Beach Clubs Beyond the City

Blue Apple Beach is one of those “must‑visit” escapes when you’re in Cartagena. Just a quick boat ride away, it gives you the feeling of being far removed from the city without the long trek to the Rosario Islands. Spend the day however you like: grab a spot by the pool where the animators keep the party going with music and dancing, or settle into the quieter beach area for a more laid‑back vibe. The food is tasty, the drinks keep flowing, and the whole place has a stylish, social energy that feels both welcoming and fun. Day passes include transport and use of the facilities, and lunch making it an easy day trip, but if your schedule allows, staying the night is well worth it. It’s one of the best ways to escape Cartagena’s heat and see a different side of the Caribbean coast—all without spending an hour on a boat.

Restaurants Centro Historico

Carmen is the Cartagena outpost of one of Medellín’s most celebrated restaurants, and it earns its reputation independently. Set in a stunning colonial courtyard in San Diego, a tree at the center, fairy lights overhead, and an open kitchen visible from the tables, it’s one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city. The menu is modern Colombian Caribbean with a strong focus on local seafood and ingredients. The cocktail program is exceptional. If you want something special, the tasting menu (seven or nine courses) is the move: creative, locally rooted, and memorable. A dish or two occasionally push the inventiveness a little far, but the menu rotates and the overall level is high. Everything à la carte is equally solid. Reservations essential.

Restaurants Centro Historico

Casona Vida is a beautiful brunch spot in the Centro Histórico, sister restaurant to Vida Coffee Shop, set in a stunning colonial space near the Iglesia de Santo Toribio. The menu leans toward healthier, more internationally-influenced options: the kind of brunch that appeals to visitors looking for quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation rather than a purely Colombian spread. Beautiful interior, a courtyard that feels more like a garden, and live music on weekend evenings. The Zona Norte location in Las Ramblas is equally good if you're in that part of the city. The walled city location can be a little hard to find, tucked off a side street from Plaza San Diego, so Google Maps is your friend.

Restaurants Centro Historico

Crepes & Waffles is the most Colombian restaurant in Colombia, which is a remarkable thing to say about a creperie founded in a Bogotá garage in 1980. Over 82% of its employees are women, the majority of them single mothers and heads of household, many of whom face significant barriers to employment elsewhere. The company is a certified B Corporation that pays above minimum wage, provides healthcare and housing support, and sources ingredients from small farming communities. Every meal here supports something real.

Restaurants Getsemaní

deIndias sits across from Parque Centenario, a short walk from the Clock Tower, one of those spots that feels like a proper local discovery even when you’ve been sent there by someone else. Chef José ‘El Chato’ Barbosa builds his menu around Colombian ingredients and territory, using smoking, curing, fermenting, and pickling to create dishes with real depth. The burrata starter is the one everyone comes back talking about. The rest of the menu is inventive and locally rooted, built around sharing. The cocktail program draws from their own small-batch distillery. There’s a rooftop that hosts live music, DJs, and dancing. Closed Sundays.

Restaurants Getsemaní

We haven’t made it here yet, but it’s on the short list after multiple recommendations from people whose food opinions we take seriously. A contemporary seafood spot on Carrera 10b in Getsemaní, it’s been described as a celebration of fresh Caribbean flavors in a relaxed and vibrant setting: Colombian rhythms, freshly prepared ceviches, tacos, and cocktails. Early reviews are exceptional. The spicy green ceviche in particular has come up repeatedly. Opens at 4 p.m., closed Tuesdays. We’ll update this entry after we’ve been.

Bars & Nightlife Centro Historico

Wedged into the party corridor just inside the Clock Tower entrance, between Barra 7 and Alquímico, El Pasquín de Joaco is one of those places that finds you as much as you find it. Named after Joaquín De Zubiría, a Spanish military man with a revolutionary heart who posted a war manifesto at this very location in 1810, the building carries more history than most people stopping in for a drink realize. Two floors, two different energies: the ground floor is cocktails and DJs with a more intimate feel, the second floor is a full crossover party with guest artists, light shows, and enough energy to keep you there longer than planned.

Restaurants Centro Historico

Ely Café has long been a Bocagrande favorite for those who love good coffee, fresh bites, and that effortlessly cool vibe. Now, they’ve brought the same energy to the Centro Histórico—only sleeker, more modern, and a touch more upscale. Think everything you love about Ely—brunch classics, craft drinks, warm service—just with a new downtown address and a design that feels right at home among Cartagena’s historic streets.

Restaurants Centro Historico

Ely is the kind of brunch spot you keep coming back to, not because it's flashy but because it's consistently excellent. The menu leans lighter than most spots in the city, with great salads (a genuinely rare find in Cartagena), well-prepared breakfast options, and coffee that holds up on its own. The interior has a warm library-style feel that makes it equally good for a quiet solo breakfast or a relaxed meal with friends. A great option for kids too. The walled city location is our recommendation over Bocagrande, which gets significantly more crowded on weekends. Also works well for lunch if brunch hours have passed.

Beach Clubs Beyond the City

Fénix Beach is a trendy and vibrant escape just 15 minutes by boat from Cartagena, departing from the Muelle de la Bodeguita. During the day, it offers a perfect mix of relaxation and fun with poolside lounging, great cocktails, and group activities set to an international music mix. At night, it turns romantic and enchanting, with the city skyline glowing across the bay. Day passes include several options and upgrades, but staying overnight is highly recommended since rooms are more affordable than other beach clubs and the nighttime vibe is beautiful. The northern location means the ocean water isn’t always crystal clear, but the overall experience makes it well worth visiting.

Beach Clubs Beyond the City

The boat ride is just 15 minutes, but somehow it feels like you’ve crossed an ocean. Maybe it’s the color of the water—it isn’t quite Rosario Islands turquoise, but it’s close enough that you stop caring about the difference the moment you step onto the sand. Makani feels quiet in a way Cartagena never does, like someone turned down the city’s volume knob. The staff greet you like they’ve been waiting for you all morning, and within minutes you’ve got a drink in hand and a place to settle in.