Hosting in Cartagena, from someone who does it.

Getsemaní, Centro or Bocagrande?

Getsemaní is the lively, colorful neighborhood next to the walled city, full of street life and small restaurants. Guests love it; some are surprised by the noise and the characters. The Centro (the walled city) is more polished and more expensive to buy. Bocagrande has high-rise apartments with sea views and building amenities, and a different kind of guest. Choose the neighborhood for the guest you want.

What do guests judge in Cartagena?

Heat first. Air conditioning in every bedroom, and clear rules to switch it off when leaving or opening windows. Then hot water that works, wifi fast enough for video calls, a safe, and water in the fridge on arrival. Small things like a note about sunscreen and small bills for taxis make guests feel looked after.

How do you check in guests on a colonial street?

Taxi drivers know streets by their local names, not always by the official address. Give both, plus a well-known landmark and a visual cue, like the color of the door. A taxi from the airport to Getsemaní typically costs 15,000 to 25,000 pesos. Two code locks, one on the street door and one on the apartment, mean guests can arrive at any hour.

What about power and water cuts?

In the old city, cables mostly run above ground. Power cuts of 30 minutes to 3 hours happen, especially with rain and around Christmas when the city lights load the grid. Water outages happen a few times a month. Tanks, emergency lights and honest guest communication turn this into "part of the Cartagena experience" instead of a one-star review.

How does it work with us?

We host three apartments in Getsemaní ourselves. For Cartagena clients we can add an on-site visit, and help you find and brief a local team.

Rules change. Confirm with a local lawyer or accountant before you act.