Is Cartagena Worth A Visit? The Negatives of Cartagena, Colombia!

We spent 3 months living in Cartagena, Colombia and found lots of things we really enjoyed as well as lots of things we didn't like. We're going to go over the city's negative features to give you a better idea of whether or not you should visit Cartagena.

We'll talk about the aggressive street vendors, the scammers, the infrastructure, the cost of groceries and accommodations in Cartagena, the poor service, the expensive visa situation and more.

There were also lots of things we liked in Cartagena, which you can find in these videos:

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[p.c.h.]

As always, do not go to a foreign country expecting to have the same services and experiences that you have back home.
I Love Cartagena, there are many pros, it's one of my favorite cities and everyone should visit it and enjoy it.

[jahvaughnyinc]

Okay, so Recently this year, In March, I travelled to Cartagena, Colombia from my Country, Jamaica for the first time. Here's how I rate my experience on the scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent.

1. Food and service from the restaurants: 9.5 (Majority of the restaurants that I've visited had excellent customer service, and the food were delicious, I can't complain because I found no faults.

2. Food from the supermarkets, and grocery stores: 6.5 (If you are planning on buying raw meats, vegetables, and occasionally fruits in the grocery stores or some supermarkets, don't bother, because they're probably spoiled. I realize fruits and veg, and especially meats weren't very sustainable and they spoiled easily, probably because of poor storage, an excess in quantity, and probably the heat) You are way safer just going to a restaurant where everything is fresh. If you want fruits, it's best to buy them from the vendors on the road because they are way fresher)

3. Clubs & Bars: 9 (I had a wonderful experience in the club and bars, no faults there)

4. Accomodation 9.5 (Spaces for accommodation was clean, super safe as persons would have to provide ID upon visiting a hotel or airbnb. If you had a visitor they had to provide ID at the lobby so everything was very secure. The property I stayed at even had electric fence, and yes there was Cameras) Pricing was not bad, it was fairly cheep. I know in some areas it can be expensive but for where I stayed, it was okay.

5. Street vendors 8.5 (I personally don't mind persons trying to sell me something, I come from an Island where that is pretty custom, people live a rough life and are trying to make a living, hence why when I was there, I supported the locals. I saw one lady even in the supermarket begging the cashier for food, and I bought her groceries, people are struggling so any support I can give, I don't mind. Plus once you tell them no you're not interested, they won't really press you. The people there are really kind and helpful even when you didn't ask for it, and I value and appreciate that)

6. Scams: With regard to Uber, there's definitely a problem with uber payment especially if you chose to use cash instead of just paying from your card. I don't know what the issue is but sometimes I'd pay using cash when I'm given the balance, and after paying, it would give me an additional balance saying I owe, But if I pay with card, I have no issues. Exessive pricing for foreigners, you will encounter in most places you visit, even here in Jamaica, sadly. That's just how it is.

7. Prices: This goes for every country you travel to. USE THEIR LOCAL CURRENCY. In CTG I realize most locals didn't understand the conversion rate of USD to Colombian Pesos, and sometimes prices would seem a bit ridiculous when making purchases. To solve the issue, just convert the USD to Colombian Pesos and make transactions in their currency to avoid confusion, Preferably at a Cambio instead of at the airport, because that way you'll get more for your money when you convert.

8. Infrastructure: 7.5 (Infrastructure in certain places, especially in the Marbella area was not really good, some places in Old Town as well was not very good, but It didn't take away from my experience because I still enjoyed my stay without any issues. I see them constantly working on their infrastructure though with that being said. Hence why the air was so thick lol.)

