Where to stay in Cartagena, Colombia
The best areas to stay in Cartagena are the Walled City, Getsemaní, and Bocagrande. Below, I provide you with all the information you need to know.
1. The Walled City, the area to stay in Cartagena de Indias
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:
- El Barrio Hostal. Is one of the most affordable accommodations in the city center with private rooms, private bathrooms, and air conditioning. They provide single rooms, doubles with bunk beds, and doubles with a queen-sized bed. It is undoubtedly a very good option for staying in Cartagena de Indias if you are on a budget and want to be in the center.
- Hotel Boutique Las Carretas. Boutique Hotel Las Carretas. A charming accommodation with colonial decor, stone walls, and typical Spanish courtyards. It features an outdoor pool and offers double and quadruple rooms.
- La Passion by Masaya. A 4-star hotel with a bar, rooftop pool, and restaurant. They offer various types of double rooms and family rooms (for 4 people). Breakfast is included. It’s an excellent choice if your budget is high.
- Sophia Hotel. A stunning 5-star hotel with spacious double rooms, suites, and family rooms. Its rooftop stands out with a bar, pool, and city views. You can enjoy incredible sunsets from there!
2. Getsemaní, a great area for backpackers to stay
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.
Recommended hotels 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.
- Casa Del Pozo Boutique Hostel. This accommodation offers private rooms and shared rooms with 4 and 6 beds. It features a pool, bar, and restaurant. Breakfast is included. What stands out is the meticulously crafted and vibrant decoration.
- 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 accommodations and luxury hotels
Bocagrande is a peninsula located next to the historic center of Cartagena de Indias. 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 it to those who plan to spend many days in the city and want to enjoy less touristy activities.
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Recommended hotels in Bocagrande
Below, I recommend a couple of hotels in Bocagrande, one for those traveling on a tighter budget and two 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.
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.
Don’t miss my Colombia travel guide for all the information about the country.
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. Until next time!
