️ Tu estancia
Pronóstico en vivo para sus fechas · qué hay en · Calidad del aire y polen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Cartagena.
Esta propiedad
Socialtel Cartagena blends backpacker energy with boutique comfort, set in a restored colonial building in the Getsemaní district. Its USP is the rooftop terrace with a pool and views of the city's iconic skyline, perfect for solo travellers and digital nomads seeking social connection. Standing in the lobby, you're greeted by colourful murals, hammocks, and the buzz of guests exchanging travel tips over coffee – a vibrant, unpretentious hub for those who value community over luxury.
💬 What guests say
Guests praise Socialtel Cartagena's excellent central location in Getsemaní and commend the helpful, friendly staff, with many finding the rooms spacious and clean. However, recurring complaints highlight severe issues with mold on ceilings, bedbug infestations, and significant noise from the surrounding nightlife, making sleep difficult for some.
★★★★★“This place seems to have changed names several times and is hard to find on Google. I walked in and booked at reception. It’s currently called KIM. I found the hostel to be wonderful and I don’t usually do hostels. The rooms were spacious and clean, bathrooms modern and with good showers and hot water. Best of all was ”
— Mel, 11 months ago
★“We were looking forward to this place but the excitement did not last long. We booked a female dorm. The room was very small for 6 people, there was a lot of mold on the ceiling. At least we were able to switch to another room, but it also had some mold on the ceiling.”
— Jo-Marie Schmid, 11 months ago
★“Do you know that feeling… that you arrive in Cartagena Socialtel for a well deserved vacation in that one amazing hostel you have been working for at home? No me neither: indeed, this was an embarrassing disaster. We arrived, all seemed okay, until my girlfriend found out about some blue spots in the mattress, together”
— M Strijp, a year ago
★“This was one of the worst hostel stays we've ever at. We stayed at Socialtel in Cartagena and around midnight, we started noticing bites that seemed like they were from BEDBUGS. It was absolutely disgusting and made it impossible to sleep. We went to the reception at 12 AM and were moved to a "better" room, but the pr”
— Maud Meertens, a year ago
️Crónicas de la ciudad
Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia, quickly becoming a key port for gold and silver exports and a target for pirates, prompting the construction of formidable city walls in the 16th–18th centuries. Its architectural evolution blends Spanish colonial, Republican, and Caribbean influences, with pastel facades, wooden balconies, and cobbled streets in the Walled City. Contemporary Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for its Afro-Colombian heritage, vibrant salsa scene, and role as a gateway to the Rosario Islands.
️ Mejor época para visitar
La guía completaLos mejores meses
December–February and July: dry, sunny days with lower humidity and fewer rain showers, plus manageable crowd levels compared to peak holiday periods.
🔥 Peak / Festival Surge
January (festival season) and March–April (Semana Santa/Easter): hotels often double in price; major events include the Cartagena International Music Festival in January and the Independence Day celebrations in November.
El presupuesto de la temporada
May and November: offer discounted rates, milder temperatures, and occasional brief rains, ideal for budget-conscious travellers seeking fewer tourists.
Tiempo y embalaje
Cartagena's climate is consistently hot and humid year-round, with a 'dry' season (Dec–Apr) and 'wet' season (May–Nov). Pack lightweight, breathable cotton clothing, a reusable water bottle, and a sturdy umbrella or rain jacket for sudden tropical downpours.
Briefing en vivo de la ciudad
- Cartagena's public transport system has added a new bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor linking the airport to the historic centre, reducing travel time to 20 minutes.
- A new 'Getsemaní Art Walk' launched in May 2026, featuring 15 murals and pop-up galleries, boosting the neighbourhood's already vibrant street art scene.
- The city implemented a 'no single-use plastics' ordinance in 2025, so expect eco-friendly alternatives at shops and restaurants; bring a reusable bag for beach days.
🏨 Room Intelligence
✨ AI-generatedBefore you check in to Socialtel Cartagena, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor away from the elevator and street to minimize noise and enhance comfort.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lobby, bar, or street frontage to reduce exposure to noise from common areas and traffic.
Best views
Higher floors facing away from main roads often provide better, more tranquil views.
Quietest floors
Upper floors typically offer more quiet, away from street-level activity and common facilities.
🔊 Noise notes
Internal noise from hallways and adjacent rooms can occur; a room away from elevator and stairwells is advised.
