Your flight will most likely fly to and connect in Miami, FL. Make sure you leave ample time for your layover/connection. From there, your second leg flight to Cartagena will be about 2.5 to 3 hours max. Please reach out to Sierra if you've got q's about your route!

No. Cartagena is a well-visited city and major cruise destination. People speak English at the airport, as well as at the hotels, restaurants, shops, and activities in the area you’ll be staying in.

NO. Full stop. Why would we pick a place where we put the people we love most in danger? You've probably seen the Netflix shows about Pablo Escobar's era. He died in 1993 (30 years ago). Since then, Colombia has recovered as a vibrant, bustling, progressive country. Colombians are some of the friendliest, most welcoming and helpful people you'll ever meet. Cartagena, like many other tourism destinations in Colombia, is generally safe and welcoming to tourists. It’s important to be aware that, like in any popular tourist destination, there may be instances of petty crime, such as pickpocketing or scams. This is not unique to Cartagena and is similar to what travelers might encounter in other popular destinations. Visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience, but as always, it's advisable to take common-sense precautions. And, you may see some third-world poverty if you travel outside of the Walled City in Cartagena for activities! There’s no reason to be scared of it — the only thing scary about poverty is the fact that we allow it to exist, globally. These are hard-working, regular individuals going about their daily lives. They won’t bother you, and you can learn from this experience.

Vaccination is generally not recommended for travellers going to the cities of Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, and Medellín. But, we invite you to talk to your doctor about vaccinations. You should at least have the basics (per US standards for public schools and hospitals). You can choose to get some other vaccines that are standard for tropical/Carribean climates in Central and South America. Something to note: Your doctor may tell you to bring Malaria pills. Derek, Sierra, and several friends and family members who have visited Colombia several times have chosen not to take malaria pills, traveling through major cities like Bogota, Medellin, Salento (the coffee region), Cartagena, and Santa Marta. You can bring malaria pills if you want, but BE AWARE of the side effects and TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR about what to expect when taking them. Side effects can be atrocious and it's very unlikely that you'll contract malaria in Cartagena. That said, if you're planning to visit other remote areas of the country, it's important that you review recommendations for those areas.