Pirates of the Caribbean: Cartagena by Cruise Ship
I’m going to get right to the point with this post: if you are considering a cruise which calls in Cartagena, take that cruise. If you already booked a cruise which calls in Cartagena and you are trying to decide if you should even get off the ship on your port day–GET OFF THE SHIP. If you were thinking about visiting Cartagena for a few days on a land trip, do that too.
Cartagena is like no other place I’ve ever been. It is a chaotic kind of beautiful. The experience can not be captured in photos, though if you’re like me, you’ll still try. If forced to compare Cartagena to anywhere else on earth, I’d say: it’s like someone mashed up Miami, New Orleans and the Pirates of the Caribbean ride set and then covered it in a lot of flowering plants and street art.
I loved Cartagena.
But I didn’t love it at first.
For my excursion, I chose the MSC cruise line sponsored Hop On Hop Off Bus (HOHO Bus). I wanted a day as independent as possible, and my plan was to simply use the bus as transportation. I planned to take it to the fort first, and then hop back on and go to the old walled city. Except that didn’t work out, because despite what I had read, the HOHO bus didn’t stop at the fort.
In fact, the HOHO bus wasn’t exactly a HOHO bus in that you could neither hop off nor hop back on. And that’s kind of the essence of a hop on hop off bus.
We boarded an open air bus-like-vehicle and headed out of the port at 8:30am. Upon exiting the port area we were immediately punched in the face by the realities of morning rush hour in Cartagena. I have never seen traffic of that nature; people on small motorbikes weave in and out of more lanes of traffic than should rightfully fit on the narrow roads. I silently added Cartagena to my list of places I will never rent a car. It’s a short list, but it is now one location longer.
Our bus had a tour guide. And our tour guide spent most of the 35 minute drive into town explaining what would happen once we got to the old walled city. The HOHO bus included a free walking tour, and we were all VERY STRONGLY encouraged to take the tour and then get back on and finish the 90-minute hop on hop off route. Realizing my plan to see the fort on my own was not going to happen, I decided to make the best of the day and join the walking tour I initially had zero interest in doing. And do you know what? I’m glad I did.
We spent almost two hours touring the walled city, though this also included a 20-minute stop at an emerald shop at the conclusion of the tour. Our tour guide took us through the narrow streets, to several beautiful plazas, including the park-like Plaza de la Proclamación, and up along the ramparts of the actual wall which still surrounds the old town. For more on what the walking tour was like, check out the photos below.
Would I have preferred to tour on my own? Yes, but the reality is that I was alone in a new city and with very limited time. I use cruise travel as a way to visit new locations cheaply and easily so I can decide if I’d like to return. When short on time and in a more-challenging location, a walking tour is not the worst idea. In fact, it may sometimes be the best.
At the end of the walking tour we were given the option of getting back on the HOHO bus to resume the driving tour or getting a bus directly back to the port. Because I have super-fun health issues which prevent me from even drinking water while out and about–and the fact that it was 85 degrees Fahrenheit with 90% humidity–I had to choose to head back to the port, lest I perish. But if you are a normal person and can consume water without getting violently ill, please take a bottle or two of water and then continue on with the tour.
Luckily my day wasn’t over yet, as the actual port area in Cartagena is quite lovely. Aside from the standard gift shop, the secure area adjacent to where the ship docks is a really lovely aviary. After buying a bottle of much-needed water, I did some shopping and enjoyed looking around at the parrots and flamingos on the property. There was also a small cafe and a coffee shop. I regret not trying some of the coffee, but at that point I needed water almost more than I needed air.
As charming as the little port area is, I beg of you–if you have a port day in Cartagena, spend some of the day actually exploring the city. In the future, if I only had one day in Cartagena, I would hire a driver for the day. Some of my fellow cruise passengers got a taxi into town for $5 USD and had a great time exploring on their own and having lunch at a fancy hotel, which is another solid option.
