Cartagena cruise terminal transfers with BlaakLane.com collect you at the cruise terminal on Manga Island and take you to the Walled City, Getsemani, Bocagrande or Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG). Hourly private tours start at three hours, the fare is fixed before you confirm, and the driver meets you where the terminal allows pre-arranged vehicles.
Booking a car in Cartagena
Choose the Cartagena cruise terminal as your pickup, add ship and date, and pick a transfer or an hourly tour. Confirm the fare on screen. Colombian trips are driven by a vetted local affiliate from the LimousineWorldwide.Directory network, contracted to the BlaakLane.com written standard, and the confirmation names operator and driver.
The terminal on Manga Island
Ships dock at the cruise terminal of the Sociedad Portuaria de Cartagena, part of the city's main port on Manga Island, across a narrow channel from the old town. Passengers walk from the ship through the terminal area, which includes a small tropical garden known for its birds, to the exit where taxis and tour operators wait. Cartagena is a regular port of call on Panama Canal and southern Caribbean itineraries.
Meeting your driver
Official taxis queue at the terminal exit under port rules. Pre-booked vehicles collect from the area the terminal designates for private transport, and the driver messages you the exact spot before you dock. Carry your cruise card and ID, pass the exit and message the driver.
How far is everything?
| From the terminal to | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Walled City, Clock Tower gate | 10-15 minutes |
| Getsemani | 10-15 minutes |
| Castillo San Felipe de Barajas | 10-15 minutes |
| Bocagrande hotels | 15-25 minutes |
| Rafael Nunez International (CTG) | 20-35 minutes |
| La Popa convent | 20-30 minutes |
| Totumo mud volcano | 60-75 minutes |
Traffic in Cartagena is heavy at peak hours and around the old town, where many streets are narrow or closed to cars. The driver drops and collects at the nearest permitted point.
Private tours from the ship
An hourly booking, minimum 3 hours, is the easiest way to see the city in the heat. Book through the hourly chauffeur service.
- Forts and viewpoints: Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and the convent on La Popa hill, with views over the bay.
- The Walled City on foot: the driver drops you at the Clock Tower and collects you at a set time and gate.
- Getsemani: street art, plazas and cafes in the neighbourhood just outside the walls.
- Beyond the city: the Totumo mud volcano, or a boat to the Rosario Islands if your port day is long; boats leave from the tourist dock near the old town.
The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Carry water and plan to be back at the terminal an hour before all-aboard.
Airport connections
Rafael Nunez International is about 20 to 35 minutes from the terminal and has domestic flights and direct routes to the US and some Caribbean cities. Passengers who leave a cruise here, or who fly in to stay in Cartagena, can book the leg with a flight number: the driver is timed to the landing, and 60 minutes of waiting are included on international arrivals, 30 on domestic. Pickup is at the airport's designated area for pre-arranged cars; a name-board meet inside is an add-on only in selected locations. Many long-haul connections run through Bogota; see our Bogota El Dorado page.
Luggage and turnaround logistics
On a normal port call you only need a day bag. If you are leaving the ship for good, your cases ride in the vehicle to a hotel or the airport, and on a tour day they stay locked in the car. Allow two and a half to three hours at CTG for an international departure.
Vehicle guide for Cartagena
- Two guests: Standard Sedan or Luxury Executive Sedan; the Executive First Class Sedan (Maybach) if the booker offers it.
- Up to six with bags: Standard Black SUV or Executive Black SUV, with strong air conditioning for the heat.
- Groups up to 12: Sprinter Van.
- Seven passengers carrying only day packs: Sprinter Luxury Jet Van.
- Celebrations: Luxury Stretch Limo for eight or Party Bus for fourteen, subject to availability.
Child seats are free on request. See the fleet.
Practical notes for a port day
The Colombian peso is the currency; cards are accepted in most restaurants and shops, and small notes help with street vendors. Midday heat and humidity are high all year, so early starts are best. December to April is the driest period and the peak cruise season.
Combining Cartagena with the rest of Colombia
Many travellers add a few days in Bogota or Medellin before or after the ship. Domestic flights from Rafael Nunez to both cities take around an hour and a half. A chauffeur can meet you at the other end, too: our Bogota chauffeur page covers the capital, where El Dorado airport is 30 to 60 minutes from the main hotel districts depending on traffic.
Staying in Cartagena
Boutique hotels inside the walls and in Getsemani, and the beach towers of Bocagrande and Castillogrande, are all within 25 minutes of the terminal. The Cartagena chauffeur page covers local bookings, and Colombia Travel is the country's official visitor information.
Groups and cancellation
Shore groups, weddings and crew transfers are planned by a coordinator and confirmed in writing; see cruise lines and ports and our full services. The fixed fare includes the vehicle, the driver and 15 minutes of waiting at the terminal from the booked time, then 15-minute blocks. Cancel more than 72 hours ahead at no charge; the fee is 10% at 72 hours or less, 50% at 48 hours or less, and 100% at 24 hours or less or for a no-show. See rates.
