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Are you wondering where to stay in Cartagena, Colombia?
I lived in Cartagena for over a decade, and I can tell you that one of the keys to enjoying a visit is making sure you choose one of the best areas to stay in Cartagena.
In this detailed guide to the best places to stay in Cartagena, you’ll find a description of each of the best neighborhoods to stay in Cartagena based on my experience exploring them, and even living in several of them, myself.
I’ll share my opinion of the pros and cons of each area and also include some hotel suggestions at different price points.
So, read on to learn all you need to know to figure out where to stay in Cartagena de Indias.
Where to Stay in Cartagena General Tips
You should pick a place to stay in Cartagena in or around the historic city center, along or near the waterfront.
The historic city center is where you’ll find historic architecture and charm that earned Cartagena’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also where most of the city’s main sites, museums, restaurants, and nightlife are located.
These central tourist areas are also the safest areas to stay in Cartagena, and I really don’t recommend staying outside these areas. In addition to possible safety concerns, there isn’t much to do as a visitor, and it can be hard to get around.
Historic Districts vs Waterfront
You will have to consider if you prefer to stay in the historic city center itself or nearby along the beachfront when deciding where to stay in Cartagena.
My advice is to stay in the historic districts where you can walk everywhere, and get your beach fix in the Rosario Islands. They have much prettier beaches that get less crowded and have fewer vendors than the beaches in town.
If you want to wake up to Caribbean views everyday of your Cartagena trip though, don’t worry! I’ll be covering the best areas to stay in Cartagena on the waterfront below too.
Best Places to Stay in Cartagena Quick Picks
If you’re in a hurry or location agnostic, here are some quick picks for the best places to stay in Cartagena at different price points:
Midrange Pick:
Casona del Colegio
More:
Best Areas to Stay in Cartagena Summary
Most people will decide between 1 of the 3 best areas to stay in Cartagena. You can find an elevator pitch for each along with some recommended hotels in order of price from high to low here. I’ll give a more detailed look at each of these plus a few other good areas to stay in Cartagena in the sections below.
The Walled City
Elevator Pitch:
Comprising the neighborhoods of Centro and San Diego, you can walk to tons of great restaurants, shopping, and nightlife, while enjoying the charm of the heart of the colonial city.
Recommended Hotels:
Getsemaní
Elevator Pitch:
Cartagena’s other historic district adjacent to the Walled City. Enjoy more charming architecture of its own, neat street art, a growing number of restaurants and cafes, and a vibrant nightlife of its own.
Recommended Hotels:
Bocagrande
Elevator Pitch:
With high rise hotels and condos, the city’s most popular beaches, and lots of good restaurants and shopping, Bocagrande is best for a waterfront stay in more modern style hotels.
Recommended Hotels:
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Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Cartagena In Depth Review
In the sections below, I’ll be covering the 5 Cartagena neighborhoods I most recommend in more detail.
I’ll also briefly discuss 2 more neighborhoods at the end that are less touristy but are safe options and may be good fits for some travelers too.
Finally, I’ll discuss some areas that I recommend avoiding plus give you some bonus picks for where to stay in the Rosario Islands to complement your stay in Cartagena.
Cartagena’s Walled City – Centro and San Diego Neighborhoods
When someone asks me, “Where should I stay in Cartagena, Colombia?”
I always answer the historic Walled City.
It is definitely the best area to stay in Cartagena.
It’s easy to walk around, there are tons of great restaurants, and many of the city’s most famous sites and museums are located here. It’s also one of the safest areas of Cartagena.
Not to mention, walking its narrow streets happens to be pretty darn charming too! You can marvel at the colorful colonial facades, the big wooden doors with their elaborate door knockers, and the flower covered balconies.
Pros of the Walled City
- Tons of restaurants, shops, nightlife, and the historic charm that embodies Cartagena.
- Very walkable.
- Very safe, even late at night, plus the wall keeps you safe from pirate attacks.
Cons of the Walled City
- It can get crowded during peak seasons.
- Though not far away, it is not on the beach.
- Can be pricey.
- Lots of street vendors and performers.
- You might hear the clop, clop, clop of horse carriages.
