FAQs
Question
Where should we stay?
Answer
We recommend the Boca Grande neighborhood for families or a more relaxed beachy stay. Centro Histórico and Getsemani are great choices if your looking to be a little closer to the nightlife of Cartagena. La Boquilla also offers some nice oceanfront stays, but you will find yourself a little further from the heart of the city. We do not recommend staying outside of these neighborhoods as it can be hard to predict the environment of any given street outside the main tourist areas.
Question
Cash or Card
Answer
You can use a credit card at most restaurants, hotels and stores but there may be an additional charge for the card and the conversion. You will definitely want cash for taxis, street vendors and gratuities. Keep in mind that the only legal currency in Colombia is the Colombian peso, you can find vendors that will take dollars but it will always be at an unfavorable exchange rate. We typically use a local ATM (CAJEROS) to take Colombian pesos out at the best rate. However you can use one of the money exchange companies at the airport but we don’t like dealing with the paperwork they make you file in and they don’t always have the best deals.
Question
Is the water safe to drink?
Answer
We do not recommend drinking the local tap water while I’m Cartagena. While it may be “safe to drink” and the locals most certainly do, it probably contains some local organisms that our immune systems are not familiar with. We recommend playing it safe and buying large bottles of water from the local supermarkets.
Question
What to wear?
Answer
Dress for this event should be considered “wedding casual” No jeans, t-shirts, tennis shoes or tuxedos. Jackets, ties and heels are not required but a collared shirt or skirt are welcomed. The wedding will be taking place at a private villa on the beach just north of Cartagena, with the ceremony on the sand and the reception on the villa patio. Please keep in mind that it will be rather warm during the day (around 85F) and slightly cooler in the evening (around 75F) so a light jacket if you are sensitive to the cooler temperatures at night, but breathable fabrics are recommended overall. Linens and cottons are great, guayabera shirt and khakis are the theme, think bohemian chic on the beach. Shoes are optional for the ceremony but encouraged for the reception and entering/leaving the property.