When you start planning a trip and sorting out accommodation in Cartagena, Colombia, you’ll probably be instantly captivated by photos of colorful colonial streets and balconies draped in bougainvillea. But choosing the right place to stay in this Caribbean city is a bit of a science, and it pays to know a few crucial local rules so you’re not disappointed on arrival or needlessly out of pocket. The single most important secret is the Colombian tax system, which exempts foreign tourists from paying the 19% value added tax (IVA) on hotel nights.
Sounds great, but there’s one significant catch, because in practice you have to keep a close eye on this exemption yourself. To avoid the tax, your passport must carry a tourist entry stamp marked PIP-5, which you receive automatically on arrival. The hotel then has to make a copy of your passport with that stamp. Roughly half of the properties will deduct the tax automatically, but the other half will try to charge it to you. So at check-in, ask to be safe whether your stay is tax-free, and at checkout carefully double-check the final bill.
Another Cartagena quirk is that here you pay for location by the meter. The historic walled center is fairly small and you can walk across it in twenty minutes. But room prices drop steeply with every block you move away from the main squares. On top of that, factor in the ever-present heat between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius and enormous humidity. Air conditioning and at least a small pool aren’t a needless luxury here but absolutely essential survival equipment, because in the afternoon you simply can’t walk the sun-baked streets.
TL;DR
- Best hotel overall: Hands down the Casa Carolina Hotel, with the very best rating in our entire selection across a huge number of reviews.
- Best for luxury and history: The legendary Casa San Agustín in the heart of the old town, with a breathtaking aqueduct right above the pool.
- Best value for money (and peace and quiet): The smaller boutique Maloka Boutique Centro Histórico in the calm San Diego neighborhood.
- Best for nightlife lovers: The design-led Casa Lola Luxury Collection in the buzzing, colorful Getsemaní district.
- Best for backpackers and solo travelers: The highly rated Los Patios Hostel with a rooftop terrace and pool.
- Best modern high-rise hotel: The huge ESTELAR Cartagena de Indias in Bocagrande, with a popular bar on the 51st floor.
- Best island escape: The gorgeous Hotel Carey Beach Barú for those who want to swap the city for white-sand beaches.
- Important payment warning: If you pay for accommodation in advance through booking portals, the 19% IVA is often charged automatically and the hotel won’t refund it on site. It often pays to choose the pay-on-arrival option.
💡 On this map you can compare what’s currently available — you’ll also see how much cheaper accommodation is just a few stops from the center.
Which area to choose for your stay in Cartagena
Choosing the right neighborhood in Cartagena is absolutely key to your overall experience. Each part of the city offers a completely different atmosphere, different price levels and, above all, a different amount of nighttime noise. If you don’t pick a location based on your real needs, your stay can end up costing more than it should, or you may not get any rest at all.
El Centro (inside the walls) is the most beautiful, most expensive and most photographed part of the city. Here you’ll find the most luxurious boutique hotels in former colonial palaces and monasteries. But bear in mind that around Plaza Santo Domingo things close very late and the noise from the bars carries down the narrow streets deep into the night. It’s the heart of the city, where you pay a premium to have all the sights right on your doorstep — but the price for that is livelier evenings.
San Diego lies in the northern part of the walled town and is clearly the best compromise for a peaceful stay. San Diego is Cartagena’s secret weapon: just as beautiful pastel houses, the same flower-covered balconies, but without the pounding bass from the bars. You’ll walk it all, sit for a while on Plaza San Diego, and actually sleep at night.
Getsemaní is about a ten-minute walk from the main walls and is the liveliest, most colorful and most authentic neighborhood. Accommodation prices here are a class cheaper than in El Centro, so it’s a great choice for a mid-range budget. You’ll find wonderful street art, excellent cafés and plenty of boutique hotels and hostels. The main hub of the action is Plaza de la Trinidad, where the salsa and street buzz don’t die down until deep into the night, so it’s not the ideal spot for very light sleepers.
