Colonial romance meets Caribbean nightlife in Colombia's jewel
Walled-city base inside Getsemaní or Centro, ceviche lunch at La Cevichería, rooftop sunset at Townhouse, dinner at Carmen, late dancing at Café Havana for live son cubano. Day-charter to the Rosario Islands — book through Bohío or a private lancha out of Muelle de la Bodeguita — lunch at Isla del Encanto. Fly CTG. Passport required, no visa for U.S.
boat cruise • 7 hours
Speed boat to Isla Baru or Cholón — snorkeling, open bar, and beach party
boat cruise • 8 hours
Private boat to Cholón floating party — the ultimate Cartagena group day
food tour • 3 hours
Guided walk through the Walled City, Getsemani murals, and Plaza Santo Domingo
scenic overlook • 4 hours
Float in a warm mud-filled volcano cone and get scrubbed by locals
bar • balanced • $$
Legendary salsa bar in Getsemani — live bands, sweaty dancing, pure magic
cocktail bar • balanced • $$$
Multi-level craft cocktail bar — speakeasy below, rooftop above
bar • unhinged • $
Champeta and reggaeton street party in Getsemani — pure Colombian energy
bar • balanced • $$
Getsemani bar with Caribbean cocktails and a young international crowd
club • unhinged • $$
High-energy club in the old city with reggaeton and salsa floors
Dress code: Upscale nightlife attire, no athletic wear
bar • chill • $
Open-air salsa bar on Plaza de los Coches — cold beer and people-watching
cocktail bar • chill • $$$
Elegant cocktail bar in a colonial building on Plaza San Diego
lounge • balanced • $$$
Upscale lounge with bottle service and a chic walled-city crowd
Dress code: Smart casual
bar • chill • $
Getsemani craft beer bar with board games and chill courtyard
rooftop • balanced • $$
Rooftop extension with old-city views and DJ sets on weekends
Dress code: Smart casual to upscale
Contemporary Colombian • $$$$ • Best for: group-dinner
Chef Rob Sobachi's daring Colombian-international fusion in a colonial mansion
Ceviche / Seafood • $$ • Best for: brunch
Anthony Bourdain's famous ceviche spot — always a line, always worth it
Colombian / Tasting Menu • $$$$ • Best for: dinner
Latin America's 50 Best — inventive tasting menu highlighting Colombian biodiversity
Traditional Colombian / Caribbean • $ • Best for: brunch
No-frills local favorite for bandeja paisa and fresh juices
Colombian Tapas • $$$ • Best for: group-dinner
Creative tapas in the old city with a gorgeous courtyard setting
Colombian / Social Enterprise • $$$ • Best for: dinner
Upscale dining staffed by former inmates — incredible food, powerful mission
Ceviche / Seafood • $$ • Best for: brunch
Getsemani ceviche counter with massive portions and fresh coconut lemonade
Colombian / Mediterranean • $$$ • Best for: group-dinner
Rooftop restaurant with colonial skyline views and craft cocktails
Seafood / Peruvian • $$$ • Best for: dinner
Peruvian-Colombian fusion seafood in a romantic old-city patio
hotel • Max 16 guests
Restored 17th-century convent with pool, spa, and old-city location
airbnb • Max 16 guests
Restored colonial mansion with rooftop plunge pool and staff included
boutique-hotel • Max 14 guests
Intimate luxury boutique in the old city with rooftop bar and pool
house • Max 12 guests
Colorful Getsemani house steps from nightlife with rooftop terrace
hotel • Max 20 guests
Modern hotel in Bocagrande with beach access and ocean-view pool
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