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Renting an apartment with a kitchen in Cartagena for one or several months follows different rules than a tourist booking. The legal difference is concrete: short-stay tourist rentals are governed by Decree 1077 of 2015 and require the property to be registered in the National Tourism Registry; long-term residential rentals are governed by Law 820 of 2003, which regulates urban housing contracts. If you're going to stay between one and six months, what you're looking for is a residential lease, not a hotel rate. In this verified Malokal guide you'll find reference price ranges for October 2026; use the interactive cards for each neighborhood on malokal.com to check the safe map by neighborhood (Locals vs. Foreigners), live holiday schedules, and book directly via WhatsApp.
The neighborhoods that see the most activity for monthly stays are Manga, Crespo, Bocagrande, Castillogrande, and the surroundings of Zona Norte. Manga is quiet, tree-lined, and just a bridge away from the Ciudad Amurallada; Crespo is residential, close to the linear park and the beach, with buildings that often include private daytime security and balconies with coastal views. Bocagrande and Castillogrande are more expensive and more touristy, but they have everything at hand. If your budget is tight, also look at neighborhoods like El Bosque, Pie de la Popa, or Los Alpes, where the price per square meter drops without losing transport connections.
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So you can compare at a glance, here's the quick reference by neighborhood and size of furnished apartment with kitchen (October 2026):
| Neighborhood | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | Time to downtown | Time to beaches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crespo | $1,200,000 â $1,700,000 COP | $1,700,000 â $2,200,000 COP | 10â15 min by car | 5â10 min on foot |
| Manga | $1,800,000 â $2,300,000 COP | $2,300,000 â $3,000,000 COP | 5â10 min by car | 15â20 min by car |
| Bocagrande | $2,500,000 â $3,500,000 COP | $3,500,000 â $5,000,000 COP or more | 10â15 min by car | 5â10 min on foot |
| Castillogrande | $2,800,000 â $3,800,000 COP | $3,800,000 â $5,000,000 COP or more | 10â15 min by car | 5â10 min on foot |
| El Bosque / Pie de la Popa / Los Alpes | $1,200,000 â $1,700,000 COP | $1,700,000 â $2,200,000 COP | 15â25 min by car | 20â30 min by car |
Times are estimates by car or taxi; on public transportation add between 10 and 20 additional minutes depending on the route. Always confirm with the landlord before transferring any money.
Crespo Cartagena
Crespo is a residential neighborhood that many locals recommend when someone wants to live in Cartagena without the noise of downtown. It's a two-block walk from the linear park and the beach area, and many buildings have balconies and private terraces with coastal views. The supply of furnished apartments with kitchens is steady, especially on Facebook Marketplace, where owners post directly without intermediaries. Note: there is no single "Crespo Cartagena" as an entity; it's a neighborhood, and each listing is from a private individual or a different real estate agency. Always verify that the property truly has an equipped kitchen (fridge, stove, cookware) and not just a space with a counter. Check the interactive Crespo card on malokal.com to see the map by neighborhood and live holiday schedules.
Updated costs
Reference prices for October 2026 in Cartagena, for a furnished one- or two-bedroom apartment with kitchen, fall within these ranges: in residential neighborhoods like Crespo, El Bosque, or Los Alpes, between $1,200,000 and $2,200,000 COP per month; in Manga, between $1,800,000 and $3,000,000 COP; in Bocagrande and Castillogrande, between $2,500,000 and $5,000,000 COP or more, depending on view and amenities. These values are for reference and change according to season, furnishings, and whether the rent includes the building fee (administraciĂłn) or not. Always confirm with the landlord before transferring any money.
The deposit is usually one month's rent, although some owners ask for two if the contract is very short. Utilities are separate, and here's the expense that surprises newcomers the most: electricity in Cartagena is expensive during the hot months, and air conditioning can double the bill. An apartment with two AC units running several hours a day can go from $150,000 to $400,000 COP per month in electricity. Always ask about the previous tenant's average bill. Water also adds up, especially if there's a pool or washing machine.
Regarding the tourism tax: it applies to tourist accommodations with short stays, not to long-term residential contracts. If they offer you an apartment "by the month" but charge you a nightly rate and mention the tourism tax, you're looking at a disguised tourist rental. Ask for the contract and check which regime applies.
