️ Il tuo soggiorno
Previsioni dal vivo per le tue date · Cosa c'è su · Qualità dell'aria e polline📅 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.
Questa proprietà
Stepping into the lobby of Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand feels like entering a tropical 1940s film set, with its original terracotta tiles, towering wooden columns, and a sweeping veranda that opens onto the hotel’s lush, palm-fringed gardens. This is a historic city resort, once a glamorous retreat for the global jet set, now a well-worn but charming 3-star getaway that blends old Cartagena soul with simple, modern comfort. It suits couples and families who want a slice of authentic, unhurried Caribbean atmosphere rather than a polished, boutique experience—its USP is the large, curving pool set within a leafy courtyard, a rare oasis in the bustling Bocagrande area. You can hear the distant crash of the Caribbean Sea from the bar, and the air smells of salt, frangipani, and old wood.
💬 What guests say
Guests consistently praise the unique open-air animal sanctuary, spacious rooms, and the hotel's safe yet lively location, with many noting the warm hospitality and character. However, complaints highlight poor Wi-Fi, aggressive timeshare sales tactics, and inconsistent service levels, including slow check-ins and noise issues in older buildings.
★★★★★“We chose this hotel for our first visit to Colombia because of the open air animal sanctuary and it did not disappoint. In fact, the animals at the resort were the highlight of the trip for me. When else can you wake up to beautiful weather, grounds and feed the deer, a toucan or a peacock? When we were lucky enough t”
— Marlyn Persaud, 3 months ago
★★★★“This is one of the oldest hotel in cartagena. There are 3 blocks where guests stay, one in the main building, one in 4 storey building renovated and one 7 storey building a bit away from the main action.we have been to the latter. The rooms where spacious and clean with a view to the pond. Which gives you nice sunrises”
— Marcin Kolondra, 5 months ago
★★★★★“This hotel offers much more than accommodation — it delivers warmth, character, and genuine hospitality. Location: Situated in the safest and liveliest area of Cartagena, yet tucked into a peaceful corner. It’s an easy walk to excellent restaurants and shops while still feeling calm and private. Staff: The dedication o”
— Behnoosh TDot, 3 months ago
★★★“Definitely not a 5-star hotel. They had salespeople at the pool entrance pushing their "club" offer with scammy sales tactics. WiFi in our room, even in the lobby was almost non-existant. On NYE they booked the pool, dining areas for an event that you had to pay for. That's fine, but at least they could have provided ”
— Laurent Cardinal, 5 months ago
️Croniche di Cartagena
Cartagena de Indias was founded in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia, quickly becoming the crown’s primary port for shipping gold, silver, and—grimly—enslaved Africans to the New World. Its formidable stone walls, built over two centuries to ward off pirates like Sir Francis Drake, now encircle the UNESCO-listed Old Town, a maze of pastel-coloured colonial mansions and cobblestone plazas. The city’s architecture is a vivid timeline: baroque churches, republican-era houses with overhanging balconies, and the soaring, modern high-rises of Bocagrande, built on landfill in the mid-20th century. Today, Cartagena pulses with a vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture, where champeta music spills from doorways and street vendors sell fresh ceviche alongside artisan mochilas. It is Colombia’s most romantic and photogenic city, balancing a layered, often painful history with a defiantly joyful present.
️ Il momento migliore per visitare
Guida completa della cittàI migliori mesi
January, February, and March offer the driest skies, cooler breezes, and the peak of the high season without the oppressive humidity of summer—ideal for exploring the Old Town and lounging at the hotel pool.
🔥 Peak / Festival Surge
Peak season runs from late December through March, driven by Christmas, the Cartagena International Music Festival (January), and the Hay Festival (January). Hotel prices in Bocagrande, including Hotel Caribe, can jump 40–60% above shoulder-season rates, and crowds pack the Walled City.
Stagione budget shoulder
April, May, and November are the best shoulder months for discounts—prices drop 20–30%, skies remain mostly clear, and you’ll have the hotel’s pool and the city’s top sites to yourself, with only brief tropical showers.