Bocagrande and Castillogrande form a modern peninsula that at first glance resembles Miami. Here you’ll find tall glass hotels, large air-conditioned shopping centers and wide promenades, popular mostly with Colombian families on holiday. But there’s one huge catch for international visitors: the city beaches here are lapped by murky brown water, which is usually a big disappointment for travelers expecting the turquoise Caribbean. Because of this, people end up swimming only in the hotel pools.
Manga is a tip most guidebooks skip. It’s a quiet island between El Centro and Bocagrande, home mostly to locals, and a taxi to the walls costs next to nothing. Instead of tourist bars you’ll come across pretty republican-era villas, shady streets and restaurants where you eat for a fraction of the El Centro price.
Barú and the Rosario Islands are archipelagos and peninsulas about an hour by boat from the mainland. Here you finally find the real Caribbean with white sand and clear water. Staying overnight here only makes sense if you plan to stay at least two nights or more. Otherwise people come for day trips, which involve paying extra port and ecological fees that needlessly complicate the visit.
Cartagena, Colombia weather: when to go and when to book
Hotel pricing in Cartagena changes dramatically depending on the season, so it’s worth thinking carefully about your travel dates. The most expensive and busiest months are from December to April, when the largest numbers of international tourists and Colombians themselves head to the city to escape the winter. During Christmas, New Year and Easter, prices jump to double or more, and you won’t get a room in popular boutique hotels even half a year in advance.
On the other hand, from September to November you should expect heavy rain, which puts off a lot of summer holidaymakers. The upside of this off-season is that hotels are noticeably cheaper and the city isn’t nearly as crowded with cruise-ship crowds. On top of that, in the tropics the rain usually comes as sharp afternoon showers, after which the sky quickly clears again. Even in these months, though, definitely avoid rooms without air conditioning, because the humidity is absolutely extreme and without cooling you wouldn’t sleep a wink.
Logistically, a huge advantage is that Rafael Núñez International Airport lies just 10 to 15 minutes’ drive from the historic center. Fortunately, there’s no risk of a lengthy transfer after a long flight. But we strongly recommend agreeing the fare for a standard yellow taxi (which has no meter) upfront, or using modern apps like Uber, InDriver or DiDi. These services show you the price right on your phone screen, so you avoid any haggling with local drivers.
Where to stay in Cartagena, Colombia: the 18 best hotels
The following selection is organized by neighborhood and covers everything from historic palaces through modern high-rises to the Caribbean islands.
I’ve carefully worked through hundreds of reviews and picked places that really have something to offer. Whether you’re after absolute luxury in a colonial house or a more affordable, quieter boutique hotel, you’ll surely find yours here.
1. Casa San Agustín
This iconic hotel (more on the official website) is the most famous luxury address in the whole city, confirmed by an absolutely fantastic rating of ★4.8 from more than 612 independent reviews. It was created by carefully connecting three beautiful 18th-century colonial houses and offers an enchanting old-world atmosphere combined with modern five-star service. The whole place breathes history, and at every step you’ll find a detail that makes you want to stop and reach for your camera.
The biggest draw and visual centerpiece is the ancient aqueduct that arches directly over the gorgeous interior pool, so when you swim you feel like you’re in a colonial-era telenovela, just with better wellness. The rooms come with luxurious, silent air conditioning, premium natural toiletries and preserved wooden ceilings. Even though you’re right in the heart of noisy El Centro, the meter-thick walls of the historic houses act as perfect soundproofing.
For discerning travelers there’s a flawless concierge service that will help you secure tables at the best restaurants or a private boat to the islands. The hotel restaurant also offers a thoughtful vegetarian menu that guests praise for its originality and the freshness of the local ingredients.
💡 Tip: The hotel is an absolutely ideal choice for romantic stays, honeymoons and demanding couples looking for total privacy. Don’t forget to present your passport with the PIP-5 stamp at check-in, because with premium prices like these, saving that 19% tax makes an enormous difference to the overall budget. check prices and availability
2. Casa Carolina Hotel
This boutique gem on Calle del Arzobispado (more on the official website) boasts the best average rating in our entire selection, holding an incredible ★4.9 from a solid 807 reviews. That’s a huge achievement, especially with such a high number of reviewing guests, who tend to be very critical. The building’s architecture beautifully blends traditional colonial elements with a very clean, airy modern design, so the space doesn’t feel cramped at all.