Technically there are two Cartagena neighborhoods inside the Walled City:
- Centro, or Centro Histórico was the historic commercial and government center of the city and largely remains so today. It was home to Cartagena’s colonial era elite, so has lots of lovely architecture. There are lots of hotels here plus plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, and shops.
- San Diego was sort of the “suburb” of Cartagena in the colonial era, and it remains a bit quieter than the hustle and bustle in the busier parts of Centro today. There is a mix of cafes, restaurants, and residences, and most streets have less foot traffic. There are some hotels here too.
It’s worth pointing out that Centro or Centro Histórico is often used by locals to describe the entire Walled City, including San Diego. You should also keep in mind that walking from one side to the other of the entire Walled City takes 20 minutes or less.
So, I wouldn’t say one of these two neighborhoods is better than the other in terms of location and vicinity to things you can walk to. I wouldn’t choose where to stay in Cartagena in one of them over the other because of location.
Instead, I would choose based on the hotel that’s the best fit for you.
For luxury stays in the Walled City, consider the Casa San Agustín, widely regarded as Cartagena’s finest hotel, the Charleston Santa Teresa, located in a gorgeous former convent, or the Hotel Movich, which has the best rooftop pool and bar view in all of Cartagena.
The Hotel Quadrifolio, the Casa del Gobernador, and the Casa La Merced are terrific luxury boutique hotels in Centro too if you’d like something a bit smaller and more intimate at prices not quite as high as the San Agustín’s.
Meanwhile, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, in quieter San Diego and also located in a former convent, is, in my opinion, the prettiest hotel in Cartagena.
For midrange places, consider the Casona del Colegio, which is gorgeous and offers suites with private balcony jacuzzis similar in price to the standard rooms at the pricer places above and standard rooms at reasonable prices considering the quality. You can read about Susana and my staycation at this hotel here.
Bastión Luxury Hotel is also gorgeous. The apartment style lofts at the Casa Claver would make a great choice for families or small groups. Plus, it has a lovely rooftop pool view of the church next door. Sophia Hotel has a great rooftop pool view of its own. The Bovedas de Santa Clara offers access to the Sofitel’s pool and other common areas at a much more reasonable price.
For budget options in the Walled City, Hotel Boutique Las Carretas is a really pretty hotel and its reasonable price makes it a great value, especially considering how highly reviewed it is. The Casa India Catalina and Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia are also good options at good prices. Finally, the Hotel Boutique Casa Cordoba Estrella is really pretty and also a good value.
If you’re on a really tight budget or backpacking, there are also some great hostels in the Walled City. La Movida and the Clock Hostel offer slightly more upscale hostel experiences, while El Viajero is one of Cartagena’s few remaining backpacker hostels and has been around for a long time. I remember staying there a number of times on weekend visits when I was working as a volunteer outside the city my first year in Cartagena back in 2011.
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Getsemaní
Located just outside the Centro, Getsemaní was home to the city’s artisans during the colonial era.
They were the carpenters, masons, and shipbuilders that quite literally built Cartagena. Many of them were also of African or mixed race ancestry, and neighborhood is often considered the cradle of Cartagenero culture.
Getsemaní’s colorful street art pays homage to this history. That neat art, along with the colorful flags and umbrellas that adorn numerous streets, make for some of the best photo ops in all of Cartagena.
All of that has led to fancy hotels, including a soon to open Four Seasons, as well as trendy bars, cafes, and restaurants, opening up alongside the neighborhood’s longer running backpacker hostels.
It all combines to create an interesting mix. Getsemaní is historic yet trendy, it’s an extension of but also feels distinct from the Walled City, and it’s gentrified yet retains an unmistakable local and authentic vibe.
Pros
- All the cool kids stay here.
- Just outside of Centro, so everything remains within easy walking distance.
- Lots of trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants.
- Prices that are generally lower than in Centro.
Cons
- Like Centro, it can get crowded.
- With such a big scene, you might want to look elsewhere if you’re looking for peace and quiet.
- A few areas and streets can still be a bit seedy.
While I remember parts of Getsemaní still feeling a bit dodgy when I arrived in 2011, the entire neighborhood feels very safe now. There are a few areas that still can be a bit lonely and sketchy at night, so do be aware of your surroundings though.
