Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport

✅ Verified Review | Check in and seating are adequate. There is only choice of gift store and restaurant. Prices are not displayed and service is very rude. Prices seemed even higher than expected for an airport. Security appears reasonably efficient. Rest room was clean.

From the city, getting to the airport by car takes between 30 and 90 minutes depending on the time of day and the attitude of other drivers. Check-in was quite fast although we saw little evidence of a computerised booking system – our seats were allocated by hand and the boarding cards were filled in by hand – maybe this was an airline thing since we were on a charter flight. International emigration was fast and without issue, at security some of us had to surrender our water, others did not. There was no interest in laptops, belts or shoes. One of our checked bags was thoroughly searched once it had left our sight - insides totally moved around but all there when we checked it at home. Airside, the international lounge has free slightly slow but usable wifi, two cafés (no credit cards – us dollars or local), a duty free shop, a jewellery store and a shop selling souvenirs. There are five international gates but only one was used. There are no air bridges. If the building has air conditioning, we did not benefit from it, acoustics are dreadful and it is very hard to hear any of the numerous fast announcements. There is no departure screen showing all flights. Seats are hard, toilets are clean – it is far better than many airports and less comfortable than some.

Strict minimum no much to do no much space. If you can prefer Avianca vip lounge with snacks drinks and wifi.

I did a recent domestic round trip through this airport. Arrival is uncomplicated (no jetways and a short walk to the terminal) although travelers should be aware that the luggage trolleys are only for the use of porters unlike other airports. Taxis await outside the baggage claim. Check-in is more complicated. The first departure area one encounters is actually where ticketed passengers go to reach their gate. The actual check- in is further down the walkway - no signs are provided but employees are quite helpful. The airport appears to be in a state of protracted renovation that is evident at departure - a regular visitor commented that it was different every time he visited there so conditions may change. The security is pretty simple - no removing of watches etc. The gate area is a bullpen and the monitors provide the names of airlines but no departure information. There is a cafe and a small gift shop but little else nearby. Free wifi is provided. Departure announcements are not translated into English or any other language although a large proportion of travelers obviously were foreigners; many from Europe Australia or the USA. Poor acoustics make things difficult even for locals to understand.

The airport has undergone refurbishment in recent years and is pleasant and air-conditioned. Security is tight and efficient. One problem is the availability of refreshments. There is only one major cafeteria - located in the walkway between the domestic and international sections of the airport - but it is a rip-off. If you buy something simple like a soda and a chocolate bar though the courtyard by the domestic arrivals area is very pleasant. When you clear customs upon arriving you need to go to the little taxi services window just outside domestic arrivals to request a taxi to go into town. The attendant will then give you a ticket with the fare printed on it depending on where you go. Do not go straight to the taxi rank nearby as the drivers will attempt to harass you into their cab smile a lot and then rip you off! Alternatively if you don't mind a short 2 minute walk you can just walk straight down the street that leads out of the terminal and get a taxi (or even a local bus) much more cheaply.