Empowering Escapes: Discovering Cartagena's Vibrant Energy via Solo Travel
Cartagena: one of my favorite cities in the world (after Lisbon of course)… there’s something about the vibrant colors, street performers, non-stop music, and Carribbean breeze that will breath life into you. It’s buzzing in the best way possible and I don’t know what they’re putting in the water there, but getting to bed before 3am is almost impossible. If we’re being honest it’s probably the aguardiente. (IYKYK!)
Coming off my first true solo trip, I wanted to put together an updated Cartagena guide with a focus on tips for solo travel. My previous 10 day Cartagena + Medellin guide can be found here (and it’s a good one!). Keep scrolling for more food, drink + play recs as well as my learnings from traveling to Cartagena solo.
Don’t forget you can see everything I did on my Instagram and you can always book a call with me to chat itineraries. Happy to help!
Colorful streets of Cartagena, Colombia
Catamaran ride in Cartagena, Colombia
Where to Stay
If you’re traveling solo or it’s your first time to Cartagena, you want to be inside the walled city. The historic old town of Cartagena is packed with cobbled narrow streets and colorful houses. Restaurants, bars, shopping and activities are easily walkable and there’s never a shortage of people, which is important if you’re traveling alone. I typically lean on AIRBNBs for my trips but seeing as I went alone, I decided the smart thing to do was to book a hotel. You know, just so SOMEONE was there to see me come and go every day!
If you’re looking to go the AIRBNB route, I have been saving some gorgeous places to an AIRBNB wishlist for over 2 years. There are SO many incredible places especially for large groups.
After a lot of research I booked Casa de Alba, a luxury boutique hotel with only 7 bedrooms and a gorgeous courtyard. The location was perfect; right in the thick of the liveliness ( near plaza de Bolívar) but also so serene once you get inside. They serve breakfast every AM and the hotel staff is accessible 24/7. The parent company has 3 other boutique hotels in Cartagena that all look fabulous. Other boutique hotels on my short list:
Breakfast at Casa de Alba in Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena Walled City street vendors - just outside Casa De Alba Boutique Hotel
Courtyard at Casa de Alba in Cartagena, Colombia
Room at Casa de Alba Boutique Hotel in Cartagena, Colombia
It should be noted I wasn’t working with a strict budget on this trip, so the hotel recs above are on the more expensive side. If you’re looking for something budget friendly (and with that a younger vibe) the area of Getsemani is where you want to be. It’s outside of the walled city but still walking distance in the day. Please take an Uber at night if you’re solo! Getsemani is like the Trestevere of Rome, the Venice of LA, or the Brooklyn of NY - super vibey, younger, hipper crowd. I spent a lot of time there as that’s where most of the salsa dancing is. I haven’t looked into any of the hostels in Getsemani but I’ve heard there are some really nice ones with private rooms. Most of the hostels plan group activities which is a huge plus when traveling alone!
Streets of Cartagena, Colombia
Getsemani in Cartagena, Colombia
What to do In Cartagena
There is absolutely no shortage of restaurants, shopping, experiences and night life to partake in in Cartagena. The first thing I do anytime I go to a new city (solo or not) is just walk. Walk to get a lay of the land and see what there is to discover without any intention or plan. Going into this trip I had a tentative itinerary but nothing strictly planned because my hope was I would meet people and we could adventure together. That’s exactly what happened! Also huge perk of traveling solo is that there’s really no need to make dinner reservations anywhere since you can just sit at the bar.
Traveling solo tip: lean on Airbnb Experiences to explore with locals and meet new friends. Here is my Cartagena AIRBNB experiences wishlist. I booked this rooftop cocktail tour for my first night and it set me up for success for the rest of the weekend. The tour hits all the top rooftop bars in Cartagena. I really enjoyed meeting the local host and getting his recs. He also made himself available to me to ask any Qs while I was in town which was beyond kind and gave me a sense of security knowing that I KNEW a local on the ground in Cartagena. Keep in mind you, never know who else will join an AIRBNB experience. On this one it was an older couple from Brazil who didn’t speak very much english and a woman in her 60s from Florida traveling solo. At first I was a little bummed but after we all started chatting, we quickly became buddies and it was especially nice to spend some time with another woman traveling solo. The experience ended at Alquimico (one of the 50 best bars in the world) and there I bumped into a dance friend from LA (what are the chances??) and made friends with a group of locals + Canadians traveling Cartagena for the weekend. They all ended up being my little crew for my time there!
