This Vibrant Caribbean City Has a Buzzy Culinary and Cocktail Scene, Boutique Hotels, and a Charming Old Town

Cartagena, Colombia, extending into the Caribbean Sea, is a wholly Latin American, wholly Caribbean, and even wholly African destination all at once—and its rich history lays the groundwork for one of the most enchanting cities in the region.

“Cartagena’s culture is a blend of African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences, reflected in the music, food, and festivals,” says Angie Pineda, the director of sales for Casa San Agustín and Casa Pestagua, two of the city’s most impressive hotels. Beautiful beaches, spectacular sights, award-winning culinary experiences, and loads of history; it’s an intoxicating mixture that made the city one of Travel + Leisure‘s best places to travel in 2024.

While Cartagena itself is hundreds of years old, it still feels youthful and vibrant. Plus, with a new slate of direct flights and the long-awaited Four Seasons Cartagena set to debut in early 2026, it tempts both new travelers and those ready for a return visit.

Here’s how to plan a trip.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Casa Pestagua

Said to have once been the “most beautiful house in Cartagena,” Casa Pestagua is an 18th-century mansion-turned-boutique hotel. This luxurious 2024 It List property now boasts a recently refurbished lobby, restaurant, bar, gym, and 16 rooms and suites, each with its own serene escape from the city. A courtyard swimming pool sits beside AniMare, a culinary destination that draws diners with its faithful preservation of the regional richness of Colombia’s Caribbean cuisine, designed by lauded local chef Heberto Eljach.

Casa San Agustín

The 31-room luxury boutique hotel Casa San Agustín comprises a collection of three historic buildings in the heart of Cartagena’s Walled City. The property marries modern amenities, like a solarium pool and spa, with well-preserved frescos and centuries-old city walls. Together with its sibling property, Casa Pestagua, it offers Acasí, a private beach club on nearby Isla Barú. Just a short speedboat ride away from the city, its white sands and beachfront dining are only accessible to guests.

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena

A repurposed, restored 17th-century convent in Cartagena’s Walled City is home to the iconic Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena. This resort-style property’s central pool is the place to be to beat Cartagena’s midday heat. The hotel also has a beachfront sibling property on nearby Isla Barú, Sofitel Barú Cartagena, and it’s one of the most popular escapes for travelers looking to spend a few days outside the city.

Casa Carolina Hotel

What was originally the presbytery of the Santa Catalina de Alejandría Cathedral is now one of Cartagena’s newest boutique hotels, Casa Carolina. There are 15 suites and rooms, two outdoor pools, and an intimate spa rooted in ancestral and Ayurvedic traditions. Don’t miss the wellness cafe downstairs or the rooftop bar with views of the iconic cathedral and Governor’s Palace; not only is it gorgeous in the glow of sunset, but its signature cocktail menu was developed in partnership with the award-winning local mixologists at El Barón.

Best Things to Do

Take a walking tour.

Getting lost in the tangle of historic streets of Cartagena’s Old City is its own itinerary item, but those looking for a little extra insight should take a guided tour. Foodie tours and cocktail crawls are increasingly popular ways to experience the city, and they’re best saved for sunset to escape the heat of summertime. The literary-minded will live for tours inspired by the life and works of Gabriel García Márquez, exploring the destinations Latin America’s most famous writer frequented across the city that served as his magical muse. They’re also recommended by Mayret Gonzalez Rubenstein, an art historian and the co-founder of Cosmopolitours, which crafts bespoke luxury trips in Cartagena and beyond.

Set sail.

This coastal Colombian city is enchanting, but Caroline Tchekhoff, owner of Casa Carolina, says “exploring the bay and Rosario Islands by boat offers an entirely different perspective of Cartagena’s stunning coastline.” Visitors will want to spend at least one day visiting nearby islands and hidden beaches, stopping for snorkeling and snacks along the way. Options range from affordable tickets on popular catamaran excursions to more posh private charters.

