Cartagena has long been a favorite for backpackers traveling through Colombia and Latin America looking for a slice of its Caribbean and historic charm. For those looking for backpacker hostels in Cartagena, read on to see my picks for the best hostels in Cartagena, Colombia.
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Top 11 Best Hostels in Cartagena, Colombia – Introduction
One of the great things about Cartagena is even as it has grown into a better known destination, including sporting some world class luxury hotels and gorgeous boutique hotels, it has remained friendly to those traveling on a budget as well. Whether backpackers trekking through Colombia, solo travelers looking to make friends, or families and groups looking for budget accommodations, hostels make great choices for budget minded travelers to Cartagena.
Cartagena has plenty of Hostel options as well with choices ranging from more upscale, luxury style boutique hostels to cheaper, budget hostels. Many are also located in prime locations in the neighborhoods of the historic Centro and Getsemaní (my top choices for the best areas to stay). In this post, I’ll be giving you some choices for the best hotels in Cartagena with a top 11 Cartagena hostels list.
This is a top 11 because, well, everyone does top 10s, 11 has a special significance for Cartagena since it declared its independence on November 11, 1811 (11/11/11), and I think you deserve just a bit more.
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1. Casa Movida – Top Luxury Hostel in Cartagena
Located a block from Cartagena’s iconic clocktower, Casa Movida was renovated in 2020. It has a lovely pool, a co-working room, a kitchen, a bar, and a pool table. There are dorms as well as privates available here, and for those looking for the community experience of a Cartagena hostel without giving up comfort, it makes for a great option, topping this list of best hostels in Cartagena.
2. The Clock Hostel and Suites – Great Cartagena Party Hostel
The Clock Pub is one of Cartagena’s better known expat and traveler bars. Their sister hostel is located a block away, just a stone’s throw from the Clocktower and in the heart of the Walled City. There is a private here as well as larger dorms that offer cubicles, including double beds that offer a good blend of privacy if and when you want it as well as being a good value. That lands it second on this list of best Cartagena hostels.
3. Santuario Hostel – Best Blend of Size and Privacy
Santuario Hostel is one of the newest hostels in Cartagena. Located near the entrance to the Walled City at the India Catalina Statue, it offers easy access to the historic center as well as Getsemaní. The beds here are in their own little square cubicles, complete with 3 walls, night tables, and blackout curtains. The nice common areas and great view of the Castillo San Felipe allow for another nice blend between community and privacy, landing it high on this list of the nicest hostels in Cartagena, Colombia.
4. Casa del Pozo – Best Relaxed Boutique Hostel
Located in Getsemaní, very close to the popular hangout spot of Plaza de la Trinidad, Casa del Pozo, has a pretty property that makes a great choice for backpackers looking to enjoy the most vibrant area of Cartagena as well as those looking for peace and quiet. There’s a small pool on site and dorms as well as privates are available at this top Cartagena, Colombia hostel.
5. Media Luna – The Original Party Hostel in Cartagena
Hostel Media Luna was one of the first backpacker and Cartagena party hostels. Located in Getsemaní on the Calle Media Luna, it is close to some of the best nightlife in the city and only a short walk to the Walled City. There’s a nice little pool, recently renovated dorms, an included breakfast, and a rooftop bar here, making it another great Cartagena, Colombia hostel choice, especially for younger travelers and those looking to meet other travelers.
6. Makako – Chill Cartagena Hostel in the Walled City
Oh Makako! My first year in Colombia I worked as a volunteer teacher in Barú, very close to Playa Blanca. We volunteers usually spent the weekends in Cartagena, usually at either Makako or its sister property The Chill House (since closed). I have many a fond memory at these two places. There’s a nice common living room area with balconies overlooking the Centro, and the location is terrific. It’s also a pretty good value and advertises itself as an LGBTQ friendly Cartagena hostel and remains one of the top party hostels in Cartagena.
7. Selina – Best Digital Nomad Cartagena Hostel
Selina has a chain of properties around Colombia (see all of them here) and elsewhere in Latin America. They are a slightly more high end style hostel, and their Cartagena property has a great rooftop bar and pool overlooking the bay as well as a Co-Working space (the first in Cartagena). That makes it an especially good choice for digital nomads, but even for everyone else, including those looking for a party hostel in Cartagena or private rooms in a hostel atmosphere (there are dorms too), it definitely deserves to be in consideration for your best Cartagena, Colombia hostels choices.
Selina was nice enough to offer my readers a discount. Use the promo code CARTEXPLOR-SELINA when making your booking to get 5% off!
8. El Viajero – Great Backpacker Cartagena Hostel in Centro
Out of the places on this list of the best hostels in Cartagena, Media Luna, Makako, and El Viajero are the only ones that were around back in 2011, my first year here, and we used to stay here sometimes as well. The rooms are nice and there’s a neat little courtyard area where there is often DJs or live music, which means this makes for another good Cartagena party hostel option. With it in operation for so long, there’s little doubt it makes for a top choice for a hostel in Cartagena.
9. Maloka – Boutique Hostel in Cartagena’s Walled City
Maloka is more like a hotel than hostel. There are not dorms here but standard private rooms as well as larger family or group rooms. That makes it a good choice for families or groups looking for a bit more privacy and peace and quiet while still saving on accommodation prices. That lands it as a good choice for those looking for a Cartagena hostel closer to a hotel experience. The location is also great downtown and there’s a nice rooftop sitting area.
10. Posada Kalea – Budget Beach Hostel in Cartagena
Located on the beach in the area known as La Boquilla, just north of the airport and about a 10-15 minute taxi ride from the Walled City, Posada Kalea makes a great choice for a Cartagena hostel on the beach for those looking to be on the beach while not breaking the budget to stay at one of pricier beachfront hotels in Cartagena. They also have kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayaking, and wakeboarding. I would not recommend staying at this hostel in Cartagena your whole time as it is outside the action downtown, but combing a few relaxed nights here along with a few at one of the other places on this list of best Cartagena hostels makes a good choice for those with the time and desire to spend some time at the beach.
11. Secreto Hostel – Best Hostel in the Islands
No trip to Cartagena is complete without visiting the Rosario Islands. If you’d like to stay out in the islands without paying up for the resorts and ecolodges, Secreto Hostel makes for a great choice. It’s the only place I know of in the islands that offers dorm accommodations, and their prices are really not all that much more than you’ll pay in town. There’s a nice pool on site and it’s just a short walk to the beach. Do keep in mind you will have to pay for boat transportation, but this is by far the best budget option for staying in the islands, landing it a deserved place rounding out this list of the best hostels in Cartagena.
Best Cartagena Hostels Conclusion
There you have it, the top 11 hostels in Cartagena, Colombia. If you’re looking for a Cartagena hostel, I hope it helped you, and most importantly, you have a great time. Did you stay at one of these hostels in Cartagena or have another recommendation for the best hostel in Cartagena? Let me know in the comments!
Cheers and Happy Exploring!
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