If you’re looking for a unique and affordable tropical vacation destination for this summer, look no further than Cartagena, Colombia.
This colorful colonial city located right on the Caribbean coast of Colombia is one of the trendiest destinations of the summer.
According to recent data from travel booking platform Hopper, Cartagena is the fourth most searched international travel destination this summer. And it’s also really affordable, making it even better for a summer getaway that won’t break the bank.
Here’s why you should add Cartagena to your travel bucket list and plan a trip ASAP:
A Unique Blend Of Cultures
I’ve traveled to almost every country in South America, and I’ve never been anywhere like Cartagena.
Since it’s located on the country’s Caribbean coast, it has a very different vibe compared to the rest of the country, with a very strong Caribbean influence.
But there’s also still a strong Spanish colonial influence on the city’s architecture, particularly the walled Old Town which is full of colorful old buildings and quaint cobblestone streets.
Every corner of Cartagena is an Instagram post just waiting to happen.
Just outside the Old Town, the Getsemani neighborhood is the hippest part of the city. You’ll find street art, cool bars, trendy restaurants, art galleries, and the best nightlife in the city.
Cheap Hotel Prices
Colombia in general is one of the cheapest countries in Latin America, and while Cartagena is slightly more expensive than the rest of the country, it can still be super affordable.
In fact, it’s still one of the cheapest beach destinations in Latin America.
And you can find particularly good deals on hotels in Cartagena. Based on data from Hopper, the average price per night for a hotel in Cartagena this summer is $119.
That’s more than 50% cheaper than hotels in Cancun, Mexico (the most searched destination for this summer) where hotels average $255 a night.
When I was in Cartagena, I stayed at Hotel Bantu, an amazing luxury boutique hotel in the walled Old Town for around $150 a night. This hotel had a great location in the Old Town and I loved the tropical, colonial-influenced design and decor.
And the hotel has a pet toucan that roams the property freely — how cool is that?!
Easy And Affordable To Get To
Some of the other trending destinations for this summer (like Tokyo, London, and Rome) are not as easy for Americans to travel to.
With exorbitant airfare prices this summer, some of these more far-flung destinations might be off the table for budget-conscious travelers.
The great thing about Cartagena is that flights from the U.S. tend to be very affordable. There are a few cities with nonstop flights to Cartagena, but most flight routes will have you stopping in Bogota, Colombia or Panama City, Panama first.
Based on data from Google Flights, most flights to Cartagena are under $400 round-trip from dozens of cities in the United States!
Beaches, History, Food, And Culture
Cartagena is extremely hot and humid year-round. I visited in July and I was pretty overwhelmed by the heat, but luckily there are beaches nearby where you can cool off.
The city itself has some decent beaches in the Bocagrande neighborhood (basically the Miami of Cartagena), but the best beaches are in the nearby Rosario Islands.
Taking a day trip by boat to these islands was a highlight of my time in Cartagena.
And there’s plenty more to do in the city than just beaches — exploring the historic churches, museums, and forts of the Old Town, eating your way through the city’s delicious street food, and enjoying the lively nightlife are just a few things you can look forward to in Cartagena.
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