Best Value Hotels in Cartagena

Travelers looking for a low-key, budget hotel in Bocagrande needn’t look further than Hotel San Martin Cartagena. The 40-room three pearl property is situated in the middle of Bocagrande, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars, and the beach, and is a 10-minute cab ride from Cartagena’s historic walled city. Rooms are sparse and bathrooms are small, but all the necessities -- TV, AC, and free Wi-Fi -- are present. Plus, the hotel serves free daily breakfast on its charming front patio. 

A member of Colombia’s mid-range Dann Hotels chain, Hotel Dann Cartagena is a solid pick for Cartagena vacationers. The high-rise building is located directly on the beach in a quiet section of Bocagrande, making it ideal for families or couples seeking a relaxing getaway. The hotel’s 80 rooms feature modern decor with a tropical flair, and are equipped with nice amenities like flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and fully stocked minibars. Hotel Dann has a beautiful beachfront pool, a contemporary restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and event space that can be used for conferences or large functions. Freebies include daily breakfast and Wi-Fi.

The Holiday Inn Express Cartagena Bocagrande is a mid-range hotel that punches above its weight. Modern rooms are spacious and equipped with great amenities, plus there’s a rooftop pool, a fitness center, a small spa, and even a tiny mini market in the lobby. The hotel also has over 250 square feet of meeting space and can host events for up to 140 people. From the Holiday Inn Express, guests can easily walk to shops, restaurants, bars, and the beach, or take a 10-minute taxi ride to Cartagena’s historic walled city. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free for all guests, but some complain that breakfast options lack variety. 

For a mid-range hotel, it doesn’t get much better than the Hampton by Hilton Cartagena. The property is within walking distance of all that Bocagrande has to offer, and features fun, modern decor throughout. Amenities include a rooftop pool, a small fitness center, and communal computers in the lobby. Plus free breakfast and Wi-Fi are definite perks. The only pitfall is that rooms are small, and can feel tight on space.

Part of a popular South American hostel chain, El Viajero Cartagena Hostel is a budget-friendly property with 32 rooms. El Viajero can accommodate up to 100 guests in its six-, eight-, and 12-person dorms, as well as several private rooms. Twenty- and thirtysomethings from all over the world flock to El Viajero for its prime location within Cartagena’s walled city, excellent activities schedule, and rock-bottom rates. Plus freebies like breakfast and Wi-Fi, and excellent on-site security, make this place a no-brainer for backpackers. However, travelers interested in booking a private room should note that only some private rooms have bathrooms, and a few are located in an annex down the street from the main property. 

Hotel Playa Club is a budget-friendly hotel located smack in the middle of Bocagrande, Cartagena’s popular shopping, nightlife, and entertainment district. The hotel is situated across the street from the beach, and is within walking distance of restaurants, bars, casinos, and shopping malls. Rooms are simply decorated, but they’re clean, and different types can accommodate families, couples, or solo travelers. Street-facing rooms can be loud at night, and the water pressure in the showers is dismal, but free breakfast and Wi-Fi are definite perks.

Located in a residential neighborhood, the stylish Hotel Cabrero Mar would be easy to mistake for an apartment building. For a mid-range property, the 14 rooms are impressively sleek and modern, with bright orange accents and high-tech features, such as large wall-mounted smart TVs and automatic blackout shades, plus well-stocked minibars and sleek bathrooms with rainfall walk-in showers. The hotel’s two apartments have full kitchens and separate living spaces -- a good choice for families, groups, and guests on extended stays. Though it doesn’t have a pool, Cabrero Mar has an eighth-floor terrace with a large hot tub and awesome ocean views. Freebies include daily breakfast and fast Wi-Fi, along with 24-hour reception. The hotel is located one block from the beach and is a five-minute drive from both the airport and the historic walled city. There is little within walking distance, but all in all, Cabrero Mar offers great bang for the buck.

Zalmedina Hotel is a quiet boutique hotel in the middle of lively Bocagrande. The budget-friendly hotel's 50 stylish rooms are equipped with amenities like flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, but bathrooms are tiny, and some rooms are subject to lots of street noise at night. Zalmedina’s location -- one block from the beach and within walking distance of tons of shops, bars, and restaurants -- attracts all types of travelers, from families with children to backpackers to couples. There are two on-site conference rooms, and the hotel draws many business travelers. With perks like free breakfast and Wi-Fi, many guests can overlook the hotel’s minor wear and tear.

Travelers who don’t care about aesthetics or amenities will find great value at Hotel Stil Cartagena, a 100-room budget hotel on the outskirts of Cartagena’s historic walled city. Housed in a 1970s-era 10-story building, Hotel Stil isn’t the prettiest on the block, and its interiors aren’t impressive either. Drab, dated rooms have tube TVs and spartan furnishings, and bathrooms lack hot water. The restaurant looks like a summer camp mess hall and serves mediocre food in mass quantities like it is one. The hotel’s claustrophobic, unfathomably slow elevators might be a deal-breaker for some (yes, they’re that bad), but freebies like breakfast and Wi-Fi and consistently rock-bottom rates still attract plenty of guests.