Experiences
Cartagena AIRBNB Experience Wishlist filled with endless options from beach days, cooking classes, walking tours, dance lessons, and night life!
Viator is also a reputable place to book excursions + experiences (it’s where I booked my ATV afternoon)
Beach Clubs - I didn’t end up doing this time around but these were on my short list:
Bora Bora
Pao Pao
Islabela
Makani
Amare Beach Club
Blue Apple Beach
This website was helpful in deciphering the vibe of each beach club
Beach ATV tour in Cartagena, Colombia
Beach ATV excursion in Cartagena, Colombia
Sunset at Cafe del Mar in Cartagena, Colombia
Harbor in Cartagena, Colombia
Eats
Celele - this sat at the top of my list in 2019 and still does. It’s contemporary Caribbean cuisine and one of Latin America’s top 50 restaurants. Make sure to get resis weeks before you go!
Nía Bakery - I went twice during my trip because it’s just that delicious. The breakfast, the coffee, and the overall vibe are my happy place. If you’ve been following me for awhile and you know my style, you’ll understand the second you walk in the door. It’s also just around the corner from Casa de Alba!
Salon Tropical - located in Getsemani and the menu is expansive with meats and fish. Try the tuna tortilla and watermelon feta salad. The bar here is a great place to sit if you’re traveling solo. On the weekend they have a band that starts around 9pm.
Ceviche - if it’s available, get it. I have never had bad ceviche in Cartagena. Places I’ve eaten ceviche in Cartagena:
La Cevichería - Anthony Bourdain went here back in the day, so it gets a lot of hype but to be honest, I don't think ceviche is any better than the other places on this list
Crepes + Waffles is a popular coffee and snack chain in Colombia. I didn’t go this time around but so many locals and friends told me they love it for easy sustenance
TacoBeach is the spot to stop in and grab a no frills lunch or quick bit; great tacos and good service
Mirador is a popular rooftop bar with a delicious menu. Get the ceviche!
Cande Resaurant came as a rec from my local AIRBNB experience host. I didn’t make it there but the reviews look promising!
Street food! Eat any and all, especially the Carimañola outside of Townhouse. In both my visits to Cartagena, I have never had tummy issues eating street food. TMI but just wanted to share because I know a lot of people get nervous.
Epoca Brunch + Cocktails in Cartagena, Colombia
Streets of Cartagena, Colombia
Nia Bakery in Cartagena, Colombia
Cafe Havana in Cartagena, Colombia
Shopping
Agua De Leon - they have 3 different stores (and a resto). My favorite store is the reasort/beach one!
Loto Del Sur - this candle and body care store has as a modern yet oh-so-very Parisian aesthetic. ingredients are clean and the products are as beautiful as they are. Don’t miss their body oil!
Walk the streets around the Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena hotel - there are so many incredible boutiques including Agua Bendita, Mercedes Salazara
Honestly just walk the streets of the walled city and you will stumble upon some gorgeous upscale linen and resortwear stores
Bars + Late Night
The nightlife is nightlife-ing in Cartagena which is part of the vibrant magic of the city. If you’re not one to enjoy a late night or two, it’s definitely still possible to have an incredible time but just know that many many people are there for the nightlife. Also most rooftop bars will turn into dance clubs at some point in the evening if you stay out long enough! Here is a comprehensive list of some of the best rooftop bars in Cartagena.
Bars
Cafe del Mar is THE place to watch the sunset. Try to get a reservation because it gets very crowded starting the second they open (at 4:30pm).
Alquimico is one of the top 50 bars in the WORLD. It has 3 levels and the rooftop turns into a reggaeton dance club after 11pm. Their cocktails are incredible and you can absolutely go earlier in the night for a special experience.
Mirador is a popular rooftop bar with a delicious menu as well. Get the ceviche!
El Coro @ the Sofitel Hotel if you’re feeling fancy!
Salsa Music + Dancing
Cafe Havana - is THE salsa bar in Cartagena with live music and the most incredible vibe. There’s a cover but it’s worth every penny! I could spend 5 nights there and still not get enough. (You must check out my stories for vids!)
