1. Is Cartagena safe?
Cartagena is a big city filled with fabulous, super nice people. Unfortunately, as with all big cities, there are some not-so-fabulous people as well. Be mindful of what you carry around with you & how you carry it around; I usually have my wallet & phone in a waist belt under my clothing and don’t pull them out while on the street. In general, walking around during the day in populated areas is ok (but use normal ‘street smarts’ & don’t wave cash or valuables around); at night taxis are recommended.

2. When is a good time of the year to be in Cartagena?
A lot of people like to escape the northern hemisphere’s winter with a Cartagena stay, which is definitely a great time to visit. Other months can be hotter, & potentially wetter, but the city is still beautiful! Check out this link for major Cartagena events.

3. What is the water situation in Cartagena?
Tap water in general is suitable for drinking in Colombia’s large cities, Cartagena included. However, some prefer to use filtered or buy bottled water. The water service is sometimes temporarily cut either in a section of the city or the whole city. If the city shuts off the water, there is back up water in the Casa Barbara building. A couple of times a year the building will turn off all water for planned maintenance; notices are sent in these instances and residents are advised to conserve & store water in preparation.

Typical homes on Colombia’s Caribbean coast do not have hot water. Casa Barbara has a tankless hot water system that supplies hot water to the showers as well as kitchen & bathroom sinks.

4. What about electricity?
The voltage (110) and outlets/plugs are the same as the US & Canada; please check on what you may need for anything electrical if you are not coming from the US/Canada. Please turn off lights, fans, AC, etc. each time you leave the apartment. Do not operate the air conditioning with the balcony doors open but feel free to operate the fans with them open!

Occasionally the power will go out in the neighborhood; if this happens, there will be a few seconds without power but then the building’s back-up generator will come on automatically, powering everything except the air conditioners (which are on 220V not 110). Fans can be used when the AC cannot be powered.

5. Internet access?
Wifi is provided, although note that there are very rare occasions when the service will be down. If you have to be connected 24/7, for the odd times wifi may not be available, consider getting an international data plan for your phone or purchasing a Colombian SIM card or eSIM (code “Barb8474” gets you a US$3 credit with Airalo eSIM) to get a local prepaid data plan; see cell phone suggestions here. Many restaurants provide free wifi access as well.

6. Where can we buy groceries by the apartment?
A. Droguería Inglesa is on the ground floor of the building & in addition to being a pharmacy, has limited groceries (snacks/drinks). Open 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

B. On Calle Real, the road behind the building (there is a path leading to that road just to the left of the building as you exit), there’s a local mini-mart/Arab & fast food place. Cash only.

C. On Calle Real you will often find fruit/vegetable & other vendors, mainly in the mornings. Bring small bills.

C. On Calle Real to the left is a mini-mart Isimo, on the ground floor of the Napoli Building.

D. Exit the building & turn left (towards the Old City), walk along Avenida Santander about 5 minutes. At the traffic light, on the left is Mega Tiendas*, a large grocery store. There is also an ATM in this store.

E. Exit the building & turn right (away from the Old City), walk along Avenida Santander about 10 minutes and on the right just before the traffic light is Ara*, a medium sized grocery store that is smaller & a little less expensive than Mega Tiendas. 

F. Within the city walls is Exito* (San Diego, an 11 minute walk per Google), which is a large yellow building and has a bit of everything – groceries, clothing, housewares, paper goods, & more. They also have ATMs.

G. There is a great bakery not far away!

*Upon leaving any large grocery store, you may be asked to show your receipt. NOTE there is charge per plastic bag used from a grocery store. Save money & go green – use reusable shopping bags!

7. Is it easy to get Colombian pesos? We recommend using ATMs. The closest to the apartment is at the Mega Tiendas grocery store (see above); there are many within the walled city. Be aware of bank fees (best to have a card that reimburses you for all fees if possible) & be sure to decline any conversion rate offered on the screen for the best rate. For ‘off the street’ ATMs, besides the one in MegaTiendas, there are a few on the lower level of the Serrezuela Mall (former bullring) just inside the Old City. See more on money & cards here.

8. Um, I’m supposed to do what with the toilet paper?! If you’ve traveled in developing nations before, you may have discovered in some the norm may be to *not* flush toilet paper. In Colombia you are generally (although not at our Casa Barbara!) expected to put it — yes, no matter how used — in the trash can provided; you will see signs in restaurants etc. Apparently there can be clogging issues if not…

More information on visas, vaccinations, money, etc.
can be found at “Know Before You Go”!