Cartagena, Colombia

• Cartagena is on Colombia's Caribbean coast. The old town has colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and it's hot - around 86-90°F (30-32°C) year-round with humidity that'll have you sweating immediately. The historic Walled City is the main tourist area. Getsemaní, the neighborhood next door, has street art, bars with live music, and locals hanging out in the plaza most evenings.
• Eating alone is common, especially in Getsemaní where you'll see people working on laptops or reading at cafe tables. English is spoken in the tourist areas (Walled City, Getsemaní, Bocagrande) since there's a lot of tourism, though basic Spanish helps. Most people in other neighborhoods don't speak much English.
• Tourist Police (337-4413) patrol the main areas and speak some English. Crime is mostly pickpocketing - don't pull out your phone in crowds or wear visible jewelry. Catcalling happens a lot, which gets annoying. It rarely goes beyond words. Most people just ignore it and keep walking.
• The Walled City and main parts of Getsemaní are well-lit with people around until midnight on weekends. After that, take Uber or an official taxi instead of walking through quiet streets. Bocagrande has private security and feels quite safe late at night, but you pay tourist prices for everything there.

Spanish is the main language. English is common in tourist areas (Walled City, Getsemaní, Bocagrande). Tourist Police (337-4413) have English speakers. Emergency service (123) has some English available. Hotel staff and upscale restaurants usually speak English.

• People dress more formally here than in many beach towns. Colombians tend to dress nicely - think linen dresses or light trousers rather than gym clothes in the city. Shorts and flip-flops are fine at the beach but stand out elsewhere. Nicer restaurants expect smart casual.
• Catcalling happens a lot and can get tiring. Ignore it and keep walking. It rarely goes beyond verbal comments. Making a scene draws more attention. Most women traveling alone say it's annoying but manageable.
• Tourist areas speak English (hotels, restaurants in the Walled City), but basic Spanish helps everywhere else. Learn 'por favor,' 'gracias,' 'disculpe,' and 'cuánto cuesta' at minimum.
• Ask before taking photos of people, especially at churches or markets. Most people are friendly but respect boundaries.
• 'No des papaya' is a common saying - it means don't make yourself an easy target. Don't pull out expensive items in crowds, keep valuables hidden, stay aware of what's around you.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Emergency Services: 123. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• Uber works here but technically operates in a gray area. Don't take Uber from the airport - either arrange pickup ahead of time or use the official taxi kiosk outside customs for fixed rates.
• Taxis don't have meters, so agree on the price before getting in. Apps like Cabify, InDriver, and DiDi are cheaper than Uber and locals use them more.
• Walk around the historic center - the Walled City, San Diego, and Getsemaní are close together. Wear decent shoes for the cobblestones and bring water because it's hot. Walking is fine during the day, but take a taxi or Uber after 10 PM.
• There's a bus system (Transcaribe) but most visitors just walk the historic areas and use ride apps for longer trips. If you stay in Bocagrande, you'll probably taxi to the Walled City since it's a 20-minute walk on a busy road.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Cartagena with local guides and curated experiences.