Tertulia
Donde Fidel
Vuelta Bajero
Clubs
La Movida is an indoor/outdoor vibe playing both house music and reggeaton. This is one of those spots that you need to make reservations or buy a table.
Seven Times is a club with multiple rooms/spaces with different vibes: rooftop, urban, burlesque, Latino and cantina. It’s a blast with a group!
If you’ve found friends or are traveling with friends, walking the Walled City and Getsmani at night is an experience in itself. There’s music coming from every corner, street performers and plazas where people congregate and hang out. The energy is truly infectious.
Cafe Havana in Cartagena Colombia
Shopping in Cartagena, Colombia
Shopping in Cartagena, Colombia
outdoor patio in Cartagena, Colombia
Traveling Solo
Why solo travel? Solo travel can be a transformative and empowering experience, offering a chance for self-discovery, adventure, and personal growth. It really is just the most incredible, freeing feeling especially for us mamas. For women embarking on a solo journey, it's essential to prioritize safety, comfort, and enjoyment. Here are some of my learnings + tips to help make your solo adventure memorable:
Research and plan ahead but leave room for flexibility and spontaneous adventures. Whether I’m traveling alone or with our family, I love leaning on AIRBNB Experiences to connect with other people and immerse myself in the culture with locals.
Research safe neighborhoods to stay in and areas to avoid, especially at night. If you can swing it, arrive in the daytime, so that you can really get your bearings; you’ll feel so much more comfortable.
Book airport transfers with your hotel
Never travel with diamonds or flashy jewelry. Even when I’m traveling Internationally with friends or my husband, I always leave my engagement ring at home. For this trip I left all my rings at home and only brought two pairs of earrings.
Invest in a secure / anti-theft travel bag or purse - I brought this money belt to Cartagena but after my first night out I realized my crossbody bag was sufficient enough. It was nice to have options though!
Always have copies of your passport saved to your phone + dropbox or google photos. Once I get to my hotel I store my passport and don’t take it out again until I leave.
Always have cash on hand in local currency. Small bills are preferred so you’re not pulling out large bills in public arenas. Personally I leave a good portion of my cash back at the hotel and only carry what I need for the day in case something where to happen and I lose my purse / get robbed / etc.
Share your itinerary with friends or family. If you have an iPhone, turn on “find my friends” for at least two people in your circle to ensure someone can always “find” you.
Because of how much travel we do, I have an international plan on my phone. If you don’t, I would consider getting one or purchasing a local SIM card or portable wifi device for constant connectivity. This isn’t the time to be relying on local cafe or hotel wifi.
Trust your instincts! If something feels off, it probably is. And be cautious of over sharing personal info with strangers (aka I’m traveling alone).
Embrace the experience! Stay open-minded and embrace new experiences, even if they push you out of your comfort zone. Take time to reflect and enjoy moments of solitude (especially you mamas!); solo travel can be a unique opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. Personally I’m very into journaling and there’s nothing like really capturing everything you’re experiencing in written form to look back months and years later.
Safety + Language Barrier
Even though I had been to Cartagena before I was definitely a little nervous about heading there solo and was pleasantly surprised with how safe I felt. Yes, there were cat calls every once in awhile (not much different than LA honesty) but overall the city was buzzing with people that I never found myself truly alone (except in my hotel) or in uncomfortable situations. At night I made sure never to walk by myself for more than a few blocks at reasonable hours (before midnight). Ubers were easily accessible and safe!
I have been learning Spanish but can confidently say I probably don’t know more than the average person who took a few years in high school haha. The language barrier wasn’t a problem. Because I’m hispanic many people assume I spoke Spanish and would start off in Spanish… once they realized it wasn’t tracking, we changed to broken English or I tried my best with google translate. I found that most menus were available in English, too!
Remember you can always book a call with me to chat itineraries. Happy to help!
Casa de Alba in Cartagena, Colombia
ATV Beach in Cartagena, Colombia
Casa de Alba in Cartagena, Colombia
New friends from Cartagena, Colombia
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Can’t believe our baby girl is 4! We threw her the cutest Cabana Club pool party to celebrate. Tap through for all the party details.