The charm of Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias is a beautiful city located on the Colombian Atlantic Coast, more precisely in the department of Bolivar. The colonial style that can be perceived in the interior of its iconic walled city, the white sand of some of its beaches, the majestic San Felipe de Barajas Castle the Rosario Islands, the modern architecture, among others. They have catapulted “the heroic city” as the number one in Colombia in the tourism sector.

The fact that Cartagena is the favorite tourist destination of foreigners who come to visit Colombia and of the locals themselves who are fascinated by this place, is not for free. On the contrary, the magic and history of Cartagena, make it an ideal place to spend a vacation, having the possibility of walking through the streets of the historic center, taking an afternoon stroll along the romantic bay of Cartagena and, in general, taking advantage of the tourist services offered there.

Find out all the THINGS TO DO IN COLOMBIA!

Lodging in Cartagena

A key point to take into account when organizing a trip is the accommodation, which will vary according to each person’s budget and specific tastes. Hotels to choose from with excellent quality of service is what abounds in a city like Cartagena. There you can find everything from very economical lodgings, such as hostels, to luxurious boutique hotels.

Once you are clear about the type of hotel you would like to choose (simple, luxurious, resort, boutique style, with or without beach, colonial or modern architecture, etc.), a new question arises: Should you look for an all-inclusive plan or should you opt for a “traditional” hotel? Answering this question implies that you take into account different factors that we are going to develop below.

What is an all-inclusive hotel?

An “all inclusive” hotel is one in which, prior to your arrival, you have contracted certain services provided by the hotel for a fixed price. This way, you don’t have to start paying separate bills for each food you eat or for accessing certain services offered by the hotel.

In a hotel of this style, you don’t have to worry that the expenses will increase in such a way that the estimated budget will be exceeded. If not, you know up front how much money you are going to pay for all your lodging.

It is very important to read in detail the policies of the all-inclusive plan you plan to purchase, because each hotel will offer you different services and, of course, there will be things that you “suppose” are included in the plan, but are not. So to avoid problems in the future, be well informed and see what your expectations and budget are.

Factors to consider when choosing a conventional hotel service or an “all inclusive”.

At the beginning, when you are looking for hotel prices, the all-inclusive hotels may seem very expensive, but in the long run, they could be cheaper or at the same level of traditional hotels.

Therefore, you should evaluate certain points before making a decision:

• Consider whether you would like to spend most of your time at the hotel, making use of the various services included in the all-inclusive package. This is very important because if, for example, you are paying for all meals and beverages without limitations, but you go out to eat outside the hotel constantly, you would be “giving away” your money and the costs of the trip will increase.
• Look carefully if the services offered by a hotel are just what you would like to enjoy on your next vacation, or if you would have to go out and buy those services separately. An example of this would be if you want to go scuba diving or hiking on a daily basis, but it is not possible to do so at the hotel. In such cases, you would have to go elsewhere and pay for those services.

Benefits of choosing an all-inclusive hotel in Cartagena:

• You will have everything you need on your vacation at hand without having to go anywhere else.
• You know for sure how much money your stay will be worth, without having to worry about the bill when you go to purchase a service (as long as it is included in the plan you contracted).
• You should not restrict your food consumption because you are thinking about money.
• You can openly enjoy the services that the hotel provides in the plan, knowing that you will not have to pay an additional cost later.
• Most of these hotels are very well located. Most of them are located in Cartagena near the sea.
• Hotel buffets usually offer a wide variety of foods. There is food for all tastes.
• Alcoholic beverages may also be drunk without restrictions.
• Recreational activities and nightly shows are usually available at all-inclusive hotels.
• You can enjoy the hotel facilities (with all their benefits) in all their splendor.

Cartagena de Indias is one of the best tourist destinations in the Americas and, therefore, has spectacular hotels at your disposal!

All inclusive hotels Cartagena

1. Hotel Estelar Playa Manzanillo:

It offers the option to pay according to the number of hours of your stay, with accommodation packages of 3 and 6 hours for you to choose according to your needs, without paying more. The hotel has direct access to La Boquilla beach, where the sea is cleaner than in other areas of Cartagena.

There you can enjoy a spa, jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath. In addition, the hotel offers recreational activities, sports, gym, music and a mini-club. All of the hotel’s swimming pools are large and open-air.

It has three restaurants where you can enjoy exquisite dishes of Colombian and international cuisine. There is also a buffet, bars and cafes.

Are you one of those who like to travel with your pet? if so, you will love this hotel because it is “pet friendly”.

2. Hotel Las Américas:

When purchasing the all-inclusive package, it includes the following: welcome cocktail for adults, breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet or a la carte. In addition, bring house wine at lunch and dinner, snack bar and unlimited international beverages.

The minibar includes 2 bottles of water and 2 soft drinks. When there are children, a cup of ice cream is toasted for them.

