Cartagena, or Cartagena de Indias, is a large city located on the Caribbean coastline of Colombia. With so many different neighborhoods and types of accommodation in the city, this guide will help you decide where to stay when visiting Cartagena!
In this guide we cover everything you need to know to plan your trip to Cartagena, including background on the city, the best things to do, top neighborhoods to stay in, and recommended hotels in each area by budget.
Introduction To Cartagena City
Cartagena has been a popular tourist hot spot with Colombians for a long time, with many Colombians choosing to take a weekend break in the city or purchase an apartment to rent out or holiday in. The city is a popular getaway with Colombians from all over the country with direct flights from the Bogotá, Cali, and Medellin.
In the past 5 years, Cartagena has become more popular for international tourists, with direct flights to Cartagena from Miami, New York, Lima, Amsterdam, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, and Mexico City. The short flying time and value for money have made Cartagena a popular destination for American travellers.
Founded in 1533, Cartagena was a major port and part of the defence of the country, throughout history. The Spanish founded the city and named it after Cartagena, Spain. They used the city to defend off the country from pirates, invasions from the British and played a key role in the Spanish empire.
Today you can still see the Spanish influence all over the city with colonial colourful buildings, and the Old City is still protected by a wall which stands as it once did. There is also a castle and convent located close to the city which has been turned into museums to explain the history of the city.
Cartagena is made up of the Old Walled City, Getsemaní, Castillogrande, Bocoagrande, San Diego, Manga, and the Rosario Islands. Throughout Colombia Cartagena is well known for its world-class restaurants, lively plazas, boutique luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, colourful buildings, and it’s collection of 28 islands called the Rosario islands located off the coastline.
With so many different neighbourhoods and hotels to choose from, finding the right place to stay in Cartagena can be an overwhelming task. Having visited Cartegena a large number of times, I am very familiar with Cartagena’s best and safest areas to stay in and rounded up my favourites for every budget below!
Top 10 Things To Do In Cartagena
Cartegena is a large city and offers lots of things for visitors to see and do when they visit the city. These are my top 10 things to see and do during your stay in Cartegena.
- Visit Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, a castle in the middle of the city which you can walk around and learn all about the history of the city, as well as seeing great views of the city.
- Walk around Mercado de Bazurto, a great textile and souvenir market.
- Buy fruit or fresh juice from a street vendor.
- Eat ceviche at La Cevicheria.
- Dance salsa at Cafe Havana or Quiebracanto.
- Visit the Santo Domingo Square, a lively square with street vendors, live music, and dancing.
- Walk around the walled city and on the wall, which surrounds the city.
- Take a boat trip to the Rosario Islands.
- Watch the sunset at Cafe del Mar, a bar and restaurant located on a section of the wall. They have live music and cocktails, It is one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset.
- Visit the Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa and admire the view of the city.
Overview Of Cartagena Neighbourhoods
Cartegena has a popular of just over 1 million and is the fifth-largest city in Colombia, but is mostly popular for tourists. Cartagena is a popular destination for tourists year-round thanks to its average temperature of 28c (83f).
Depending on your preferred location and budget, you can find something in Cartagena to suit your requirements, from boutique hotels to luxury chain brands.
A little bit of research (or this guide!) will help you in finding quality accommodation for your perfect trip!
The Historic Center Of Cartegena: The Walled City
The Walled City or Centro is the historic centre of Cartagena. This neighbourhood is the most popular neighbourhood in the city with a large number of restaurants, lively plazas, and museums.
The Walled City is well known for its cobbled streets, colourful houses, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The center is where most people stay when visiting. There are art galleries, a naval museum, and other museums to explore.
Some of the best restaurants in Colombia can be found within this area, in addition to boutique hotels, and cocktail bars. This area is well preserved and safe to walk around throughout the day and into the evening.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In The Walled City
PROS
- Lots of restaurants
- Great nightlife and shopping
- Safe to walk around
- Easy to explore and get around
- Home to the main attractions in the city
CONS
- Some of the plazas are very lively throughout the night
- This neighbourhood is quite big and spread out
Best AirBnBs In The Walled City
- Sunny Two Bedroom Luxury Apartment
- Casa Bovedas
- La Dominica Villa
- Find other AirBnBs in The Walled City
Luxury Hotels In The Walled City
Mid-Range Hotels In The Walled City
Budget Hotels In the Walled City
The Hipster Neighbourhood Of Cartegena: Getsemaní
Getsemaní used to be considered the more dangerous neighbour to the walled city. Located just outside the wall, Getsemaní has undergone a massive transformation in recent years.
