Where to stay in Cartagena, Colombia
The best areas to stay in Cartagena, Colombia are:
- The Walled City.
- Getsemaní.
- Bocagrande.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about each neighborhood, along with hotel recommendations in Cartagena de Indias to suit different tastes and budgets.
1. The Walled City, the best area to stay in Cartagena
The Walled City is the heart of Cartagena de Indias. In essence, it is the best neighborhood to stay in. You’ll be right in the center, just a few minutes walk from the most interesting things to do in Cartagena, and there is a wide range of hotels and restaurants available.
It’s also the safest area in the city. You can walk around confidently, both day and night, as the streets are always bustling with people, including locals and tourists, in addition to the security measures in place.
While not everything is perfect, accommodation prices within the Walled City can be quite high, especially if you’re looking at the last minute or during peak seasons when more affordable options may no longer be available. Because of this, I recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible once you know the dates of your stay in the city.
Another inconvenience is the noise. It didn’t bother us much for sleeping, so we didn’t have any issues, but if you’re a light sleeper, you might wake up to some street noise.
Hotel recommendations in the Walled City
Below, you’ll find several accommodation recommendations in the Walled City, sorted by budget from low to high:
- Hotel El Viajero #2. This is one of the most affordable places in the city center offering private rooms with both air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. They have triple and family rooms available. It’s definitely a great choice if you’re traveling on a budget and want to stay in the heart of Cartagena.
- Hotel Boutique Las Carretas. A charming hotel featuring colonial-style decor, stone walls, and traditional Spanish-style courtyards. It has an outdoor pool and offers both double and quadruple rooms.
- Masaya Collection La Passion. A 4-star hotel with a rooftop pool, bar, and restaurant. They offer a variety of double rooms as well as family rooms for up to four people. Breakfast is included. It’s an excellent option if you’re looking for something more upscale.
- Sophia Hotel. A beautiful 5-star hotel with spacious double rooms, suites, and family rooms. One of its highlights is the rooftop terrace with a bar, a pool, and stunning views of the city, the perfect spot to enjoy breathtaking sunsets!
2. Getsemaní, a great area for backpackers to stay in Cartagena
Getsemaní is an area that has undergone a significant transformation. In the past, it was a neighborhood where prostitution and drugs were prevalent. Nowadays, it’s the trendiest spot in Cartagena, thanks to its colorful streets and urban art. This neighborhood is right next to the Walled City, so you’ll also be very close to most of the attractions in the city.
Moreover, prices for both restaurants and accommodations (including some of the best hostels in Cartagena) are considerably lower than in the Walled City. Because of this, Getsemaní is the favorite destination for backpackers or travelers on a budget.
It’s also an excellent choice for solo travelers looking to meet new people and have a good time, as Getsemaní boasts an attractive nightlife with its bars, restaurants, clubs, etc. It can be a bit noisy at night, and some streets may feel a bit deserted, so stick to the main streets for safety.
Whether you stay here or not, don’t miss out on this tour of Getsemaní, one of the best guided tours in Cartagena.
Hotel recommendations in Getsemaní
Below, I recommend several accommodations in Getsemaní, sorted by price from low to high:
- Hostal Casa de las Americas. A humble accommodation with very simple yet affordable double rooms. They also offer rooms with private bathrooms.
- Life is Good Cartagena Hostel. This is a hotel with a restaurant, bar, shared lounge, and garden. They provide double and family rooms. It has a small rooftop with views.
- Hotel Casa Lola Deluxe Gallery. A 5-star hotel with double rooms and suites. It features multiple outdoor pools, a wellness center, and breakfast is included.
3. Bocagrande, for those seeking beachfront and luxury hotels
Bocagrande is a peninsula located next to the historic center of Cartagena. It is the most luxurious area in the city, where you can find luxury hotels, a wide variety of restaurants, a shopping center, etc. It’s also the best option to stay in Cartagena if you want to be close to the beach without being too far from the Walled City. It is a safe area.
I recommend to stay in this area to those who plan to spend many days in the city and want to enjoy less touristy activities.
Hotel recommendations in Bocagrande
Below, I recommend a few hotels in Bocagrande, some for those traveling on a tighter budget and some others for those with a higher budget:
- San Martin Cartagena. A lovely and welcoming 3-star hotel located just 100 meters from the beach. They offer single, double, triple, and quadruple rooms and feature a courtyard, a bar, and a seating area.
- Hotel Blue Concept. A 3-star hotel with a pool, restaurant, and bar. They offer double and triple rooms.
- Hyatt Regency Cartagena. 5-star hotel with a restaurant, bar, and outdoor pools (including an infinity pool). They offer rooms for two, three, and four people. Breakfast is buffet-style.
Frequently asked questions about accommodation in Cartagena
Here I’ll answer some of the most common questions about this topic in a clear and straightforward way.
What’s the best area to stay in Cartagena?
If I could only recommend one place to stay in Cartagena, it would be the city’s historic center, known as the Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada). It’s the most beautiful area, full of tourist attractions, and also one of the safest in the city.
What are the best beach areas to stay in Cartagena?
If you’re coming to Cartagena de Indias in search of sun and sand, the best beachside areas to stay are Bocagrande, Castillogrande, El Laguito, and La Boquilla.
However, if you prefer a more natural, less urban setting, you might want to consider spending a couple of nights in Playa Blanca or the Rosario Islands.
In the Rosario Islands, I recommend staying at El Hamaquero Hostal EcoNativo or Hotel IslaBela Islas del Rosario. In Playa Blanca, check out Hotel Calamari Barú.
Is accommodation in Cartagena expensive?
If you’re traveling from Europe or US, lodging in Cartagena may not seem extremely expensive, but it’s definitely pricier than in other parts of Colombia, especially hotels located in the historic center, which tend to be quite costly.
As you move further away from the Walled City, it gets easier to find more affordable options.
Is Cartagena a safe city for tourists?
Within Colombia, Cartagena de Indias is considered one of the safest cities. The Walled City in particular feels very safe, both during the day and at night. That said, as in any tourist destination, it’s important to always keep an eye on your belongings.
Bocagrande is also a very safe neighborhood, as are the nearby areas of Castillogrande and El Laguito.
As for Getsemaní, it has become increasingly touristy in recent years, and with that, security has improved. Even so, it’s wise to stay alert, especially on the outskirts of the neighborhood or when walking along quieter streets at night.
🏥 Remember that it is always very important to travel with the best travel insurance to Colombia, since you never know if there will be any inconvenience. Without adding much money to the final budget, you can go with the peace of mind that if something happens to you, all your expenses will be covered, in addition to having a team of people to help you. I always use and recommend the company Heymondo, where I can offer you a 5% discount on your next travel insurance policy.
Map of where to stay in Cartagena, Colombia
I have created this map to help you choose a place to stay:
You’ll see highlighted the areas where I recommend staying in Cartagena; marked in yellow are the various hotels I recommend (with their respective links to Booking); and, finally, marked in blue, are things to do in Cartagena de Indias.
You can click on each box in the map’s dropdown menu to see highlighted areas, hotels, or places to visit. This will make it much easier for you to organize your trip and choose where you want to stay.
I hope this article on where to stay in Cartagena has been very helpful in finding your perfect accommodation in the city. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. See you next time!
