Where to stay in Cartagena de Indias: 6 best regions and hotels

Cartagena de Indias is Colombia’s most popular beach destination. With its diverse neighborhoods and beautiful islands, choosing where to stay in Cartagena de Indias can feel a bit tricky.

Fortunately, after staying in all the main areas and islands on our trips, we’ve discovered the best and safest places to stay in Cartagena de Indias. In this guide, we’re sharing the 6 best neighborhoods along with top hotel tips for your stay in the city.

When choosing where to stay in Cartagena de Indias, consider your travel style and budget. This way, you can select the region that best suits your trip.

Best places to stay in Cartagena de Indias

Where to stay in Cartagena de Indias?

The main places to stay in Cartagena de Indias are: Getsemaní, Ciudad Vieja, San Diego, Bocagrande, Islas del Rosario, and Isla Tierra Bomba. The central areas to stay are Ciudad Vieja, San Diego, and Getsemaní.

The Walled City is the most popular and convenient area to stay in Cartagena de Indias. San Diego is adjacent to Ciudad Vieja and shares similar characteristics but is a bit quieter.

Getsemaní, our favorite neighborhood in Cartagena de Indias, is where you should stay if you enjoy authentic, bohemian neighborhoods with a party vibe.

On the other hand, Bocagrande is a more modern neighborhood, ideal for those who want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the center and stay near the beach.

If you want to stay on the islands of Cartagena, you have the options of Islas del Rosario and Isla Tierra Bomba. The islands are great for those who want to stay in a beachfront resort and relax on the best beaches in Cartagena. The most common way to visit the islands of Cartagena is with a day trip, but we recommend splitting your trip and spending at least one night on an island of your choice.

In Cartagena de Indias, it gets very hot, especially during the summer, so hotels with air conditioning are essential for your comfort. The hotels that we will suggest throughout this post are all air-conditioned and feature pools, making them the best places to stay in Cartagena de Indias.

1. Getsemaní: a party zone with good prices

Getsemaní is a bohemian neighborhood full of color, flags, graffiti, and other works of art. It also has a lively, celebratory vibe. Getsemaní, which is ideal for strolling and taking pictures, is charming due to its colorful, narrow streets. It is also quite calm during the day. But at night, the area becomes a vibrant party scene that exudes all the excitement and vitality of the Caribbean.

In the evening, many houses in the neighborhood open their doors to sell drinks and food to tourists. In the streets, you’ll find music, dance performances, and people walking, dancing, and drinking.

Getsemaní is recommended for those who enjoy parties and nightlife. Additionally, the neighborhood is just a few minutes from the Ciudad Vieja, Cartagena’s old town, so you can easily explore everything on foot without much effort.

Getsemaní also boasts great restaurants and street food options. While it’s a favorite spot for backpackers, you’ll also find a variety of boutique hotels that offer luxury, comfort, and a welcoming atmosphere.

The downside of staying in Getsemaní is the hustle and bustle, which can be a bit bothersome, especially if you choose hotels located in the heart of the neighborhood’s lively areas.

Hotels we recommend for staying in Getsemaní:

• Casa Jaguar Hotel Boutique: A small, intimate hotel with impeccable service. Its interior design is exquisite, well-balanced, and somewhat minimalist. The breakfast is excellent, and the hotel has a small pool and a bar. It’s our favorite hotel in Getsemaní due to its outstanding service, central location, and wonderful food.
• Voilá Signature Casa Isabel: A very small hotel located on Calle 30, in front of Centenary Park, very close to the Old Town. The hotel offers a good breakfast, and all its spaces are well decorated.
• Lunalá Hotel Boutique: An intimate, small hotel located on the edge of Getsemaní, away from the neighborhood’s nightlife buzz. It has modern decor, a small pool, a garden, and a terrace. This is a great hotel for those looking to enjoy the neighborhood’s lively atmosphere but prefer a quieter place to rest at night.

See more hotels in Getsmaní.

2. Ciudad Vieja (Old Town): the most convenient and central area

Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) is located within the Walled City and is the Historic Center of Cartagena. If you’re looking for convenience and want to stay in the most central area, this is the best place to stay in Cartagena de Indias.

By staying in Ciudad Vieja, you can walk to almost everything while being in the heart of the city’s tourist activity and close to the port, where boat tours depart. Here you will find great restaurants, bars, rooftops, nightclubs, banks, supermarkets, and travel agencies.

In Ciudad Vieja, there are also many historic buildings, as this area is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is a very lively neighborhood, both day and night. At night, Ciudad Vieja is full of tourists strolling or drinking in the streets until they find a nightclub to go to, and there are dance and music performances in the squares.

This is a great area for those looking to stay in the best hotels in the city, as the most luxurious hotels in Cartagena de Indias are located here. In addition, the Historic Center is the ideal option for a quick trip because of its accessibility and ease of use.

The downside of staying in this area is the constant hustle and bustle, which may be bothersome for more sensitive people. So, if you want to stay in this area but avoid the center of the excitement, we recommend staying in San Diego, our next suggestion.

Hotels we recommend for staying in Ciudad Vieja:

• Hotel Boutique Casa del Arzobispado: A beautiful, well-decorated, and spacious hotel located in a historic building. It is near the Clock Tower and Bolívar Square, right in the heart of the neighborhood. The hotel features a lovely pool, sauna, hot tub, and restaurant.
• Movich Hotel Cartagena: This hotel offers a rooftop pool with a magnificent view. It is located near the Clock Tower and is beautifully decorated, with elegant furnishings and excellent service.
• Amarla Boutique Hotel Cartagena: A charming hotel near the Emerald Museum and just steps from the Clock Tower. It is a fantastic option for lodging in Cartagena de Indias because of its lovely pool, quaint garden, and lovely terrace.
• Hotel Boutique Las Carretas: This hotel has stunning decor and furnishings, with all spaces being charming and spacious. It offers a pool, a rooftop restaurant, and free bicycles for guests.

