Where to Stay in Cartagena

More about staying in Cartagena

Your experience in Cartagena will be entirely dictated by where you choose to stay, as the city offers everything from historic boutique luxury to towering modern beach resorts.

For first-time visitors and romantic getaways, staying inside the historic Walled City is an absolute must. Here, you will find incredibly luxurious boutique hotels housed in restored 16th-century mansions, offering private courtyard pools, rooftop bars, and immediate access to fine dining.

If you prefer a more bohemian, backpacker-friendly, and energetic vibe, the adjacent neighborhood of Getsemaní is perfect. It is slightly more affordable than the Walled City and puts you right at the doorstep of the city's most authentic street food and vibrant nightlife scene.

Travelers seeking the classic high-rise beach resort experience should look to the modern peninsula of Bocagrande. Often compared to Miami, this area offers large international hotel chains, sprawling beaches, casinos, and modern shopping malls, though it lacks the colonial charm of the historic center.