Guests here can enjoy not just one but several smaller pools and hot tubs, which in hot and muggy Cartagena is a truly invaluable perk for afternoon relaxation. The rooms are unusually spacious, the beds extremely comfortable, and the air conditioning works flawlessly and quietly. The staff apparently remember guests’ names, and the reviews confirm it again and again, so it’s probably not just an empty phrase.
Thanks to its great location right in the historic center, all the key sights are just around the corner, yet the hotel itself remains a quiet oasis. Breakfast comes with plenty of fresh exotic fruit and excellent Colombian coffee that’s guaranteed to wake you up for another day of exploring.
💡 Tip: Casa Carolina is perfect for travelers who want top-tier luxury and a personal touch, but without the excessive formality and stiffness. If you plan to pay through a booking portal in advance, carefully check whether the system is charging you the Colombian IVA straight away. It often pays to choose the option to pay directly at reception.
3. Amarla Boutique Hotel
If you’re after something truly intimate and hidden from the tourist crowds, this beautifully restored 19th-century house on Calle Ayos (check out the official website) will completely charm you (rating ★4.9 from 408 reviews). The hotel has only seven rooms, which guarantees an incredibly personal, family-like and quiet atmosphere in an otherwise very busy old town. Each room looks different, antiques mingle with works by local artists, and you’ll want to photograph the whole room before you even unpack your suitcase.
The crowning glory of this luxury boutique stay is the lovely rooftop plunge pool surrounded by mature tropical plants, with a wonderful view over the surroundings. It’s exactly the spot you’ll want to retreat to in the afternoon to escape the scorching Caribbean sun with a good book and a chilled drink. The rooms have perfectly sorted cooling, so you’ll rest wonderfully at night.
Given the small capacity, the staff can devote themselves to each guest to the maximum, which shows in the enthusiastic reviews. They’re happy to recommend the best cafés nearby or book a city tour tailored precisely to your interests, and all without the usual hotel markup.
💡 Tip: Given the exclusive capacity of just seven rooms, you have to book really well in advance, especially if you’re planning a trip in high season from December to April. It’s an absolutely ideal retreat for couples seeking undisturbed peace and romance. check prices and availability
4. Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa
This huge, historically significant complex (explore their website) on the picturesque Plaza Santa Teresa sits in a carefully restored monastery from 1609. It’s the hotel with the most reviews of all the five-star properties inside the walls (a lovely rating of ★4.7 from 1,709 reviews). The atmosphere of the old monastery corridors and massive stone walls is absolutely unforgettable and breathes centuries of history.
The biggest draw for guests is the sprawling rooftop pool with a breathtaking view straight onto the historic walls and the endless Caribbean Sea. An afternoon swim overlooking the walls and the sunset is exactly the photo you flew to Cartagena for. The rooms are exceptionally elegant and tastefully blend historic features with the most modern technology and strong air conditioning.
The hotel is also right next to great dining options, so you won’t have to walk far. Inside the building there’s a luxurious wellness center where, after a long flight, you can be pampered with professional massages using local herbs.
💡 Tip: The hotel sits on a fairly lively square, but the rooms themselves, thanks to the thick walls, insulate the surrounding buzz well. We recommend asking for rooms facing the quieter inner courtyard if you’re a very light sleeper. The ground-floor restaurant is beautiful, but vegetarians are better off visiting the nearby Casa Bohème restaurant, which has excellent meat-free dishes.
5. Bastión Luxury Hotel
You’ll find this gorgeous colonial hotel (more detail on the official website) on Calle del Sargento Mayor, one of the quieter, calmer streets right in the heart of the old town (excellent rating ★4.7 from 954 reviews). The building itself is a classic example of colonial architecture with a huge, beautiful inner patio that provides wonderfully cool shade during the sultriest Caribbean afternoons.
On the hotel roof there’s a very popular pool with a terrace and a fully stocked bar, with a beautiful view over the terracotta roofs of the surrounding houses and the church towers. The air conditioning in the rooms is famously quiet and powerful (after a full day pounding the hot cobbles you’ll really appreciate it), while the staff move discreetly in the background and help whenever needed.
