I have been living in Colombia since 2021 and have visited Cartagena several times. So I can give you a very good answer to your question about where to stay in Cartagena first time.
Personally, I think Cartagena is one of the nicest destinations in Colombia and that has mainly to do with the combination of colonial architecture, the warmth, and the unique atmosphere in the city.
The nice restaurants, unique bars, watching the sunset at Café del Mar, and visiting the lively streets of the Getsemani district.
You can divide Cartagena into two parts: the old part of the city and the modern part that is somewhat reminiscent of Miami.
The old part of the city in particular is fantastic to explore on foot, but the modern part is equipped with all the comforts.
When you are traveling through Colombia, you will often go from here to Santa Marta and then visit Tayrona National Park, or you may have just come from here.
In this article, I will also explain how you can most easily plan this route.
Finally, I will discuss the Rosario Islands, where you can also sleep, but most people visit them on a day trip with everything included – a so-called pasadia.
In this article, I will dive into the best neighborhoods of Cartagena, using my extensive experience. I will try to keep it as short as possible, make clear distinctions between the areas, and above all not recommend any neighborhoods of the city that do not have something special to offer. With that said, let’s get started!
In brief: the best neighborhoods to stay in Cartagena are Getsemani, the old city center (El Centro), Bocagrande, and San Diego.
Personally, I think Getsemani is by far the nicest neighborhood. You are fairly central and can reach the old city center on foot, but it is not as chaotic as El Centro.
Moreover, it is the ideal neighborhood to explore in the evening, where you can visit bars and restaurants but also encounter all kinds of things on the street.
El Centro is the heart of the historic city and the big advantage is that everything is within walking distance. Note that it is quite a busy city center and it is noisy until late at night.
Here you will find many nice restaurants, rooftop bars, and shops. A large part of the nightlife also takes place here.
If you want to stay in the modern part of Cartagena with all the modern conveniences, choose Bocagrande. The disadvantage is that the historic center is not within walking distance and that you always have to arrange transportation.
Finally, San Diego is a good option, which is located northeast of the old city. It is a quieter area compared to Getsemani and you have good access to buses that go to Santa Marta.
Note that the further northeast you stay, the more boring the neighborhood becomes. If you like peace and quiet, fine. If you like a cozy evening, choose Getsemani.
You can easily navigate to each area by tapping the link. Or go directly to the overview of the best neighborhoods to stay in Cartagena.
Personally, I think Getsemani is by far the nicest neighborhood. You are fairly central and can reach the old city center on foot, but it is not as chaotic as El Centro.
Moreover, it is the ideal neighborhood to explore in the evening, where you can visit bars and restaurants but also encounter all kinds of things on the street.
El Centro is the heart of the historic city and the big advantage is that everything is within walking distance. Note that it is quite a busy city center and it is noisy until late at night.
Here you will find many nice restaurants, rooftop bars, and shops. A large part of the nightlife also takes place here.
If you want to stay in the modern part of Cartagena with all the modern conveniences, choose Bocagrande. The disadvantage is that the historic center is not within walking distance and that you always have to arrange transportation.
Finally, San Diego is a good option, which is located northeast of the old city. It is a quieter area compared to Getsemani and you have good access to buses that go to Santa Marta.
Note that the further northeast you stay, the more boring the neighborhood becomes. If you like peace and quiet, fine. If you like a cozy evening, choose Getsemani.
You can easily navigate to each area by tapping the link. Or go directly to the overview of the best neighborhoods to stay in Cartagena.
How to get around Cartagena: Almost all the neighborhoods recommended in this article are within walking distance of the city highlights. Only Bocagrande is a bit too far to reach El Centro on foot.
You can take a taxi, but the easiest way is to order an Uber. In Colombia, they also use Didi and InDriver. These services offer better-priced options compared to Uber.
To reach Convento de Santa Cruz de la Popa – where you also have the best panoramic view of the city – you will have to hail a taxi. It will take you to the top of the hill and wait for you there (you only have to pay when you get back to the city).
If you arrive in Cartagena by plane I also recommend using one of the services (Uber, Didi, or InDriver) so that you don’t get ripped off by the local taxis.
If you go from Cartagena to Santa Marta, take the bus to the company Marsol. You can buy bus tickets on location.
El Centro – the old city centre – is the tourist epicentre of Cartagena.
Here you will find the colonial buildings and you can walk from one beautiful street to the next.
In these colonial buildings you will often find nice shops, restaurants or bars.
Cartagena is known for its culinary delights. You will find top restaurants in all types and price ranges here.