However, I have no qualms about recommending it to any kind of traveler, from families to backpackers.
For luxury accommodations in Getsemaní, the Hotel Capellán has gorgeous rooms at prices similar to the midrange properties in the Walled City. Osh Hotel has a gorgeous colonial courtyard pool area and nice looking rooms too. They are the only real luxury options in Getsemaní right now, but a massive Four Seasons is supposed to open sometime in 2025. It should rival the Casa San Agustín as Cartagena’s finest hotel once it does.
There are some good midrange options in Getsemaní too. Some stand outs are the lovely and well reviewed Hotel Casa Tere, the pretty boutiques of Hotel Casa Canabal and Casa Pizarro, and the Arsenal Hotel which has a great view of the bay from its rooftop pool.
There are also plenty of great values places to stay in Getsemaní. Casa Isabel has a cool view of the Castillo San Felipe fortress and is one of the best value places to stay in Cartagena. Meanwhile, the Casa Cytia is right in the heart of the trendy area around the Plaza de la Trinidad.
While some have closed in recent years to make way for more hotels, there are still a godo number hostels in Getsemaní, and I would recommend those looking for hostels stay here or in the Walled City for easy walking access to everything, especially since there hardly any hostel options outside of these two areas.
Hostel Media Luna was one of the very first Cartagena backpacker and party hostels and is still going strong today. For more boutique style hostels, check out Santuario and Selina, which also has a coworking space. Finally, Casa Mama Waldy is in a great location and offers backpacker friendly prices.
Bocagrande
Beside the Walled City, you’ll find the peninsula of Bocagrande, which separates Cartagena’s bay from the Caribbean.
Spanish conquistador Don Pedro de Heredía landed on the peninsula when he arrived in 1533, but he chose the site of the Walled City to found the city. Francis Drake also landed here when he attacked and sacked Cartagena in 1586, the attack that prompted the construction of Cartagena’s walls.
Besides a few fishermen and remains of colonial era fortifications, Bocagrande itself remained largely uninhabited into the 20th century.
However, the Hotel Caribe, the first large, luxurious hotel in Cartagena’s history, opened in 1945, attracting tourists from around Colombia and the world.
That portended what was to come for the peninsula, and really the entire city. Overtime, Bocagrande was transformed into an area of high rise hotels and condo buildings, boutique shops, and restaurants, and it contributed to Cartagena’s rise as a major tourist destination.
It’s the best area to stay in Cartagena if you’re looking for high rise hotels with ocean views or more modern style hotels instead of the smaller boutique hotels in the historic districts.
Home to many of Cartagena’s well to do, it’s also the overall safest area of Cartagena.
This is also where the most popular beaches in the Cartagena city limits are located, and they are a big factor why this is a popular area to stay in Cartagena.
Pros
- Right by the beach.
- Lots of restaurants and several supermarkets.
- Safest area to stay in Cartagena.
Cons
- Very touristy.
- The beaches are ok but not spectacular, and there are lots of vendors and large crowds.
- Not within easy walking distance of many of the main attractions except the beach.
There are three main areas on the peninsula:
- Bocagrande is the main strip of hotels, condos, shops, restaurants, and a couple malls.
- Laguito, named after the lake located here, is located at the far end of the peninsula, just beyond the Hotel Caribe and has a handful of hotels, restaurants, and condos.
- Castillogrande is a small peninsula that juts out into the bay from the main peninsula. It’s almost entirely residential and home to some of the newest and most expensive condos in the city.
If you want to stay in Bocagrande, I’d recommend choosing a place along the strip on the main avenue of Carrera 2 (the Avenida San Martín) or along the waterfront on Carrera 1 (the Avenida El Malecón).
If you think you’ll go to the beach here, stay closer to Laguito. The better beaches start past Calle 6. However, since I’m not crazy about the crowds and vendors at the beaches here, I’d personally choose to be be closer to Centro.
I will say the beach at Castillogrande is one of my favorites in town proper and is generally a lot less crowded than the ones along the main strip, so you might consider walking a bit further to get here to enjoy the beach. There’s a nice walking path along the bay around the backside of Castillogrande and much of Bocagrande too.
