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
Get a complete itinerary with real venues, times, and budget — in seconds.
Start Planning →Get the BESTMAN HQ planning checklist + venue picks for Cartagena sent to your inbox.
We may share your details with relevant vendors and partners so they can follow up. You can opt out anytime at our Do Not Sell or Share page (or via a Global Privacy Control signal). See our Privacy Policy.