Why Stay in Cartagena?
Cartagena de Indias is the jewel of Colombia's Caribbean coast, a UNESCO World Heritage walled city where pastel-coloured colonial buildings drip with bougainvillea, horse-drawn carriages clip-clop along cobblestoned streets, and balconies overflow with tropical flowers. It's a city of intoxicating beauty, romantic atmosphere, and vibrant Colombian energy.
Hotels within the walled Old Town (Centro Histórico) offer the most immersive experience. Converted colonial mansions and convents house boutique hotels with interior courtyards, rooftop pools, and rooms with exposed stone walls and wooden beams. The San Diego neighbourhood within the walls is quieter and more residential. Getsemaní, just outside the walls, has emerged as Cartagena's coolest neighbourhood with street art, live music, and a more local atmosphere.
Bocagrande offers beachfront high-rise hotels on a peninsula south of the Old Town, with a more modern resort feel. The Rosario Islands, 45 minutes by boat, provide crystal-clear Caribbean waters and coral reefs for day trips or overnight stays.
Cartagena's food scene celebrates the meeting of Caribbean, African, and Spanish culinary traditions. Fresh ceviche, coconut rice, fried plantains (patacones), arepas de huevo, and tropical fruit juices from street vendors are daily pleasures. The restaurant scene in the Old Town ranges from casual to world-class, with Colombia's emerging food renaissance well represented.