9. Safety: 10 (Again, I had no safety concerns, there was police present in most places in Old Town, Bocagrande, Marbella area as well. I walked freely with my phone out on my selfie stick and had headphones on both during the day and during the late hours of the night while I was club hopping. On several occasions, I walked back to where I was staying in Porto Novo from Bocagrande, why my phone out on my selfie stick recording and talking photos, wallet full of cash, jewelry on, headphones on, without any worry or fear. I'm Jamaican, this is something I can't even think about doing in the country I live in, and I did all of that freely in Cartagena. I felt more safer in Cartagena than I did in my own country, Jamaica. )

10. Street Rappers: 9.5 (I had no issue with the street rappers, they approach you rapping and if you're not interested just ignore them and they'll go on to the next person, otherwise enjoy the rap and tip them when they're done)

11. I didn't have any issues entering/exiting the country, and with regard to any visa related issue.

12. The boat ride to one of the islands, was EXCELLENT! The island we visited was lovely, food was excellent, service was lovely.

13. Yes Cartagena was quite loud depending on where in Cartagena you where. If you were in Bocagrande, expect it to be loud, that's like party central lol. Party busses when by ever so often, however, in residential areas, places where there were airbnbs, hotels, hostels etc. There was complete silence, even from the party busses that passed through those areas. Trust me when I say Jamaica is louder. If you were in the Old Town area, near the Mall (La Serrezuela), it would also be a little loud due to cars and vehicles since there's a highway right there, but that was really during the day time, when people hardly come out anyways because it's so hot. People mostly come out during the night, when it's quieter except for the clubs that are in bocagrande and old town.

At the end of the day, everyone has their own experiences, and can only speak to what they went through. So that was my take on my first time visiting CTG from Kingston, Jamaica.
Would I recommend Cartagena to anyone? Yes Absolutely. I myself, am looking to go back in the near future. I had so much fun, that I wan to go back.

Cartagena was definitely my cup of team and I'm going back. I would recommend a visit to anyone, especially to persons who want to visit a country but they don't have a visa.

I know this was long, but I had to share too.

[Migo]

I have been to Cartagena many times, and never had any issues. I would think it was manly because we didn't look or act like typical tourist. Yes there was street rappers, and street vendors, but I simply gave a very direct response of NO, and was left alone. I honestly think that the way you carry yourself opens yourself to be taken advantage. But with any place you visit, I believe having some common sense and situational awareness goes a long way. I'm from the east coast in the states, and there are spots I wouldn't even travel through unless I had some protection if you know what I mean. Colombia is a beautiful country and I pray for progress and prosperity for its people.

[melisaforerovalest]

Sorry guys!!! My city must improve everything you mention... I appreciate the kindness of your comments and the respect with which you mention each negative aspect. Gracias por visitar mi ciudad!!!

[JorgeHernanArcilaA]

Colombia is a wonderful country with all the photographs, from beaches, deserts, mountains, plains, great variety, Cartagena is the most visited city in Colombia, good video. 6:50.

[marco-antoniodelgallego]

As someone who's spent a lot of time in Cartagena, here are my tips everything you mentioned in the video is true, although it's been getting a lot worse recently. The city is somehow half-dollarised and the rest is pesos and euros, they will charge 300k pesos to 300 euro even though that is not the equivalent. As for the street vendors they ""harass" tourists not only because they need to, but because they have to in order to survive and eat. Most of them live in shady places in the city or out on the streets. The customer service, that you will find is pretty consistent in Colombia but more present along the Caribbean coast, they just talk, and are friendly, and everyone's friends with everyone, the efficacy of the tasks is reduced but once you get used to lower worker speeds, it's fine, plus they don't do it to spite anyone, that's just how people are. 3k and 5k CAD a month is a rip-off. Booking online, especially through Airbnb is so scammy, the way to do it is to just go to the city with no accommodation and walk from hotel to hotel and the price range can be as low as 30USD a night! The honking and loudness, that's the Colombian Caribbean coast! unnecessary loudness. The departure tax must be new, a thing about Colombia is that most changes to migration law, politics, etc. Are not documented online, but instead televised and then not uploaded to a website, so everything becomes hearsay

[danielminnehan]

I lived there for several years, never really had those problems, only went to certain restaurants and bars. I always wore a hat and sunglasses when I went to the street; that way the nobody will try to sell you one. I never tried to act like a tourist when I was there; they can see you coming from a mile away. I have family in Cartagena and I love it there.