Visit Cartagena’s beach clubs.

The best beaches in Cartagena are well outside the city center, so most travelers spend at least a day posted up at one of the area’s beautiful beach clubs. While some tend to get rowdy, options like woman-owned, Certified B Corp Blue Apple Beach Club mix sustainability with amenities like a scuba center, outdoor cinema, and plenty of space poolside in their quiet location, accessible only by boats. For a more upscale option, guests at Casa San Agustin and Casa Pestagua can visit the properties’ private beach club, Acasí, complete with sparkling pool and waterfront dining, and even spend the night at one of its six beachside bungalows.

Sip and savor Colombian coffee.

Cartagena teems with incredible cafes, but true coffee lovers will want to get up close and personal with Colombia’s most carefully crafted brews. José Posada, coffee farmer and owner of Capilla del Rosario in Medellín, recommends stopping at Libertario Cafe in the Getsemani neighborhood for bean-to-cup experiences, from tastings to classes in preparation and brewing techniques. The specialty coffee roastery promotes socially and environmentally sustainable coffee production and has cafes across Colombia and beyond.

Best Restaurants

Celele

Chef Jaime Rodríguez took his time exploring the country’s Caribbean coast in search of inspiration before opening Cartagena’s culinary powerhouse, Celele. Sink into a world of modern Colombian cuisine with dishes from the à la carte menu or the 10-course tasting experience, complete with craft cocktails and locally-produced small-batch beer, wines, and spirits. This Getsemaní restaurant is now considered among the best in the Americas, capturing the attention of the World’s 50 Best several years in a row.

Carmen

According to Rubenstein, contemporary Colombian-Caribbean restaurant Carmen shines for its “innovative tasting menus blending global techniques and local produce.”  Open for lunch and dinner, the dining destination is lauded for both its cuisine and its cocktails, so make sure to book a table in this shady courtyard dining room in advance.

Alma

Step off busy Old City streets and escape inside to Alma, nestled within the courtyard of the historic Casa San Agustín. Celebrated chef Heberto Eljach designs thoughtful, seafood-heavy dishes that harken back to traditional flavors of the city and coastal Colombia. Cap the experience with a drink at the intimate bar as live music winds down the evening.

DeIndias Comedor & Copas

DeIndias Comedor & Copas is the casual, cool brainchild of José “El Chato” Barbosa. Most remarkable is the restaurant’s rich “ancestral cuisine, showcasing Cartagena’s deep-rooted culinary traditions,” says Tchekhoff. Both live Latin music sets on the rooftop and the Sunday brunch menu at this Getsemaní haunt are hits.

Best Nightlife

Alquímico

Craft cocktail fans will already know about Alquímico, ranked one of the top bars in the world this year by World’s 50 Best. In reality, Alquímico is more akin to a cathedral to spirits than just a bar, transforming a 19th-century mansion in Cartagena’s Old City into a multi-level destination you’ll need an entire night to explore. Every level offers different seasonal menus of drinks, with fresh ingredients sourced almost exclusively from local producers.

La Jugada

Party down at La Jugada, one of a handful of clubs in Cartagena around which the whole city seems to revolve when night falls. Five floors of party space host local and international DJs and live music throughout the week. This place is upscale, so come dressed to impress and with a table reserved, especially if you are looking forward to taking in the views from the rooftop or the building’s additional outdoor spaces.

El Barón

El Barón is a tiny corner spot off of Plaza de San Pedro Claver in Cartagena’s Walled City, serving dinner and even coffee al fresco, but this is no ordinary cafe. The real draw is the inventive craft cocktail menu that transforms tropical fruits and fresh herbs grown in the bar’s rooftop garden into creations so impressive they landed El Barón a spot on the World’s 50 Best Discovery list.

