wlbox Posted January 15, 2016 #1 Share Posted January 15, 2016 We did Cartagena on our own. Very easy Got off the ship early. We walked off at 7:00 take the free shuttle from the ship to the Terminal building. do not visit it now. We teamed up with another couple and shared a taxi from the terminal building directly to the Old Walled UNESCO city. Paid $15 for the 4 of us in a brand new small van. We told them "Centro" and were dropped off at the Clock Tower. Not many people out this early. Great time for photos and it is still relatively cooler. Entered the Walled city and walked first to Plaza Bolivar for photos. Then we walked out to the Old city walls and continued walking on the walls near the ocean to the northside of the old town. This is where the vendor craft sale area is located. You can see the Old Fort in the distance. We did not go here as it was already getting hot. You can visit the Fort for $10 US cash per person. Instead we continued exploring the city by walking thru the streets. Stopping at different Plazas. Returning to Bolivar Plaza. Free wifi is available for 30 minutes if you register your email address. it worked great. You can get a photo taken with the lady who has a fruit basket on her head $1. We then went inside the Palace of the Inquisition. They did not charge us anything and offered clean free bathrooms. Next we visited the Museum del Oro the Gold Museum. It was also free. Air Conditioning is available at both locations in a few rooms take advantage of it. The humidity is horrible and I was so glad we started our day early. Fruit vendors are on the street. Lots of things to look at. we never felt unsafe. Do not carry much money or flashy cameras. We got a taxi back to the ship from the Clock Tower area. Tell the driver Barco (ship) they are all over and easy to find. Paid $10 for two of us but he gave us a tour on the way back to the ship. Pointing out interesting places along the way. We saw a wedding party exiting a church. The old fort up on the hill. Pretty old homes. donkey carts. Once you return to the terminal take advantage of the free and fun Aviary and mini zoo. Great photos of parrots, flamingos, iguanas. This place is so much fun. You can go inside the large cages and get great pictures of the birds. We had toucans fly up to us and pick at our shoe laces. Walk into the emerald mine exhibit, cool and interesting. The gift shop is also nice. Take the free shuttle bus back to the ship. Great day in Cartagena. Go early in the day. It does get very humid and hot. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunandsnow Posted January 17, 2016 #2 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Thanks for the great info. We are traveling next month to Cartagena and DIY. Did you get your taxi right outside the port area or did you walk a few blocks away for that price? Did you use US $? How long did you spend in the walled city? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlbox Posted January 17, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted January 17, 2016 We were off the ship early and got the taxi just outside of the aviary area of the port. We used US $$ 5 hours total time off the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunandsnow Posted January 17, 2016 #4 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Thank you. We are doing a full transit with Norwegian next month. Your help is very much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bessinfl Posted January 18, 2016 #5 Share Posted January 18, 2016 What time of year were you there? We will be there on Celebrity in April. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapevinelady Posted January 19, 2016 #6 Share Posted January 19, 2016 WOW, I'll be on that same cruise. Maybe we can meet each other and see Cartegena together.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaitlyn2 Posted January 21, 2016 #7 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Thank you. We are doing a full transit with Norwegian next month. Your help is very much appreciated. Thanks for this great post . We are party of 8 on NCL Jewel in Feb doing the full transit. Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted February 3, 2016 #8 Share Posted February 3, 2016 It is very easy to get a taxi outside the port area. Be sure to negotiate your fee up front. Do not stop for those trying to sell you on tours. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted February 3, 2016 #9 Share Posted February 3, 2016 Thanks for this great post . We are party of 8 on NCL Jewel in Feb doing the full transit. Karen Karen, your challenge is being in a party of 8 in terms of a taxi. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiring soon Posted February 11, 2016 #10 Share Posted February 11, 2016 HI all! wlbox ~ thanks so much for this post.:DI used the info about the zoo by the port area, which many didn't realize was there, & had a delightful time. I loved Cartagena & hope someday to return there to explore the fort area more. ~ Jo ~ :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alwalaska Posted April 17, 2016 #11 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Thank you wilbox! This seems like a very nice day. We don't get in until 8, but you convinced me to start my day as early as possible. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetP2 Posted April 17, 2016 #12 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Hello, thank you for posting how easy peasy it was doing Cartagena on your own. We will be there next April on HAL. We are only in port from 7am-1pm. We would prefer to do this port on our how, customized...were thinking either booking directly a guide but your post sounds easypeasy. We don't have a lot of time, we are nervous about doing a diy tour as we will be short on time, don't want to miss the ship. How long was the taxi ride to central walled city? We would like to do a walk about, plus the inquisition would be another point of interest as a must see. Trying to plan our diy for 3 hours so we get back to port in time to do the zoo. Is that too short of time to cab, walk the city streets, inquisition, cab back in 3 hours? And do you think two women on their own walking the streets would be advisable? Thank you in advance for your thoughts, info and advice, Sweetp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gem1017 Posted April 17, 2016 #13 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Can anyone tell me if there is souvenir shopping close to the port? I am looking for t shirts with the Columbian flag on them. