Cities Near Cartagena
Cities near Cartagena, Colombia: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Sincelejo. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Cartagena, Colombia is Barranquilla, about 63 mi (102 km) away — roughly 1 hr 54 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BarranquillaCarnival city on the river | 63 mi / 102 km | 1 hr 54 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Santa MartaBeaches and the Sierra Nevada | 107 mi / 171 km | 2 hr 29 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| SincelejoRanching town and festivals | 76 mi / 122 km | 1 hr 46 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| MonteríaRiverside cattle hub | 117 mi / 188 km | 2 hr 43 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Arjona | 15 mi / 25 km | 30 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Sabanalarga | 43 mi / 70 km | 1 hr 18 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Malambo | 59 mi / 96 km | 1 hr 47 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Fundación | 91 mi / 146 km | 2 hr 7 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Magangué | 95 mi / 153 km | 2 hr 13 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Ciénaga | 96 mi / 154 km | 2 hr 13 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
Day trips from Cartagena
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Barranquilla, Sincelejo, Arjona, Sabanalarga, Malambo. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Cartagena
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Santa Marta, Montería. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Cartagena include Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Sincelejo, Montería, Arjona. The closest is Barranquilla, about 63 miles (102 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.