What are the best accommodations in Cartagena?
- Justine
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Cartagena is a stunning city, but if you stay in just one neighborhood, you risk missing the diversity of its colors, energy, and atmosphere. During my 8-day stay, I decided to do things a little differently. Instead of booking one hotel, I stayed in not one, not two, but four different accommodations across the city.
Hear me out. I know this might sound excessive, especially for travelers with kids. But as a solo female traveler, moving around allowed me to experience Cartagena from multiple perspectives, and for me, it was absolutely worth it.
I have mentioned this before, but when I travel to a new city, I love staying in hostels. They are a great way to exchange travel tips with other travelers, book affordable tours, and join excursions with like-minded people. Hostel staff are usually young, well-informed, and always know the coolest places to visit. That is why I stayed in two hostels in Cartagena: Hostel Republica and Casa Movida.
Hostel Republica
This hostel was amazing. It is located right in the city center, on a street filled with restaurants, food carts, and a nearby supermarket. It was extremely convenient without being too noisy. The hostel itself is a bit old but very spacious, with multiple seating areas where you can relax or socialize. There is a bar and a large dining area where they serve an elaborate breakfast every morning.
The hostel also organizes nightly activities such as bar crawls and dance classes, which made it easy to meet other travelers. I really enjoyed my stay there and would absolutely stay there again.
Casa Movida
Casa Movida had a much calmer and more relaxed vibe. It is modern, beautifully decorated, and very clean, but it felt noticeably quieter and less social.
When I stayed there, it didn’t seem very busy, and there were fewer communal areas to connect with other travelers. If you are looking for a peaceful hostel with a more private feel, this could be a good option.
Hotel Fragata Island House
Hotel Fragata Island House was an excellent choice for my beach experience. Since Cartagena itself is not a beach city, staying on an island was the best way for me to enjoy the sea during my trip.
There are many large resorts on islands around Cartagena, but what I loved about Fragata was its limited capacity, with a maximum of about 30 guests. I wanted peace and quiet, not crowds, and this hotel delivered exactly that. It was calm, intimate, you won’t have to fight with anyone to get a lounge chair.
Casa Carolina
If you are looking for a luxurious stay in the heart of the city, Casa Carolina is a must. It is one of the nicest hotel I have stayed at in my life. I called it my little oasis.
The bedroom was enormous, with a very comfortable bed, air conditioning, a small terrace, and a huge bathroom. The hotel also had a pool with a terrace and comfortable lounging chairs where I could stretch and relax. There was a study area where I worked, as well as an indoor fountain that added to the peaceful atmosphere. The property is truly beautiful.
The only downsides were the breakfast, which was disappointing, and the noise in the evening.
The hotel is located near Catedral de Santa Catalina, where street performances often take place. You can hear musicians and artists at night, which may bother light sleepers. However, I would still go back to this hotel. Since I last stayed they change the name of it (it was called Casa Pombo before), they renovated the suites, they have a wellness center and they seemed to have improved their menu,
Which accommodation would you pick? I have room tour videos, let me know if you want me to drop them on my IG page.
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