[maxsportsman]

The Columbian government and police need to do something about these street vendors. Every single person who visits Cartagena complains about being harassed by these people. At the end of the day it keeps people from choosing to travel to Columbia. Shame on the Columbian government for allowing this to persist!

[auryvaloy]

I Just got back had a ball. Cannot complain.

[bougiebohemian]

I know no one wants to talk about this but if you are a white American, you will get a different experience from the street vendors and rappers than a person of color. I went to Cartagena and had a wonderful time. The vendors were aggressive but once we told them no twice, they left us alone. As far as the restaurant service, we had great service. They allowed us to skip the lines and we were often served first.

[RaymondCharest]

Prices of imported items are high due to tariffs. Colombia has very low taxation, but derives significant revenue from tariffs on imported goods. Buying local is very reasonable.

[tessleong]

Great video guys! Really good information.

[sunrisevideo]

We are here in Cartagena right now and coming back to Canada soon. It is so true what you say about the welcome visa fee, the customer service being distracted, the person at the bar attempting to short change you and the street rappers who ruin your time but it’s the nature of the beast I guess. You gave great security tips. And yes a week is long enough. I would however come back again and if what you want is peace and no noise stay in Bocagrande and not Getsemaní or the old city.

[ryanhawley]

Biggest tip to have a good time in Cartagena is not to stick out like a sore thumb. If you were there for 3 months, you should have learned the language, met a solid network of locals, and known how to handle every one of those downsides with ease.

[michelle_stonesoup]

I'm a fellow Canadian who lived in Cartagena for several years. They used to have the entry tax and then got rid of it. They recently brought it back, which is unfortunate. It's a deterrent for tourism. I live in Spain now. Also, you have to give a firm "no, gracias" and the vendor and high price problems are worse in touristy neighbourhoods.

[gregorymilanovich]

I was just in Cartagena this past late January-early February. I stayed in Boca Grande & took public transportation. Never hasd a wait at the restaurants in El Centro or on Boca Grande. I waved off the beach vendors...& I went solely for the sun. Was not there during the rainy season, so, I did not encounter the street flooding that I heard was problematic. I wouldn't recommend any longer than a 2 week stay because the sun was intense. There is plenty of poverty in the business districts outside of El Centro...& you need to be aware of your surroundings as in any city. There are a lot of Venezuelan refugees there that exacerbates some of the problems.

[lotusgrl]

Im Mexican American and speak perfect Spanish but even being Spanish speaking did not save my family from EVERYTHING you mentioned..I think we spent more money in Colombia than when we've visited Portugal or San Diego..I was very dissapointed in my Cartagena experience, you are very accurate in all the dislikes bc my family and I experienced everything you just mentioned..San Juan Puerto Rico was actually more relaxing and cleaner! Medillin was very nice and much greener..

[gabel]

Thank you for this significant eye-opening review

[thizzle]

Hello! This is my first time in Cartegena, but Ive visited Medellin for almost 3 years now. My best advice to anyone visiting outside of your country- do some research first, good and bad. Learn how the place's culture is and how they 'do' things. Remember, you are NOT in your country and the locals will probably do things differently than you're used to.

If you were here 3 months and had an overall bad experience, then I would respectfully say that you must evaluate your expectations and opines. I'm from New Orleans and am used to 'touristy' stuff. This city (Cartegena) reminds me of New Orleans.

I must agree with you that its best to probably stay here, maybe a week or two, but I wouldn't stay here long-term like I would Medellín. But I will come back!!!😊😊

[Boney]

Cartagena is my favorite city in the world. I have been to 76 countries and I'm moving there permanently before the end of this year. Absolutely the best place I have ever been.