The room interiors lean on natural materials, plenty of dark wood and muted colors that create a feeling of total relaxation. In the morning you’ll be treated to lavish breakfasts with a huge selection of exotic fruit and fresh pastries, served in an elegant glass-walled dining room.
💡 Tip: Bastión is an absolutely great choice for travelers who want to be right in the thick of the action, yet still sleep undisturbed at night. When paying by card at reception, don’t forget to carefully check the final amount so it doesn’t accidentally include the 19% Colombian tax meant for local residents.
6. Casa Claver Loft Boutique Hotel
This unique boutique hotel (holding a rating of ★4.9 from 204 reviews) offers a slightly different concept from the vast majority of its old-town competition. Instead of the usual cramped hotel rooms, here you’ll find incredibly spacious lofts set in a beautifully restored colonial house. Thanks to this approach it has quickly earned a reputation as one of the best-rated boutiques in all of El Centro.
The lofts here are absolutely ideal for travelers who prefer more personal space and a modern, minimalist design wrapped in a historic setting. Top-notch air conditioning, a quality kitchenette and unlimited access to a gorgeous rooftop pool with comfortable seating are a given. The building’s massive walls also perfectly insulate any street noise, so the city’s morning bustle won’t wake you at all.
The rooms are full of natural light, and thanks to clever ventilation there isn’t the same sense of humidity you get in older buildings. The owners really care about the personal touch and are happy to help organize any trips in the area without needless commissions.
💡 Tip: Casa Claver is an absolutely perfect choice for longer stays or for smaller families and groups of friends who like the concept of spacious, well-equipped lofts. On arrival, don’t forget to actively request tax-free accommodation on the basis of your passport and the PIP-5 tourist entry stamp.
7. Hotel Boutique Bóvedas de Santa Clara
We move to the much calmer, quieter San Diego neighborhood, specifically to popular Carrera 8. This boutique hotel (rating ★4.7 from 498 reviews) stands right next to the famous Santa Clara monastery and offers an incredibly romantic and intimate atmosphere. It’s a true oasis of calm, sheltered from the biggest bustle of the central squares, where the bars don’t close until the early hours.
In the gorgeous inner courtyard you’ll find a beautiful pool surrounded by lush tropical greenery that practically begs you to take a long afternoon siesta. The rooms have charming little balconies overlooking the sea or the quiet historic streets of San Diego. All the indoor spaces are perfectly cooled and the premium bedding meets the most exacting international standards.
The whole hotel concept is built around an intimate experience, so you’ll never be squeezed in with crowds of other tourists at breakfast. There are also several excellent cafés and restaurants nearby that aren’t as packed as those in the very heart of the city.
💡 Tip: The San Diego neighborhood is quite simply the best compromise between the visual beauty of the historic center and the peace and quiet you need at night. If you want to enjoy the romance of colonial Cartagena without the pounding bass from the nightclubs, Bóvedas de Santa Clara definitely won’t disappoint.
8. Casa Lola Luxury Collection
This fascinating hotel (a steady rating of ★4.6 from 774 reviews) is by far the best-known, most photographed and most stylish address in the buzzing Getsemaní district. Interestingly, it’s made up of two connected buildings: one is classic colonial architecture and the other a slightly newer, republican style. The interiors are a feast for the eyes and boldly mix antiques with modern eclectic art.
The hotel has a beautiful pool and several rooftop terraces, which are very typical of the whole Getsemaní area and offer great views. The rooms are deliberately darker, beautifully cooled by powerful air conditioning and offer the perfect escape from the brutal afternoon heat. You’re just a few dozen steps from the absolute best cafés and fantastic street art in Cartagena.
In the evening the whole hotel bar turns into a hub of social life, drawing people who aren’t even staying there for a drink. The cocktails here are renowned and the music plays late into the night, which perfectly rounds out the laid-back local atmosphere.
💡 Tip: Casa Lola sits on lively Calle del Guerrero and is ideal accommodation for lovers of bold design and Cartagena, Colombia nightlife. The surroundings are very noisy in the evening, though, so it’s definitely not the best choice for families with small children or travelers seeking absolute silence to rest.
