Cartagena Tourism Statistics

Cartagena de Indias sits on Colombia's stunning Caribbean coast and ranks among the country's top tourist spots. Visitors flock to see its well-preserved colonial buildings, the UNESCO-protected Old Town, vibrant culture and nearby island escapes. Even after the pandemic, tourism growth remains strong.

Cartagena has received over 3 million total visitors annually since 2022, including both domestic and international travelers.

• Cartagena received approximately 3.82 million visitors in 2025, a 3% increase from 2024.
• There were 2.85 million visitors in Cartagena before the pandemic in 2019.
• The number of visitors dropped to 782,455 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Visitor volume partially recovered to 1.87 million in 2021 as travel restrictions eased.
• Cartagena saw 3.55 million visitors in 2022, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by around 25%.
• Visitor numbers fell by around 11% to 3.15 million in 2023, mainly due to a decline in domestic arrivals.
• Cartagena welcomed a total of 3.71 million visitors in 2024, marking an 18% increase from the previous year.

• Each foreign tourist spent approximately $4,288 on average in Cartagena in 2022, while each domestic tourist spent $1,882 on average¹.

• International visitors accounted for 19.31% of total arrivals in 2025, while the remaining 80.69% visitors were domestic.
• Before the pandemic in 2019, 83.09% of total visitors were domestic and the remaining 16.91% were international.

• Cartagena was named one of the Top South American Destinations for 2024 by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best, ranking 4th in South America².
• The city was crowned South America’s Leading Honeymoon Destination by the World Travel Awards in 2025, marking the 7th time it won this category³.
• It has strengthened its reputation as a gastronomic destination, joining The Food Capitals by Délice Network in 2026 and being named Colombia’s Best Gastronomic Destination at the Acodrés Receta Dorada Awards 2026⁴.
• Carrera 4 in Cartagena’s Historic Center was included by Condé Nast Traveler among the most beautiful streets in the world².

• Historic Old Town (“Ciudad Amurallada”): The walled Old City is Cartagena’s crown jewel and part of the city’s UNESCO-listed historic and fortified heritage. In 2022, 70.1% of surveyed tourists visited plazas in the historic center.
• Getsemaní Neighborhood: A vibrant district known for its street art, colonial charm, and lively cultural scene. 59.9% of surveyed tourists visited this district in 2022.
• San Felipe de Barajas Castle: A historic fortress and one of Cartagena’s most iconic landmarks. 48.3% of surveyed tourists visited this landmark in 2022.
• Playa Blanca in Barú: One of the most famous beaches near Cartagena, known for its white sand and clear waters. 41.8% of surveyed tourists visited Playa Blanca or Barú in 2022.
• Rosario Islands: A group of small islands known for their beaches, coral reefs, and snorkeling opportunities. 39.8% of surveyed tourists visited these islands in 2022.