Colombia · South America
Cartagena, Colombia: cost, safety and best time to visit (2026)
Population: 915KCurrency: COPTime zone: America/Bogota
US travel advisory
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Mar and Apr
highest visit score, Open-Meteo climate record
About Cartagena
Cartagena is a coastal city in Colombia with about 915,000 residents, priced in Colombian pesos (COP). For a single traveler, typical daily costs run from about $35 on a budget to $80 for a mid-range trip and $170 for a luxury one, covering lodging, meals, local transport and a few paid activities. Over a full week, those same tiers add up to roughly $245, $560 and $1,190. The most favorable weather for visiting falls in January through April, when highs sit near 32-33°C, rainfall stays low, and sunshine runs around 11 hours a day. Conditions shift from May onward as rain totals climb sharply, though July and August still draw visitors despite the wetter pattern. Travelers should also weigh national safety context: the US State Department places Colombia at Level 3, and UK guidance flags country-wide risks including terrorism, armed groups and street crime, none of which are Cartagena-specific ratings. Understanding both the cost structure and the seasonal and safety picture helps in planning a realistic visit.
Weather through the year
Average high in °C and monthly rainfall in mm, from the Open-Meteo archive.
Jan
32°
23mm
Feb
32°
13mm
Mar
33°
20mm
Apr
33°
63mm
May
31°
171mm
Jun
31°
196mm
Jul
32°
117mm
Aug
31°
154mm
Sep
31°
161mm
Oct
30°
199mm
Nov
30°
185mm
Dec
31°
43mm
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a week in Cartagena cost?
A week runs about $245 on a budget itinerary, $560 for a mid-range trip, or $1,190 for a luxury one, based on the daily estimates of $35, $80 and $170. These figures cover lodging, food, local transport and some paid activities.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
January through April are the top-rated months, with high temperatures around 32-33°C, comparatively low rainfall, and about 11 hours of sunshine a day. These months also form part of the wider peak season alongside July and August.
Is Cartagena safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Colombia at Level 3 - Reconsider Travel, and UK guidance describes country-wide risks such as terrorism, armed groups and street crime; these advisories apply nationally rather than specifically to Cartagena. Travelers should still take standard precautions, especially after dark and around ATMs.
Can I visit Cartagena on a tight budget?
Yes, the budget estimate is about $35 a day, which covers basic lodging, simple meals and local transport. Costs can run lower still by traveling during the off season and limiting paid attractions.
What is the cheapest time of year to visit?
May, June and August are listed as the off season, with the lowest costs and quietest conditions. These months also bring higher rainfall than the January-to-April stretch.
What about food and getting around the city?
Daily cost estimates already factor in local meals and everyday transport within the budget, mid-range and luxury tiers of $35, $80 and $170. Mid-range and luxury budgets allow for more restaurant meals and taxi or private transport rather than relying solely on public options.
Keep reading
More on Cartagena
Where it ranks
Country
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
- World Bank price level and exchange rate — CC BY 4.0, data year 2025
- US State Department travel advisories — public domain, fetched September 21, 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice — Open Government Licence v3, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.