Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand

★★★ ⭐ 4.6 / 5 · 6,667 reviews 📍 Cra. 1 #2–87, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia Typical check-in 15:00 · check-out 11:00
📅 Add your stay dates →
ℹ️ Aviso de dados: A informação é obtida a partir de dados públicos, análises de IA e fontes da Internet. Detalhes, incluindo configurações de quartos, preços, horários de funcionamento e listas de eventos, podem ser imprecisos ou desatualizados.

️ A sua estadia

Previsão ao vivo para suas datas · o que é · Qualidade do ar & pólen

📅 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 propriedade

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

⭐ 4.6 / 5 · 6,667 reviews

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

️Crônicas da cidade

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.

️ Melhor época para visitar

O guia completo

Os Melhores Meses

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.

Orçamento da Temporada

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.

Tempo e embalagem

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.

Briefing ao vivo da cidade

  • 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-generated

Before 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.

How to request your preferred room:
  1. Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
  2. Add a note in your booking comments field
  3. Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available

Instalações do Hotel

📶
Wi-Fi

Free basic (2 Mbps); premium tier COP 15,000/24h (10 Mbps) – login via room code

🛗
Lift / Elevator

Single historic lift serves main building all 4 floors; no lift to rooftop terrace (stairs only)

📰
Media & Newspapers

Digital copy of El Universal (Colombia) via lobby QR code; no physical papers

🕒
Check-in / Check-out

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

🧳
Baggage Storage

Complimentary secure storage (receive tag), accessible during 09:00–18:00

Accessibility

Step-free access at main entrance; wheelchair-accessible rooms on ground floor only; no platform lift to pool/restaurant area

🅿️
Parking

No on-site parking; nearest public lot 'Parqueadero Centro' (Calle 34 #4-30) COP 25,000/night; no EV charging

Taxas, Taxas e Depósitos

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 nas proximidades

  • Place of worship: Iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)

Estilo de vida e recreação local

🛍️
Shopping

Centro Comercial La Mansión — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk

🚶
Walking & Running

Parque Flanagan — 443 m · ~6 min walk

5 minutos de rádio essencial

🏧
Nearest ATM

Davivienda — 543 m · ~7 min walk

💊
Nearest Pharmacy

Droguería Alemana — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk

🚉
Nearest Transit

BUS.T103 — 462 m · ~6 min walk

Dinheiro e moeda

Get a travel card →
💵
Local currency

Colombian Peso, COP

🏦
Where to exchange

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.

💳
Cards & contactless

Credit/debit cards widely accepted in restaurants, hotels, and larger shops; but many smaller vendors and taxis prefer cash; contactless is increasingly common.

🪙
Tipping etiquette

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 e Viajar em um Orçamento

Cheap car hire →
Cheap coffee

Typical tinto (small black coffee) from a street stall or bakery: COP 1,500-2,500.

🥪
Best-value lunch

Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink, dessert) in a local eatery: about COP 15,000-22,000.

🍝
Affordable dinner

A main dish (e.g., bandeja paisa, grilled fish) at a casual restaurant: about COP 20,000-35,000.

🌮
Street food & cheap eats

Arepas, empanadas, and fresh fruit juices from street stalls in Getsemaní and near the Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj) are cheap and filling.

🛒
Budget groceries

Supermarket chains like Éxito, Olímpica, and Ara are common in the 130001 area.

👕
Affordable clothes

Affordable clothing is found at local markets (e.g., Mercado de Bazurto) and street vendors near Avenida San Martín.

🎫
Cheapest way around

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.

💡
Money-saving tips

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.

O ano é bom de saber

🔌
Plugs & power

Type A/B · 110V

🚰
Tap water

safe in cities

💱
Currency

$1 ≈ COP 3550.11 · COP

🚨 Emergency Contacts

Cartagena
🚔
Police
123
🚑
Ambulance / Medical
125
🚒
Fire Department
119

112

💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.

🍽️ Where to Eat

Reserve on OpenTable →
1
PizzUp Local
££
🚶 3 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
2
Restaurante Las Playas Local
££
🚶 6 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
3
Cocina Local Local
££
🚶 9 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
4
Moon Blue Restaurante Local
££
🚶 12 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
5
Sancho Local
££
🚶 15 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
6
Pizzeria Amadía Local
££
🚶 18 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
7
El Buen Gusto Local
££
🚶 21 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
8
Feisole Pizzeria Local
££
🚶 24 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome

💡 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 walkpharmacy · Droguería Alemana — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk

🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →

Vá ao redor

Book trains →
🚕
Local Taxi (City Ride) 10,000-15,000 COP

Centro Histórico (Walled City) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros

15 min · On demand · 24/7

💡 Negotiate the fare before starting the ride; use short-distance flat rates.

🚌
Transcaribe Bus (Airport Route) 2,500 COP

Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) - Bus Stop → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros (Nearest stop: Portal de los Morros)

35 min · Every 10–15 minutes · 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM

💡 Buy a prepaid Transcaribe card at the station; exact change not required.

🚌
Transcaribe Bus (City Line) 2,500 COP

Centro Histórico (Stop: La Matuna) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros (Stop: Portal de los Morros)

30 min · Every 10–12 minutes · 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM

💡 Use the Transcaribe app for real-time routes; buses have air conditioning.

🚕
Airport Taxi (Aeropuerto Internacional Rafael Núñez) 20,000-30,000 COP

Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros

20 min · On demand · 24/7

💡 Take a yellow taxi from the official taxi stand outside arrivals; avoid unmarked cabs.

Perguntas Frequentes

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.

️ Principais atrações

Plaza de la Aduana Free

💡 Bring water and a hat as shade is limited.

Getsemani Neighborhood Free

💡 Explore Plaza de la Trinidad in the evening for live music and food stalls.

Walled City and Historic Center Free

💡 Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds.

Museo de la Inquisición

💡 Allocate about 1-2 hours; entrance fee is around $5 USD.

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

💡 Go on a guided tour for fascinating historical insights; weekday mornings are less crowded.