Writing about Cartagena? Embed this route's fare on your site.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Watch FLL to CTG
Add your email and we will watch Fort Lauderdale to Cartagena for you, plus the cheapest fares out of FLL.
No account needed. We will use FLL as your home airport. Unsubscribe anytime. Route fare alerts are live now; the weekly email has not started yet.
Use your real quote
Build a FLL–CTG price target
Enter a round-trip quote you found and the price you would book. Wildly does not invent a live fare here: the worksheet uses only your numbers, then carries the airport pair and target into the alert form.
Dates and trip type are completed on the next screen. We check the route daily and text or email you when a fare comes in under your target. See free and Pro limits.
From FLL airport to Cartagena
Reaching Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
Rental car or rideshare is your only realistic option—there's no direct rail and the Broward bus system (Tri-Rail) is glacially slow. Uber/Lyft from downtown Fort Lauderdale (Riverfront area) runs $18-28, 25 minutes off-peak. From Miami Beach or downtown Miami, expect $35-55 and 35-50 minutes depending on traffic. Parking at FLL: offsite lots via SpotHero run $8-12/day and are genuinely safe; valet at the terminals is $38/day but only worth it if you're dropping luggage curb-side. If you're staying in the area, many hotels offer free airport shuttles—always ask when booking.
Getting from CTG into Cartagena
Rafael Núñez Airport (CTG) is only 3 km from the Old City, making it one of the most convenient airport-to-center transfers in Latin America. Your best options: (1) Uber/InDriver — the fastest and cheapest option at roughly 15,000-25,000 COP ($4-6 USD) for a 10-15 minute ride to the walled city or Getsemaní; open the app before you exit arrivals. (2) Official yellow taxis at the taxi stand outside arrivals cost 25,000-40,000 COP ($6-10 USD) to Centro Histórico — agree on the price before getting in; drivers rarely use meters. (3) Walking is technically possible (20-25 minutes) but not advisable with luggage given the heat and traffic. Skip any fixed-rate shuttle services advertised inside the terminal — they charge $20+ and offer zero advantage over Uber.
Planning Fort Lauderdale to Cartagena
Cartagena is the crown jewel of the Colombian Caribbean — a walled colonial city of impossible colors, horse-drawn carriages, and rooftop bars where you'll drink rum watching the sunset over the Caribbean Sea. It's one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial cities in the Americas, and unlike many historic destinations, it's actually alive: the streets inside the Ciudad Amurallada fill with cumbia music, flower vendors, and locals until midnight. Americans discovered this place hard over the past decade, which means prices have climbed, but Cartagena still delivers extraordinary value compared to any comparable Caribbean destination.
Local basics
Best-month weather in Cartagena
January
76–88°F · 2 rain daysPeak dry season with consistent trade winds keeping the heat bearable. This is Cartagena at its most photogenic — bright blue skies every day and low humidity by Caribbean standards.
February
76–89°F · 1 rain daysThe driest month of the year with virtually zero rainfall. Strong Alisios trade winds make the heat very comfortable, especially in the evenings on rooftops.
The destination guide flags September and October as the least favorable months.
Two areas to consider
Ciudad Amurallada (Walled City / Old City)
luxuryThe historic heart of Cartagena enclosed by 11km of Spanish colonial walls — this is where you want to stay if budget allows. Hotels like Casa San Agustín and Sofitel Legend Santa Clara occupy converted convents and colonial mansions, running $200-$500/night. Every street is a photo op, restaurants like Carmen and La Vitrola are steps away, and you can walk to everything including the Castillo San Felipe without needing transport.
Getsemaní
mid-rangeJust outside the city walls, Getsemaní has rapidly become Cartagena's most interesting neighborhood — a working-class barrio turned boutique hotel and craft bar mecca without fully losing its soul. Stay at places like Selina Cartagena or Casa Lola for $50-$120/night and you're surrounded by the best street food, the wildest murals, and the most authentic plaza scene in the city (Plaza de la Trinidad fills with locals nightly). Walking distance to everything in the Old City.
Local planning tip
Book your Rosario Islands day trip through a local WhatsApp contact rather than through your hotel or a tour desk — the markup is 2-3x. Ask at your hostel or guesthouse for the number of a local lancha (boat) operator; a full day trip to Playa Blanca and the islands with snorkeling runs 60,000-80,000 COP ($15-20 USD) booked directly versus $60-80 through hotel packages. Also: the best time to walk the city walls is 6-7am — you'll have them almost entirely to yourself, the light is extraordinary for photos, and the temperature is actually comfortable before the heat sets in.
Visa and entry notes for US travelers
US passport holders get 90 days visa-free entry to Colombia — no pre-registration, no fee, no visa application. You'll get an entry stamp at the airport. Colombia does require proof of onward travel (return or outbound flight) and customs officials occasionally ask for it, so have your return flight confirmation accessible. There's a small airport departure tax included in most modern airfares already. If you stay more than 90 days you can apply for an extension at the Migración Colombia office in Cartagena, but most travelers just don't overstay. Make sure your passport has at least 6 months validity remaining from your travel date.