Cartagena Airport luggage storage

About the airport 

Cartagena has been described as the gem of the Caribbean and provides an interesting perspective to any travel experience in Colombia. It was once the gem in the holdings of early Spanish colonizers in South America. The historic city center, with its fascinating colonial architecture that’s encircled by protective walls, is accented by modern Colombian culture, has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site, and provides ample opportunities for sightseeing and exploration. The culture, unsurprisingly, is magnificent, with boisterous cafes and nightclubs along with a restaurant scene that melds familiar Caribbean motifs with the unique cuisine of Colombia. 

Many international travelers tack Cartagena onto a wider itinerary including Medellin, Bogota, or the nearby city of Barranquilla. Depending on the travel situation, a common way to reach Cartagena is via Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), which is the primary transportation hub for Colombia's Caribbean coast. You’ll find a variety of international routes operating directly through Cartagena, but there are even more connecting flights through Bogota. 

It’s remarkably well-situated for ease of travel, as it’s just a short drive from the city center in the Crespo neighborhood. The flight in is wonderful, as you’ll catch glimpses of the Caribbean and the Ciénaga de la Virgen marsh along with the city center. Once you land, you’ll have an easy time getting to your Cartagena adventure.

Does Cartagena Airport have luggage storage?

Cartagena Airport does not have luggage storage services, so you won’t be able to rely on a standard airport luggage locker. If you have a layover, it might make sense to utilize a dedicated service for a few hours, especially one with customer support, like Bounce.

Where can you store your bags in Cartagena? 

Some shopping centers will have limited luggage storage options available, but these are usually unreliable, and sometimes even unsecured. Most museums and landmarks won’t have lockers onsite, either. Bounce is easily the best luggage storage option for visiting Cartagena, with multiple locations in just about every neighborhood in the city center. 

How does Bounce work? 

The Bounce luggage storage service uses a network of partners (usually small businesses like restaurants, laundromats, and local stores) to provide customers with convenient luggage storage facilities in cities like Cartagena. Bounce’s mobile app makes it easy to find and book luggage storage in Cartagena at the most convenient location ahead of time or even on the go. Bounce also offers premium features, like 24/7 customer support from a dedicated team along with BounceShield Protection. To provide users with a secure luggage storage experience, Bounce vets each partner to ensure security and reliability. 

How to get to the city from Cartagena Airport

Public transportation 

There are no trains or buses that service Cartagena Airport. While this may feel like an inconvenience, the modest cost of traveling via taxi, rideshare, or shuttle makes this a convenient and affordable option. In terms of getting around the city, you might find a Transcaribe bus running here or there, but the best way to get around for sightseeing would be by walking in the city center or taking a cab to the various neighborhoods. 

Car rental 

While this is a solid option if you plan on exploring the countryside or up the coast, you won’t save much money on cabs (which are very inexpensive) when getting around Cartagena. 

Taxi

For international travelers, the most common way to get around is by taxi, and that includes travel between the airport and the city center. A typical ride to the city center costs around $5 and only takes about 20 minutes. Like anywhere else, everything changes during rush hour when the commute time is often doubled and the fare jumps to around $9-$10. It’s not advisable to leave your fare “open to interpretation” when leaving the airport. Cartagena Airport has taxi kiosks just outside of the customs office that will actually generate the standard fare for your destination (via a printed ticket) that you’ll present to your driver. It takes the guesswork, and awkwardness, out of the equation.

Rideshare

Another superb option is using a ride-sharing app like Uber. The costs differ very little from a taxi, and you’ll have the comfort of knowing your route and fare ahead of time. It also eliminates the need for changing money or using the cash you just purchased at a currency exchange. Uber and Lyft are available, but apps like Cabify, InDriver, and DiDi Rider are the most commonly used in Colombia. 

Shuttle Bus 

Many resorts and hotels will offer complimentary shuttles from the airport, but you’ll need to arrange this before you travel. Certain attractions and guided tours will also arrange this, and the cost is minimal, from $3 to $20, depending on how far you’ll be going. 

Things to do near Cartagena Airport

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Easily Cartagena’s most famous landmark, this massive fortress overlooks the city and harbor. The fort was built after the British raided Cartagena in the 16th century and made off with a great deal of wealth. The Spanish would take no risks after that and developed cutting-edge defensive technologies to build the largest fortification in South America. Guided tours are offered detailing the history of the fortress along with the military developments that went into its construction. With a commanding view of the city and waterfront, you’ll enjoy a panorama of the surrounding hills and the entire city. It’s the perfect late afternoon sightseeing stop before you head back to the hotel, as the vantage point provides some of the best sunset views of Cartagena. 

San Felipe de Barajas Castle bag policy 

There isn’t a bag policy in place, but you won’t be able to leave your luggage in lockers or a cloakroom, either. Touring the castle requires quite a bit of walking, so you’ll want to leave the bags with a Bounce luggage storage in Cartagena before heading over.

Museo del Oro Zenú

It’s no secret that the Conquistadors were in search of one thing: gold. This glimmering symbol of wealth has dominated the political and cultural landscape of South America for thousands of years, and its hold on the land actually predates European colonizers. Zenú (or Sinú) is a gold and copper alloy used heavily in pre-Colombian artistry, and there are beautiful works by indigenous Colombian craftsman spanning 6,000 years. The best place in the world to learn about this fascinating corner of history is the Museo del Oro Zenú across from the Parque de Bolívar. It’s a brand new, facility, having opened in 2023 when a colonial mansion was repurposed into the free museum. A guided tour (English and Spanish are offered) is highly recommended as the curator will provide context for each artifact. 

Museo del Oro Zenú bag policy

There is no official bag policy here, but the museum doesn’t offer a cloakroom or any luggage lockers, as it’s situated in an old mansion. It’s better to find a place to leave the bags before heading to the museum.

Explore the walled city

Simply called Old Town, the patchwork of cobbled streets and remarkably well-reserved colonial buildings are snugly kept together by a booming defensive wall. While there are plenty of landmarks within the walls (including the Plaza de Santo Domingo, Monumento Torre del Reloj, and Plaza de la Trinidad), just walking around will give you the full experience. 

Hit the beach

If you hadn't noticed from the flight in, Cartagena is situated on a beautiful stretch of Caribbean coastline. It’s not the most famous beach town in Colombia, that honor belongs to Santa Marta, but Cartagena has a selection of wonderful public beaches worth taking a dip in. You’ll have a few options based on where you’re staying or the vibe you’re into.

The Bocagrande neighborhood is the most cosmopolitan of the bunch, with colorful highrise condo buildings towering in the background and plenty of cafes and bar-lined plazas nearby. If you want something more tranquil, head to Playa El Laguito in Castillogrande, which is more residential and upscale. The sandy stretch is free of the hordes of fellow tourists, and there are plenty of adventures you can take, like a boat to Tierra Bmba island for luxurious private beaches. 

Luggage storage near Cartagena Airport

The best option for luggage storage Cartagena Airport has is easily Bounce, and it’s no different elsewhere in Colombia. With convenient locations throughout cities like Bogota and Medellin, you can store luggage in every worthy travel destination in the country. So if you need to store your luggage next time you’re heading to this South American gem, you know who you can trust!