Rafael Nunez International Airport

Overview

Rafael Nuñez International Airport is the main air gateway for Cartagena, one of Colombia’s best-known Caribbean destinations, and it handles both domestic and international traffic as a large airport. Listed under IATA code CTG and ICAO code SKCG, it sits almost at sea level at an elevation of 4 feet (1 metre), which reflects Cartagena’s low-lying coastal setting. For travellers, that means a straightforward arrival point close to the city rather than a remote inland airport, making it a practical starting point for visits to the historic centre, nearby beaches, and the wider Bolivar region.

At a glance

• Official name: Rafael Nuñez International Airport
• Airport codes: CTG (IATA) and SKCG (ICAO)
• Airport type: Large airport serving Cartagena, Colombia
• Elevation: 4 ft (1 m) above sea level
• Runway: 01/19, 8,530 ft long, asphalt, and lighted
• Time zone: America/Bogota

What matters for travellers

The airport’s single lighted asphalt runway, 01/19, measures 8,530 feet, giving it the capability to handle a substantial mix of scheduled passenger flights typical of a busy regional and international destination. Because Cartagena operates on the America/Bogota time zone and does not shift clocks seasonally, planning arrival times and onward transport is usually simple. Visitors should think of CTG less as a sprawling transfer hub and more as an efficient arrival point for a city break or beach trip, where the real advantage is quick access to Cartagena’s urban core and waterfront atmosphere soon after landing.