Santa Catalina

Things to do in Santa Catalina

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Top 10 attractions in Santa Catalina

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Volcan de Lodo El Totumo

Volcan de Lodo El Totumo

3.2
5.0/5
5 reviews
Santa Catalina · 16.2 km from downtown
San Felipe de Barajas Fort
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Colombia

San Felipe de Barajas Fort

6.1
4.0/5
16 reviews
San Felipe de Barajas Fort stands on San Lázaro Hill, east of the old city of Cartagena, and is a military fortress built during the Spanish colonial period to defend against pirates and foreign enemies. Its prototype dates back to the 16th century, and the grand scale seen today was mainly formed by continuous expansion in the 17th and 18th centuries, built primarily by African slave labor under the supervision of the Spanish. The entire fortress was built along the mountain with layered defenses. The zigzag ramps were designed specifically to disrupt the pace of attackers, the walls are wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, and the various cannon emplacements cover each other. Don't miss the crisscrossing tunnels when visiting: the main passage extends along the perimeter of the fortress, winding and deep, with footsteps echoing clearly against the stone walls. Back then, the defenders used the tunnels to quietly mobilize troops and ambush the enemy, and some dark chambers were even designed as detonatable traps to block enemies climbing over the walls. In front of the entrance stands a statue of the one-eyed, one-armed, and one-legged Spanish Admiral Blas de Lezo—in 1741, he defended Cartagena by relying on this fortress with far fewer men than the British fleet. Climb the ramp to the top battery for a wide-open view, where you can take in the colorful rooftops of the old city, the Getsemaní neighborhood, and the Caribbean Sea in the distance. The soft light in the evening is especially suitable for taking photos.Cartagena · 34.4 km from Santa Catalina
Walls of Cartagena
No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Colombia

Walls of Cartagena

4.9
4.6/5
7 reviews
The Walls of Cartagena is one of the most historically and culturally interesting places to visit in Colombia. Located on the Caribbean coast, the city is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and rich historical background. Surrounded by sturdy stone walls, the walled city was originally built to protect against pirates and hostile forces. Today, these ancient walls are not only a testament to history, but also a great place for tourists to stroll and enjoy panoramic views of the city. In the Walls of Cartagena, visitors can explore colorful streets lined with well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings. A must-see is the Castillo de San Felipe, whose complex fortifications and underground tunnels show the military engineering wisdom of the time. In addition, tourists can also visit the Cartagena Cathedral and the Church of San Pedro Claver, which are religious buildings that are not only of historical significance but also show beautiful architectural art. The Walls of Cartagena is mainly pedestrian-only, and visitors can easily navigate the narrow streets. The restaurants and cafes here serve authentic Caribbean cuisine and are a good place to experience the local flavor.Cartagena · 34.4 km from Santa Catalina
Monumento Torre del Reloj

Monumento Torre del Reloj

4.5
4.5/5
2 reviews
Monumento Torre del Reloj is one of the landmarks of Cartagena, located in the Bolivar Department of Colombia. This bell tower is the main entrance to the historic center of Cartagena and has important historical and cultural significance. The unique architectural style, which incorporates colonial design elements, attracts many tourists to visit. The yellow exterior walls and towering spire of the bell tower are particularly eye-catching in the sun, making it a popular spot for taking pictures. Visitors can stroll around the bell tower, admire the surrounding ancient buildings and lively street scenes, and feel the unique charm of Cartagena. The surrounding square is a vibrant place, with street performers and vendors selling local specialties, providing tourists with a rich cultural experience. Monumento Torre del Reloj is not only a historical landmark, but also a starting point for understanding the rich history and culture of Cartagena.Cartagena · 35.2 km from Santa Catalina
Santo Domingo Square

Santo Domingo Square

4
4.0/5
1 reviews
Santo Domingo Square is very suitable for rest. It is surrounded by alleys and there are many tables and chairs on the square. Tourists can sit here and quietly appreciate the vendors, dancers, and horse riders on the square. At the same time, it is a very pleasant thing to appreciate the surrounding buildings and feel the historical atmosphere here.Cartagena · 35.4 km from Santa Catalina
Las Bóvedas de Santa Clara

