Colombia
Cartagena & Bolívar
Region
The region encompasses the Caribbean coast around Cartagena de Indias and the hinterland of the Departamento Bolívar up to the Río Magdalena.
by Felix Gillen
The region encompasses the Caribbean coast around Cartagena de Indias and the hinterland of the Departamento Bolívar up to the Río Magdalena. You come for Cartagena's walled old town, the coral reefs of the Islas del Rosario, and the colonial city of Mompox, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Coast and IslandsFounded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena was one of the most important ports in the Spanish Caribbean. Its port, fortifications, and old town have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984. Southwest of the city is the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Park, which primarily protects marine areas and is only accessible by boat.On the Río MagdalenaAbout 250 kilometers southeast of Cartagena, Santa Cruz de Mompox lies on a branch of the Río Magdalena. Its old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995 and is known for its churches and gold and silver filigree work. The journey by land takes several hours, but the city is significantly quieter than the coast.
Food & Drink in Cartagena and Bolívar
Die Küche Bolívars verbindet indigene, spanische und afrikanische Einflüsse und dreht sich um Kokos, Fisch und Kochbananen. Im Landesinneren, am Río Magdalena, kommen Käse, Würste und Süßigkeiten aus Mompox hinzu.
Arroz con coco
Coconut rice is a hallmark of Caribbean cuisine, accompanying fried fish or seafood. You'll find it in almost every coastal spot.
Posta negra cartagenera
Beef, braised in a dark, sweet and sour sauce that gives the dish its name. It is usually served with coconut rice and patacones.
Mote de queso
Vegetarische Suppe der Karibikregion aus Yamswurzel, Küstenkäse, Knoblauch, Frühlingszwiebel, Kreuzkümmel und Tomate. Zum Schluss kommt ein Spritzer Limette dazu.
Queso de capa
Schichtkäse aus fermentierter Kuhmilch, ähnlich einem Mozzarella, die bekannteste Spezialität von Mompox. Manchmal wird er mit Guavenpaste gefüllt.
Best Time to Visit
When is the best time for your trip?
27–28°C·0–45 mm(little rain)
From December to April, it hardly rains in Cartagena; January to March remain almost rain-free and have the most sunshine hours. From May, showers increase, with October being the wettest month with over 230 mm. It's always hot: monthly averages are between 27 and 29 degrees.
The humidity remains around 80 percent throughout the year. The sea is between 27 and 29 degrees. In December and January, as well as during Semana Santa, accommodations quickly book up due to Colombian holidays.
Seasons
Jan
Feb
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Dry season, High season
Dry season
Shoulder Season
Rain time
Best Time to Visit
▶Show detailed monthly data
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sun (h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.9 | 1 | 8.8 |
| February | 27.0 | 0 | 8.5 |
| March | 27.3 | 3 | 7.7 |
| April | 28.1 | 19 | 7.0 |
| May | 28.6 | 117 | 6.2 |
| June | 28.9 | 93 | 6.3 |
| July | 28.6 | 121 | 6.7 |
| August | 28.7 | 128 | 6.4 |
| September | 28.6 | 133 | 5.7 |
| October | 28.3 | 237 | 5.5 |
| November | 28.1 | 178 | 6.2 |
| December | 27.5 | 45 | 7.8 |
Videos & Travel Reports
Meet a local: Cartagena, Kolumbien | DW Deutsch
Kurzes Video aus der DW-Reihe Meet a local, in der Einheimische ihre Stadt vorstellen. Diese Folge spielt in Cartagena an der Karibikküste.
Culture and History
The region's history is closely linked to Spanish colonial trade. Independence: Cartagena celebrates multi-day Fiestas de Independencia around November 11th.Semana Santa in Mompox: The Holy Week processions are the city's most important religious festival.Handicrafts: The Filigrana momposina, fine jewelry made from gold and silver threads, is still crafted today in workshops in Mompox.
Getting There & Around
Airport: Rafael Núñez Airport is located in the Crespo neighborhood in northern Cartagena, between the sea and Ciénaga de la Virgen.Boat to the Islands: Public passenger boats to the Rosario Islands, Barú, and the San Bernardo Archipelago depart from Muelle La Bodeguita in Cartagena, the designated pier.Bus to Mompox: Direct buses from Cartagena Bus Terminal take approximately 5.5 to 6.5 hours.
