Cartagena is taking a decisive step toward a new era of sustainable mobility with the implementation of its aquabus system, Transcaribe Acuatico, an initiative that will transform the way residents and tourists move around the city. Mayor Dumek Turbay confirmed that the first four vessels will be contracted in April 2026, a key milestone to launch the pilot phase by the end of the same year. This initiative includes electric, air-conditioned aquabuses with a capacity for 40 to 50 passengers, fully integrated into the city’s mass transit system.
The initial tests will take place in the Bay of Cartagena, a strategic area that will allow the city to evaluate real operating conditions and adjust routes before the official launch, scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. With this timeline, Cartagena positions itself as one of the pioneering cities in urban aquatic mobility in Colombia.
This is how the new sustainable mobility system in Cartagena will operate with the aquabuses
The project envisions a public transportation network that takes advantage of the bay, canals, and coastal areas as fast and safe mobility corridors. During the pilot phase, four aquabuses will run along key routes to connect high-tourism areas with residential neighborhoods.
The planned routes for this initial stage include trips between Bocagrande, Manga, and the Historic Center, helping reduce congestion on avenues that often collapse during peak tourist seasons. Routes toward El Laguito are also being evaluated, where works are underway to prevent flooding and enable aquatic transit, as well as toward the Ciénaga de Mallorquín, an ideal corridor for integrating peripheral neighborhoods through a sustainable mobility model.
These vessels will be equipped with accessibility systems for people with reduced mobility, air conditioning, and environmentally friendly navigation technology. In addition, the system will offer unified payment through the Transcaribe card, allowing seamless transfers between land buses and aquatic transportation without using multiple payment methods.
Cartagena becomes a pioneer in public aquatic transportation in Colombia
The launch of Transcaribe Acuatico makes Cartagena the first city in the country to officially integrate a public aquatic transportation system into its mass transit network. Although other cities have explored similar proposals—such as the fluvial transport studies on the Magdalena River in Barranquilla or the local maritime service in Buenaventura—none have incorporated it into a SITM system with integrated fares and permanent operation.
The project also creates new opportunities for tourism. The routes through the bay will offer unique scenic experiences, with privileged views of the colonial walls, historical fortresses, and the modern skyline of Bocagrande, turning each journey into an attraction of its own. The district administration expects that the implementation of these routes will significantly reduce travel times between short-distance points, especially during Holy Week, mid-year vacations, and end-of-year holidays.
According to the Mayor’s Office, this model not only addresses the urgent need to ease road congestion but also takes advantage of the city’s natural infrastructure to promote more sustainable mobility. The use of electric vessels will reduce pollutant emissions and contribute to preserving the bay, one of the most important ecosystems in the Caribbean region.