For those traveling with children, this hotel is an excellent choice because it offers recreational activities and a video game room. There are a total of six styles of pools to enjoy, some designed for children and others for adults.

Also, the hotel has at its guests’ disposal four hundred meters of beach, where water sports and marine activities can be practiced.

3. Hotel Decameron Cartagena:

It is located in the exclusive area of Bocagrande, right in front of the sea, so you have the beach just a step away.

The view from the hotel allows you to enjoy the beautiful bay of Cartagena and appreciate the contrast that arises from the mix of modern buildings and the old style part of the city.

At Decameron, the “all inclusive” service brings with it:

• Breakfast and lunch buffet with unlimited consumption.
• A la carte meals in restaurants offering international dishes.
• Snacks at two different times during the day and evening.
• Unlimited alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.
• Daily activity program for adults and children.
• Beach and pool towels.
• Wi-Fi Internet
• Safety box
• Evening entertainment every night.
• Wi-Fi internet service only in public areas.
• A la carte restaurant in the walled sector.
• Nursing.

4. Radisson Hotel:

First, it should be clarified that the service as such is not all-inclusive, but a special “all inclusive” plan is offered.

It is located in Cartagena in front of the sea in the sector of La Boquilla, so you have the beach at your disposal without having to go anywhere else to enjoy the Caribbean Sea. Likewise, when you want to go to the Old City (which is a historical heritage site), to visit places such as the Clock Tower, the Customs Square or the Santo Domingo Square, you only have to take a cab to be there in 15 minutes.

The hotel has swimming pools for children and adults, which are located on an outdoor terrace, which in turn offers a spectacular view of the sea in this part of the Caribbean Region of Colombia. In addition, in the same area of the hotel, there are several hot tubs.

The beach bar will offer you cold drinks whenever you wish. The hotel also has a gym, spa, hairdressing salon and laundry facilities. For transportation to the Rafael Núñez International Airport (Cartagena), there is no need to worry, as the Radisson staff will arrange your transfer by cab.

5. Hotel Decameron Barú:

This hotel is located 75 minutes from Cartagena. Part of the magic of this resort lies in the fact that it is in the middle of a tropical rainforest environment, with spectacular beaches all around and a lot of biodiversity.

Perhaps the biggest attraction you will see when staying in a hotel like this, is being able to swim in a sea of crystal clear waters and white sand.

As a novelty, Decameron Barú offers a service called “all inclusive plus”, which is more exclusive than its traditional all-inclusive plan. Benefits include (among others):

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet with unlimited consumption.
• Non-motorized water sports (kayaking, sea bikes, canoes, catamarans, windsurfing and surfing).
• Mini diving course in the swimming pool.
• Theater shows.
• Entertainment activities.
• Nursing service.

Find out what other hotels are located in Baru Beach, in our blog “Isla Baru Colombia Hotels”.

6. Cartagena Plaza Hotel:

It is located in the prestigious Bocagrande neighborhood, only 10 minutes away from the Old City and right in front of the facilities is the beach.

• The hotel pool is located on the 18th floor, with a spectacular panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea, the walled city and part of the bay of Cartagena.
• Nursing services are available free of charge.
• For those traveling with children, there is something they will love and that is the babysitting service, which must be requested 24 hours in advance.
• All rooms are of superior and premium category with view to the sea or to the modern part of the city.
• Free Wi-Fi service is available in all areas of the hotel.

7. Capilla del Mar Hotel:

It is right in front of Bocagrande beach, where you will see the Caribbean Sea in all its splendor. It belongs to the Las Américas hotel group.

• From the balconies of the rooms there is a view of the sea and the walled city.
• It has two restaurants and a modern bar with panoramic views.
• Guests have at their disposal meeting rooms, a solarium pool on the top floor of the skyscraper and a wellness center.
• In the surrounding area there are numerous commercial establishments and more restaurants.
• It is at a distance of two kilometers from the old city of Cartagena.
• There is a tennis court, mini-golf, gymnasium, handicraft store, dance and cooking classes, catering service, among others.
• Pets are welcome.

8. Dorado Plaza Hotel:

It was inaugurated in 1973 and is located in the Bocagrande neighborhood in front of the sea.

Within the all-inclusive plan, you can enjoy an exquisite gastronomy, a variety of liquors and tropical cocktails. On weekends, guests can be entertained with evening shows.

It is located 15 minutes from the Rafael Núñez International Airport and 5 minutes from the historic center.

In the area where it is located, there are casinos, shopping malls and stores of recognized brands.

There you will be able to enjoy:

• Solarium type swimming pool.
• Non-motorized water sports can be practiced and there are entertainment activities for children and adults.
• There is a travel agency in the hotel lobby, where you can purchase different tours to get to know the city of Cartagena in detail.
• Buffet and a la carte restaurant with national and international cuisine. Also, you can find themed buffet dinners every day.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS

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