Best Shopping

St. Dom

If Cartagena is a shopping destination worth the pilgrimage, then St. Dom is its mecca. This spot in the heart of the Old City stocks everything from menswear and children’s clothing to chic decor pieces and home goods. Its sparkly specialty is the fashion-forward, impossibly chic resort wear you’ll see on Cartagena’s coolest visitors, all crafted by Latin America’s best designers and creatives.

Casa Chiqui Home Goods

If you had a beach house in Cartagena, you’d probably want it to look like the showroom at Casa Chiqui. Find everything from hand-woven baskets and Colombian-made throws to an increasingly coveted collection of clothing and lifestyle products. Shopkeepers know exactly how to ship it all home, so browse away.

La Serrezuela

La Serrezuela is making malls cool again, transforming a late 19th-century theater and bullfighting ring into a restored shopping destination packed with local designer products to excite even the least retail therapy-minded visitor. Before heading to the food hall, make a beeline to shops like Loto del Sur for skincare and beautifully scented soaps, Agua Rosa for Caribbean-inspired sandals, and Azahar for authentic Colombian emeralds.

Areas to Visit

Old City

Cartagena’s colonial-era Walled City is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets hiding mansions, churches, and plazas that each deserve their time and dedication from visitors. Must-visit attractions include the city’s gold museum, Museo del Oro Zenú, and Las Bóvedas, where former dungeon cells now hold souvenir shops.

Getsemaní

Formerly rough and tumble, Getsemaní is now one of the city’s coolest and most colorful quarters; it’s known for its street art and more casual, understated cafes and shopping.  “While it’s increasingly becoming popular, Getsemaní still retains a bohemian charm with its colorful street art, vibrant nightlife, and lively atmosphere,” says Pineda.

Bocagrande

A strip of gleaming seaside skyscrapers makes the modern Bocagrande area of Cartagena one of the most important parts of the city. Cookie-cutter, city resort-style accommodations lack the charm of the Old City but make it convenient for families or business travelers in town for a quick trip.

Isla Barú and Islas del Rosario

Drive out to the white sands of Isla Barú or take a speedboat ride to the more remote Islas del Rosario for what are the best beaches near Cartagena on this side of Tayrona National Park. Playa Blanca on Isla Barú is beautiful but can get crowded, so spend at least one night in one of the nearby eco-friendly hotels to experience the area once day-trippers head home. The islands are also known for their bioluminescent waters, a must-see spectacle best experienced as part of an overnight stay in the area.

Best Time to Visit

“The best time to visit Cartagena is in the dry season, between December and April, which offers the best conditions for outdoor adventures and beach days,” says Tchekhoff. The city swells with visitors during these spectacularly sunny, warm months, so expect bigger crowds and higher prices. The busiest times of the year are between Christmas and the New Year and Semana Santa, the week before Easter.

“From May to November, Cartagena enters its rainy season. With fewer tourists and more availability, this season offers a more relaxed and budget-friendly alternative, which is especially appealing for travelers comfortable with a little tropical unpredictability,” says Rubenstein. The city is also far enough south to avoid the risk of hurricanes that many Caribbean islands face.

Cartagena has a near-constant stream of cultural events to keep visitors busy throughout the year, though major celebrations, like the international film festival FICCI every spring, are worth traveling for. Visit in February to experience the exhilaration of the Caribbean coast as it alights with Carnival celebrations, the most vibrant being in nearby Barranquilla.

How to Get There

Cartagena is one of Colombia’s most well-connected cities, welcoming flights from across the Americas at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG). The airport has direct flights to and from New York, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, with many other flights making quick connections through Bogotá, Mexico City, or Panama City.

How To Get Around

Travelers staying in the Old City of Cartagena and even in colorful Getsemaní will hardly need to see the inside of a taxi during their trip; the proximity of attractions in the oldest parts of the city makes it easy to get around on foot. “Bikes and electric scooters are another option for short-distance travel and a fun, eco-friendly way to explore the city,” says Pineda. When headed outside the tangle of Old City streets, it will be easy to find taxis, though Uber tends to be the more popular option.