Documents for the contract
If you're coming from abroad, have this documentation ready before you start looking. It saves you days and prevents a landlord from discarding your application for lack of paperwork:
- Valid foreigner ID (cĂ©dula de extranjerĂa) or passport. Some landlords accept a passport for short contracts, but most ask for a cĂ©dula de extranjerĂa if the stay exceeds three months.
- Personal or employment references. Two references with name, phone number, and relationship are usually enough. If you work remotely, a letter from your employer or an employment contract helps.
- Bank references or proof of income. Statements from the last three months or an income certificate. Some owners ask for a co-signer; ask from the start so you don't waste time.
- Signed inventory of furniture and appliances. It's not your document, but demand it as an annex to the contract. Without an inventory, any prior damage could be charged to you.
- Photo of the meter readings. Water and electricity, on the day you receive the apartment. Keep it with the contract.
If you don't have a strong command of legal Spanish, ask an acquaintance or a local agent to review the contract before signing. Law 820 of 2003 regulates residential rentals, but each contract has its own clauses.
Estimated timelines
The whole process, from when you start looking until you have the keys, usually takes between one and three weeks if you go through a real estate agency, and between three days and a week if you close directly with an owner through Facebook Marketplace. The search itself can take longer: in high season (December, January, Holy Week) the monthly supply shrinks because many owners prefer to rent by the night. If you plan to arrive during those dates, start looking two months in advance.
Property inspection, contract signing, and deposit payment are usually resolved within two or three business days. If the owner asks for a co-signer or bank references, add a week. For one-month contracts, many landlords ask for full advance payment; for three- to six-month contracts, monthly payment with a deposit is common. Always verify that the contract includes an inventory of furniture and appliances, and that the water and electricity meters are visible and working.
Practical tips
- Don't sign without reading the full contract. Law 820 of 2003 regulates residential rentals, but each contract has its own clauses. If you don't have a strong command of legal Spanish, ask an acquaintance or a local agent to review it before signing.
- Check the water and electricity meters. Take a photo of the meter number and reading on the day you receive the apartment. That way you avoid being charged for consumption you didn't use.
- Don't underestimate humidity. Cartagena is humid all year round. Check that the apartment has cross ventilation, that there's no mold on walls or in closets, and that the air conditioning works. A damp apartment will ruin your clothes and your health within a month.
- Ask about the average electricity bill. It's the expense that surprises newcomers the most. If the landlord doesn't know, ask to see a recent bill.
- Confirm whether the price includes the building fee (administraciĂłn). In buildings with security and common areas, the building fee can add between $150,000 and $400,000 COP per month.
- Be wary of listings without real photos or with prices far below market. Ask for a video call or an in-person visit before transferring the deposit.
- Join the Facebook group 'Expats in Cartagena' and ask for recommendations of local real estate agents before signing any contract. The community usually shares real experiences with owners and agencies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent for one month without signing a lease agreement?
Yes, but you need to be clear about which regime applies. If the owner charges you by the night and mentions the tourism tax, it's a tourist rental (Decree 1077 of 2015). If you sign an urban housing contract for one month, Law 820 of 2003 applies. The important thing is that the contract clearly states the term, the rent, the deposit, and which services are included. Don't accept verbal agreements for one-month stays.
Is it cheaper to rent by the month than by the night in Cartagena?
Almost always yes, especially in residential neighborhoods like Crespo or Manga. A furnished apartment with kitchen can cost between $1,200,000 and $3,000,000 COP per month, while a nightly rate in a tourist area can easily exceed that amount in a week. The real savings come from cooking and not paying hotel fees, but you have to add utilities and the building fee.
What should I check before signing a lease in Cartagena?
Check that the contract includes an inventory of furniture and appliances, that the water and electricity meters are visible, that the air conditioning works, and that there's no humidity or mold. Ask for the previous tenant's average electricity bill and confirm whether the rent includes the building fee. If the owner asks for a co-signer or references, ask from the start so you don't waste time. And if you have legal doubts, consult a lawyer or a local agent before signing.