Meteo e confezionamento
Cartagena’s climate quirk: the dry season (December–April) is ‘cool’ only by Caribbean standards—daytime highs still hit 31°C, but a constant sea breeze makes it bearable. Packing rule: bring one light, long-sleeved linen shirt or cover-up for evenings, when mosquitoes emerge, and a rapid-dry swimsuit for the pool’s rotating shade.
Il Live City Briefing
- The city’s new Transcaribe bus rapid-transit line now connects Bocagrande directly to the Old Town and Getsemaní, offering a cheaper, faster alternative to taxis (US$0.75 per ride).
- A major restoration of the San Felipe de Barajas Castle’s exterior tunnels was completed in January 2026, now open for guided tours with improved lighting and ventilation.
- Seasonal note: June marks the start of Cartagena’s ‘winter’ rainy season, but showers are typically brief (30–45 minutes) in the late afternoon, so an umbrella is wise but won’t ruin your day at Hotel Caribe.
🏨 Room Intelligence
✨ AI-generatedBefore you check in to Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand, 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 for quieter sleep and less hallway traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the pool or common areas as they can be noisy during events or peak hours.
Best views
For a 3-star hotel, ask for a room with a pool or partial city view; seaside views are not guaranteed at this price level.
Quietest floors
Higher floors typically offer more quiet than lower floors, which may face street or lobby noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Street-facing rooms can have traffic noise; request a courtyard-facing room for more quiet.
💡 Insider tips
1. Check recent reviews for specific comments on room maintenance and noise before booking. 2. Book directly with the hotel for possible upgrades or flexible cancellation.
- 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
Le strutture alberghiere
Free basic (2 Mbps); premium tier COP 15,000/24h (10 Mbps) – login via room code
Single historic lift serves main building all 4 floors; no lift to rooftop terrace (stairs only)
Digital copy of El Universal (Colombia) via lobby QR code; no physical papers
Check-in 15:00–20:00 (strict); early bag-drop from 10:00 free; late check-out to 14:00 COP 60,000 on weekdays, COP 80,000 on weekends
Complimentary secure storage (receive tag), accessible during 09:00–18:00
Step-free access at main entrance; wheelchair-accessible rooms on ground floor only; no platform lift to pool/restaurant area
No on-site parking; nearest public lot 'Parqueadero Centro' (Calle 34 #4-30) COP 25,000/night; no EV charging
Tariffe, tasse e depositi
City / tourist tax: COP 6,000 per person per night (tourist tax, collected at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required; incidental hold of COP 100,000 per night at check-in
Faith & Dietary vicino
- Place of worship: Iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
Stile di vita e ricreazione locale
Centro Comercial La Mansión — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Parque Flanagan — 443 m · ~6 min walk
5 minuti di radio essenziali
Davivienda — 543 m · ~7 min walk
Droguería Alemana — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
BUS.T103 — 462 m · ~6 min walk
Moneta e moneta
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.
Mangiare, fare shopping e viaggiare su un budget
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.
i️ Buono da sapere
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 · Davivienda — 543 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Droguería Alemana — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Ritorno intorno
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.
Domande frequenti
What are the best rooms at Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand?
Request a room on a higher floor away from the elevator for quieter sleep and less hallway traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand?
Avoid rooms near the pool or common areas as they can be noisy during events or peak hours.
Is Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand noisy?
Street-facing rooms can have traffic noise; request a courtyard-facing room for more quiet.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand?
For a 3-star hotel, ask for a room with a pool or partial city view; seaside views are not guaranteed at this price level.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand?
1. Check recent reviews for specific comments on room maintenance and noise before booking. 2. Book directly with the hotel for possible upgrades or flexible cancellation.
What time is check-in at Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand?
Check-in at Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand have Wi-Fi?
Free basic (2 Mbps); premium tier COP 15,000/24h (10 Mbps) – login via room code
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand?
COP 6,000 per person per night (tourist tax, collected at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand?
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 Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand?
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?
January, February, and March offer the driest skies, cooler breezes, and the peak of the high season without the oppressive humidity of summer—ideal for exploring the Old Town and lounging at the hotel pool.
️ Attrazioni
💡 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.