9. Arsenal Hotel
This more modern hotel on the well-known Calle 24 can boast the most reviews in the whole colorful Getsemaní district (a solid rating of ★4.5 from a respectable 1,049 reviews). Unlike the old colonial houses, it offers a bit more conventional hotel comfort and functionality, something many travelers quickly appreciate after exhausting days in the tropics.
Its absolute biggest and most photographed trump card is the spacious rooftop pool with a fantastic panoramic view of the walls and the entire bay. The rooms are above-average in size, with modern silent air conditioning and very comfortable beds you’ll sink straight into in the evening. In the morning they serve incredibly generous breakfasts that will reliably fuel you for a long day of exploring the city.
The staff are very professional and at reception will gladly arrange anything from boat tickets to a reliable airport transfer. The hotel also has its own excellent restaurant, in case you don’t feel like heading out into the city in the evening.
💡 Tip: The Arsenal street is widely known for its loud bars and nightclubs, so it can get quite noisy at night. If you’re heading to Cartagena mainly for fun, dancing and parties, this is a strategically perfect and safe location.
10. LUNALA Hotel Boutique
LUNALA on the quieter Calle 25 is fairly small but all the more charming for it (it boasts a rating of ★4.8 from 104 reviews). It currently has the highest average rating in the otherwise busy Getsemaní district, which clearly speaks to the incredible care the owners put into every single guest. The atmosphere here is more like staying with a friend who has a really nicely furnished home than a classic hotel operation with a receptionist in a suit.
All the interiors are wonderfully bright, airy and completely full of beautiful living plants that give the space energy. There’s also a small but all the more refreshing plunge pool that reliably saves the day during tropical, humid afternoons. The air conditioning in the rooms works flawlessly and the rooms are surprisingly well insulated from the ever-present street bustle.
Breakfasts here are served very intimately and you can choose from several freshly prepared options, from sweet pancakes to savory local specialties. The staff always find time for a short chat and will happily recommend the best hidden cafés nearby, frequented mostly by locals.
💡 Tip: This hotel is an absolutely hidden gem for travelers who want to stay in the cheaper and more authentic Getsemaní district but demand a highly personal approach and top-quality service. It’s definitely worth booking your stay directly through their site with payment on site, so you’re guaranteed to save the 19% IVA for foreigners.
11. Los Patios Hostel
This huge accommodation phenomenon on Calle 30 steadily holds the title of the best-rated hostel in all of Cartagena (a fantastic rating of ★4.7 from 254 reviews in the new building, with thousands of enthusiastic reviews overall). It’s far from just a noisy backpacker spot, though — it also offers beautiful, spacious private rooms that easily rival much pricier boutique hotels in El Centro.
The whole hostel concept is strongly built around community life and constantly meeting new people. You’ll find a great well-kept pool, a huge rooftop terrace and even perfectly equipped coworking spaces for working digital nomads. Air conditioning runs at full blast everywhere, and something is happening every day: salsa classes, Spanish lessons or evening rooftop barbecues.
The premises are very modern and clean, with a strong focus on a high standard of security, so you don’t have to worry about your valuables. Access to the elevators and floors is also handled via key cards, which is definitely not standard for hostels.
💡 Tip: Los Patios is an absolute must for solo travelers and people who want to actively socialize during their trip. Even if you stay in an expensive private room, you have unlimited access to all the social events. For vegetarians there’s also the huge advantage of the excellent nearby bistro El Bololó or the renowned Sambal, where you’ll eat wonderfully well and meat-free.
12. ESTELAR Cartagena de Indias Hotel & Centro de Convenciones
Now we move to the modern high-rise district of Bocagrande on luxurious Carrera 1. This glass skyscraper has the most reviews of any hotel in the city and at the same time holds the highest rating among the large resorts (a rating of ★4.8 from a staggering 10,269 reviews). It’s a huge modern giant that offers a high international standard of luxury with everything that entails.
