What to expect when visiting Barranquilla
Barranquilla is a busy city in Colombia and is most popular for the iconic Carnival de Barranquilla — a vibrant celebration of dance and music. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people join this carnival, the 2nd largest in the world (next to the one in Rio de Janeiro)!
During the carnival (February-March), Barranquilla bustles with tourists and festivities. But beyond this time, there’s really not much to do in this seaport. If you find yourself here in the off-peak season, we recommend exploring the historic centre, enjoying the vibrant nightlife, and tasting the incredible cuisine in Barranquilla.
3 ways to get from Cartagena to Barranquilla
There are three ways to travel the distance of 120 km (75 miles) from Cartagena to Barranquilla: by bus (3h40m), taxi (2 hours) and minivan (2 hours). The journey takes between 2h - 3h40m and the quickest way is by taxi. The lowest priced tickets start from 33,000 COP ($8.00) for the minivan.Where to stay in Barranquilla?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Barranquilla at the bottom of this page.
Cartagena to Barranquilla by Minivan
Travelling by minivan from Cartagena to Barranquilla is the most convenient and cheapest option.
There is only one minivan operator for this route, but they offer hourly trips from morning until evening. You still have a lot of choices, and you can just choose the departure time that is most convenient for you.
Travel time is just 2 hours, and a ticket costs 33,000 COP ($8.00).
Departure and arrival station
Minivans are available along Carrera 2 in Bocagrande. This area is by the beach and is about 12 km away from the city centre.
You will then be dropped off at Calle 93, which is in the northern part of Barranquilla city centre.
Minivan schedule from Cartagena to Barranquilla
The travel time may vary slightly depending on traffic and rest breaks, but effectively all you have to do is sit back and relax the entire way.
Cartagena to Barranquilla by Bus
Instead of a minivan, you can also take a bus from Cartagena to Barranquilla. The bus ride itself is cheaper than the minivan. However, the bus terminals are both outside the city centres, so you will have to take additional trips.
Since there are bus departures in the late evening and even after midnight, the bus can be your go-to option when the minivans have stopped operating for the day.
Step 1: Cartagena city centre to Cartagena bus station
If you’re staying in the city centre or in the hotels at the beachfront, you need to take a taxi to Cartagena Transportation Terminal. This terminal is on the easternmost part of Cartagena.
The easiest and safest way to get to the bus station is by taxi. Rates start from 7,000 COP ($1.60) for the 10-minute ride.
Step 2: Cartagena bus station to Barranquilla bus station
There are several buses plying the Cartagena to Barranquilla route. We suggest taking either Unitrasco or Copetran, as they offer several departures from morning to night. There are bus departures as early as 04:00 and operate until 20:40.
The buses for this route are very comfortable, as they will have reclining seats, AC, toilet, and television. For the 3-hour ride, tickets start from 20,000 COP ($4.60).
Bus options from Cartagena to Barranquilla
To view the full schedules, you can visit BookAway, where you can also book your tickets in advance.
Step 3: Barranquilla bus terminal to Barranquilla city centre
Buses arrive at Barranquilla Bus Terminal in the southern district of Soledad. The terminal is outside the city centre and is a few kilometres away from the airport.
The area where the terminal is located is not the safest. Thus, we recommend taking a 30-minute taxi to the city centre that will cost around 20,000 COP ($4.60).
It is also possible to take the metro bus. From the bus terminal, you need to take a 15-minute walk to Pacho Galan station and take a metro bus going to Joe Arroyo station in Barranquilla city centre. The bus ticket costs 2,400 COP ($0.50).
However, we don’t really recommend taking the metro bus, especially at night, since you would have to walk some distance to the station. The metro bus is also usually crowded, which is not ideal if you have some luggage.
Cartagena to Barranquilla by Taxi
If you don’t want to take public transportation, you can also get to Barranquilla by taxi or private transfer. Since taxis are very common in Colombia, you can easily hail one or have your hotel book one for you.
Travel time from Cartagena to Barranquilla by taxi is only around 2 hours, but expect to pay an expensive fare, around 400,000 COP ($100.00).
It’s important to note that taxis in Cartagena have no meters. Drivers tend to overcharge tourists, so make sure that you agree on a price before entering the taxi.
There is also an option to book a private transfer in advance via BookAway. You can book a car with rates starting from 315,000 COP ($79.00). This option already includes airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Our favourite places to stay in Barranquilla
Barranquilla is a bustling city with plenty of places to stay. You’ll be spoilt for choice here. This also means that you can find some cheaper accommodation options compared to the rest of Colombia and the Caribbean coast.
With that many accommodations to choose from, we’ve made it simple for you. Here are our favourite places to stay in Barranquilla:
Crowne Plaza Barranquilla - Treating Yourself
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel with a pool, Crowne Plaze Barranquilla is the place to stay. This 5-star hotel has everything you need. Besides the gorgeous pool, the hotel has an onsite gym and offers spacious and clean rooms.
In the morning you will be treated to a delicious breakfast. Thanks to the staff you will feel like royalty during your stay in Barranquilla.
- Rooftop pool
- Onsite gym
- Clean and spacious rooms
- Delicious breakfast
Double rooms cost $80+ per night
Wyndham Garden Barranquilla - Mid Range
You can find Wyndham hotels all across the world. Staying at one of these gives you peace of mind that you’re going to have a comfortable stay and enjoy top-notch facilities.
This hotel in particular has a sauna and two rooftop hot tubs. The rooms are large and modern, offering everything you need. You’ll also be in a perfect location within Barranquilla.
- Two rooftop hot tubs and sauna
- Onsite bar
- Great location
- Delicious breakfast included
Double rooms cost between $40-$80 per night
Casa Caribe Colonial - Budget Friendly
Casa Caribe Colonial offers exceptional value for money, with rooms starting from $20 per night. As the name suggests, the hotel boasts a colonial-style design with vibrant splashes of blue throughout.
The rooms are clean and large, looking onto an open-air courtyard at the centre of the hotel. The perfect place to relax.
- Great value for money
- Large and clean rooms
- Amazing staff
- Perfect location
Double rooms cost between $20-$40 per night
Bh Barranquilla - Budget Friendly
Another great budget-friendly spot is Bh Barranquilla. They have some amazing facilities for the price you pay: a rooftop pool, gym, restaurant and chill-out areas.
The rooms are modern and clean, with huge beds that guarantee a good night’s sleep. The staff there will also do everything they can to make sure that you have an amazing stay.
- Rooftop pool
- Gym facilities
- Great location
- Amazing value for money
Double rooms cost between $20-$40 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Cartagena to Barranquilla
What is the distance from Cartagena to Barranquilla?
The distance from Cartagena to Barranquilla is 120 km (75 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Cartagena to Barranquilla?
The fastest way to get from Cartagena to Barranquilla is by taxi and takes 2 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Cartagena to Barranquilla?
The cheapest way to get from Cartagena to Barranquilla is by minivan with ticket costs starting from 33,000 COP ($8.00).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Cartagena to Barranquilla. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