Las Bóvedas de Santa Clara

3.6
Cartagena · 34.5 km from Santa Catalina
Rosario Islands
No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Colombia

Rosario Islands

5.2
5.0/5
3 reviews
Rosario Islands are scattered across the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Cartagena. They consist of 27 small coral islands and sandbars and are part of the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park. The main part of the park is underwater: the seabed, ranging from a few m to tens of m deep, is covered with vast coral reefs, home to hundreds of species of fish and dozens of types of coral. Because of this, snorkeling and scuba diving are the main activities in the archipelago. Put on a mask and snorkel and head into the water, where schools of tropical fish swim right by your feet, with colorful coral right before your eyes. The main island in the archipelago, Isla Grande, is crisscrossed with coconut groves and mangroves, where you can kayak through mangrove waterways. After dark, you can see lagoons that glow with a faint blue light, as the bioluminescent plankton in the water light up when disturbed. The island also has an aquarium that exhibits marine animals such as sharks, sea turtles, and dolphins. Travel between the islands is entirely by boat. You can take a round-trip island-hopping tour from Cartagena in a single day, or stay overnight on the island. Meals on the island are primarily Caribbean-style.Cartagena · 69 km from Santa Catalina
Playa de Bocagrande

Playa de Bocagrande

3.6
Cartagena · 37.3 km from Santa Catalina
EL BALUARTE SAN FRANCISCO JAVIER

EL BALUARTE SAN FRANCISCO JAVIER

3.4
Cartagena · 35.6 km from Santa Catalina
Playa Castillo Grande

Playa Castillo Grande

3.4
Cartagena · 37.5 km from Santa Catalina

Experiences you can't miss in Santa Catalina

Featured Cultural experiences in Santa Catalina

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Top Cartagena: Private guided tour with your mobile
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Duration: 10 mins
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Cholón: Reggaeton & Hip Hop Party Boat Tour + Lunch 18+
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Duration: 7 hrs
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FromRUB 5,790.59RUB 6,095.36
Historic and Movie Bike or Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 44 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
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44 consecutive positive reviews
FromRUB 4,536.05
Cartagena Audio Tour: An Architectural Odyssey
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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Cartagena self-guided audio walking tour (9 stops, approx. 2 hrs)
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Duration: 2 hrs
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Cartagena Audio Tour: Zeitreise zwischen Römern und Meer
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Duration: 2 hrs
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FromRUB 480.67RUB 600.84

Featured Food & drink in Santa Catalina

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Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Local Tastings in the Walled City
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4.9/5
· 398 reviews
Duration: 150 mins
Free cancellation
98.5% of travelers recommend
FromRUB 4,288.63
Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Tastings in the Walled City
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4.9/5
· 567 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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100 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
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FromRUB 4,517.08RUB 4,754.83
COMPLETE TOUR WITH LUNCH at ANTHONY BOURDAIN'S FAVORITE SPOT
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4.9/5
· 65 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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98.5% of travelers recommend
FromRUB 6,185.52
Private Walking Tour Old City with Street Food
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5.0/5
· 15 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
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FromRUB 12,700.92
BIKE TOUR and LUNCH at ANTHONY BOURDAIN'S FAVORITE SPOT
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4.9/5
· 64 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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21 consecutive positive reviews
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Cartagena Food Tour: 10 Dishes, Street Food & Sit-down stops
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4.9/5
· 57 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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52 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
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FromRUB 5,563.68RUB 5,856.51
Cartagena Rum & Chocolate Experience (1 Hour, Small Group)
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 1 hr
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5% off
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FromRUB 3,496.87RUB 3,680.92
Isla Tierra Bomba beach club: Day Pass with typical food
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Duration: 7 hrs
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FromRUB 9,356.93RUB 9,849.41