A large part of the nightlife in Cartagena also takes place here. For example, there are several nightclubs in this part of the city.
Because it is such a popular area, the prices of hotels are quite high.
Nevertheless, many travellers choose to stay here, despite the high prices, simply because as soon as you leave your hotel you are immediately at the majority of the city’s sights.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with El Centro, except that it is noisy until late at night.
Incidentally, El Centro is the safest part of Cartagena. The presence of the police on every street corner contributes greatly to this.
Previously, there was street prostitution at the entrance to the old city center, but nowadays the police are particularly conspicuous here.
However, you will always have to keep an eye on your valuables in a city like Cartagena. This applies to every neighborhood where you stay.
If you want to have everything within reach and your budget allows it, El Centro is a great option.
However, it does feel very touristy, and that is not surprising, because every tourist will spend most of their stay in Cartagena on adventure in the old city center.
If you are looking for something quieter, stay in San Diego.
If you are looking for something more relaxed, stay in Getsemani.
If you are looking for something more modern, stay in Bocagrande.
But when it comes to convenience, a stay in El Centro will certainly not disappoint!
Visiting the Rosario Islands: many tourists in Cartagena combine this with a visit to the Rosario Islands. It is possible to stay overnight there, but it is also possible to book a so-called Pasadia. You can arrange this through your hotel, but also in the old city center.
A Pasadia is simply an organized day trip to the islands where you can use the facilities of one of the hotels. Lunch is often included.
Agree on the price very well in advance. Cartagena is unfortunately known for the fact that tourists are often scammed in a cunning way. This applies to taxi rides, renting beach chairs, and therefore also to a Pasadia.
If you arrange this well in advance, you can enjoy a carefree day on the beautiful, but still touristy Rosario Islands.
Bocagrande is the modern part of Cartagena. You can compare it a bit with Miami.
Here you will find modern, high buildings, various shopping centers, and a popular beach.
Now the beaches in Cartagena are not exactly the most beautiful in the country, but of all the beaches in Cartagena, this is the most popular.
Ideal if you want to combine your visit to the old city with beach life.
By the way, many tourists prefer to go to the Rosario Islands but know that you also have the option to moor at the beach in Cartagena itself.
Now I think it is a bit of a shame when you choose to stay in a modern city when you also have the option to stay in and around the historic part.
Bocagrande does not have the same atmosphere as you find in El Centro and Getsemani.
Nevertheless, a significant number of tourists choose Bocagrande.
A hotel with a rooftop pool and fantastic views from the hotel room is often a decisive factor.
Hotels such as the Hilton and Hyatt are particularly popular here. And in terms of prices, it’s not that different from El Centro.
You’ll also find an abundance of restaurants here and Bocagrande is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city.
If you choose Bocagrande, keep in mind that you won’t just walk to the old town. The distance is simply too far for that.
The last neighborhood I recommend is San Diego, which borders El Centro.
The big difference between the two neighborhoods is that this is a residential neighborhood, while El Centro is mainly a commercial neighborhood with many restaurants, bars, and shops.
This makes San Diego a lot quieter while you can still enjoy plenty of colonial architecture.
If you are looking for something quiet, San Diego is a great choice.
It even has something romantic, which is why couples choose to stay here.
Of course, this neighborhood is also a favorite for families with (young) children.
Now it is not that there is nothing to do in San Diego.
Because there is little to no room for expansion in El Centro, you will now find more and more restaurants in this part of the city.
But in the evening it is nice and quiet.
If you still want something vibrant, you can walk to the old center within a few minutes.
Please note that finding a hotel is a bit more difficult because there are simply fewer hotels in this residential area compared to the tourist part of the city.
What is also convenient is that you are a bit closer to the bus station if you want to take the bus to Santa Marta.
By the way, there are several terminals in the city, but I recommend using the bus company Marsol.
Is it the most exciting neighborhood? Absolutely not.
But if you want something quieter with a pretty good central location, choose San Diego!
Getsemani: The nicest neighborhood in Cartagena, known for its vibrant street life, murals, and unique restaurants and shops. The historic center is a 10-minute walk away.
El Centro: The tourist center of the city where you can admire the colonial architecture. The most vibrant part of Cartagena, which does cause some noise pollution and high costs.
Bocagrande: The modern part of Cartagena that focuses mainly on comfort. You have access to the beach but also modern facilities such as a shopping center. However, the historic center is not within walking distance.
San Diego: A quiet neighborhood close to the historic center, ideal for couples and families, but there is a lot less to do compared to the other neighborhoods.
*If you tap on the link, you will go directly to the relevant part of the article for more detailed information.
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