The best high end hotels in Bocagrande are the large high rises that distinguish the area from the historic districts. A lot of them aren’t actually bad values and compare in price to the nicer midrange boutiques downtown.
I recommend the Hyatt Regency, which has the best rooftop pools in Cartagena. The Estelar next door has a great pool on a deck overlooking the Caribbean too and a nice rooftop bar. Both of these are located before the beaches start. The Hilton, in Laguito, the Intercontinental, and the Hotel Caribe have the best beach areas.
For values in Bocagrande, consider the well regarded and very reasonably priced Oz Luxury Hotel, Hotel Blue Concept, the Holiday Inn Express, or the Hampton by Hilton.
El Cabrero and Marbella
Next up are the two adjacent neighborhoods to stay in Cartagena up the water front the opposite direction from Bocagrande:
- El Cabrero is the area immediately outside the Walled City and is just a few blocks wide. There’s several hotels, a handful of small restaurants, and a few small supermarkets alongside the apartment and condo buildings here.
- Marbella is further up the waterfront. There’s more beach here and it’s also where you’ll find the Cartagena letters. It’s a larger area than Cabrero, but there are only a few hotels alongside the apartment and condo buildings.
Because these two areas are relatively small and don’t have tons of hotels, I’ve included them together.
They are in my opinion, a good option for more budget conscious travelers as there are a few solid and reasonably priced smaller hotels here.
Cabero, in particular, is an easy walk into the Walled City, which will save you money on taxis too.
Pros
- Generally cheaper accommodations.
- Walking distance to Centro.
- Easy access to public transportation.
Cons
- Fewer options to eat and drink.
- Best not to walk around late at night.
- Beach is kind of meh and gets crowded on weekends.
I actually spent a good chunk of my 11 years in Cartagena living in these two neighborhoods. I enjoyed living here because of the close proximity to Centro, and it’s where we stayed on our most recent visit.
Several new restaurants, bars, and small supermarkets have opened up here in recent years too, although there’s still a lot less overall than the areas to stay in Cartagena suggested above.
The beach here is also ok, and during the week there’s usually hardly anyone there. If you just want an early morning or late afternoon plunge, it’s a whole lot cheaper and easier here than in Bocagrande. On the weekends though, locals from the barrios of Cartagena do frequent these beaches and they can get crowded.
The other important caveat I’d give here is that it can still get a bit dodgy late at night.
I’d recommend avoiding walking along the 3rd avenue (Carrera 3) that runs along the backside of the neighborhood beside the mangroves even during the day. Use extra caution by the bridge on Calle 47 in Marbella that crosses into the rougher neighborhoods across the creek too.
I’d also recommend picking an accommodation either along the waterfront Avenida Santander or on the short 2nd avenue (Carrera 2) that runs into the waterfront in Cabrero. Past where this fork is, I’d also try to avoid walking at night, especially late at night.
For a luxury stay in Cabrero, pick La Ermita, which has a nice property and is just a stone’s throw from the Walled City.
For a more midrange option here, the Casa Bustamante is a really pretty boutique that is also just a short walk away from the wall.
There are a number of good values in Cabrero and Marbella. The Castillo Ines María is another nice little boutique just outside the wall with reasonably priced rooms. Further up in Marbella, you can find the Isla Capri, the Aixo Suites, and Hotel Ibis.
La Boquilla, Morros, and Zona Norte
Zona Norte is is used to refer to an enormous area that includes the northern edge of city past the airport and stretches out to some gated suburban communities and even a few hotels that I’d consider too far away from the city for most travelers.
I’d recommend sticking to the area just north of the airport, which you may also see referred to as La Boquilla, the name of the local community, or Morros, which is the name of a chain condo buildings located here.
Pros
- Some of the better and less crowded beaches in the city proper.
- Resort style hotels and condos perfect for relaxing.
Cons
- Not much to do outside of the hotels.
- You’ll spend more on transportation to and from your hotel.
I’d recommend most people stay in this area as a complement to a stay in the Walled City or Getsemaní and not for their entire stay.
Besides being farther way from all the attractions in the historic center, the other main downside of spending your entire stay here is that there just is not much else to do. There are a very small number of restaurants besides the beachfront seafood shacks and only one sort of mini-supermarket.
