Hotels in Cartagena, Colombia: Where to Stay in 2025
Updated 16 July 2026 · 390 real hotels
Cartagena's walled Old City (Centro and San Diego) suits travelers who want colonial architecture, rooftop bars, and walkable culture. Getsemani offers authentic street life at lower prices, while Bocagrande delivers beachfront comfort with modern hotels close to the waterfront.
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A real selection, real prices, from the most affordable to the showstopper.
| Hotel | Area | Rating | Price / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auaecoco Hotel ★★ | Plage de La Boquilla à 1 min à pied | ★ 3 | 34 €/nuit |
| Alcaré Rooms Cartagena ★★ | Malecón Bahía de las Ánimas à 4 min à pied | ★ 4.8 | 48 €/nuit |
| Casa Be Getsemani ★★★ | Getsemani | ★ 4.1 | 58 €/nuit |
| Casa Noa Colonial Rooms ★★★ | Centre-ville de Cartagena | ★ 4.6 | 61 €/nuit |
| Varanasi Hotel Boutique ★★★ | Crespo | ★ 4.6 | 82 €/nuit |
| Soy Local Centro Historico ★★★ | Ville fortifiée de Cartagena | ★ 4.4 | 83 €/nuit |
| Hotel Santa Cecilia B&B ★★★★ | Getsemani | ★ 4.6 | 87 €/nuit |
| Hotel Playa Club ★★★ | Plage de Bocagrande à 2 min à pied | ★ 3.9 | 89 €/nuit |
| Hotel Boutique La Artillería ★★★ | Getsemani | ★ 4.3 | 90 €/nuit |
Cartagena de Indias sits on Colombia's Caribbean coast as one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Latin America. Its UNESCO-listed walled center, called El Centro Histórico, packs centuries of Spanish colonial history into a compact grid of pastel facades, flower-draped balconies, and flagstone plazas. Beyond the walls, the city shifts quickly: Getsemani pulses with murals and local restaurants, while the Bocagrande peninsula stretches south into a modern beachfront district that feels almost like a different city entirely.
Choosing where to stay in Cartagena is really a choice of atmosphere. Sleep inside the walls and you walk to everything historic before the morning tour groups arrive. Stay in Getsemani and you trade a little polish for genuine neighborhood character and noticeably lower rates. Head to Bocagrande or farther out to Barú Island and the Caribbean Sea becomes the centerpiece of your trip. Each zone has a clear identity, and the right pick depends on how you want to spend your mornings.
Which area to stay in Carthagène?
- Centro Histórico (Old City Center): The walled heart of Cartagena, ideal for first-time visitors, history lovers, and anyone who wants world-class restaurants, boutique hotels, and sunset walks on the ramparts all within a few blocks. The Movich Hotel Cartagena de Indias (4 stars, 328 euros per night) sits here and offers a reliable base in this premium zone.
- San Diego: The quieter northern quarter of the walled city, with a slightly more residential feel than Centro and a concentration of boutique stays. The Bastión Luxury Hotel (4.5 stars, 346 euros per night, rated 4.8/5) occupies a restored colonial mansion here and is one of the most praised addresses in the entire city.
- Getsemani: The neighborhood just outside the walls, once overlooked and now one of the most interesting places to sleep in Cartagena. Street art, local fondas, craft cocktail bars, and a youthful creative energy define the area. The GHL Arsenal Hotel (4 stars, 137 euros per night) and the Hotel Monaguillo de Getsemani (3.5 stars, 93 euros per night) both offer solid value here.
- Bocagrande: A narrow peninsula south of the Old City lined with high-rise hotels and a long public beach. Better for families or beach-focused travelers than for culture seekers. The OZ Hotel Collection (4.5 stars, 115 euros per night, rated 4.8/5) and Hotel Capilla del Mar (4 stars, 209 euros per night) are strong options steps from the water, along with Hotel Dann Cartagena (4 stars, 151 euros per night) directly on the beach.
- Barú Island: Accessible by boat or road, Barú sits south of the city and is home to Playa Blanca, one of the most photogenic beaches in Colombia. The Sofitel Barú Cartagena (5 stars, 524 euros per night) is the flagship resort experience here, suited to travelers who want a self-contained beach escape rather than city exploration.
Good to know
- Arrive knowing the taxi system: Cartagena has no ride-hailing apps with the same coverage as larger Colombian cities, so negotiate the fare with the driver before you get in. Short trips within the Old City or to Bocagrande rarely exceed a few thousand Colombian pesos.
- Book well ahead for high season: December through March is Cartagena's peak period, with dry skies, strong trade winds, and the highest hotel rates of the year. Semana Santa (Holy Week before Easter) is equally busy. If you travel in this window, prices at the best Old City hotels are non-negotiable and availability disappears fast.
- Embrace the shoulder season carefully: April to November brings humidity and afternoon rain, but the city empties out and rates drop meaningfully. October is the wettest month. The upside is quieter plazas, easier restaurant reservations, and more bargaining room on room rates.
- Heat is constant, so location saves energy: Cartagena sits near the equator and averages around 30 degrees Celsius year-round. Staying inside or very close to the walls means you can walk to major sights during the cooler early morning and retreat easily at midday. From Bocagrande, most Old City visits require a taxi.
- Getting in from Rafael Nunez Airport is straightforward: The airport sits only about 3 kilometers from the Old City walls, making it one of the closest city-center airports in Colombia. A taxi to the walled city or Getsemani takes roughly 15 minutes outside rush hour. Bocagrande is a similar distance in the opposite direction.
What to know about hotels in Carthagène?
What is the best area to stay in Cartagena for first-time visitors?+
The walled Old City, specifically Centro and San Diego, gives first-time visitors the most complete experience of Cartagena. You can walk to the major plazas, the city walls, the Gold Museum, and dozens of restaurants without needing a taxi. Hotels here command higher rates, but the convenience and atmosphere are hard to match.
Is Getsemani safe for tourists staying overnight?+
Getsemani has changed significantly in the past decade and is now a popular choice for independent travelers and younger visitors. The main streets around Parque Centenario are lively and well-lit at night, and the area has a genuine local character that many travelers prefer over the more polished Old City. Standard urban precautions apply: stay aware of your surroundings late at night and avoid less-traveled alleys after dark.
What is the best time of year to visit Cartagena?+
December through March is the classic high season, with the driest and most pleasant weather, low humidity, and reliable sunshine. January and February are particularly comfortable thanks to the Caribbean trade winds. If you prefer lower prices and smaller crowds and can tolerate occasional afternoon rain, the months of June and July offer a reasonable middle ground within the wet season.
How do I get from Cartagena airport to the city center?+
Rafael Nunez International Airport is approximately 3 kilometers northeast of the Old City walls, one of the shortest airport-to-center distances in Colombia. Official taxis are available at the arrivals exit, and the journey to the walled city or Getsemani takes around 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic. Bocagrande is a similar travel time in the opposite direction along the coast road.
What is the average nightly hotel rate in Cartagena?+
Based on current availability, rates range from around 93 euros per night at a well-rated 3.5-star guesthouse in Getsemani to over 500 euros per night at a luxury resort on Barú Island. Mid-range options in Bocagrande or just outside the walls fall in the 115 to 210 euro range, while boutique hotels inside the walled city generally start at 300 euros and above during peak season.
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