Overnight Trips from Cartagena

October 20, 2026

Travel advisory: At the time of writing, the US State Department rates Colombia Level 3, “Reconsider Travel” (issued 31 March 2026), and the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to a list of border and rural regions that includes the southern part of Bolívar Department. Cartagena is not on that list, but overland trips pass through other parts of the country, so read both pages in full before choosing a route: the US State Department and the UK FCDO . Theft, drink spiking and unlicensed taxis are the usual risks for visitors on the coast.

Cartagena is mostly a base for day trips, and there is no ready-made menu of multi-night tours from the city. The overnight options that do exist are a night on the Barú peninsula or the islands, a bus ride to Santa Marta and Tayrona, the river town of Mompox, and an overnight in Palenque. Each depends on details that change, such as park closures and bus times, so confirm before you book. Peso prices use about 3,200 COP to US$1.

Overnight on Barú or the Rosario Islands

Staying a night avoids the early boat rush from the Muelle de la Bodeguita. Lodging near the Aviario Nacional is listed on its official visitor page , with names including Hotel Playa Manglares, Decameron Barú, Isla del Encanto, Sofitel Barú Calablanca and Sabai. Check availability and transfers directly. The usual cash charges still apply: a pier-use fee (roughly 18,000 to 34,000 COP), park entry (13,500 COP in the Rosario sector) and the compulsory accident insurance, reported at about 8,800 COP. Trade winds from December to March can cancel boats, and the port captaincy’s sea flags decide whether anyone sails.

Santa Marta and Tayrona

Santa Marta is about 4 to 5 hours by bus from Cartagena, with fares from about 57,000 COP. Tayrona National Park lies beyond it, so treat the trip as at least two nights, never a day trip. The park also closes for scheduled “Respira Tayrona” rest periods three times a year (in recent years in early February, early June and late October to early November) and has closed at short notice for security reasons, so confirm it is open before you travel. Foreign non-resident entry has been reported at roughly 81,000 to 96,500 COP, and sources disagree. The compulsory accident insurance also covers Tayrona. Check the national parks site for the rules before you book.

Mompox

Mompox is a colonial river town about 6 to 6.5 hours from Cartagena by road. About three direct buses a day have been reported, so plan at least one night and check the timetable at the terminal.

Palenque overnight

San Basilio de Palenque is about 50 km south-east, roughly 1.5 hours away, and tourism there is run by local associations such as Benkos Tour. Some visitors combine it with Totumo. Ask the association directly about overnight stays.

How to plan it

Keep Cartagena for two or three nights, then move on.
Book a bed for the night before any early boat or bus.
Buy tickets at official terminals, and use hotel-booked taxis to reach them.

Compare stays on Booking.com once your dates are fixed.