While that farther away is relative, since it’s still only a 15 minute drive, transportation to and from here can be a bit tougher too, especially at night.
While I’d still recommend a stay in the Walled City and a few nights in the Rosario Islands as the ideal plan, if you want a relaxed beachfront area to stay in Cartagena or looking for something akin to a beachfront resort style experience and are willing to spend a bit more on taxis, this is a good area for that.
If you’re looking for where to stay in Cartagena’s northern area, The Hotel Las Americas is a really good choice for families or people looking for an all inclusive or resort style stay for their entire trip. It’s just barely past the airport and closer to town than some of the other options in this area. You can choose to stay in the Torre del Mar for better sea views or the smaller Casa de Playa for a more relaxed and family friendly vibe.
The Radisson Ocean Pavilion and Holiday Inn Morros offer nice modern beach resort style accommodations just a bit farther up the road too.
If you want something a bit more secluded, you might consider the Dreams Karibana, which has the only golf course near Cartagena, the Estelar Manzanillo or the Karmairí. All are located in Manzanillo farther north outside the city and don’t work well for an entire stay though.
Other Cartagena Neighborhoods to Consider – Manga and Crespo
I think most travelers will get the most out of their visit to Cartagena staying in one of the areas above.
Centro, Getsemaní, Bocagrande, Cabrero, and Marbella are all close to lots of attractions and easy to get to and from. Meanwhile, Zona Norte is a bit farther but offers more of an escape it all experience without being too far away.
However, there are two other neighborhoods in Cartagena that could make for good options: Manga and Crespo.
Both are more residential, but are safe and still not far away from the historic center. I think they work especially well for return visitors who already know their way around Cartagena or people coming for longer stays.
Manga
Manga is an island adjacent to Getsemaní. It’s a fairly nice residential neighborhood with a fair amount of restaurants and some areas with terrific views of the bay.
There aren’t a lot of options for where to stay in this area of Cartagena, but there are a handful of hotel options here.
If you stay within a few blocks of the bridge over to Getsemaní, it’s a doable walk into the Walled City too. If you stay more towards the center or southern parts of the island, you’ll probably want to stick to taxis.
There is a nice Holiday Inn Express in Manga, but its location by the port means it tends to cater more to business travelers. The Casa Roman and the Casa del Puerto both offer nice accommodations at reasonable prices and aren’t too far away from downtown.
Crespo
Crespo is the Cartagena neighborhood between Marbella and the Zona Norte. It’s where the airport is located.
Susana and I lived here for the last few years we lived in Cartagena, and I liked being able to walk to the airport and the mostly local, residential vibe of the neighborhood.
There aren’t a ton of restaurants, but there are some decent options, and there’s several decent smaller supermarkets too. There are also a small handful of hotels.
Now, in lots of cities, staying near the airport can be a big advantage if you have an early flight or a shorter stay. Given that the airport is just a 10-15 minute taxi ride from all the places to stay in Cartagena listed above, I don’t consider that the case here, and I would not choose to stay in Crespo simply to be close to the airport.
That’s why, like Manga, I think it works best for return travelers or people coming for a longer stay.
I do think the Corales de Indias can might make a good choice for families and is just at the entrance to Crespo, a bit closer to the Walled City. The Mucura Hotel and Spa is located just a couple blocks from the airport, so if you did want something nice within walking distance, it could be a good option too.
Can I Stay in Other Areas in Cartagena?
Honestly, I strongly discourage staying outside the areas mentioned here as a tourist visiting Cartagena.
While there are residential Cartagena neighborhoods that are safe and nice to live in outside the tourist zone, there’s just not much to do there as a visitor, and traffic and transportation is more complicated.
Areas to Avoid Staying in Cartagena
The easiest way to say this is that besides Manga, I would not recommend staying in any Cartagena neighborhood that is southeast of or across the inlet from the main strip of land along the coast.
I’ve noticed noticed more and more little hostels and hotels and, especially, AirBnBs popping up in some of the neighborhoods on the edge of the tourist zones in recent years. Due to their location on the map, they might appear at first glance like good places to stay in Cartagena at good prices.
This is particularly true in the neighborhood of Torices, located across the inlet from Cabrero and Marbella. There are some newer apartment buildings here where people have put AirBnBs that look nice in photos and advertise them as close to the Walled City and/or the beach.