The absolute biggest attraction of the whole building is the renowned 51 Sky Bar on the top floor, which by itself gathers thousands of great reviews online (rating ★4.2). It offers stunning, unobstructed panoramic views of the whole city and bay. The hotel has several huge pools, a top-notch fitness center and rooms with gigantic floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
The rooms are unusually large and, thanks to the building’s height, absolutely no street noise reaches them. Breakfast is served as gigantic buffets that will satisfy absolutely everyone, including plenty of gluten-free or vegetarian options.
💡 Tip: ESTELAR is a perfect choice for travelers who love modern architecture and a carefree resort holiday style. Just beware: even though the hotel is close to the beach, the water in Bocagrande is murky and brown, so you’ll probably spend the whole time swimming mostly in the hotel pools.
13. InterContinental Cartagena de Indias
Right next door on busy Carrera 1 stands this huge five-star colossus (rating ★4.7 from 8,200 reviews). The InterContinental brand guarantees an absolute international standard and the certainty that everything will work exactly as it should, without any Caribbean chaos. It’s a huge, very well-managed building right by the main beach promenade.
Guests above all love the sprawling pool terrace with a fantastic ocean view, where attentive staff continuously bring chilled drinks straight to your sun lounger. The rooms have uncompromisingly strong air conditioning, huge marble bathrooms and extremely comfortable king-size beds. The buffet breakfast is apparently taken seriously here, judging by how many guests mention it in reviews as one of the reasons they’ll return.
The hotel is also well set up for business trips and has a large business center. Nearby you’ll also find large modern air-conditioned shopping centers where you can take cover when the midday heat on the beach gets too intense.
💡 Tip: This hotel is often and very gladly chosen by families with children and travelers used to a consistently high international standard. At the final checkout, though, study the multi-page bill carefully, because with big global chains it sometimes happens that the booking system doesn’t automatically remove the Colombian IVA for tourists and you have to actively claim it.
14. Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand
This visually iconic hotel in the Bocagrande district is something of a beautiful exception among the surrounding glass skyscrapers (rating ★4.6 from 6,725 reviews). Locals commonly call it “the old lady of Cartagena,” because it was built back in 1945 and has kept the huge, inimitable charm of historic Caribbean resorts you know from old films.
Instead of fast elevators to the fiftieth floor, here you’ll find gorgeous sprawling tropical gardens where colorful parrots fly freely, and the oldest swimming pool in all of Cartagena. Fortunately, all the rooms are now renovated, fitted with modern silent air conditioning, yet they still carefully retain their old-world, very romantic charm.
The grounds are so huge that guests spread out beautifully and you never feel overcrowded. The resort also includes several restaurants where you can taste traditional Colombian dishes in a more upscale form, including excellent vegetarian options with rice and beans.
💡 Tip: Hotel Caribe is absolutely gorgeous visually and is ideal for travelers who want to stay in practical Bocagrande but don’t like sterile modern high-rises. From here it’s roughly ten minutes by ordinary taxi to the historic center full of sights, which is a great compromise.
15. Hyatt Regency Cartagena
This architecturally exceptional hotel sits at the very strategic boundary between the historic Getsemaní district and modern Bocagrande (excellent rating ★4.7 from 4,659 reviews). Thanks to this unique location, on your holiday you get the best of both worlds: you’re just a short walk from the historic walls, while at the same time enjoying all the luxury of a huge modern resort.
The biggest pride and draw of the whole hotel are its gorgeous cascading infinity pools that overlook both the old town and the bay at once. They’re probably the most beautiful modern pools in all of Cartagena, and guests spend whole days by them. The rooms are bathed in light from morning to evening and have flawlessly working air-conditioning systems that won’t disturb you at night.
Besides the pools, the hotel also has a huge, top-equipped fitness center with a sea view and a luxurious spa where you’ll rest beautifully after a day spent in the hot streets. The staff speak perfect English, which isn’t always a given in Colombia.
💡 Tip: The Hyatt is absolutely great for travelers who want to spend their days comfortably by the pool with an ice-cold cocktail in hand, then walk to a good dinner in lively Getsemaní in the evening. On arrival, don’t forget to thoroughly check that the receptionist copied your PIP-5 entry stamp for the hotel tax exemption.
