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Best Food in Cartagena (2026)
Begin your culinary tour in the walled city, where the cobblestone streets are lined with excellent restaurants. For a classic fine-dining experience, book a table at Carmen, loc… 🍽️ Where to Start
Begin your culinary tour in the walled city, where the cobblestone streets are lined with excellent restaurants. For a classic fine-dining experience, book a table at Carmen, located at Calle del Sargento Mayor 38, with a tasting menu around $60 per person. If you prefer a more casual vibe, head to La Cevicheria at Calle del Sargento Mayor 29, where the ceviche is a local legend and prices average $15.
🌮 Street Food Stalls
Don't miss the street food in the Getsemaní neighborhood, especially around Plaza de la Trinidad in the evenings. Try the arepas de huevo from the cart at the corner of Calle de la Media Luna and Calle del Guerrero, priced at about $2 each. For a sweet treat, look for the raspado stalls near the park, where shaved ice with tropical fruit syrup costs just $1.
🐟 Seafood Specialties
Cartagena is famous for its fresh seafood, and the best places are often near the water. Visit La Perla, located at Calle del Guerrero 29, for a modern take on Caribbean seafood, with mains around $20. For a more traditional experience, try the fried fish at El Boliche, a no-frills spot on Avenida Santander, where a full plate with coconut rice and patacones is only $8.
🥘 Local Dishes to Try
Sample the iconic bandeja paisa, a hearty platter of beans, rice, plantain, and meat, at Restaurante El Santisimo, located at Calle del Torno 40, for about $12. Another must-try is the sancocho de pescado, a fish stew, which you can find at La Mulata, Calle de la Media Luna 21, for $9. Don't forget to finish with a coconut rice pudding, available at many dessert shops in the old city.
🍹 Best Evening Spots
For a memorable dinner with a view, head to the rooftop at Café del Mar, on the city walls at Calle del Arsenal, where cocktails are $10 and the sunset is priceless. If you want a lively atmosphere, join the locals at the Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemaní, where food carts serve cheap eats and street performers entertain. For a late-night bite, try the empanadas at La Esquina del Pan, open until midnight, with each empanada costing $1.50.
💰 Budget-Friendly Options
Eating well in Cartagena doesn't have to break the bank. Look for the lunch specials, called 'menú del día,' at small restaurants like El Punto, on Calle de la Amargura, where a three-course meal is $5. In the market at Bazurto, you can eat like a local for under $4, but be prepared for a chaotic, authentic experience. Always carry small bills, as many street vendors don't accept cards.
🍦 Sweet Treats and Desserts
Cool off with a scoop of artisanal ice cream at Gelateria Paradiso, located at Calle del Curato 12, with flavors like coconut and passion fruit for $3. For a traditional Colombian dessert, try the dulce de leche con coco at Doña Lola's, a small shop on Calle de la Iglesia, priced at $2. The churros at Churrería La Colonial, on Avenida Venezuela, are also a favorite, with a bag of six for $2.50.
🚶 Food Tours and Tips
To get an overview of the best food spots, consider joining a walking food tour with Cartagena Food Tours, which costs $45 per person and includes tastings at six different venues. The tour lasts about three hours and covers both the old city and Getsemaní. Remember to stay hydrated and use bottled water, as tap water is not safe to drink. Also, be cautious with street food if you have a sensitive stomach, but don't let that stop you from trying the local flavors.
honestly the guide is solid but they missed the best cheap eat in the whole city, the fried seafood at the Bazurto market is chaos but if u go early like 11am you'll see the real deal, not the tourist version. grab the cazuela de mariscos from the stall near the back entrance, it's like $6 and loaded with shrimp and crab, way better than the $20 stuff in the walled city. also that tip about the service charge is real, i got burned on that my first night at Carmen, thought i was being generous and ended up double tipping. for the food tour, honestly skip it and just walk from Plaza de la Trinidad to the market yourself, you'll spend $10 total instead of $45 and eat just as well. one thing nobody says: the raspados near the park are better after sunset when they add condensed milk on top, ask for 'con leche' and it's still a dollar.
Good to see someone giving La Cevicheria its due, that's a rite of passage. Since you're already eating your way through the old city, make sure you hit the early morning bakeries around Plaza de los Coches, the pan de bono straight out of the oven is a different beast than the cold stuff later in the day. Also, don't sleep on the fruit vendors near the San Felipe fortress, they'll slice up a lulo or zapote right there for a couple thousand pesos, perfect after climbing those ramps. And if you're doing the food tour, you can haggle the price down to $35 if you book direct with the guide instead of online, they'd rather keep the commission.
