It’s great to visit Cartagena year-round.  Dry season typically runs from December through March, and this is the busiest time for tourism, so expect a lot of other visitors to Cartagena.  

The rainy season typically runs from May through November so expect passing rain and fewer people.  Temperatures are consistently warm year round with highs near 80 degrees.

Enjoy boutique hotel rooms inside the walls of the historic center of Cartagena.  Expect beautiful colonial architecture in the second oldest city in the western hemisphere.

You will be walking distance from restaurants, bars, & shopping.

Solo travelers will be paired with someone of the same gender.

You can request a friend to be your roommate upon checkout.

If you'd prefer not to have a roommate, private room options are available upon request, subject to hotel availability for an extra charge.  Please contact bookings@under30experiences.com for more details.

There is an abundance of fresh tropical fruits in Colombia, many of which are made into delicious  juices.

Cartagena has a large Afro-Caribbean influence.  Try local coconut rice, ceviche, seafood cazuela, and tres leches cake for dessert.

Colombia is world renowned for its coffee.  Our favorite coffee shop is Cafe San Alberto… stop by for a coffee tasting and become a real "cafetero."

Typical Colombian food consists of beans, rice, plantains, & arepas (cakes made of corn or wheat, somewhat similar to tortillas). Meat is quite popular in Colombia & fish is plentiful along the coast.

Absolutely! Extra days can be arranged in most areas if desired. Our Trip Leader will do his/her best to provide you with the best recommendations.

You will receive a detailed packing list after you book your trip. Bring long sleeves and a fleece/ sweater for cool highland evenings and plenty of comfortable, breathable clothes for hot days at the beach. Good walking shoes, insect repellent and sun protection are also a must.

Here is our Packing list.

Inside the walls of Cartagena, crime is low.  Petty theft is common in Colombia, so travelers should take common-sense precautions & leave fancy jewelry at home, or locked in a safe.  Don’t leave bags unattended on the beach.

Like any big city, risk increases at night, especially with alcohol consumption. Please take the advice of your Trip Leader and walk with another group member late at night. Most travelers visit Colombia without incident. Though we have not had any safety concerns on our trips, crime can be a problem throughout certain parts of Colombia.

Travelers should follow the advice of hotel staff and Trip Leaders as well as taking common sense precautions. Hotels can store your valuables in a safe if desired. That said, most travelers visit Colombia without an issue.

The tap water is generally not safe to drink in Colombia.

Bottled water is readily available at tourist sites, hotels, and restaurants. Don't forget to use bottled water when brushing your teeth as an extra precaution as well!

Ice is not always made with boiled/bottled water. Order your beverages without ice ("sin hielo") or ask your trip leader if the ice is safe in a particular restaurant.

All travelers will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after they depart Colombia.

Most travelers do not need a tourist visa for Colombia. Tourist visas are not currently required for citizens of the following countries: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Israel and many other countries.

The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). For the most up-to-date exchange rates, please check a currency converter.

We suggest you bring some cash in American currency. Most travelers bring a small amount of local currency with them and withdraw from ATMs as they need it along they way. ATMs are readily available in the larger towns and cities. Travelers can withdraw local currency at fair exchange rates using an ATM. Traveler's checks are fine, but they can be more difficult to exchange and you will usually receive a poorer rate or be charged an additional fee.

Credit cards are accepted in most major cities and large shopping areas. In more remote areas there may be difficulties using credit cards, so you do not want to solely rely on them for financial transactions. It is best to have local currency on hand when traveling to more small towns or remote areas.

Electricity in Colombia is 110 volts, the same as the US. Visitors from outside of the US should bring an adapter. Plugs are either two flat prongs or two flat prongs with an additional round grounding pin.

Yes! When travelers take advantage of our “Switch Your Trip” program last minute slots open up on sold out trips. Visit our Trips On Sale page for the latest last-minute deals.

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Feel free to reach out to our all-star customer service team at info@under30experiences.com or by calling 1 (888) 839-2086.