Now that I enjoyed my time in Medellin partying and enjoying the food, it was time to slow things down and head to the coast for some island vibes and nature.
We decided to take Viva Colombia on the way there and back. It cost us 306$ CDN for the round trip there and back to Medellin ( we were planning to fly back home from Medellin). We woke up that morning to find out that our flight was canceled at 9am and our check out was at 11 am. Keep in mind we have not packed our stuff yet and we are slightly freaking out considering that I need to be in Cartagena today.
After 45mins of searching every single website you could think of for a cheap flight we final found another round trip this time flying with Latam there and Viva Colombia back for 330$ CDN. We packed our bag, checked out and left our bags at reception as we walked around the city and I worked in the work space area at Selina Hostel Medellin.
Our flight was at 6:30pm so we left the city at 3:30 just to be safe with traffic and travel time to the airport. The trick is to take a taxi to Santiago mall and wait there for an airport taxi ( they are the white ones) until the taxi is filled. This is what locals do as it is cheaper and easier. You will end up paying 10,000-15 000 COP instead of 75 000+COP for your trip. So much cheaper eh?
Once we got to the airport it was close to 5:15pm. We checked in, went through security and waited for our flight. When 6:30 came along they boarded people on the plane and we were off to Cartagena.
We Arrived
Once we got there, as soon as we stepped off the plane, I could feel the heat. We made our way down to the front of the airport where a person will be where the taxies are to give you a receipt that says how much the taxi driver should charge you depending on where you are going. Make sure you get this receipts to avoid overcharges.
We then arrived to our accommodation, Selina Hostel Cartagena. This hostel was absolutely beautiful and opened only in January. Once you enter the entrance, you will see the draping vines from the ceiling, the iconic Selina hostel colourful walls and the vibrant decor that matched the ascetics seamlessly. You are able to stay in a private room or a dorm. They also have a lounge and a kitchen so you can cook your meals if you want to save on eating out all the time. The best part was the rooftop. The rooftop has a bar with a pool and a panoramic view of the city. It was everything I could ask for in a hostel. I will be doing a full review blog post soon.
That day we ended up staying the night and leaving the next day to Santa Marta.
Tips on Traveling to Cartagena
- Make sure you print out your boarding ticket if you are flying Viva Colombia to/from Cartagena because they will charge you and/or not let you on the plane
- Get a taxi receipt at the airport so you do not get overcharged
- Take the Taxi in Medellin from Santiago, it will save you so much money
- Keep an eye on your bags ( as you should anywhere you travel)
