Where to Stay in Cartagena Walled City
Are you looking for the best places to stay in Cartagena Walled City?
The Walled City, also known as the Old Town, is a vibrant, colorful neighborhood that is a popular place for tourists to stay in Cartagena, Colombia. This is where I stayed and I really enjoyed it!
Cartagena is known as the Jewel of the Indies due to its location on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It was once a wealthy Spanish colonial city, and the colonial influence is still visible today. But Cartagena is also known for its strong Indigenous and African cultures too, giving the city a diverse background.
The Walled City of Cartagena is the most historic part of the city, and its defensive walls date back to the 17th century. Inside the walls of the Old Town, you’ll find charming cobblestoned streets, brightly colored buildings, colonial architecture, historic churches, and charming squares lined with cafes.
Cartagena has been growing in popularity as a tourist destination lately, and if you’ve seen photos of Cartagena online, they’ve likely been taken in the colorful and historic Walled City.
Best Hotels in Cartagena Walled City
I really enjoyed staying in the Walled City of Cartagena on my visit. It’s extremely safe and there are tons of things to do. It’s also not too far from the beach, but in my opinion, it’s a much nicer area.
Bocagrande is a popular beach area of Cartagena known for its Miami-style high rises and hotels, but the beach itself can be crowded and dirty. If you want to visit the beach while in Cartagena, you’re better off taking a day tour to the stunning Rosario Islands a little further off the coast, which is what I did.
Another popular area to stay is Getsemaní. It’s right outside the Walled City and is known for being lively, hip, and budget-friendly, making it a good alternative to Cartagena’s Old Town if you’re on a tight budget.
However, this guide is all about the Walled City! As I mentioned, it would be my top recommendation for where to stay in Cartagena because of the convenient location and things to do nearby.
Here are my top picks for where to stay in Cartagena Walled City:
- Best luxury: Ananda Hotel Boutique
- Best mid-range: Hotel Bantu
- Best budget: Casa India Catalina
- Best hostel: República Hostel Cartagena
And here’s a full breakdown of the best luxury hotels in the Old Town of Cartagena:
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Hotel Casa San Agustin
One of the most luxurious hotels in Cartagena is Hotel Casa San Agustin. This five-star hotel is located in Cartagena’s Walled City in a beautiful restored 17th-century colonial house.
It features gorgeous rooms, two swimming pools, a rooftop deck, a spa, a solarium, a game room, and a library with original frescoed ceilings. This hotel also offers free breakfast and free parking nearby.
Ananda Hotel Boutique
Another one of the best boutique luxury hotels in Cartagena is Ananda Hotel Boutique. Located in the heart of the Walled City, this hotel is the perfect place to base yourself on a trip to Cartagena.
Guests will enjoy the luxuriously appointed rooms, two swimming pools (one on the rooftop), lush private courtyard, on-site restaurant, daily free breakfast, and proximity to all that Cartagena has to offer.
Hotel Boutique Casa Del Arzobispado
Hotel Boutique Casa Del Arzobispado is another great luxury hotel in Cartagena Walled City. It’s the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for an intimate retreat in the Old Town of Cartagena.
This hotel, located in a historic colonial building, offers a dreamy courtyard with a swimming pool, a sauna room, and a hot tub. Guests will also enjoy free breakfast and the convenience of a tour desk where you can book a day trip to the nearby Rosario Islands or other excursions around Colombia.
Bastión Luxury Hotel
Bastión Luxury Hotel is a stylish, modern hotel inside the Walled City of Cartagena. Guests will enjoy spacious rooms, the amazing rooftop pool, and free breakfast included in your stay.
Located right in the heart of Cartagena, this is a great place to base yourself in the city.
Sophia Hotel
Sophia Hotel is a great luxury hotel in the heart of Cartagena’s Old Town. This property offers a gorgeous rooftop with a swimming pool, lounge area, and views over Cartagena’s churches and skyline.
The rooms at this hotel are comfortable and minimalistic, and free breakfast is included.
Hotel Bantu
Hotel Bantu is where I stayed in Cartagena, and I absolutely loved this hotel! It’s more affordable than some of the other luxury hotels on this list, but it still offered five-star amenities. This hotel has a beautiful interior courtyard, a rooftop pool and lounge area, free breakfast, and a toucan mascot that roams freely!
This hotel is in a great location in Cartagena’s Walled City within walking distance of everything. I would definitely stay here again on a future visit to Cartagena, and I highly recommend this hotel.
Hotel Santa Catalina
Hotel Santa Catalina is another luxury hotel in Cartagena at a good price. It has a more modern feel inside, with rooms that lack some of the wonderful character that hotels in Cartagena tend to have.
But it’s still a good place to stay if you’re looking for somewhere with great amenities like a rooftop swimming pool, free breakfast every morning, and a great location in the Old Town of Cartagena.
La Passion by Masaya
La Passion by Masaya is a funky and eclectic boutique hotel in Cartagena. The hotel offers a rooftop pool, hot tub, and sun terrace, chic and stylish decor, and free breakfast served in the courtyard each morning.
In addition to having a central location in the Walled City of Cartagena, La Passion by Masaya also offers tours to the nearby Rosario Islands and Baru Islands, making it easy to plan a day trip.
Casa India Catalina
Casa India Catalina is one of the best places to stay on a budget in Cartagena. This hotel offers budget-friendly private rooms, includes free breakfast, and has an excellent central location.
There’s also a swimming pool and lounge area located inside the beautiful interior courtyard.
República Hostel Cartagena
If you’re on a budget, República Hostel Cartagena is by far the best place to stay. This top-rated hostel is located in the heart of Cartagena’s Old Town and is known for being clean, comfortable, and stylish.
Guests will enjoy a beautiful interior courtyard, a swimming pool, and an on-site bar. This is a great place to stay if you’re looking for an affordable yet stylish hostel in the heart of the Walled City.
Where to Stay in the Walled City of Cartagena, Colombia
This guide showed you the best hotels in Cartagena Walled City.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Best luxury: Ananda Hotel Boutique
- Best mid-range: Hotel Bantu
- Best budget: Casa India Catalina
- Best hostel: República Hostel Cartagena
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Cartagena!
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