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Where the journey
begins and ends.
Cartagena de Indias is Colombia's #1 cruise port — 34 cruise lines, 10,000+ passengers per day, and a UNESCO World Heritage city minutes from the terminal. Plan extraordinary pre and post-cruise experiences that make Cartagena the meeting your passengers never want to leave.
34
Cruise lines
10,000+
Passengers / day
97%
Of Colombia's maritime arrivals
$60M
Annual economic impact · USD
5
Ships simultaneously
3.2 km
Terminal to UNESCO center
PORT OASIS
Vertical 4:5 · Santuario de biodiversidad
PORT OASIS · Inside the cruise terminal
10,000 m² · 1,300+ animals · Conservation sanctuary
Exclusive to Cartagena
PORT OASIS —
A sanctuary within the port.
No other cruise terminal in the Americas offers what Cartagena's does: PORT OASIS, a 10,000 m² biodiversity sanctuary located directly inside the cruise terminal of the Sociedad Portuaria de Cartagena. Passengers walk from their ship into a living ecosystem of over 1,300 animals in environments that closely replicate their natural habitats.
For cruise directors and shore excursion managers, PORT OASIS is a high-value, zero-logistics addition to any Cartagena port day — an educational, conservation-focused experience that requires no transportation, no tour operator coordination, and no weather contingency. It is simply there, minutes from the gangway.
10,000
m² sanctuary
1,300+
Animals
0 km
From the ship
Species include flamingos, macaws, and a diverse range of Caribbean fauna — all in designed habitats that prioritize conservation and natural behavior observation over spectacle.
Terminal de Cruceros Cartagena de Indias
Colombia's gateway
to the Caribbean.
The most important cruise terminal in Colombia — and one of the most awarded in the Americas for sustainability, passenger experience, and operational excellence.
2013 · 2014
First Maritime Award of the Americas — Most Sustainable Tourism Port
Organization of American States (OAS) · Recognition for exemplary environmental, cultural, and economic practices in cruise operations
Recognition
Most Improved Destination
Cruise Insight Magazine
Recognition
Dazzling Silver Award — Tourism Nuevo Mundo
Royal Caribbean International
2014
Best Destination Experience — Independent Sightseeing
Dreamworld Cruise Destination Magazine
Plan experiences · Make it memorable
Pre & Post Cruise programs
for every passenger profile.
Whether your passengers arrive a day early or stay on after disembarkation — Cartagena delivers extraordinary programs that transform a port call into the highlight of the voyage. The CVB designs custom programs for cruise lines and their passengers at no cost.
UNESCO Walled City Immersion
Half day · 4–5 hoursA private guided walk through 500 years of colonial history — fortresses, plazas, colonial mansions, and the Caribbean sunset from the city walls. The perfect introduction to Cartagena before boarding.
Port to Walled City: 10 min. Ideal for groups 20–200. Guided in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
Author Gastronomy Welcome Dinner
Evening · 3 hoursA private welcome dinner in a colonial setting — award-winning author menu showcasing Caribbean gastronomy. Best International Destination 2026. The dinner that sets the tone for the entire voyage.
Venues: Casa 1537, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara cloister, rooftop colonial terraces. Groups 20–400.
PORT OASIS — Biodiversity Experience
1–2 hours · Terminal walkStart the journey at PORT OASIS — the 10,000 m² biodiversity sanctuary inside the cruise terminal. 1,300+ animals, flamingos, macaws, and Caribbean fauna in natural habitats. Zero transport required.
Directly inside the terminal. No transport needed. Suitable for all ages and mobility levels.
Private Island Day
Full day · 8 hoursAn exclusive Caribbean island day before boarding — catamaran or private yacht, turquoise water, coral snorkeling, open-bar Caribbean lunch. The most memorable day before any voyage.
Tierra Bomba: 15 min. Rosario Islands: 45 min. Groups 20–500. Full exclusivity available.
Cultural Immersion — Getsemaní
Evening · 3 hoursA private guided walk through Getsemaní — Cartagena's most vibrant neighborhood — followed by a cumbia workshop with local musicians. An authentic Caribbean cultural experience before the voyage begins.
Port to Getsemaní: 10 min. Groups 15–150. Private guide in English.
Castillo San Felipe Sunrise Visit
Morning · 2 hoursPrivate early-morning access to Castillo San Felipe de Barajas — 17th-century Spanish fortress — before it opens to the public. 360° Caribbean views at sunrise. The most dramatic start to any voyage.
Port to Castillo: 10 min. Groups 20–500. Private historian guide.
Pre-cruise programs are designed for passengers arriving 1–2 days before embarkation. The CVB coordinates with your DMC partner to create custom itineraries for any group size or duration.
