Where to stay · Cartagena · Colombia
Where to stay in Cartagena
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sgonzalezb, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in El Centro. The walled city's grand plazas, churches and boutique hotels in restored colonial houses. Best alternatives — families: Bocagrande; budget: Getsemaní; nightlife: Getsemaní.
Key facts
- First visit
- El Centro
- Families
- Bocagrande
- Budget
- Getsemaní
- Nightlife
- Getsemaní
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | El Centro | The walled city's grand plazas, churches and boutique hotels in restored colonial houses |
| Families | Bocagrande | High-rise hotels, the city beach and malls on a narrow peninsula |
| Couples | El Centro | The walled city's grand plazas, churches and boutique hotels in restored colonial houses |
| Budget | Getsemaní | Former working-class barrio of murals, hostels, salsa bars and evening street life |
| Luxury | El Centro | The walled city's grand plazas, churches and boutique hotels in restored colonial houses |
| Nightlife | Getsemaní | Former working-class barrio of murals, hostels, salsa bars and evening street life |
| Food lovers | Getsemaní | Former working-class barrio of murals, hostels, salsa bars and evening street life |
| Solo travellers | Getsemaní | Former working-class barrio of murals, hostels, salsa bars and evening street life |
| Quiet stays | San Diego | The quieter, residential side of the walled city with small plazas and convent hotels |
| Beach | Bocagrande | High-rise hotels, the city beach and malls on a narrow peninsula |
Cartagena neighbourhoods in detail
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, luxury and culture
El Centro
El Centro is the historic core inside the walls, around the Torre del Reloj, Plaza de los Coches, Plaza de Bolívar and Plaza Santo Domingo. Boutique hotels occupy restored mansions with courtyards and pools, and most of the city's famous restaurants and rooftop bars are here. It is the most atmospheric and most expensive base.
- Good
- Walk to almost every sight; Beautiful colonial hotels; Excellent restaurants and rooftop bars
- Watch out
- Highest prices in the city; Street vendors are persistent around the main plazas; Hot with little shade
- Nearby
- Torre del Reloj, Plaza Santo Domingo, Plaza de Bolívar, Museo del Oro Zenú
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays, culture and luxury
San Diego
In the northern part of the walled city, San Diego is calmer than El Centro, with low colourful houses, small plazas such as Plaza de San Diego and Plaza Fernández de Madrid, and the former Santa Clara convent, now a luxury hotel. Las Bóvedas craft shops sit on its edge along the walls.
- Good
- Quieter nights inside the walls; Pleasant evening plazas; Walkable to everything
- Watch out
- Still expensive; Fewer budget options
- Nearby
- Las Bóvedas, Plaza de San Diego, Baluarte de Santa Catalina
$$ · Best for nightlife, budget, solo travellers and food lovers
Getsemaní
Just outside the walls across Avenida Venezuela, Getsemaní was once the craftsmen's and sailors' quarter. Its streets, especially Calle de la Sierpe and Callejón Angosto, are covered with murals and umbrellas, and Plaza de la Trinidad fills every evening with street food, performers and locals. It has the best range of hostels, guesthouses and mid-range boutique hotels.
- Good
- Lively evenings with a local feel; Good-value stays; Five minutes' walk to the walled city
- Watch out
- Noisy late at night; Can be crowded on weekends
- Nearby
- Plaza de la Trinidad, Centro de Convenciones, Castillo San Felipe, Muelle de la Bodeguita
$$ · Best for families, beach and budget
Bocagrande
Bocagrande is the modern hotel zone on a peninsula south of the old town, with a long grey-sand city beach, apartment towers, malls and chain restaurants. It is about 10 minutes by taxi from the walled city. Hotels here usually offer more space and better value than the old town, and families appreciate the larger pools.
- Good
- Beach on the doorstep; Large hotels with pools; Good value for space
- Watch out
- Little colonial character; Beach vendors can be persistent; Needs a taxi to reach the old town
- Nearby
- Bocagrande beach, Castillogrande, El Laguito
$$$ · Best for quiet stays and families
Castillogrande
At the end of the peninsula, Castillogrande is a calm residential area of apartment buildings facing the bay, with a seafront path and a quieter beach used by local families. It suits longer stays and travellers wanting peace close to Bocagrande's restaurants.
- Good
- Quiet and residential; Sunset views over the bay; Close to Bocagrande
- Watch out
- Few hotels; Taxi needed for the old town
- Nearby
- Bocagrande, Club Naval, Bay of Cartagena
$$ · Best for budget and quiet stays
Manga
Manga lies across a short bridge from Getsemaní and has republican-era mansions, marinas and local restaurants. Few tourists stay here, but apartments and small hotels are good value and the old town is a short taxi or 20-minute walk away.
- Good
- Local neighbourhood feel; Good-value apartments; Close to Getsemaní
- Watch out
- Few sights or nightlife; Not on a beach
- Nearby
- Fuerte de San Sebastián del Pastelillo, Getsemaní, Marina Club de Pesca
$$$ · Best for beach, families and luxury
Zona Norte
North of the airport, the coast towards La Boquilla and Manzanillo del Mar is lined with newer resort hotels and apartment towers facing long beaches. La Boquilla is a fishing village known for beachfront fried-fish shacks and mangrove canoe tours. It is quiet and good for a resort stay, but 20–30 minutes from the old town by taxi.
- Good
- Resort pools and long beaches; Close to the airport; Quieter than the city
- Watch out
- Far from the old town; Traffic on the coast road at peak times
- Nearby
- La Boquilla, Manzanillo del Mar, Rafael Núñez airport
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| El Centro | $$$$ | Torre del Reloj, Plaza Santo Domingo, Plaza de Bolívar, Museo del Oro Zenú |
| San Diego | $$$ | Las Bóvedas, Plaza de San Diego, Baluarte de Santa Catalina |
| Getsemaní | $$ | Plaza de la Trinidad, Centro de Convenciones, Castillo San Felipe, Muelle de la Bodeguita |
| Bocagrande | $$ | Bocagrande beach, Castillogrande, El Laguito |
| Castillogrande | $$$ | Bocagrande, Club Naval, Bay of Cartagena |
| Manga | $$ | Fuerte de San Sebastián del Pastelillo, Getsemaní, Marina Club de Pesca |
| Zona Norte | $$$ | La Boquilla, Manzanillo del Mar, Rafael Núñez airport |
Getting to your hotel
Rafael Núñez International Airport is in the Crespo district about 3 km northeast of the walled city. Taxis reach the old town or Getsemaní in about 10–15 minutes and Bocagrande in about 20 minutes, using an official taxi rank outside arrivals.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Cartagena for first-time visitors?
El Centro. El Centro is the historic core inside the walls, around the Torre del Reloj, Plaza de los Coches, Plaza de Bolívar and Plaza Santo Domingo.
+Where should families stay in Cartagena?
Bocagrande: Beach on the doorstep.
+Which area of Cartagena is best for a budget stay?
Getsemaní ($$): Former working-class barrio of murals, hostels, salsa bars and evening street life.