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Colombia was one of the trendiest destinations of 2024.
Travelers are flocking to this South American country in record numbers, lured by affordable prices, beautiful landscapes and vibrant cities.
There’s one city in particular that should be at the top of your travel bucket list: Cartagena.
Cartagena, Colombia is the perfect destination to visit this winter. This beautiful, colorful city offers the perfect mix of history, culture and beaches. It was recently declared one of the best places to go in 2024 Through Travel + Leisure.
Here’s why you should plan a trip to Cartagena this winter.
History, culture and beaches
Cartagena is a unique destination because it offers a great mix of history, culture and beaches. The city is located directly on Colombia’s Caribbean coast and its strategic location made it an important port for hundreds of years.
In the walled old town of Cartagena you will be amazed by the colorful colonial buildings, cobbled streets, historic churches and fortified city walls.
There is much to discover for travelers interested in history and culture. It’s also a great destination for foodies; in Cartagena you can try delicious local street food and fresh fish.
But in addition to the history and culture, Cartagena is also a great beach destination. Outside the old town you will find beaches in the modern Bocagrande district.
However, the best beaches are a boat ride away from Cartagena. I recommend visiting the Islas Rosarios, an epic day trip from Cartagena with the most beautiful Caribbean beaches.
Caribbean Vibes for a Lower Price
Traveling to the Caribbean can be expensive. Most travelers don’t think of South America when they think of the Caribbean, but the coast of Colombia is definitely part of the Caribbean. You can definitely see, taste and feel the Caribbean influence on Cartagena.
Colombia is one of the cheapest destinations in Latin America, so visiting Cartagena is a great way to get a taste of the Caribbean without spending a lot of money.
To save money, consider staying outside the old city (the artsy Getsemani district just outside the city walls is a good choice) and eat local food instead of the more expensive tourist restaurants.
Traveling to Cartagena is also affordable. The budget carrier Spirit Airlines offers nonstop flights to Cartagena from Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. There are also direct flights from Atlanta with Delta and New York with JetBlue and Avianca.
This makes Cartagena one of the best tropical destinations in Colombia if you are looking for Caribbean atmosphere and culture.
Great for solo travelers
Another reason to visit Cartagena this winter? It’s great for solo travelers!
Many destinations in the Caribbean are not suitable for solo travelers, but Cartagena certainly is. There are plenty of social hostels where solo travelers can stay, and if hostels aren’t your style, you can meet other travelers by doing activities like walking tours, cooking classes or a boat tour.
Cartagena is also one of the best destinations in Colombia for solo female travelers as it is one of the safest cities in the country.
Winter has the best weather
Finally, winter is a great time to visit Cartagena because of the weather!
Cartagena has a year-round tropical climate and there are very few temperature variations throughout the year. Normally, the daily high is around 89° F and the low is around 79° F. However, during the winter it can be a few degrees cooler, so it’s not as scorching.
December through April is also considered the ‘dry season’ in Cartagena. This means you have sunnier weather with less rain. Moreover, it is not so humid in winter.
This makes winter by far the best time to visit; the weather in Cartagena can be oppressively hot and stuffy in the summer, but winter is perfect!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
