Cartagena de Indias Cruise Port
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia · Caribbean
Cruise ships dock at Sociedad Portuaria Cartagena (SPRC) Cruise Pier, Cartagena de Indias.
Plan my port daysUNESCO walled-city cruise stop with a small zoo at the gate, $10 taxi to Old Town and Castillo San Felipe.
At a glance
Port summary
Cruise ships dock at the Sociedad Portuaria Regional Cartagena (SPRC) terminal on Manga island in Cartagena Bay. The terminal complex is itself an attraction — a small free aviary and zoo with sloths, flamingos and macaws, plus shops, a coffee bar and free WiFi. The Old Town walled city (UNESCO 1984) is 3 km north and reached by yellow taxi (~25,000 COP / US$6 each way) or cruise-line shuttle. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas — the giant fortress that beat back the British in 1741 — sits on the way. Beach days run to Bocagrande (city beach, 5 km) or by boat to Playa Blanca on Isla Barú (45 min by speedboat) and the Islas del Rosario marine park. USD is widely accepted at tourist sites; COP at markets and taxis. Yellow taxis are everywhere, government-rated and cheaper than the in-port shuttles.
Cruise dock
🚢 Sociedad Portuaria Cartagena (SPRC) Cruise Pier
Single alongside cruise berth on Manga island in Cartagena Bay. The terminal complex includes a small free aviary and zoo, duty-free shops and a Juan Valdez café — the Old Town is a 12-min yellow-taxi ride north via Avenida Pedro de Heredia.
📍 Latitude: 10.406154, Longitude: -75.534209
See dock on port map →Getting to Cartagena de Indias
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Mix small COP for taxis/markets and USD for tipping; cards fine in restaurants and shops
Build your perfect day in Cartagena de Indias
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Inside the Caribbean collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Cartagena de Indias cruise day.
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Excursions compared
4 comparedPanoramic Cartagena city tour: La Popa, San Felipe and the Walled City
≈ 4 h · sold by 6 cruise lines
Cruise line
€60$68
Do it yourself
€27$31
Save ≈ €33Save ≈ $38 (55% off)
The cruise terminal (Sociedad Portuaria, Manga island) is a 10–15 min taxi from the Walled City; agree the fare before boarding as taxis are unmetered (~37,000 COP / €9 per car to the centre, La Popa or San Felipe). Chain the three sights by taxi: terminal → La Popa (entry ~13,000 COP / €3) → San Felipe (entry ~33,000 COP / €7) → Old City, then walk the centre on foot and taxi back. Carry Colombian pesos in cash — taxis and fortress gates don't take cards.
See the DIY plan →
Old Walled City and Getsemaní heritage walk with the Inquisition Palace and Gold Museum
≈ 3 h · sold by 5 cruise lines
Cruise line
€55$63
Do it yourself
€22$25
Save ≈ €33Save ≈ $38 (60% off)
Taxi the 10–15 min from the terminal to Puerta del Reloj (~37,000 COP / €9 per car), then everything is on foot inside the walls. The Museo del Oro Zenú on Plaza Bolívar is FREE (Tue–Sat 9–5, Sun 10–3, closed Mon); the Palace of the Inquisition charges ~26,000 COP / €6. Getsemaní is a flat 10-min walk south of the clock tower. Taxi back from Getsemaní or the centre.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
10 plansThe Walled City Classic
Cartagena's colonial heart and its great fortress in one unhurried half day — no coach, no tour flag.
Fortress & La Popa Viewpoint Loop
The two high points of Cartagena — the San Felipe bastion and the hilltop convent — with the whole bay laid out below.
The Free Cartagena Day
Prove you don't need to spend a peso: the walls, the plazas, a free gold museum and Getsemaní's murals.
Getsemaní: Murals, Music & Local Life
Skip the polished centre for Cartagena's most alive barrio — street art, umbrella lanes and a plaza that hums.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Cartagena de Indias?
- Your ship docks directly at the Cartagena de Indias cruise terminal in Colombia.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Cartagena de Indias?
- Yes. Cartagena de Indias is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Cartagena de Indias centre?
- Typical options include Taxi, Shuttle bus, Ride-hail (Uber/Bolt), Local bus, On foot, Car rental. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Cartagena de Indias?
- Plan for at least 3.5 hours ashore to see Cartagena de Indias independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Cartagena de Indias and are cards accepted?
- Cartagena de Indias uses the Colombian peso. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Cartagena de Indias cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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