How to get from Palomino to Cartagena

Why visit Cartagena?

Cartagena is known as Colombia’s jewel on the Caribbean coast. Unlike the rest of the country, it has been a tourist hub for quite a while because it’s a common stop for cruise ships sailing the Caribbean.

Its attraction lies in the almost intact and colourful, colonial-style mansions in the walled old city. Inside these walls, you’ll be transported back in time and into a foodie’s paradise. A tip when exploring Cartagena: for safety, stay out of the city’s outskirts! The tourist centre is generally safe.

There are 3 ways to travel the 350 kilometres (217 miles) from Palomino to Cartagena. You can choose between the bus, minivan and private transport. The journey takes 5 hours 30 minutes to 9 hours and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 75,000 COP ($19.30).

If you’re looking to save money, you can take the bus from Palomino to Cartagena. There’s no direct bus, so you’ll need to go to Santa Marta first, then catch a bus to Cartagena.

The whole trip takes about 6 hours 15 minutes to 9 hours, with fares starting at 75,000 COP ($19.30), transfers included.

Cootransoriente Tayrona is a local small bus company that operates on the Palomino to Santa Marta route. They run every 12 minutes from 04:30 to 18:00, departing from the petrol station on the main road.

Buses will pick up passengers from other towns and from Tayrona Park before finally stopping at Cootransoriente Bus Station in Santa Marta (behind Mercado Central), where you should get off.

You can also book a private transport to Santa Marta for a more comfortable ride. The trip takes about 1 to 2 hours.

You can ask your hotel or hostel to book a taxi or go through an official company. Prices typically start at 275,000 COP ($71), but may vary depending on your negotiation skills.

Booking in advance with BookAway starts from 330,000 COP ($85) for a 2-seater. It’s pricier, but you get a nicer car and don’t have to deal with negotiating.

Buses to Cartagena depart from Santa Marta Bus Terminal. If you’re arriving in Santa Marta with Cootransoriente, just take local bus 03 or 03-F (La 30) from the central market to reach the terminal for 2,000 COP ($0.60).

There are five companies covering this route: Ruta Dorada Exalpa, Expreso Super Star, Expreso Brasilia, Unitransco and Copetran.

There are several departures daily, and travel time is around 3h 45m - 6h. Fares start at 57,000 COP ($14.80). You can book them online below.

Santa Marta

Standard

Cartagena

11:00

4h 30m

15:30

12:00

4h 30m

16:30

13:00

4h 45m

17:45

16:00

4h 30m

20:30

19:00

4h 30m

23:30

Expreso Brasilia

From 76,000 COP ($19.60)

Compare prices

Redbus

76,000 COP ($19.60)

11:00

4h 30m

15:30

12:00

4h 30m

16:30

13:00

4h 45m

17:45

16:00

4h 30m

20:30

19:00

4h 30m

23:30

Check on Redbus

• 24/7 customer support

80,000 COP ($20.50)

16:00

4h 30m

20:30

Check on BookAway

Cartagena Bus Terminal is quite far from the city centre. The quickest way to get into town is by taking a 30-minute Uber. It’s a reliable option since you’ll know the fare upfront, no surprises and no need to haggle with drivers. Prices start at 44,000 COP ($11.40), but the price can vary depending on traffic or time of day.

Taxis are right outside the bus terminal. Even though taxi rates are regulated in Cartagena, it’s common for drivers to charge above the standard fare, so we don’t recommend taking a taxi from here.

The bus is cheaper, but it takes longer

If you’re looking for a cheaper option than Uber or a taxi, you can take the Transcaribe bus to the city centre for just 3,000 COP ($0.90). The ride takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic.

The bus terminal is well connected to the city centre of Cartagena, as well as the popular neighbourhoods of Getsemani and San Diego, with the Transcaribe buses. You can find these buses just outside the bus terminal and you can take line X104 to get to the city centre.

If you’re heading to the Walled City, get off at the last stop, La Bodeguita. But if you’re staying in Getsemaní or San Diego areas, hop off one stop earlier at Centro B1 Bus Stop.

To board a Transcaribe bus, you’ll need a Transcaribe card — cash isn’t accepted. You can buy the card at any Transcaribe station and at some authorised shops like SuperGiros.

The last time we checked (October 2025), Transportes Marsol was not operating shared minivans. Please click the link provided to see if anything has changed.

Minivans are a popular choice of transportation to travel around the main destinations on the north coast. Their added value is their door to door service, meaning no extra cost and effort catching public transportation.

Transportes Marsol is the company that operates the route Palomino to Cartagena, with 2 minivans departing every day at 09:00 and 15:00. The trip is quicker than the bus and only takes about 5 hours 30 minutes, depending on traffic and the destination of other passengers aboard.

You can check the availability and book your minivan tickets online through BookAway. Note that for the Palomino to Cartagena route, you must book at least 48 hours before departure and wait for their confirmation. You will be asked to be ready 1 hour before the pick-up time.

A private transfer from Palomino to Cartagena is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 6 hours 30 minutes, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation or the airport — no need to worry about extra transfers.

Prices for private transfer start at 1,383,000 COP ($355) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 461,000 COP ($120) each.