See more hotels in Ciudad Vieja.

3. San Diego: a quieter area next to the center

San Diego is a neighboring district of Ciudad Vieja, essentially a continuation of the Old Town. This is a great choice for those who want to stay close to the Historic Center but prefer not to be in the middle of the tourist hustle.

The neighborhood shares the same characteristics as the Old Town, with charming streets, historic houses, and good bars and restaurants. During the day, the area is lively, but at night it becomes more peaceful.

Even though it’s a calmer region, it still has its own energy, and you’ll find great bars, restaurants, and cafés in the neighborhood. San Diego also has excellent hotels, including luxurious accommodations. However, it doesn’t offer the same variety as you’ll find in the Old Town.

Hotels we recommend for staying in San Diego:

• Sofitel Legend Santa Clara: If you’re looking for luxury and exceptional service, this hotel is for you. It has the full structure of a 5-star hotel, with a beautiful pool in the courtyard and a view of the sea. The rooms are spacious, and the decor is modern. This is a more expensive hotel, but one of the most complete in the city.
• Hotel Kartaxa: A beautiful, charming hotel with great value for money. It’s located near the city walls, has a pool, and offers a good breakfast.

See more hotels in San Diego.

4. Bocagrande: the most modern neighborhood in Cartagena

Bocagrande is a modern district with great beachfront accommodations. This neighborhood is quite different from others, with large buildings, cinemas, shopping centers, bars, restaurants, and hotels with ocean views. Here, you won’t find anything historical or the charming, colorful streets of Cartagena de Indias.

Despite all the modernity, we don’t particularly recommend staying in this neighborhood. You will not find the vibrancy and charm of Cartagena here; it is a more generic area, much like any contemporary district full of high-rises.

The only advantage of Bocagrande is the beaches, but they are not as beautiful compared to the island beaches of the region. If you want a beachfront stay, it’s better to head to the Islas del Rosario or Isla Tierra Bomba.

Hotels we recommend for staying in Bocagrande:

• Hotel Caribe: A luxury hotel overlooking Bocagrande Beach. With 5-star services, this hotel has excellent amenities, including pools, gardens, a gym, a bar, and a good breakfast. The building itself is also very beautiful and resembles a palace.
• Hotel Intercontinental: Located in a modern building, the hotel offers rooms with sea views. It faces Bocagrande Beach and features a rooftop pool with an ocean view, a gym, a bar, and a good breakfast.

See more hotels in Bocagrande.

5. Islas del Rosário: region with the most beautiful beaches in Cartagena

If you want to spend a few days enjoying the most beautiful beaches in the region, the best place to stay in Cartagena de Indias is the Islas del Rosário. This group of islands features crystal-clear waters and a warm, blue sea.

The beaches of Islas del Rosário are the most popular in Cartagena due to their beauty. Most tourists take day trips to the islands, but the best way to explore the region and enjoy the beaches is by staying on one of the islands.

We suggest staying at a beachfront resort. While there isn’t much to do on the island besides enjoying the beaches, staying at a good resort will allow you to make the most of its facilities, sip drinks on the beach, have meals with a sea view, and relax in comfort.

The downside of staying on the Islas del Rosário is that after arriving in Cartagena, you still need to take a boat to the island of your choice. Some hotels offer boat transfers to their accommodations, but many boats also provide this service at the port.

Hotels we recommend for staying on Islas del Rosário:

• Hotel Isla del Pirata: Located on Isla del Pirata, this hotel offers a restaurant, spa, game room, and breakfast. It also provides activities such as diving and snorkeling.
• Hotel Isla del Sol: With excellent infrastructure, this hotel has a restaurant, pool, bar, and breakfast. It is located by the sea, where you can enjoy beautiful views, making it an excellent choice for where to stay in Cartagena de Indias.

See more hotels in Islas del Rosario.

5. Isla Tierra Bomba: an island with great prices

Isla Tierra Bomba is located very close to downtown Cartagena de Indias, making it a more affordable island option to visit compared to the Islas del Rosário.

While the beaches on Isla Tierra Bomba are not as beautiful or popular as those on the Islas del Rosário, its price and proximity to the city make it a great place to stay in Cartagena de Indias. This is a budget-friendly option for those looking to escape the city and enjoy Cartagena’s beaches.

The island’s beaches have warm waters, and if the day is not cloudy, they can take on a bluish hue. On the island, you’ll find good resorts to stay at. You can choose to do a day trip or stay overnight. Our suggestion is to spend at least one night in the area to fully enjoy the beach and the hotel’s amenities.

Hotels we recommend for staying on Isla Tierra Bomba:

• Hotel Fenix Beach Cartagena: This hotel, located just 10 minutes by boat from downtown Cartagena, has a private beach with lounge chairs, a bar, restaurant, garden, and pool. It also offers transportation from Cartagena for an additional fee, and the American breakfast is very good and varied.
• Palmarito Beach Hotel: This beachfront hotel features an outdoor pool, bar, restaurant, and soccer and volleyball courts. The hotel is pet-friendly.

See more hotels in Isla Tierra Bomba.

Now that you’ve seen all our tips on where to stay in Cartagena de Indias, choose the region and hotels that best suit your travel style. Also, check out the best places to travel with friends.