The reality is that Torices is an area where there are pockets of areas that are perfectly fine and pockets of areas that can be pretty dodgy, including areas where you don’t want to be walking around, especially since you’ll likely stand out as a tourist.
If you find a place at a really good price right next to the bridge over to Marbella, speak conversational Spanish, and know your way around Cartagena already, sure, go for it.
Maybe in a decade or so this area will be gentrified like Getsemaní was, but, for the time being, I believe most people coming to Cartagena for a vacation will regret staying here.
So, I’d just avoid staying here altogether.
Ditto all of the above for the the neighborhoods of Daniel Lemaitre and Canapote across the inlet from Crespo, and once again for any other place farther south or southeast in the city.
Bonus: Where to Stay in the Rosario Islands
As I mentioned in the introduction and several times above, I encourage getting out of the city and away from the more crowded and not impressive beaches to the Rosario Islands for your beach fix.
Spending a night or two in this Caribbean paradise can be a terrific complement to a stay in town.
However, I only recommend staying the night if you have 5 or more nights in Cartagena due to their isolation and the logistics of getting there and back.
Please do check out my full list of the best places to stay in the Rosario Islands for more options, but our personal favorite place in the islands is IslaBela, which has nice bungalows and is a pretty good value.
For something more high end resort style, consider the Sofitel Calablanca or the Isla del Encanto. The Hotel Las Islas also offers amazing luxury bungalows and is probably the neatest and nicest beach resort near Cartagena.
If you don’t have the time for spending the night or just prefer staying in town for your whole stay, then please check out my picks for the best Rosario Islands day tours.
Ready to reserve a place to stay in Cartagena?
I hope you will visit Cartagena and that this guide to the areas to stay in Cartagena was useful for you planning your visit.
Most importantly, I hope you have a wonderful visit!
I’d love to hear about which area and place you stayed in Cartagena and what you thought of it in the comments. Please feel free to check out all the other content on the site to help you plan your trip too!
Cheers and Happy Exploring!
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Very helpful and well written. Thank you for making the effort.
Hi Matt. Glad it was helpful, and thanks so much for the kind words. Enjoy Cartagena!
We visited Colombia last year -we also stayed at Plaza de la Trinidad, Getsamani. Was quite noisy 🙁
Yes, if you’re right by the plaza there’s usually quite a bit of partying going on nearby. Definitely not the best area for peace and quiet.
So glad I came across your well written and informative information. I plan to be in Cartagena in 2020/
I will be going solo/ I am a retired USA Special ED teacher so I was interested in WHERE you volunteered in Colombia.
Hi Carol. So glad to hear it was helpful. I volunteered with the organization WorldTeach and worked in a school in the small town of Santa Ana on the Island of Barú, about an hour south of Cartagena, very close to Playa Blanca. I think though that they are no longer hosting volunteers, youd have to look into it. Another option is SENA and Voluntarios Colombia. Your background as a Special Ed teacher would be very valuable. I work at a high reputation private school now and even we don’t really have the staff to help students with learning disabilities. I wish you well in finding a place to volunteer and feel free to reach out at adam@cartagenaexplorer.com.
Hi Carol, I am writing a year plus after your initial comment & given what has been happening in 2020 your plans may have changed, but if you are interested in volunteering in Cartagena you could contact Domino Volunteers Cartagena (https://www.dominovolunteers.com/), founded by a former Peace Corps volunteer. They help match people to organizations depending on the former’s skill & availability and the latter’s needs. There is definitely a need for those with a background in education, especially if you speak Spanish.
Hi Adam, my wife and I are expat retirees currently living in Pereira. Looking at Cartagena for a six month stay. We want access to a good beach, restaurants and a gym for day to day living. We have a car so we don’t need to be in the touristy areas. What would be your suggestions?
Hi Grant. That’s great. Hmm, I think probably the best options would be around Zona Norte, there aren’t a ton of restaurants up there, but there are a handful, and you’re still only like a 10-15 minute car ride from downtown. I would think a lot of those buildings probably have small gyms in them, and I would also think you could probably get a 6 month rental in one of those buildings. There is a collection of buildings up there known as Los Morros. A bit further out, you could also look into the area around Manzanillo del Mar.
