Mercado de Bazurto
It's Cartagena's main market, about 4 km from the old town. Go in the morning to see the fish and fruit and eat at the market kitchens; the easiest way is with a tour.
- Hours
- Open every day from before dawn; the busiest time is the morning.
- Price
- Free to go in; guided tours cost extra (from about USD 50 for two people with Free Tour Cartagena, checked 2026-10-12).
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 2 to 4 hours
- Address
- Avenida Pedro de Heredia, Bazurto area, Cartagena
Bazurto is where the city shops: fish and seafood that arrive by boat through the channel, fruit, vegetables, meat and everything else. It's loud, hot and chaotic, with champeta (Afro-Caribbean dance music from the coast) playing at the stalls.
The best part is the food. The kitchens at the back serve fried fish, cazuela, coconut rice and juices for much less than they cost in the old town.
The city government has been talking about moving the market out of the city and turning the site into a cultural and food district; for now it's still running in the same place.
What to see
- The fish and seafood section.
- The fruit stalls.
- The market kitchens.
Getting there
- Taxi or ride app from the old town: 10 to 15 minutes.
- Guided tours with hotel pickup; Free Tour Cartagena runs one Monday to Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from the Plaza Santa Teresa (checked 2026-10-12).
Tips
- Go mid-morning, before the heat gets heavy.
- Closed-toe shoes, no jewelry and your phone put away.
- Go with a guide the first time: the market is big and easy to get lost in.
- Agree on the price of your food before sitting down.
FAQ
Is it safe to go to the Mercado de Bazurto?
With care, yes: go during the day, without jewelry, with your phone put away, and ideally with a guide.
What time is best to go?
In the morning, when it's busiest and less hot.
Where is it?
On Avenida Pedro de Heredia, about 4 km from the historic center.
Is it going to be moved?
The city government has proposed it, but as of October 2026 it's still in the same place.
On the map
Photos: Daniel Nussbaum, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Xemenendura, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Xemenendura, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
