The well-preserved historic center and neighboring barrios invite exploration on foot, leading you through the picturesque streets, hidden alleys and captivating plazas. Should you desire a swifter pace, though, an array of transportation options are readily available to whisk you away, including taxis, buses and Uber or other ride-hailing apps.
Here’s the scoop on all the safe, affordable and quick ways to get around Cartagena:
Public transport:
Buses:
Cartagena’s modern bus system consists of four main routes and a series of feeder lines. TransCaribe is a bus rapid transit (BRT) network, whose orange-and-white buses use dedicated lanes to serve designated routes throughout the city. The buses, which operate on clean-burning compressed natural gas, circulate from 6am to 11pm Monday through Friday, and weekends until 9pm.
Each ride costs COP$3000 ($.70), but no cash is accepted. You must have a rechargeable TuLlave card that can be purchased at TransCaribe stations for COP$6000 ($1.40). Top up the card at most stations or other authorized vendors, such as Giros Colombia.
Sample routes include the T102, which runs frequently from just outside of the airport, at Calle 70 and Carrera 4, into the city. The T103 skirts the Old Town on its way to Bocagrande and Castillogrande. From the Terminal de Transportes bus station, the X104 heads to the city center.
Tip for taking the bus around Cartagena: The free mobile-phone app Moovit or Googlemaps provides route information and timetables.
Taxis:
Taxis are the easiest and quickest way to get around Cartagena. Unlike in other big Colombian cities, you can feel safe hailing an official taxi on the streets here. (When in doubt, have someone at a hotel or restaurant summon one for you.) Official taxis are yellow, with the words “servicio publico” on their exterior, and the license plate number affixed to the side passenger door. It helps to have good negotiation skills as there are no meters. When you hail a taxi, agree on the price before getting in. If you’re not happy with what the driver wants to charge, stop engaging and simply wait for another taxi.
There are official prices for taxi fares, set by legal decree. As of March 2024, the minimum fare for travel around the historic center is COP$9800 ($2.25), while a taxi from the airport to hotels in the Old Town is COP$16100 ($3.70). Additional fees are levied for rides late at night. A tip is not expected, but rounding up to the nearest thousand pesos is good practice.
Try to carry small-denomination bills with you so that you can top them up when it’s time to pay.
In Cartagena today, it’s quite possible to take an official cab on the street by raising your arm. But if you can, it’s always best to order a cab by phone (ask your hotel or the restaurant/bar where you’re staying). You can also use an app like Cabify.
Uber can be used in major Colombian cities, including Cartagena – and it’s only one of many app-based services that get you from point A to B. Cabify (which acquired Easy Taxi and Easy Tappsi), InDriver and DiDi Rider are popular with Colombians because the fares tend to be a bit lower. Regardless of preference, these ride-hailing apps’ added security features – including the ability to share the driver’s name, vehicle type and license plate number, plus your real-time location, with someone you know – make them very popular with Cartageneros.