The neighbourhood has been cleaned up and is now safer than it once was. Restaurants and hotels have opened in the area, as well as street art and is now considered a hipster area.
Getsemaní has a large number of unique individual coffee shops, boutique stores, big nightlife venues, and lively plazas such as Plaza Trinidad.
This area is a popular place for artists, musicians, and young travellers. This neighbourhood has the same unique and wonderful architecture as the Walled City but in some areas it is less well preserved.
It is mostly safe to walk around during the day, but during the night caution should be taken.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Getsemaní
PROS
- Lots of restaurants
- Great nightlife
- Easy to explore and get around
- Easy transportation links to other parts of the city
CONS
- Far from the historic centre and its attractions
- Not as safe as the Historic centre avoid walking around at night
Best AirBnBs In Getsemaní
- Spanish Colonial Villa
- Getsemani Hip House
- La Casita Cartegna
- Styling 360 View Apartment
- Find other AirBnBs in Getsemani
Luxury Hotels In Getsemaní
Mid-Range Hotels In Getsemaní
- Allure Bon Bon by Karisma
- Casa El Carretero Hotel Boutique
- Hotel Boutique Casa Isabel
- Hotel Monaguillo de Getsemani
Budget Hotels In Getsemaní
The Luxury Neighbourhood Of Cartegena: Castillogrande
Castillogrande is known as the luxury neighbourhood within Cartagena. Mostly made up of big apartment blocks owned by wealthy Colombians, this area is safe to walk around, with several bars and restaurants.
Castillogrande is located just outside the walled city on the Bocagrande peninsula of the city, surrounded by ocean. The beaches in this area aren’t as nice as some of the others in the city but it offers great views of the ocean.
Hotels in this area are sparse with this small neighbourhood made up of only 16 blocks on the seafront, being mostly apartment rentals and residential properties, so it is best to book an AirBnB.
Due to the nature of this area, it is safe to walk around, but the transportation links to other areas are sparse with taxis being the most popular option for transportation.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Castillogrande
PROS
- Exclusive neighbourhood
- Safe to walk around
- Easy to explore and get around
CONS
- Somewhat far from the historic centre and its attractions
- Less access to public transportation
- There is a beach but it’s not the prettiest
Best AirBnBs In Castillogrande
- Super Luxury with Private Jacuzzi
- Secret Caribbean Getaway
- Penthouse With Private Pool
- Modern Apartment With Ocean View
- Find more AirBnBs in Castillogrande
Luxury Hotels In Castillogrande
- Travelers Orange Cartagena
- Edificio Torre Centauro
- Beautiful 3 Bedroom Luxury Apartment
- Caribbean Sunrise – Livin Colombia
Mid-Range Hotels In Castillogrande
- Apartamentos SOHO Style – Frente al Mar CTG
- Tarpon – Alquiler Lancha
- Casa Paraiso – Paradise Beach House Vacation Home Apt1
- 7 Bedroom Mansion in Bocagrande
The Miami Beach Of Cartegena: Bocagrande
Bocagrande is a peninsula located next to and adjacent to the Walled City. It’s tall highrise buildings are a vast contrast from the colonial walled city, but this area has beaches and other attractions.
This neighbourhood is a popular place for Colombians to stay with beach access while still being close to the Walled City.
It is a fashion area with chain hotels setting up hotels over the last 10 years, and creating shopping malls, restaurants, casinos, and bars.
Bocagrande is made up of luxury hotels, hotel resorts, apartment blocks, and residential properties. It is not as safe to walk around as other neighbourhoods during the evening so caution should be taken.
