Bolívar Department

A Caribbean-coast department, where the World Heritage city of Cartagena and the Rosario Islands are Colombia's tourism showpieces.

Bolívar Department lies in northern Colombia, bordering the Caribbean Sea to the north and extending inland along the Magdalena River to the south; its capital is Cartagena. Cartagena's port, fortresses and group of monuments are a World Heritage Site, and the colorful colonial neighborhoods within the city walls and the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas are the main sights. Offshore, the Rosario Islands and Barú Island have white-sand beaches and snorkeling spots. Inland, the old town of Mompox is also a World Heritage Site, and San Basilio de Palenque was the first free African settlement in the Americas. December to April is the dry season, with the most pleasant weather. Cartagena's Rafael Núñez International Airport is the main gateway.

Destinations

• Cartagena
• Santa Cruz de Mompox

Itineraries

• Classic Colombia: Four Cities, Coffee Region & Caribbean – From Bogotá, Salento, and Medellín to Cartagena, experience the highlands, the Coffee Triangle, vibrant cities, and the…
• Colombia Caribbean Coast: Historic Towns, Jungles & Beaches – Travel east from Cartagena to Minca, Tayrona, and Palomino, linking historic towns, mountain forests, and jungle bays.
• San Blas Sailing to Cartagena – Sail from Panama City through the San Blas Islands, crossing the Caribbean Sea to the historic city of Colombia.