Do I need to bring an adapter for my electronics?

If you are coming from the USA or Canada, there is no need to worry since the outlets in Colombia are the same: 110V 60Hz. If you are coming from Europe where the standard is 220V, you will need an adapter to 110V 60Hz to be able to use your electronics in Colombia.

​

Can I drink tap water in Colombia?

Although major cities have excellent running water systems making tap water perfectly drinkable, we advise our guests to drink bottled water.

​

Where should I exchange money?

Upon arrival in Colombia, it is easy to exchange foreign currency at the airport or at one of the local banks. However, we recommend our guests to retrieve Colombian pesos at a local secured ATM using their debit cards, since ATMs provide the best exchange rates.

​

How much should a taxi cost from the airport?

For those staying in the Old City a cab should cost between 10,000 – 15,000 COP. For those staying in the Bocagrande, Castillo Grande or Manga a cab should cost between 12,000 – 18,000 COP.

​

Is Cartagena Safe?

Yes. 99.99% of visitors will spend their entire time in the areas of the walled city, Getsemani, Manga, Bocagrande, Castillogrande and La Boquilla. Nothing in life is certain, but it is extremely unlikely that you will encounter anything that could be considered unsafe in these neighborhoods. There is a huge police presence in and around these areas (especially Centro and Getsemani), which may intimidate you initially and make you wonder why they could possibly need so many police, but you get accustomed to them soon enough and their presence seems mostly one of deterrence. After the unfortunate period of violence during the late 20th century, the safety conditions in Colombia have greatly improved. Thanks to strong political and military campaigns against communist rebels and drug trafficking, Colombia is now a safe country for both citizens and foreign visitors.

​

You are traveling to a developing country, so be aware of what and who is surrounding you, and have common sense to avoid trouble. You should exercise caution as you would in any other big city in the world!

​

Can a Bachelor / Bachelorette party book a house?

Yes, we have many Bachelor / Bachelorette friendly houses. We just ask that you inform us ahead of time and we can help plan an unforgettable trip.

​

What’s the deal with the toilet paper?

In Cartagena, and potentially in the rest of Colombia, flushing toilet paper is a no-no. Instead you will encounter zillions of signs plastered all over the bathroom walls written in varying degrees of comprehensible English directing you to place the paper (and anything else) in the waste bin to the side. Yes it’s gross. I haven’t flushed paper in almost 3 years. You do get use to it. It’s something to do with the insufficient plumbing system in place.