16. Hotel Capilla del Mar
This very traditional and long-popular hotel sits in the very heart of the Bocagrande district (rating ★4.5 from 6,055 reviews). It belongs among the older but all the better maintained large mid- to upper-range hotels with excellent service. It offers absolutely solid value for money for guests who want full hotel service near the coast but don’t need to pay for five-star luxury.
On the roof of this tall building you’ll find a beautiful, spacious pool surrounded by loungers, with a fantastic view of the evening sunset over the ocean. The air conditioning in all the rooms runs at full tilt, which is essential in the local climate, and the staff are incredibly kind and helpful. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel you’ll find plenty of air-conditioned shopping centers, pharmacies and excellent restaurants.
The breakfasts are very generous and lean heavily on local flavors, so you can easily treat yourself to excellent Colombian arepas or fresh exotic juices. Rooms on the higher floors also offer a great view over the whole bay.
💡 Tip: Capilla del Mar is a very popular choice among Colombian families themselves on holiday. If you want to experience an authentic local Caribbean atmosphere in a modern district, it’s an excellent option. Bear in mind, though, that to swim in truly crystal-clear sea you’ll have to head out by boat from Bocagrande to the islands.
17. Hotel Carey Beach Barú
If you’ve had enough of the city and want to swap the murky brown water in Bocagrande for a real Caribbean paradise straight out of a catalog, you have to head to the Barú peninsula, to the quiet Punta Blanca area. This gorgeous, isolated resort has the best rating of all the island hotels in the wider Cartagena area (a phenomenal rating of ★4.9 from 460 reviews).
Finally, here you’ll find fine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water and the longed-for shade of coconut palms. The accommodation consists of beautiful private villas and smaller rooms that blend absolutely perfectly with the surrounding nature and don’t feel intrusive. Even though you’re essentially cut off on an island, there’s reliable air conditioning, excellent all-day food and first-rate beach service from smiling staff.
The resort places great importance on an eco-friendly approach, so you won’t find any noisy jet skis or loud music on the beach. It’s pure relaxation combined with snorkeling and swimming in the warm sea.
💡 Tip: The lengthy journey to the Barú peninsula only makes sense if you plan to spend at least two nights or more here. Coming just for a single afternoon means spending a lot of time on the boat or in the car on rough roads. You’ll also pay completely needless tourist fees for entry to the area. check prices and availability
18. Hotel Las Islas
This absolutely unique eco-resort lies in the remote area of Ciénaga de Cholón (rating ★4.4 from 887 reviews) and represents the absolute most luxurious island option money can buy in the wider Cartagena area. It’s exactly the kind of place people head to for opulent honeymoons, big anniversaries and special celebrations in total privacy.
Instead of classic hotel rooms, here you stay in luxurious large bungalows built either high in the canopies of mature trees or directly on wooden stilts over a sea lagoon. Every tiny detail in the interior is thought through, a huge number of bungalows have their own small plunge pool, and you’re guaranteed total privacy from the rest of the world.
The service is top-notch and reviewers agree that before you even lift a finger, someone comes to ask whether you need anything. The local spa offers treatments right under the open sky with a view of the sea, which is an absolutely unforgettable experience.
💡 Tip: Hotel Las Islas is deliberately isolated from the surrounding civilized world, so prepare in advance for all your meals to take place exclusively in the hotel restaurants. Given the very high prices for this premium accommodation, keeping an eye on getting that 19% IVA deducted from your final hotel bill is an absolutely crucial task here.
How to choose the right hotel
When making your final decision, answer honestly what your biggest priority on holiday is. If you’re traveling as a couple and want to soak up the true romance of history, definitely go for the luxury boutique hotels in quiet San Diego or right in El Centro. For backpackers and lovers of street art and food, lively Getsemaní is the obvious choice, while families with children who need huge pools and a European standard of service will surely be happiest in the tall glass buildings in Bocagrande. If your budget is tight and you’re looking for absolute peace from tourists, consider the residential Manga neighborhood, from where a taxi to the center costs next to nothing.