Personally, I hope to return to Cartagena–and Colombia in general–in the future as part of a land trip. It’s a unique and vibrant–if a bit challenging at first–destination worthy of more than one day. Far more than one day. Like maybe a month.
Below you will find several of my photos from this excursion, a detailed itinerary of actual travel and activity times, and a short FAQ section which will hopefully answer most questions about this excursion. But if you are considering this excursion and have any additional questions, please ask in the comments. I will always respond.
A Port Day in Cartagena, Colombia in Photos
Sailing in to Cartagena, Colombia
The hipster part of Cartagena, Getsemaní.
Getsemaní street art.
The murals in Cartagena are stunning.
The Clock Tower in the wall to the old city.
In the old city, Cartagena.
On the wall ramparts.
Busy, narrow roads in the old town.
Aviary in the port area.
It’s hard to take a photo with one of these signs when you are solo.
Come and knock on our door…
In case anyone was wondering if I ended up buying emeralds in the gift shop at the end of the tour.
Cartagena Hop On Hop Off Bus Excursion Itinerary
8:30am. Very short walk from the ship to the bus.
8:25am – 9:15am. Drive through various neighborhoods.
9:20am. Arrive at the Clock Tower entrance to the old town.
9:20am – 11:15am. Walking tour.
11:15am – 12pm. Wait for direct to ship return bus.
12pm – 1:30pm Enjoy port area aviary.
Cartagena Hop On Hop Off Bus Excursion FAQ
Availability of Food: there is no food available on this tour, and you’re walking too swiftly to stop for snacks. There was one opportunity to buy a coconut from a cart but I’m certain that wasn’t planned so that may not be an option on your tour.
Availability of toilets: there is one toilet stop on this tour, at the very end of the walking tour. It is a single toilet room in the emerald shop. You will be waiting in line with 20 other people. There are no other rest stop opportunities on this tour.
Transportation mode: open air bus, that limo service near me, and your own two feet.
Travel times: 40 minute bus ride into town. 10 minute bus ride back to the port (there was less traffic on the return, plus they took a more direct route.)
Activity level: moderate. You must be able to walk for up to two hours in the heat.
Could You Do This Independently?
Yes, and I argue that would be a better idea. There are taxis available right outside the port, and many available outside the clock tower entrance to the walled city. If I had it to do over again, I’d take a taxi and skip the HOHO bus that wasn’t really a HOHO bus.
Wonderful information. I will be meeting my nephew in Cartagena. What would you suggest is the best way/place to meet him? He is hiring a driver for the day I understand there is a courtesy bus from the ship to the terminal. Is that correct? Thanks for your help.
Yes, there is a courtesy bus from the ship to the terminal. It’s not a long walk though–maybe three city blocks? And it is a secure port area, so walking it is totally safe. Once you are at the terminal there’s a lovely aviary to explore.
I’m not sure how to advise on meeting up with your nephew, as I’m not sure how close to the terminal his driver can get. I’m assuming he lives there, so I’d defer to him.
Thank you for this very helpful post!
I’m getting ready to cruise the Panama Canal with Princess in two weeks. These articles have been so helpful. Thank you so much for the time in writing and all the descriptions and the pictures I have share these with my private Facebook group for our cruise. Hopefully others will read to complete articles.
We are scheduled to go to Cartagena in April and are confused on the Covid PCR testing requirements. Did you need to show any testing information prior to boarding or landing in Cartagena? Also, did you need to complete a MIG form prior to being allowed on shore? Information available is so confusing and contradicting. Thanks
What a great review! I’m going on my first Panama Canal cruise later this year, with a stop in Cartagena.
Can you tell me how expensive the emeralds are? I love your necklace, and I’m hoping to be able to purchase something for less than $1,000.
The necklace pictured was $100. It was the second least expensive option in the emerald shop. A friend spent well over 10x that on a GORGEOUS ring. So I’d say with around $500 you can get something moderate and beautiful.