Latin America
Pet travel to Cartagena
ICA-compliant entry via CTG — the walled city of the Caribbean, with colonial parks and dawn beach promenades.
Clearance & Entry
What's required to enter.
- 1
ICA SISPAP system registration at ica.gov.co — apply 2–3 weeks before travel
- 2
Rabies vaccination administered more than 30 days before travel and not expired; antiparasitic treatment documented
- 3
USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate (USA) or CFIA-endorsed certificate (Canada) issued within 10 days
- 4
Breed restriction: Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier breeds are banned from import under Colombian Law 746/2002
These are the official entry rules for Colombia.
Read our step-by-step compliance guide covering every document, timing window, and government contact for Colombia.
Colombia's ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario) inspects all pets at arrival. Dogs not meeting requirements may be subject to home quarantine with ICA follow-up visits. We pre-file all ICA notifications from Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG).
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Cartagena.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Cartagena.
Permit Filing
Our team files all import permits and advance notifications on your behalf, tracking approval status in real time.
Veterinary Coordination
We work with your vet or our partner clinics to issue compliant health certificates timed precisely to departure.
Airport Concierge
A dedicated chaperone manages customs inspection, APHIS or border authority clearance, and handover at destination.
Local Logistics
Getting your pet into Cartagena.
Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) serves the Caribbean coast with connections from Bogotá and Miami. ICA clearance applies; pets connecting through BOG for international clearance continue by domestic flight to Cartagena.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
30–45 days
Ready to travel to Cartagena?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Cartagena.
Hotel Baluarte Boutique Cartagena
Hotel Baluarte Boutique Cartagena is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are allowed for no additional fee. Cats are also welcome.
Casa del Virrey Eslava 108
This 4-bedroom townhouse in Cartagena is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
Les Lezards B&B
Les Lezards B&B allows pets up to 20 kg in designated rooms for an additional fee of $10 per pet, per night. Both dogs and cats are welcome.
Bongo Beach Baru
Bongo Beach Baru is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are allowed for no additional fee. Cats are also welcome.
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in Cartagena.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Cartagena. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Cartagena with your pet.
One of the biggest anxieties of pet travel is local transit. Here's everything you need to know before you land.
Private Cars
Taxi and Cabify operate from CTG airport and around the city. Traffic inside the walled city is restricted — we coordinate drop-off points for all major hotels.
On Foot
The walled city and Getsemaní are best experienced on foot. We provide pedestrian maps of the old city walls, permitted colonial squares, and dog-friendly morning routes.
Public Transit
Local buses cover Bocagrande and the outer city; carriers required. The walled city is compact enough that transit is rarely needed for guests staying within.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Cartagena, with your dog.
Every pet's travel style is different. Contact our team for customised local intelligence and pet-friendly recommendations for Cartagena.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Cartagena. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Terrace Dining
Carmen Restaurant
Old City
Interior courtyard and exterior terrace — dogs welcome at outdoor tables with advance notice.
Casual
La Cevichería
Old City
Outdoor terrace seating; dogs permitted at exterior tables — advance reservation recommended.
Market
Bazurto Social Club Market
Getsemaní
Open-air market evenings in the artistic district — dogs welcome throughout the outdoor space.
Supply & Stores
Pet food & supply stores
Premium Pet Boutique
Pet Shop Bocagrande
Av. San Martín 6-67, Bocagrande, Cartagena
Tropical climate pet care products; cooling mats and hydration supplements for Caribbean heat.
Big Box
Almacenes Éxito Pet Section
Av. Pedro de Heredia, CC Las Plazas, Cartagena
Largest pet food selection in the city; prescription brands stocked.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
Clínica Veterinaria Caribe
Export Clinic
VetCartagena Clínica
Boarding & Daycare
Hotel para Mascotas Cartagena
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Cartagena.
We handle the flights, the veterinary compliance, and the door-to-door logistics. Tell us where you're starting from, and we'll calculate the route to Cartagena.
Travelling to
Pet type
No obligation · Concierge response within 24 hours
Paws en Route Concierge
Ready to turn this guide into a real trip?
Your Preparation Timeline
We build a personalised calendar for Cartagena: permits, vet appointments, and health certificates timed precisely to your departure window so nothing expires before you board.
Local Intelligence, Pre-loaded
Vetted stays, pet-safe transit routes, and emergency contacts, all curated for Cartagena and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Cartagena.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
