Cartagena Cruise Port
Situated on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, Cartagena Cruise Port welcomes 30 different cruise ship lines and features several attractions that reference the country’s natural resources—before exiting, pass through a replica emerald mine and an aviary with birds such as flamingoes, peacocks, and parrots.
The Basics
Cartagena Cruise Port is predominantly industrial—just two of the port’s six piers are dedicated to cruise ships—and it remains one of South America’s most important commercial ports. Full- or half-day shore excursions from Cartagena Cruise Port often include Cartagena city tours, with stops in Old Town Cartagena and the San Felipe Fort, or visits to Isla Rosario and Baru Beach. Tours from Cartagena Cruise Port typically leave from the dock itself, eliminating the hassle of passing through the nearby cruise terminal.
Things to Know Before You Go
Cartagena Cruise Port terminal has cafés, restrooms, a gift store, paid Wi-Fi, and an ATM.
Bring swimwear if you plan on taking a boat ride, snorkel, or swimming excursion in Cartagena.
Cartagena is very humid, so wear light clothes and comfortable shoes during city tours.
Some of Cartagena’s narrow sidewalks and cobbled streets may be difficult to navigate for strollers or wheelchair users.
Cartagena Cruise Port and the attached animal sanctuary is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with the exception of some restrooms.
How to Get to Cartagena From the Cartagena Cruise Port
Cartagena Cruise Port is located in the Manga neighborhood of Cartagena, around 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from the city’s popular Old Town. Most shore excursions include round-trip transportation from the port. Free shuttles operate between the pier and cruise terminal, from which point you can hire a taxi to downtown Cartagena. The taxi ride should take around 20 minutes.
Port Information
Many large cruise lines stop at Cartagena Cruise Port, including Pullmantur, Royal Caribbean, and Variety Cruises. Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language, although English also is understood. The local currency is the Colombian peso.
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- Gold Museum (Museo de Oro Zenu)
- Bolivar Square (Plaza Bolivar)
- Palace of Inquisition (Palacio de la Inquisicion)
- Cathedral of San Pedro Claver (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver)
- Cartagena Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena)
- Naval Museum of the Caribbean
- Santo Domingo Church (Iglesia de Santo Domingo)
- Teatro Adolfo Mejia (Teatro Heredia)
- Plaza de San Diego
- La India Catalina Monument
- Old Town Cartagena
- Las Bovedas
- Rafael Nuñez House Museum
- San Felipe de Barajas Castle (Castillo San Felipe de Barajas)
- Old Shoes Monument (Los Zapatos Viejos)