Featured Outdoor experiences in Santa Catalina

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Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Experience
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
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5% off
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FromRUB 4,303.36RUB 4,529.86
Extreme ATV Adventure in Cartagena
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5.0/5
· 6 reviews
Duration: 150 mins
English
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Nena Beach
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Duration: 7 hrs
English
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Full day in Playa blanca from Cartagena
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4.3/5
· 7 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
English
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Sunset Cruise in Cartagena
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4.5/5
· 197 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
FromRUB 3,298.94
National Aviary and Playa Blanca Plankton Full-Day Tour
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4.1/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 15 hrs
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5% off
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FromRUB 7,289.24RUB 7,672.89
Playa Blanca in Baru Island
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4.8/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
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Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca
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4.5/5
· 71 reviews
Duration: 7–8 hrs
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FromRUB 6,597.88

Featured Day tours in Santa Catalina

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Cartagena: Totumo Volcano Mud Bath, Lunch & Beach Resort Day Pass
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Duration: 4.5 hrs
English
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FromRUB 4,306.96
1-day tour to Totumo Mud Volcano in Cartagena, Colombia (from 1 person)
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FromRUB 4,781.48
Tour to the Mud Volcano in Cartagena with Lunch
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4.5/5
· 100 reviews
Duration: 5 hrs
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SUNSET GLOW Tour PaddleBoard
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4.8/5
· 13 reviews
Duration: 90 mins
English
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FromRUB 3,711.31
Open bar sunset party in the bay sharing with natives
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Duration: 150 mins
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FromRUB 2,474.21
Cartagena, Colombia: five-island hopping tour [lunch + snorkeling + beach club]
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FromRUB 12,318.13

Free things to do in Santa Catalina

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What travelers say about Santa Catalina

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青岛老韩October 8, 2026
4.0
There wasn't anything particularly memorable, except for the dungeon. The dungeon was low, gloomy, damp, and oppressive, allowing one to empathize with the helplessness and terror of the slaves locked inside.

San Felipe de Barajas Fort

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还不曾去过倒悬山!April 2, 2025
4.0
Colombians are generally the best in appearance and temperament among the Westerners I have ever met. This is due to their special mixed race and the country's superior natural and social environment. Therefore, many of the winners of Miss World and Miss Universe are Colombians, and Colombia has also been labeled as a country of beauties. In fact, if you stay in Medellin for a long time, you don't have to worry about having nothing to do. The simplest and most pleasant way to travel is to find a large shopping mall or park and sit there for a day, just looking at the beauties passing by.

Walls of Cartagena

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Sarah HsMarch 15, 2021
5.0
The Bell Tower Monument continues the surrounding city walls, separating the old city and the new city of Cartagena. The middle city gate is like a time travel gate. On one side is Independence Square and on the other side is the port. It is always full from sunrise to sunset. Tourists, remember the feelings of history.

Monumento Torre del Reloj

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sculptorMay 8, 2020
4.0
Plaza Santo Domingo in Cartagena's downtown old town is a bustling square with outdoor restaurants and bars, street performers, vendors and sculptures by Botero.

Santo Domingo Square

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くろすけくんFebruary 22, 2023
5.0
The Rosario Islands are about an hour away from Cartagena by small boat. The boat runs at high speed so I was worried about getting seasick, but it was no problem at all 🙆‍♀️ Unlike the area around Cartagena, the beaches are as beautiful as you would expect from the Caribbean Sea! At the aquarium, the sharks have gotten used to it and are performing tricks?! You can also experience SUP, kayaking, diving, and more. Be careful of the salt water in the showers and pools! ️ There are also banana boats, jet skis, and other activities to enjoy.

Rosario Islands

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Santa Catalina?

Don't miss these attractions in Santa Catalina: Volcan de Lodo El Totumo, San Felipe de Barajas Fort, and Walls of Cartagena. If you like Cultural experiences, try Top Cartagena: Private guided tour with your mobile. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Local Tastings in the Walled City.

You can give Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Local Tastings in the Walled City and Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Tastings in the Walled City a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Cartagena: Totumo Volcano Mud Bath, Lunch & Beach Resort Day Pass, 1-day tour to Totumo Mud Volcano in Cartagena, Colombia (from 1 person), and Tour to the Mud Volcano in Cartagena with Lunch. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of October 17, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Santa Catalina is around RUB 2,474.21 – RUB 12,318.13. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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