Rafael Núñez International Airport — Local services in Cartagena

The chaotic departure experience this afternoon made this by far one of the worst airports I’ve ever been to in all my life traveling throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, Western and Eastern Europe, U.S., Australia, etc. The inefficiency, lack of control, and lack of urgency made departing Colombia a truly awful experience, which put a damper on what was a good trip. It took us about two hours to get from roadside to the plane, even though it was not that busy relatively speaking, when it would have probably taken no more than an hour at any other decent airport. Most airlines and airports will say you should arrive for an international flight 3 hrs in advance, but in my experience this is not necessary. Especially so since we already checked in online, had mobile boarding passes, and didn’t have any checked bags.

From the very beginning, the queue just to get through to the passport control was chaotic, with only two security officers barely working, joking around and taking their sweet time. People were cutting lines, there was some weird random priority for certain people; we couldn’t figure out what was going on. It was basically a pre-check to get to passport control, but it was neither organized or efficient.

Once we got through the initial queue, it was clear that the real shitshow and bottleneck was with passport control as it was even more slower and inefficient with only a few immigration officers available to process the hundreds of passengers with flight departures to New York, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, etc. within the next hour and half. Perhaps the bottleneck was because it was during the busy holiday season, multiple flights departing, or non U.S. citizens flying to the U.S. but they should have staffed up to prepare for this influx. You simply can’t have a handful of officers processing the amount of people that they needed to process. They also gave priority to families with children and Colombians, which is fine in theory, but it only made the queue even slower for foreign citizens like myself because all those people needed additional processing time. Why should those people have expedited processing or the right to go through passport control ahead of all others when we are all on the same flights? There was simply a lack of urgency for processing everyone in the queue, which just unnecessarily stressed out everybody who seemingly arrived at the airport on time. What was even more nerve racking was that American Airlines sent a rep to the queue to check on passengers still waiting to go through passport control, while JetBlue kept announcing our names on the loudspeaker without actually sending someone to check on us, basically abandoning us like a bunch of refugees waiting for asylum.

We eventually got through this queue after an hour, and security was quick, but the chaos didn’t stop there. Once we got to the gate, which was basically at last call, we come to find that the systems were not working properly, so it took them some time to check our passports (again??? for what reason???) and scan our boarding passes. My passport was passed around like a hot potato with various gate agents on multiple computers trying to print me a boarding pass to board until I practically ended up being one of the last to do so, which also led to them having to eventually gate check my bag. So much for checking in online and having a mobile boarding pass!

While we eventually made it onto the flight, this departure experience was truly a debacle. We didn’t get a chance to use the restroom, buy snacks, drinks, or souvenirs despite arriving at the airport 2 hrs in advance. Judging by the inefficiency we had to go through today, I can only recommend arriving at this airport for an international flight at least 3 to 4 hours in advance to give yourself a stress...

Rafael Núñez International Airport, located in Cartagena, Colombia, is one of the most important transportation hubs in the Caribbean region, connecting the vibrant city with domestic and international destinations. Named after Rafael Núñez, the Colombian statesman, poet, and former president, the airport serves as a critical gateway for travelers heading to and from the historic city of Cartagena, one of Colombia’s most popular tourist destinations. Despite being smaller than some of the country’s larger airports, Rafael Núñez International has a charm and efficiency that reflects both the welcoming spirit of Cartagena and the growth of the region’s tourism industry.

The airport’s modern terminal offers a comfortable and convenient experience for both domestic and international travelers. It caters to a variety of airlines, including major national carriers such as Avianca, as well as international airlines offering direct flights to destinations across the Americas and Europe. The airport is crucial for both leisure travelers heading to Cartagena’s beaches, colonial architecture, and vibrant culture, as well as business travelers visiting the city for its expanding economic opportunities.

Rafael Núñez International is well-designed to handle the steady flow of visitors, especially during peak tourist seasons. It features a range of services and amenities to ensure a smooth travel experience, including currency exchange, duty-free shopping, restaurants, lounges, and a variety of retail outlets selling local goods and souvenirs. These services cater to both international tourists who may want to bring home a piece of Cartagena’s vibrant culture and locals who rely on the airport for their travel needs.

The airport’s layout and operations are designed with efficiency in mind, allowing for quick check-ins, security procedures, and baggage claim. It has a reputation for being easy to navigate, with a relatively relaxed atmosphere compared to larger, more hectic airports. For travelers who may be experiencing Cartagena for the first time, the airport’s friendly staff provides clear information and assistance to ensure a pleasant arrival or departure.

One of the airport’s standout features is its connection to Cartagena’s vibrant tourism industry. The facility’s proximity to the city’s historic Walled City, beaches, and the nearby Rosario Islands make it a key entry point for visitors to the region. The airport also supports the growing number of tourists arriving for events such as the Cartagena International Film Festival and the city’s annual music festivals, which draw thousands of attendees from around the world. This influx of visitors has led to improvements and upgrades at the airport, including expanded capacity and better infrastructure to meet the needs of modern travelers.

Rafael Núñez International Airport also plays a crucial role in regional development. It not only facilitates tourism but also supports business and trade in Cartagena and the surrounding areas. As Cartagena continues to develop as a center for commerce, tourism, and culture, the airport serves as an important facilitator of this growth. Its increasing role in the regional economy highlights its importance in connecting Cartagena to the rest of Colombia and the world.

In summary, Rafael Núñez International Airport is much more than just an entry point to Cartagena—it’s an essential part of the city’s identity, offering travelers a seamless and welcoming experience. With its efficient operations, range of services, and close ties to Cartagena’s tourism and business sectors, the airport stands as a symbol of the city’s growing importance on the...

My wife and I were attacked by another passenger for no other apparent reason other than the aggressor was in a rush and the security guard asked my wife to start putting her items in the bin in front of her, which angered the woman personally toward my wife. My wife told her that the security guard asked her to fill the open space in line in front of her and proceeded through security. As my wife was walking to the tarmac, this woman ripped her skirt down her waist tearing the buttons and fabric; this was in front of other passengers and the security guards. The security guards didn’t do anything other than watch with a surprised look. After asking the security guards to do something and having nothing done, my wife and I continued toward the plane. The woman then again runs up behind my wife and scratches her back and continuously tries to punch her. I tried to pull her off and she struck me across the face and clawed me with her fingernails from my eye to my mouth. This was seen by multiple passengers as well as some security guards. The guards did nothing and were even going to allow her to get on the plane. Finally we asked the airport police to take her off the plane which they finally did right before she boarded. The airport police did equally as much as the guards. We asked them to issue tickets and search her but all they did was walk up to her ask a few questions then let her go with a new ticket on a flight leaving before our flight. We had to go to the local police to file a police report that the airport police should have handled. The local police were very helpful and gave us a report. If the security guards and airport police react like this to assault right in front of their eyes, what else could they be turning their heads to? They didn’t even detain anyone or allow us to review or file a request for the footage before...