💡 Insider tips
Book directly with the hotel to potentially secure a quieter room or upgrade. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons for lower rates and less noise.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Instalaciones hoteleras
Free high-speed WiFi (15 Mbps) throughout; no login or password required
No elevator; all rooms on upper floors accessed by stairs (historic building)
Digital newsstand via PressReader (free) in common areas; no physical newspapers
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop available (free); late check-out until 13:00 for COP 40,000 (subject to availability)
Complimentary luggage storage at reception for same-day before/after check-in
No step-free access; wheelchair entry not possible due to multiple steps at entrance and no lift; not suitable for mobility-impaired guests
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parqueadero La Casa (Calle del Busto) at COP 15,000 per 12 hours; no EV charging
Tarifas, Impuestos y Depósitos
City / tourist tax: COP 18,000 per person per night for domestic guests; international guests are exempt
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required for non-refundable rates; refundable rates require COP 50,000 incidental hold at check-in (credit/debit card)
Faith & Dietary cerca
- Place of worship: Iglesia de la Tercera Orden (161 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de la Trinidad (288 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de San Roque (556 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de San Pedro Claver (590 m · ~7 min walk)
Estilo de vida y recreación local
Pasaje Lecrerc — 114 m · ~1 min walk
El Pozo — 283 m · ~4 min walk
Museo de la Esmeralda — 575 m · ~7 min walk
Teatro Adolfo Mejía — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
5 minutos de radios esenciales
Nearest — 65 m · ~1 min walk
Droguería del Norte — 620 m · ~8 min walk
Tiende Donyan — 269 m · ~3 min walk
BUS.T103 — 876 m · ~11 min walk
Dinero y moneda
Get a travel card →Colombian Peso, COP
Use ATMs inside banks or official exchange houses (casas de cambio) in the Old Town; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux due to poor rates.
Credit/debit cards widely accepted in restaurants, hotels, and larger shops; but many smaller vendors and taxis prefer cash; contactless is increasingly common.
10% tip in restaurants is customary (often automatically added for groups); small change for taxi drivers (round up or COP 2,000-5,000); hotel porters COP 5,000-10,000 per bag.
Comer, comprar y viajar en un presupuesto
Cheap car hire →Typical tinto (small black coffee) from a street stall or bakery: COP 1,500-2,500.
Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink, dessert) in a local eatery: about COP 15,000-22,000.
A main dish (e.g., bandeja paisa, grilled fish) at a casual restaurant: about COP 20,000-35,000.
Arepas, empanadas, and fresh fruit juices from street stalls in Getsemaní and near the Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj) are cheap and filling.
Supermarket chains like Éxito, Olímpica, and Ara are common in the 130001 area.
Affordable clothing is found at local markets (e.g., Mercado de Bazurto) and street vendors near Avenida San Martín.
Cheapest way: public bus (Transcaribe) for COP 2,100 per ride; from the airport (Rafael Núñez), take a shuttle bus (COP 8,000) or a shared taxi (colectivo) for about COP 15,000.
1) Eat at local 'menú del día' spots for lunch, not tourist restaurants. 2) Use Transcaribe buses instead of taxis. 3) Avoid buying water at tourist shops; buy from any grocery or street kiosk for half the price.
El año nuevo es bueno saber
Type A/B · 110V
safe in cities
$1 ≈ COP 3550.11 · COP
🍽️ Where to Eat
Reserve on OpenTable →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Cartagena, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
🛬 Your arrival
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 65 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Droguería del Norte — 620 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →En torno a
Book trains →Centro Histórico (Walled City) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros
💡 Negotiate the fare before starting the ride; use short-distance flat rates.
Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) - Bus Stop → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros (Nearest stop: Portal de los Morros)
💡 Buy a prepaid Transcaribe card at the station; exact change not required.
Centro Histórico (Stop: La Matuna) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros (Stop: Portal de los Morros)
💡 Use the Transcaribe app for real-time routes; buses have air conditioning.
Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros
💡 Take a yellow taxi from the official taxi stand outside arrivals; avoid unmarked cabs.
Preguntas frecuentes
What are the best rooms at Socialtel Cartagena?
Request a room on a higher floor away from the elevator and street to minimize noise and enhance comfort.
Which rooms should I avoid at Socialtel Cartagena?
Avoid rooms near the lobby, bar, or street frontage to reduce exposure to noise from common areas and traffic.
Is Socialtel Cartagena noisy?
Internal noise from hallways and adjacent rooms can occur; a room away from elevator and stairwells is advised.
Which rooms have the best views at Socialtel Cartagena?
Higher floors facing away from main roads often provide better, more tranquil views.
What are insider tips for staying at Socialtel Cartagena?
Book directly with the hotel to potentially secure a quieter room or upgrade. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons for lower rates and less noise.
What time is check-in at Socialtel Cartagena?
Check-in at Socialtel Cartagena is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does Socialtel Cartagena have Wi-Fi?
Free high-speed WiFi (15 Mbps) throughout; no login or password required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Socialtel Cartagena?
COP 18,000 per person per night for domestic guests; international guests are exempt
Where can I eat cheaply near Socialtel Cartagena?
Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink, dessert) in a local eatery: about COP 15,000-22,000.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Socialtel Cartagena?
Cheapest way: public bus (Transcaribe) for COP 2,100 per ride; from the airport (Rafael Núñez), take a shuttle bus (COP 8,000) or a shared taxi (colectivo) for about COP 15,000.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
December–February and July: dry, sunny days with lower humidity and fewer rain showers, plus manageable crowd levels compared to peak holiday periods.
️ Top atracciones
💡 Explore Plaza de la Trinidad in the evening for live music and food stalls.
💡 Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds.
💡 Allocate about 1-2 hours; entrance fee is around $5 USD.
💡 Go on a guided tour for fascinating historical insights; weekday mornings are less crowded.