We also have to mention the practical side of safety, which should definitely influence your choice of location. The historic center, San Diego and Getsemaní are very safe by day and in the evening, but it’s not advisable to walk anywhere outside these lit tourist zones at night. Extra caution applies to solo travelers. And one important warning: be very careful with dating apps. Foreign embassies have warned against them in Cartagena because of the risk of being drugged with scopolamine. This isn’t scaremongering — it’s genuinely worth knowing in advance. Always lock your money and your passport with that important PIP-5 stamp in the hotel safe, and for evening walks take only as much cash as you absolutely need.
Where to eat
Cartagena is famous for fish and seafood, but there’s something for absolutely everyone here, even those who aren’t big fans of meat. I recommend exploring mainly the smaller bistros and cafés in the Getsemaní and Manga districts, where you’ll eat noticeably cheaper than right by the main walls.
Reliable meat-free spots in Cartagena
If you’re after truly proven places, I warmly recommend the bistros El Bololó and Sambal in Getsemaní, which serve great, fresh food. In the Manga district, definitely don’t miss SANATOco.
If you’re right in El Centro and want to enjoy a bit more elegance, try the beautiful restaurant Casa Bohème. And for a sweet finish or an afternoon coffee, stop without hesitation at the Museo del Chocolate.
Where to next
- Cartagena: what to see and do
- Colombia: complete guide and itinerary
- When to go to Colombia: weather and seasons
Frequently asked questions
Do foreign tourists pay accommodation tax in Cartagena?
No, foreigners with a tourist visa are completely exempt from the Colombian 19% accommodation tax (IVA). However, you must receive a PIP-5 stamp in your passport upon arrival and have it physically copied at the hotel. Keep in mind that if you pay for your stay in advance online, the booking portal will often charge you the tax and the hotel won’t be able to refund it on-site. So it’s always worth handling payment for such reservations with great care.
Is the sea in Cartagena clean and turquoise?
Right in Cartagena itself (for example on the city beaches in Bocagrande), the water is unfortunately murky and brown, which tends to be a huge disappointment for European visitors. This is basically logical due to the proximity of the river and port. If you’re looking for that classic turquoise Caribbean with white sand like in the photos, you need to take a boat to the Barú peninsula or to the stunning Rosario Islands. There you’ll find the real paradise from the brochures.
Is air conditioning necessary in hotel rooms in Cartagena?
Yes, air conditioning is an absolute and non-negotiable necessity. Temperatures here stay between 31 and 33 °C year-round and the humidity is extreme. A room with just a fan usually means a sleepless, sweat-soaked night. Any hotel pool is also an advantage, where you can escape from the worst midday sun. During hot days, cooling down is really essential for every traveller.
Is it noisy at night in Cartagena’s historic centre?
Yes, especially around the busy Plaza Santo Domingo and on the main streets of Getsemaní (e.g. Calle del Arsenal and Plaza de la Trinidad) it’s very noisy at night due to open-air bars and nightclubs. Loud music carries late into the night. If you’re a light sleeper, look for accommodation in the San Diego neighbourhood instead, or in the quiet residential district of Manga. That’s where you’ll get proper rest without thumping bass.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Rafael Núñez International Airport is incredibly close – the journey by regular taxi to the historic centre takes just a pleasant 10 to 15 minutes. So you don’t need to worry at all about a long and tedious transfer after arrival. We recommend always agreeing on the taxi fare in advance, or even better, using modern apps like Uber, InDriver or DiDi, where you can see the price straight away on the screen. That way you’ll avoid any haggling with drivers.
Does it make sense to book a hotel on the islands for one night?
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it due to the logistics. The journey to Barú or the Rosario Islands takes a lot of time and you pay additional port fees for each one-way entry. Ideally, stay on the islands for at least two or more consecutive nights, otherwise you’ll spend too much time on transfers and won’t really enjoy the luxury resort. If you’re short on time, better to stay on the mainland the whole time.
Is Cartagena safe?
In the tourist neighbourhoods (Centro, San Diego, Getsemaní, Bocagrande) it’s calm during the day and early evening. The streets are full of people and police patrol regularly, so you’ll feel comfortable. But at night, really don’t go anywhere outside the well-lit tourist zones and be careful with dating apps, as per the warning above. A certain amount of caution and common sense is simply in order.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