The guide nails La Cevicheria, but I'd add that you should grab a seat at the bar and watch them prep the fish, it's half the experience. Also, if you're in Getsemaní for the plaza stalls, skip the arepas de huevo and go for the carimañolas from the same carts, they're stuffed with cheese and beef and way easier to eat standing up. One thing nobody mentions: most places add a 10% service charge automatically, so check your bill before tipping extra, it's not expected on top of that. And for dessert, skip the fancy gelato and find the old ladies selling cocadas on Calle Larga, they're sweeter and cost about 50 cents.
Where to Stay in Cartagena (2026)
For sun-seekers, Bocagrande offers high-rise hotels right on the sand, like the Hilton Cartagena (Av. Almirante Brion, from $180/night). It's touristy but convenient, with easy… 🏖️ Beachfront Bliss
For sun-seekers, Bocagrande offers high-rise hotels right on the sand, like the Hilton Cartagena (Av. Almirante Brion, from $180/night). It's touristy but convenient, with easy access to beaches and nightlife. Families love the calm waters and the many restaurants along the boardwalk.
🌆 Old City Charm
The Walled City (Centro) is perfect for history buffs and romantics, with boutique hotels in colonial buildings like the Casa San Agustin (Calle de la Universidad, from $250/night). You'll pay a premium for the cobblestone streets and proximity to landmarks, but the atmosphere is unmatched. It's quieter at night, ideal for couples.
🌃 Nightlife Hub
Getsemaní is the place for night owls, with hostels and budget hotels like the El Viajero Hostel (Calle 39 # 8-39, from $20/night). The neighborhood buzzes with street art, bars, and live music, especially around Plaza de la Trinidad. It's a short walk to the Walled City, so you can party and still explore.
✈️ Family Friendly Options
For families, the Bocagrande area offers spacious apartments and resorts with pools, such as the Estelar Cartagena (Carrera 1 # 8-12, from $150/night). The beaches are gentle, and there are plenty of kid-friendly eateries nearby. Alternatively, the Marbella neighborhood has quieter, budget-friendly hotels with easy access to the airport.
💻 Digital Nomad Spots
Digital nomads should consider the trendy Getsemaní or the up-and-coming Manga neighborhood. In Manga, you'll find affordable apartments with fast Wi-Fi, like the Manga 27 Hotel (Calle 27 # 18-45, from $60/night). Cafés with good workspaces are scattered around, and coworking spaces like Selina (Calle del Arsenal, Getsemaní) offer day passes for $10.
💰 Budget Stays
If you're watching your wallet, look for hostels in Getsemaní or the Centro, with dorm beds starting at $15 per night. The Casa de India (Calle del Sargento, Centro) offers private rooms from $40. These areas are walkable, so you'll save on transport too.
🚌 Getting Around
Cartagena's public buses are cheap ($1) but crowded; taxis and Uber are common, with short rides costing $3 to $5. From the airport (CTG), a taxi to the Walled City is about $10, and to Bocagrande around $12. Walking is best in the historic areas, but be cautious at night.
📅 Seasonal Price Tips
Prices spike during December to April (dry season) and during festivals like the Cartagena International Music Festival in January. Book at least two months ahead for the best rates. The rainy season (May to November) offers discounts of up to 30%, but expect afternoon showers.
solid guide, the Getsemaní tip is spot on. i stayed at El Viajero last year and the rooftop is worth the $20 alone, but heads up, the party noise from Plaza de la Trinidad goes until like 3am, so bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper. one thing the guide missed: the cheapest way to get from the airport is the local bus "T1" for like $1.50, it drops you near the old city walls, just ask the driver for Centro. also, if you're in Bocagrande, skip the hotel beach and walk to Playa de Marbella, it's locals only and the fried fish stands there are way cheaper than the boardwalk spots.
honestly the guide is pretty on point, i'll add one thing nobody mentioned: if you're in Getsemaní, skip the tourist bars on Plaza de la Trinidad and walk two blocks to Calle de la Media Luna, there's a tiny spot called La Mulata that does killer arepas de huevo for like a dollar after midnight. also, for the beach thing, don't sleep on the Islas del Rosario day trip, it's $20 from the port and way less crowded than Bocagrande, just bring your own sunscreen cause they charge triple out there. one more thing, the bus from the airport is fine but if you land late, the taxi drivers will try to hit you with $15, just say "no, tarifa fija" and walk past them to the official stand, it's $10 flat to anywhere.
the Manga tip is underrated, i rented an apt there for a month and the wifi was honestly better than my place back home. only catch is it's a bit dead at night, so if you want late night food you're walking or taking a $2 cab to Getsemaní. also, for the music festival in january, book way more than two months out, i saw rooms triple in price the week of. one thing the guide missed: the walled city is a maze at night, so screenshot your map before you go out, phone gps gets weird between those narrow streets. and if you're in Bocagrande, hit up the ceviche cart on Av. San Martín near the clock tower, it's like $4 and better than any restaurant version i tried.