The transport links to this area are poor with taxi or long walks being the only way to access other areas of the city.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Bocagrande
PROS
- Beachfront hotels and properties
- Several bars and restaurants
- Safe to walk around
- Easy to explore and get around
CONS
- Far from the historic centre and its attractions
- Potential unsafe at night
- Less public transport links so you will likely have to taxi
- This neighbourhood is quite big and spread out
Best AirBnBs In Bocagrande
- Hyatt Corner Penthouse
- 4 Bedroom Beachfront House
- Luxury Beach Condo
- Beautiful Aparment in Bocagrande
- Find more AirBnBs in Bocagrande
Luxury Hotels In Bocagrande
- Estelar Cartagena de Indias Hotel y Centro de Convenciones
- Hotel Capilla del Mar
- Hotel Caribe By Faranda
- Hotel InterContinental Cartagena
Mid-Range Hotels In Bocagrande
- Hotel Almirante Cartagena Colombia
- Hyatt Regency Cartagena
- Hampton By Hilton Cartagena
- Hotel Atlantic Lux
Budget Hotels In Bocagrande
The Quiet Neighbourhood Of Cartegena: San Diego
San Diego is located in the quieter half of the Walled City, around the north-east corner, and the Plaza de San Diego. The Plaza de San Diego is home to some of the best restaurants in the city, from ceviche to Argentinian and Italian.
This area is quieter and less lively than the other half of the Walled City, with fewer nightclubs and bars. The buildings here aren’t as well preserved as others int the Walled City, and they aren’t as grand as others in terms of hotels.
There are some great luxury AirBnBs you can book in San Diego!
This neighbourhood is safe to walk around at any time of the day, and there is a local market called Plaza Trinidad, which is a great place to pick up souvenirs and hand made crafts.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In San Diego
PROS
- Several restaurants with great food
- Safe to walk around
- Easy to explore and get around
- A quieter area of the walled city
- Markets and museums
CONS
- Quiet far from the attractions
- Not good transport links
Best AirBnBs In San Diego
- Designer Loft With Maid Service
- Casa Allegra
- Colonial Style Luxury Private House
- Romantic Hideout Home
- Find more AirBnBs in San Diego
Luxury Hotels In San Diego
- Sofitel Legend Santa Clara
- Hotel Boutique Bovedas de Santa Clara
- Mansion Tcherassi
- Bantu Hotel By Faranda Boutique
Mid-Range Hotels In San Diego
Budget Hotels In San Diego
The Islands Of Cartegena: Rosario Islands
The Rosario Islands or Islas del Rosario is a collection of 28 islands located 100km (62 miles) off the coastline of Cartagena.
These islands are part of a National Park which covers an area of 120,000km squared (46,332 square miles), this area is protected due to its coral reefs and marine life, there is a small daily charge for visiting the National Park.
Out of the 28 islands, some are inhabited with locals, others are resorts, and some are uninhabited. Many islands have hotels, luxury resorts or AirBnBs on the which offer day trips to their island from the Cartagena and others offer overnight stays.
These islands are a must-visit either by day trip or an overnight stay, to get out of the city and witness the white sandy beaches and clear waters.
The Rosario Islands are a great place for snorkelling with the coral reefs, diving, kayaking, water sports, or relaxing on beaches.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In The Rosario Islands
PROS
- Quiet islands
- White sandy beaches
- Perfect for water sports
- Easy to explore and get around
- A unique place to stay
- Relaxing
CONS
- Quite a distance from the historic centre and its attractions
- Have to get on a boat to get there
Best AirBnBs In The Rosario Islands
- La Reina Mora Caribbean Sea Home
- Gaviota Island Home
- Isla Rosa
- Casa Eden Jardin
- Find more AirBnBs in the Rosario Islands
Luxury Hotels In The Rosario Islands
Mid-Range Hotels In The Rosario Islands
Budget Hotels In The Rosario Islands
Best Hotels In Cartagena Wrap-Up
We hope this guide will help you plan your stay at some of the best hotels in Cartagena next time you visit! It is a beautiful city with lots of character, islands, history, and experiences.
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Cartagena and stay at some of these great hotels. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
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We Are Travel Girls Junior Editor Anny Wooldridge of AnnysAdventures.com
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