Cartagena neighborhoods: what you will find in each
Tu Guía Cartagena covers 14 neighborhoods in Cartagena, Colombia, from the Old Town, Getsemaní and Bocagrande to busy local areas like Olaya Herrera and El Pozón. Each one has its own page with businesses by category.
Centro Histórico
The walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Restaurants, boutique hotels, museums, plazas and craft shops.
Getsemaní
A traditional neighborhood next to the Old Town, around Plaza de la Trinidad. Murals, hostels, street food and nightlife.
Bocagrande
A peninsula on the Caribbean with beaches, high-rise apartments, hotels and shops.
Castillogrande
A residential area next to Bocagrande, on the bay, with a waterfront walkway.
El Laguito
The tip of Bocagrande: hotels and vacation apartments on the beach.
Manga
A residential island with early-20th-century houses, marinas and docks. The cruise terminal is here.
Crespo
The neighborhood next to Rafael Núñez airport, with a beach and hotels.
La Boquilla
A fishing village north of the city, with beaches, beach shacks and mangroves.
Serena del Mar
A new urban development in the north, home to Serena del Mar Hospital and housing projects.
Pie de la Popa
The neighborhood at the foot of La Popa hill and its convent.
Olaya Herrera
Fenalco, the retail association, lists it among Cartagena's neighborhoods with the most local businesses: corner stores, mini-markets, salons and services.
El Pozón
Fenalco, the retail association, lists it among Cartagena's neighborhoods with the most local businesses: corner stores, mini-markets, salons and services.
San Fernando
Fenalco, the retail association, lists it among Cartagena's neighborhoods with the most local businesses: corner stores, mini-markets, salons and services.
Ternera
Fenalco, the retail association, lists it among Cartagena's neighborhoods with the most local businesses: corner stores, mini-markets, salons and services.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage List; neighborhoods with the most local businesses, Fenalco via El Universal (July 2026).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Cartagena?
It depends on your trip. The Old Town and Getsemaní put you within walking distance of restaurants and museums; Bocagrande, El Laguito and Castillogrande have beaches and high-rises; Manga is residential and next to the cruise terminal.
Where is the Cartagena cruise terminal?
On Manga island. The Old Town is a short taxi ride away.
Which neighborhood is closest to Cartagena airport?
Crespo, right next to Rafael Núñez International Airport, with a beach and hotels.
Is Getsemaní a good place for nightlife?
Yes. Getsemaní, next to the Old Town, is known for its murals, street food and bars around Plaza de la Trinidad.