, JetBlue, Spirit, Avianca, LATAM, Wingo serve the route. Airport is ~15 minutes from the historic center by taxi (COP 18,000 – 30,000 / US$4 – 8) — one of the most convenient airport-to-city transfers in Latin America.

By long-distance Pullman

From Terminal de Transportes de Cartagena (~30 min east of the center), Berlinas, Copetran, Brasilia, Expreso Brasilia run Pullman service. Santa Marta ~4–5 h (US$7 – 15), Medellín ~13–15 h overnight (US$35 – 55), Bogotá ~18–22 h overnight (US$50 – 75). The overnight long-haul services have reclining seats; book the cama (bed) class for the best comfort.

By domestic flight

From Bogotá (BOG) ~1.5 h, US$60 – 175; from Medellín (MDE) ~1 h, US$50 – 125; from Santa Marta (SMR) ~30 min, US$50 – 100. Multiple daily flights from every Colombian hub on Avianca, LATAM, Wingo. The standard option vs the long Pullman.

About Cartagena

Cartagena was founded in 1533 and became the most-fortified Spanish port in the Caribbean — repeatedly sacked by English and French pirates (most famously by Sir Francis Drake in 1586, who occupied the city for 100 days and extracted a massive ransom), the city responded by building the massive walls + fortresses still standing today. The walls (~11 km of fortifications surrounding the historic center) remain almost completely intact and can be walked in ~3 hours. Castillo San Felipe outside the walls is the largest Spanish colonial fortress in the Americas; the Convento de la Popa on the city's highest hill (~150 m) offers panoramic views.

Day trips dominate most travelers' itineraries. Islas del Rosario (Rosario Islands, a Caribbean chain ~45 min by lancha from the Muelle de la Bodeguita) is the standard beach day trip — COP 80,000 – 200,000 / US$20 – 50 for organized boat tours including snorkeling stops + lunch on Isla Grande or Playa Blanca (on the adjacent Isla Barú, accessible by lancha or road). Boca Grande (the modern hotel + beach district just south of the walled city, with the Cartagena skyline of high-rises) is the local beach option but doesn't compete with the Rosario islands. Mud volcano (Volcán de Lodo) at El Totumo ~1 h north is a quirky half-day excursion — bathe in a small crater of warm mud.

Travel tips for getting to Cartagena

Stay in the Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada) for the iconic colonial center, or Getsemaní for bohemian + nightlife + slightly cheaper hotels. Boca Grande for modern high-rise beach hotels (skip if you want colonial atmosphere).
Islas del Rosario day trip US$20 – 50/person — organized boat tour with snorkeling + lunch on Isla Grande or Playa Blanca. The standard beach day.
Walk the walls at sunset — ~3 hours for the full ~11 km circuit. Best photo opportunities of the colonial center.
Castillo San Felipe + Getsemaní walking + Plaza de la Trinidad evening is a great Day 1 + 2 combo.
Hot + humid Caribbean climate year-round (27–32°C, high humidity). Drink water, sun protection essential.
Cartagena is the most touristed Colombian city — book accommodation ahead in high season (Dec–Apr + July).

Bus to Cartagena — frequently asked questions

How do I get from CTG airport to the Walled City?

**Taxi or Uber** ~15 minutes, **COP 18,000 – 30,000 / US$4 – 8**. One of the most convenient airport-to-city transfers in Latin America — a short hop straight into the historic center. Many hotels also offer transfers.

Where should I stay in Cartagena?

**Inside the Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada)** for the iconic colonial atmosphere + walking access to all the major sights — premium pricing but worth it for the experience. **Getsemaní** for bohemian + nightlife + a few blocks south of the walls — more affordable, lively evening scene. **Boca Grande** for modern high-rise beach hotels — skip if you came for the colonial atmosphere.

What's the Islas del Rosario day trip?

**A standard day-trip boat tour** from the Muelle de la Bodeguita (downtown) to the **Rosario Islands chain** ~45 minutes offshore — typically 2–3 snorkeling stops + lunch on **Isla Grande** or **Playa Blanca** (on Isla Barú). **COP 80,000 – 200,000 / US$20 – 50** depending on the operator and inclusions. The water is calm, snorkeling decent, and the islands themselves are picturesque.

Is Cartagena safe?

Yes — Cartagena is widely considered safe for tourists, especially in the **Walled City, Getsemaní, and Boca Grande** where almost all visitors stay. Standard urban + tropical-city precautions apply. Don't flash valuables in central plazas, ignore street vendors firmly, use Uber after dark. The city's tourism focus has kept the main districts consistently safe.

How hot does Cartagena get?

**Hot + humid year-round** — **27–32°C** daytime, **23–26°C** at night, with **high humidity (70–85%)**. No real cool season. The dry season (December – April) is slightly less humid but still hot; the rainy season (May – November) has more afternoon showers but the city stays open. Sun protection + hydration essential year-round.

How long should I stay in Cartagena?

**3–4 nights.** Day 1: walk the Walled City + walk the walls at sunset. Day 2: Castillo San Felipe + Getsemaní + Plaza de la Trinidad evening. Day 3: Islas del Rosario day trip. Day 4 (optional): mud volcano OR Boca Grande beach OR Playa Blanca. Many travelers continue to Santa Marta + the Tayrona/Ciudad Perdida region after Cartagena.

Other destinations in Colombia

Destination

Bogotá

Cundinamarca (Andes, 2,640 m)

Colombia's capital at 2,640 m altitude — cool year-round (10–20°C). El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is South America's major hub for Avianca, Copa, LATAM, and US carriers. La Candelaria colonial district, Monserrate hilltop, the Gold Museum, and TransMilenio BRT. Most long-distance trips within Colombia are flown, not bussed — distances are vast (Bogotá-Medellín ~9 h by Pullman, ~1 h by flight).

Destination

Medellín

Antioquia (Andes, 1,500 m)

Colombia's second city — "City of Eternal Spring" at 1,500 m altitude, comfortable climate year-round (18–28°C). Famous for the Metrocable cable cars that ride up to former hillside slums (Colombia's only metro system, opened 1995), Comuna 13 graffiti tour, Pueblito Paisa hilltop, and the major remote-worker hub status. José María Córdova (MDE) airport ~30 min east via tunnel.

Destination

Santa Marta

Magdalena (Caribbean coast)

Caribbean coast city ~4–5 hours east of Cartagena, the main gateway to **Parque Nacional Tayrona** (Caribbean jungle beaches with the iconic Cabo San Juan) and the famous **Ciudad Perdida** (Lost City) 5-day jungle trek. Simón Bolívar (SMR) airport ~15 min from the center. Less polished than Cartagena, more of an adventure base. Nearby **Minca** (mountain coffee village) and **Palomino** (backpacker beach) round out the area.