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSF Cruiser Posted April 17, 2016 #14 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Do they still have the water taxi from the port terminal building to the old city? We were in Cartagena four years ago and took the water taxi, walked around the old city, got a cab to the fort, then tool a cab back to the ship. It was a wonderful day. We're going back in January and want to do a similar day. I have't read anything in these posts about a water taxi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetP2 Posted April 17, 2016 #15 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Do they still have the water taxi from the port terminal building to the old city? We were in Cartagena four years ago and took the water taxi, walked around the old city, got a cab to the fort, then tool a cab back to the ship. It was a wonderful day. We're going back in January and want to do a similar day. I have't read anything in these posts about a water taxi. Oh taking a water taxi to the old city sounds perfect...I will watch for replies..and maybe jump onto google and do some research. Thanks RSF Cruiser for your post! Sweetp2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolcruise02 Posted May 3, 2016 #16 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Thanks for the info! Love to explore on our own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lulurobby Posted June 29, 2016 #17 Share Posted June 29, 2016 We have an overnight stop here in November, it is one of our must do places on our bucket list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunes Posted July 3, 2016 #18 Share Posted July 3, 2016 We just got back from a 3 night trip to Cartagena. $10USD is way too expensive for a cab to el centro (aka torre del reloj/clock tower). We always paid $7000 colombian pesos which is ~$2.25. Uber is also in Cartagena, and it's almost the same as a taxi. That's a good option if you don't want to carry pesos. Sweetp- it's very safe for women to walk around especially during the day. Your time at the port is so short, however, that I would suggest a private tour. The fort was a big highlight for me, and I loved walking around the old city and its neighbor, Getsemani. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black forest Posted July 11, 2016 #19 Share Posted July 11, 2016 (edited) Hi, while searching for information about Cartagena I have found this: .Be wary of people offering their services as guides. Tourists coming off the cruise ships are besieged by guides offering their services at prices ranging up to $US80 for an afternoon. You can bargain them down to less than half that. Make sure you get a guide who does actually speak English. Pay him at the end, not before, and make it clear where you want to go, because many "guides" head straight for shops that pay them commisions. A taxi driver can be hired for a day trip for around US$10 an hour, though very few speak English. If coming off a cruise ship, you must get a taxi driver from outside the terminal, because the ones inside the terminal have set up a cartel. To see a printer-friendly list of 36 interesting excursions in Cartagena. http://www.cartagenainfo.net/glenndavid/tips.html Edited July 11, 2016 by black forest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euro cruiser Posted August 7, 2016 #20 Share Posted August 7, 2016 For those who have taken taxis in Cartagena, will it be easy to find a van/minivan as opposed to cars? There are three of us but two wheelchairs, I could always fall back to two taxis but would prefer to stay together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunes Posted August 9, 2016 #21 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Most of the taxis are tiny sedans that barely fit four passengers. You might want to consider a private car hire if you need a minivan for the wheelchairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOLDENBONNY Posted August 12, 2016 #22 Share Posted August 12, 2016 For those who have taken taxis in Cartagena, will it be easy to find a van/minivan as opposed to cars? There are three of us but two wheelchairs, I could always fall back to two taxis but would prefer to stay together. In your case i would recommend excursion from ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euro cruiser Posted August 12, 2016 #23 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Thanks, but an organized tour won't work for us. We need the flexibility for one or both of them to go back to the ship if they get fatigued. I think that taxis are the best balance of cost and flexibility for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alwalaska Posted January 6, 2017 #24 Share Posted January 6, 2017 (edited) Thanks, but an organized tour won't work for us. We need the flexibility for one or both of them to go back to the ship if they get fatigued. I think that taxis are the best balance of cost and flexibility for us. If you haven't already cruised, someone on TripAdv game me an email address of a taxi driver. I believe he only has a car, but he may be able to put you in touch with someone who has a can. You can email me at annjunk at sbcglobal dot net if you are interested. Edited January 6, 2017 by alwalaska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euro cruiser Posted January 7, 2017 #25 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Ah, thanks but we've been there and are back. We didn't wind up doing a tour at Cartagena, we just walked off the ship and wandered around the port area shops and bird sanctuary. We did walk to the port exit to check out the area but it was really, really hot that day and it looked like a long walk to get anywhere so we turned back and returned to the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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