Is Cartagena Worth It for Solo Female Travelers? My Honest Take

1. The honest answer: it depends

Cartagena in Colombia, is one of those places that looks absolutely stunning in every photo: colorful colonial houses, bougainvillea spilling over balconies, cobblestone streets that seem to belong to another century. And yes, in real life, it's exactly as beautiful as it looks.

But here's my honest take as someone who visited three times: Cartagena is worth it, but only if you go in with the right expectations.

View from San Pedro Claver Sanctuary, Cartagena, Colombia

Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a booking through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. If you're expecting a hidden gem, a slow Caribbean escape, or a remote work base, Cartagena will probably disappoint you. It's very touristy, prices reflect that, and at times the city can feel more like a theme park for travelers than an authentic local experience. My recommendation is to stay no longer than 2–3 days, spend them soaking up the atmosphere, and then move on.

Street art in Getsemaní, Cartagena, Colombia

If you're dreaming of long stretches of beach, head to the Santa Marta coast instead, Mendihuaca and Palomino are on another level entirely. And if you're coming for remote work or a longer stay, Medellín is the better base without a doubt.

That said, once you set your expectations right, Cartagena absolutely delivers.

2. Is Cartagena safe for solo female travelers?

Yes and I say this having been three times, including times when I was walking around alone well into the evening. The key, as always, is choosing the right neighborhood and staying aware of your surroundings.

Walking around Plaza de la Aduana, Cartagena, Colombia

What I personally noticed:

• The historic center and Getsemaní feel very safe because there are always people around, at all times of the day and night

• Pickpocketing is the main risk, especially in crowded areas, keep your bag closed and in front of you

• Street harassment exists, as it does in most Colombian cities, but it's manageable

• I never felt threatened or in danger at any point during my three visits
  

Basic awareness goes a long way in Cartagena. Use the same common sense you'd use in any city, and you'll be fine.

3. Where to stay in Cartagena: my two recommendations

Getting your accommodation right in Cartagena makes a huge difference. Here's where I stayed across my three visits.

Getsemaní: best for first-timers

Getsemaní is the neighborhood I'd recommend to anyone visiting Cartagena for the first time. It has a completely different energy to the walled city, more local, more creative, full of murals and street art, and with a real backpacker-meets-artist atmosphere. I felt safe here throughout my stay, and the reason is simple: there are people everywhere, at every hour. The streets are always alive, which meant I never had that uncomfortable feeling of walking somewhere deserted.

Casa Belia, Getsemaní, Cartagena

I stayed at Casa Belia, and I'd book it again without hesitation. Great value, genuinely friendly host, and a location that puts you right in the middle of Getsemaní's best streets. It also makes for a very short walk to the walled city, so you get the atmosphere of the neighborhood with the convenience of being close to everything.

Crespo: best for staying close to the airport

On my second and third visit to Cartagena, I decided to try something completely different and stayed at a local guesthouse in Crespo, a residential area about 5 minutes from the airport. Honestly? It ended up being my favorite Cartagena experience.

The couple who run Aquí Me Quedo are genuinely some of the warmest, most welcoming hosts I've encountered anywhere in the world. The neighborhood is quiet, local, and extremely safe. And their breakfasts are something else, I still think about them. If you're returning to Cartagena, or if you have an early or late flight, Crespo is a great option and one that most tourists completely overlook.

4. The one tour I always recommend

If there's one thing I'd tell every solo traveler heading to Cartagena to book in advance, it's a walking tour of the historic center and Getsemaní.

Street art in Getsemaní, Cartagena, Colombia

I did this shared walking tour and it completely changed how I saw the city. It's one thing to wander the streets taking photos, it's another to understand the history, the conflicts, the transformation that Getsemaní has gone through. The guides are great and the format is perfect for solo travelers because you'll almost always end up chatting with someone interesting.

It also makes the most of a short stay. If you only have 2–3 days, starting with this tour on day one gives you the context to really appreciate the rest of your time there.

5. Getting around: Uber is your friend (with one exception)

Coming from Medellín, where Uber is the default for everything, I kept the same habit in Cartagena and it works perfectly. I used Uber for almost all my trips around the city and found it way more convenient than negotiating taxi prices, especially as a solo woman.

The one exception: the route to and from the airport. My guesthouse recommended a local taxi for that, and I followed their advice without any issues. For everything else, Uber is the easiest and most comfortable option.

More street art walking around Getsemaní

6. Quick tips for your 2–3 days in Cartagena

• Walk the city walls at sunset: the light is incredible and it's one of those views you'll remember

• Explore Getsemaní on foot: get lost in the side streets, find the murals, have breakfast at a local café

• Avoid the midday heat: Cartagena is genuinely hot and humid, so save your outdoor exploring for morning and late afternoon

• Don't overpay for food: venture slightly away from the main tourist squares and you'll eat much better for less

• If you have a few extra days, consider a boat trip to the Rosario Islands, the water is stunning.

  
  

  

  Breakfast with arepa, yuca and eggs in a local spot in Getsemaní

  
  

7. Where should you go instead (or after)?

This depends on what you're looking for:

• For beach time: skip Cartagena's beaches entirely and head to the Santa Marta coast. Mendihuaca, in particular, is one of the most beautiful and relaxed beach spots in Colombia.

• For remote work: go straight to Medellín. Better infrastructure, a huge digital nomad community, and neighborhoods that feel genuinely livable.

• For a short city fix on a Colombia trip: Cartagena is perfect as a 2–3 day stop between other destinations.
  

8. Final verdict

Is Cartagena worth it for solo female travelers? Yes, but keep it short.

Go for the architecture, the energy, the walking tour, the sunsets from the walls. Stay in Getsemaní if it's your first time, or try Crespo for something more local and genuine. And then move on to the parts of Colombia that will really stay with you.

Nice view of Cartagena from the city walls

Cartagena is a city you enjoy best when you don't expect too much from it and when you let it be exactly what it is: colorful, lively, beautiful, and wonderfully imperfect.

Have you been to Cartagena? I'd love to hear about your experience, drop it in the comments below!

If this guide helped you, you might also enjoy my full Colombia solo travel guide, where I cover Medellín, the Santa Marta coast, San Andrés, and more.