Cartagena was our first stop in Colombia (March 2026) and, in many ways, our introduction to the country.
Before arriving, we’d seen countless photos of colourful colonial streets, flower-covered balconies and Caribbean sunsets. Cartagena is one of Colombia’s most famous destinations, so naturally our expectations were fairly high.
Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint.
It was colourful, energetic, chaotic and unlike anywhere else we’d visited during our travels through South America.
That said, it wasn’t perfect.
The heat was intense, the humidity took some getting used to and the constant attention from street vendors could occasionally become tiring.
But overall, Cartagena ended up being one of our favourite introductions to any country we’ve visited.
If you’re wondering whether Cartagena is worth visiting with kids, here’s our honest experience.
Don’t have time to read? Start here:
Would we recommend Cartagena with kids?
✅ Yes
How long would we stay?
3–4 days is ideal.
Best area for families?
Getsemaní
Where did we stay?
If we were booking again, we’d stay in Getsemaní.
It’s colourful, walkable, packed with restaurants and only a short stroll from Cartagena’s historic centre.
For our trip, we stayed at NH Cartagena Urban Royal, which gave us a great base for exploring the city and a welcome rooftop pool after long days in the Caribbean heat.
👉 Check prices and availability for NH Cartagena Urban Royal
Best activity?
Without question, the highlight of our trip was the Chiva Party Bus.
We weren’t sure how family-friendly it would be before booking, but it ended up being one of our children’s favourite experiences in Cartagena.
Expect music, dancing, sightseeing and plenty of fun.
Would we return?
Absolutely, but we’d spend longer in Medellín.
Our First Impressions of Cartagena
The first thing that hit us wasn’t the colourful streets.
It was the heat.
Walking out into Cartagena felt like stepping into a sauna. Within minutes we were searching for shade and wondering how locals managed to function during the middle of the day.
Coming from Ecuador and Peru, the Caribbean climate was a shock to the system.
Once we’d adjusted though, Cartagena quickly won us over.
The city has an energy that’s difficult to explain until you’ve experienced it yourself.
Music drifts through the streets.
People gather in squares.
Street performers appear around every corner.
And almost every building seems to be painted in a different colour.
We spent much of our first day simply wandering around the Old Town, getting lost down side streets and taking in the atmosphere.
One thing Cartagena does exceptionally well is make you slow down.
It’s not really a destination where you rush from attraction to attraction.
Instead, it’s somewhere you wander.
You stop for a drink.
Take a photo.
Grab an ice cream.
Sit in a square.
And simply enjoy being there.
Where We Stayed: NH Cartagena Urban Royal
For our stay in Cartagena, we chose NH Cartagena Urban Royal.
The main reason was location.
It provided easy access to both the historic centre and Getsemaní while still being comfortable enough for travelling as a family.
One feature we particularly appreciated was the rooftop pool.
After walking around Cartagena’s hot streets all day, being able to cool off in the pool was a huge bonus.
The rooms were comfortable, the breakfast was good and the location made exploring the city easy.
Would it be the most luxurious hotel in Cartagena?
No.
But for families looking for a practical base in a good location, we’d happily stay there again.
Exploring Getsemaní with Kids
If you’re visiting Cartagena with children, there’s a good chance you’ll spend a lot of time in Getsemaní.
And honestly, we think that’s a good thing.
While the Old Town often gets most of the attention, Getsemaní quickly became our favourite area of the city.
It feels more relaxed.
More colourful.
And somehow a little more authentic.
The streets are packed with murals, artwork and colourful buildings that make simply walking around an activity in itself.
Our kids loved exploring here.
There was always something interesting to spot.
A new mural.
A colourful doorway.
A street performer.
A musician.
Or another hidden corner waiting to be discovered.
One of the things we enjoyed most was simply wandering without any real plan.
Getsemaní rewards curiosity.
Some of our favourite photos from Cartagena came from random side streets we’d never have found if we’d been following a strict itinerary.
The area also has a fantastic atmosphere in the evenings.
Restaurants spill onto the streets, musicians perform in the squares and the entire neighbourhood feels alive.
Despite travelling with children, we always felt comfortable spending time here.
If you’re deciding where to stay in Cartagena, Getsemaní would be at the top of our list.
It’s close enough to the Old Town to walk everywhere but has a character all of its own.
Don’t Forget The Boring Stuff
Whether you’re renting a car, whale watching in Uvita, exploring national parks, or travelling between destinations, things don’t always go to plan.
We’ve used SafetyWing throughout our travels because it gives us flexible coverage while travelling long-term as a family.
The Chiva Party Bus: Surprisingly Good with Kids
One of the highlights of our time in Cartagena was something we almost didn’t book.
The famous Chiva Party Bus.
If you’ve never heard of it, imagine a brightly coloured open-sided bus driving through Cartagena while blasting music, with people dancing, singing and generally having a great time.
On paper, it sounded like something aimed entirely at adults.
But after reading a few reviews, we decided to give it a go.
It turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of our stay.