Luxury Farewell Stay
1–3 nightsExtend the voyage in the world's most recognized luxury brands — Four Seasons (opened 2026), Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental, or a boutique hotel buyout in the Walled City. The journey doesn't end when the ship docks.
Full hotel portfolio available. CVB coordinates group rates and room blocks for cruise passengers.
Caribbean Adventure Extension
1–2 daysDive the coral reefs of the Rosario Archipelago. Kite surf in Barú. Sail the Caribbean. For passengers who want the sea experience to continue after disembarkation — active programs designed for adventure-oriented cruise guests.
Rosario Islands: 45 min. Barú: 1 hr. Packages from half-day to 2-day island stays.
Cultural Deep Dive
Full day or multi-dayFor passengers who want more than a port call gave them. Artisan craft workshops, private cooking classes with award-winning chefs, museum visits, and neighborhood walks guided by local historians. Cartagena at depth.
Custom programs by specialty DMCs. English-speaking guides. Available for individuals and groups.
Destination Wedding Extension
2–5 daysFor cruise passengers who have always wanted to marry in Cartagena — or renew their vows in a colonial courtyard. Post-cruise wedding packages in boutique hotels, on private islands, or in historic fortress settings.
Full wedding coordination by specialist DMCs. All group sizes from intimate (20) to grand (300+).
Gastronomy & Wellness Retreat
2–4 daysAuthor dining at Cartagena's best restaurants, Caribbean cooking workshops, wellness treatments at luxury spas, and yoga on private island beaches. For passengers seeking restoration after the voyage.
Hotel + wellness + dining packages coordinated by the CVB. Individual and group formats.
Colombia Touring Extension
3–7 daysUse Cartagena as the gateway to Colombia's broader travel offer — Medellín, Bogotá, the Coffee Region, and the Tayrona National Park. For passengers who want to make the most of their Colombian arrival and extend beyond the Caribbean coast.
ProColombia and CVB coordination. Domestic flights, ground transport, and hotel packages available.
Post-cruise programs are designed for passengers staying 1–7 days after disembarkation. The CVB works with cruise lines, DMCs, and hotels to design custom itineraries and negotiate group rates.
34 cruise lines operating in Cartagena
The cruise lines
already choose Cartagena.
For cruise line event coordinators and shore excursion managers: The Cartagena CVB works directly with cruise lines to design, coordinate, and deliver pre and post-cruise programs for their passengers — at no cost. Contact us with your itinerary dates and passenger profile and we'll build a custom program within 24 hours.
What passengers experience in Cartagena
The port call they
talk about for years.
Four signature experiences that define a Cartagena port day — and form the core of every pre and post-cruise program.
Experiencia 01
The UNESCO Walled City
The UNESCO Walled City
500 years of colonial history in a compact, walkable city. Cobblestone streets, Caribbean-colored buildings, plazas, churches, and the 17th-century fortifications that define Cartagena's skyline. The Walled City is the port day most cruise passengers rate as their best Caribbean experience.
Experiencia 02
Private Caribbean islands
Private Caribbean islands
Tierra Bomba (15 min) and the Rosario Archipelago (45 min) — crystal Caribbean water, coral gardens, white sand. Available for exclusive group bookings or individual shore excursions. The Caribbean island day that cruise passengers request before reboarding.
Experiencia 03
PORT OASIS biodiversity sanctuary
PORT OASIS biodiversity sanctuary
1,300+ animals in 10,000 m² of natural habitat, directly inside the cruise terminal. Flamingos, macaws, and Caribbean fauna in a conservation sanctuary that requires no transport and no pre-booking. The surprise experience of every Cartagena port call.
Experiencia 04
Award-winning gastronomy
Award-winning gastronomy
Best International Destination 2026 — Travel and Food Awards. Cartagena's gastronomy scene, recognized internationally for fusing Caribbean ingredients with world-class technique, is a destination in itself. From street food in Getsemaní to author tasting menus in colonial mansions.
CTA Background
Puerto de cruceros
Design your cruise program
Make Cartagena
the meeting they remember.
Whether you're planning a pre-cruise meeting, a post-cruise extension, a shore excursion program, or a group experience for your passengers — the CVB team responds within 24 hours with a custom program proposal. Free, always.
Design a group program
Tell us your call date, passenger profile, and objectives. We'll build a custom pre or post-cruise program with venues, DMC recommendations, and logistics — within 24 hours.
Plan a cruise meeting
Cartagena is Colombia's #1 embarkation port. Use the city for pre-cruise meetings, team building, or incentive programs that conclude with Caribbean boarding.