Hope that helps!
Hi Adam,
So glad i found your website! Thank you for all the awesome tips. I came across Hilton Conrad Cartegena but didn’t see any reviews on it. What are your thoughts regarding staying there? We are a group of 8 couples and want to get a little bit of beach, tour the city, and explore some islands. Please advise! Thank you thank you!
Hi Paree. I’m glad it’s helped! The Conrad is one of the newer hotels. It is located a ways out of the city to the north about 30-40 minutes. I haven’t been there, but my wife actually has on a day pass and said it is very nice, with a nice big pool, nice bar area, and a nice, private beach area. I think particularly going with a group, it would be a great option as sort of a beach resort out of the city option. I would imagine they probably have a shuttle to and from town and/or excursions, or you could always opt to spend a couple days just relaxing out there and then a few somewhere in town proper.
Hope that helps!
this post is so very informative, loved it!!!
my husband and I are planning to got to Cartagena once the apocalipsys is over lol, and now we can make an informed decision about where to stay as it’ll be our first time… we’ve been to Colombia several times, but somehow we´ve never made it to Cartagena…
Excellent Ricardo! Im glad it was helpful and here is hoping you can make it soon!
Great guide and amazing tips. Thanks for sharing. We had plans to visit Cartagena but we haven’t been sure where will be the best place. Now it’s easier.
Hi Kim, great. Hope you are able to make it soon!
Hi Adam, great guide here thanks very much here for the info. Coming with 10 guys for my brother’s stag so not sure whether Cenro/Getsemani is the better option for more partying side of things. Also would be nice to be walk away from the beach. Any help here would be great,
Hey William. Given your group, you might want to look into an AirBnB or something of the sort or one of the smaller hotels as you could possibly just rent out the whole thing. If being by the beach is important, Bocagrande is the best option. Most of the nightlife is in Centro and Getsemaní though. You could also opt to spend a couple nights out in the Rosario Islands (I have a guide to them up here) and I definitely recommend a boat rental for the day. Hope you have a great time William!
Hi Adam.
Amazing website! Very informative and nicely made.
Staying in Marbella is great as it is near the famous places in Cartagena. There’s this building right in front of the beach called Altamar, which is great. Every apartment has an amazing view, and it is super close to the airport. Highly recommended.
Morros is also good if you’ve already been to Cartagena and you just want to enjoy the beach with no noise or cars. Very peaceful. I would recommend Morros Vitri, which is very nice. 😉
You can find both places on Airbnb.
Hi Carolina,
Couldn’t agree more with those recommendations, and AirBnB options are the best for those areas!
Hi Adam,
Greetings. I came and stayed in Getsemani in 2021 for whole month of October( at hotel Villa Colonial) and I used your guide lines for accommodation etc__thanks alot it was very helpful
Now I am planning to come back in 2022 after we have sorted out this virus travel restrictions thing but this time i plan to stay for between 3-6 months.As such I am looking for cheaper accommodation to enable me stretch my dollar.
My request to you is to give me some resources to check out for long term rental condos/apartments in Gesteman/Bocagrande/El Laquito.My comfortable range is US $ 500-700 a month.
Thanks. _-John Damba +1 (416) 833-9399 Toronto,Canada.
Hi John. So glad you enjoyed Cartagena and that this was useful. Hmm, for 3-6 months, your best bet might be AirBnB to be honest. You can also check out El Universal’s online classifieds, although many there may be looking for more like 6 months to a year and they may not be furnished (look for apartamentos amoblados). The other option, and probably the best to be honest is to book an AirBnB or hotel for several days up to a week and go around and ask in buildings. I am not 100% sure if she is still renting and what her prices are (it’s 2 bedrooms) but a former coworker of mine has a nice place in Cabrero, (find her on Facebook at Casa Barbara Cartagena). I would think you should be able to find something in that range.
Incredibly thorough and helpful breaking down all possible angles of spending time staying in Cartagena. I searched high and low for good advice and this is hands down the best I have seen compiled!
Hi Lauren! I’m so glad it was helpful! Thank you very much for your kind words and I hope you have a wonderful time in Cartagena!