The atmosphere was fantastic from the moment we climbed aboard.
Music filled the bus, people quickly got into the spirit of things and before long our children were joining in too.
What we expected to be a typical tourist attraction ended up feeling like a genuinely fun cultural experience.
The bus travelled around different parts of the city while local music played and everyone got involved.
It was loud.
It was chaotic.
And it was brilliant.
The kids loved it.
We loved it.
And it became one of those travel memories we still talk about long after leaving Colombia.
If you’re visiting Cartagena as a family and your children enjoy music and a bit of energy, we’d absolutely recommend it.
👉 Check availability for Chiva Party Bus tours before your trip.
Other Things We Enjoyed in Cartagena
Not every highlight needs to be a major attraction.
Some of our favourite moments were simply wandering through the city.
Umbrella Street
Like most visitors, we made our way to Cartagena’s famous Umbrella Street.
It’s not a place you’ll spend hours, but it’s colourful, fun and worth stopping by while exploring the Old Town.
Walking the City Walls
The historic walls surrounding Cartagena offer some fantastic views and provide a different perspective of the city.
We found ourselves regularly walking sections of the walls while moving between different parts of Cartagena.
The Açaí Bowl Café
One unexpected highlight was discovering an incredible açaí bowl café.
Given the heat, cold fruit and smoothies quickly became a daily requirement rather than a luxury.
Ice Cream Stops
If you’re travelling Cartagena with kids, expect to buy a lot of ice cream.
The heat almost demands it.
Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent options throughout the city.
Simply Wandering
More than anything, Cartagena is a city that rewards wandering.
Some of our favourite discoveries happened when we had no destination in mind and simply followed whichever colourful street looked interesting.
Is Cartagena Safe with Kids?
This is probably one of the most common questions families ask before visiting Colombia.
Based on our experience, yeah, sure. We think so.
We felt comfortable travelling around Cartagena with our children.
That doesn’t mean you should abandon common sense.
Like any major tourist destination, there are areas where you’ll need to stay aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on valuables.
The biggest issue we encountered wasn’t crime.
It was constant approaches from street vendors.
You’ll regularly be offered:
Tours
Souvenirs
Sunglasses
Food
Boat trips
Various other services
Most people are polite and simply trying to make a living, but it can become tiring after a while.
Apart from that, we never experienced any situations that made us feel unsafe.
Getsemaní felt comfortable.
The Old Town felt comfortable.
And the main tourist areas were busy with other visitors throughout the day.
What We’d Avoid
Carrying unnecessary valuables.
Wandering quiet streets late at night.
Accepting unsolicited services without agreeing a price first.
Follow the same precautions you’d use in many popular tourist destinations and you’ll likely have a positive experience.
Things We Didn't Love
No destination is perfect.
And while we really enjoyed Cartagena, there were a few things we didn’t love.
The Heat
This was easily the biggest challenge.
Cartagena is hot.
Really hot.
Combined with the humidity, even short walks could become exhausting during the middle of the day.
The Vendors
As mentioned earlier, the constant approaches from vendors can become repetitive.
It’s rarely aggressive, but you do need to get comfortable politely saying “No gracias.”
Prices
Compared to many other destinations in Colombia, Cartagena felt noticeably more expensive.
That’s hardly surprising given its popularity, but it’s worth factoring into your budget.
Would We Visit Cartagena Again?
Absolutely.
Cartagena is colourful, vibrant and packed with character.
It’s the sort of place that immediately feels different from anywhere else in Colombia.
The combination of Caribbean culture, colonial architecture, great food and lively atmosphere makes it easy to understand why so many people visit.
Would we spend a month there?
Probably not.
But would we include it on another Colombia trip?
Without question.
For first-time visitors, Cartagena is an excellent introduction to the country and one of those destinations that deserves its place on most Colombia itineraries.
Our Cartagena Rating
🏖️ Family Friendly: 8/10
🍽️ Food: 8/10
🚶 Walkability: 9/10
💰 Value for Money: 7/10
🌡️ Weather Comfort: 5/10
⭐ Overall: 8/10
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cartagena worth visiting with kids?
Yes. Cartagena offers colourful streets, family-friendly walking areas, good food and plenty of atmosphere. We think it’s one of the best first stops for families visiting Colombia.
Is Getsemaní family friendly?
Absolutely. It was our favourite area in Cartagena and we’d happily stay there again with children.
How many days do you need in Cartagena with kids?
We’d recommend three to four days. That’s enough time to explore the city without feeling rushed.
Is Cartagena safe for families?
Based on our experience, yes. Use normal travel precautions and stay aware of your surroundings, just as you would in any major tourist destination.
What is the best area to stay in Cartagena?
For most families, we’d recommend Getsemaní. It offers a fantastic atmosphere while remaining within easy walking distance of Cartagena’s main attractions.
What should families do in Cartagena?
Our highlights included exploring Getsemaní, walking through the Old Town, riding the Chiva Party Bus, visiting Umbrella Street and simply wandering Cartagena’s colourful streets.
