Secrets of the Bay Houses in Castillogrande

Why These Houses Are the Soul of Castillogrande

If you walk through Castillogrande on a Sunday at 9 in the morning, when the sun hasn't yet burned and the air smells of salt marsh and freshly brewed coffee, you will come across them. They are those houses with white facades, carved wooden balconies, and interior courtyards that seem straight out of a black-and-white movie. They are not the glass towers devouring the Bocagrande skyline. They are the bay houses of Castillogrande, the ones that resisted the real estate boom of the last twenty years and still retain that 1950s yacht club atmosphere.

Cruise ship tourists who get off for half an hour at the wall don't come here. Architects, designers, amateur historians, and travelers who want to sleep in a room with a cedar wood ceiling and a slow-turning fan while the Caribbean slips in through the window come here. In June 2026, these houses remain the best-kept secret of Cartagena for those seeking something more than a hotel with a pool.

Construction History: The Golden Years of Castillogrande (1950-1970)

To understand these houses, you have to go back to the 1950s, when Cartagena began to grow beyond the city walls. The local elite, tired of the historic center and its narrow streets, turned their gaze to the peninsula of Castillogrande. It was flat land, bathed by the bay, with a constant breeze. There were no walls or colonial churches, but there was space to build what would become the new status symbol: the beach house with a sea view.

The architects who arrived were a rare mix. Some came from Bogotá, trained at the National University, with influences from the Brazilian modern movement. Others were locals, sons of master builders who had learned the trade restoring mansions in Getsemaní. Together they created their own style: two or three-story houses with white facades and straight lines, but with details that only a Cartagenero could add: wrought iron railings shaped like waves, wooden latticework that filtered the sun, interior courtyards with palm trees and water fountains.

The boom was between 1955 and 1965. Families like the Vélez, the Martínez, and the De la Vega commissioned custom-built houses. Each one was unique, but they all shared something: the bay was the center of life. The balconies faced the water, the dining rooms opened onto terraces with a view, and the interior courtyards were the lungs of the house, where people would cool off in the evening while the children played.

By the 1970s, Castillogrande was no longer just a neighborhood of vacation homes. It had become a permanent residential area. The houses were expanded, second floors were added, kitchens and bathrooms were modernized. But the essence remained: high ceilings, cross-ventilation, noble materials like Carrara marble, cedar wood, and hand-polished granite.

Architectural Features That Make Them Unique

If you are an architect or designer, this will interest you. The bay houses of Castillogrande are not just pretty. They are smart. They were designed for the tropics before air conditioning existed. Every detail has a function.

Balconies That Are Viewpoints

The balcony is not an ornament. It is the heart of the house. In the original houses, the balcony faces directly onto the bay, with no buildings blocking the view. They are made of cedar wood or wrought iron, with railings that allow you to sit and watch the sunset. Some have canvas awnings that are lowered at midday to protect from the sun. In the De la Vega family house, on Calle 4, the balcony runs the entire length of the facade, like a covered gallery where hammocks still hang.

Interior Courtyards: The Lungs of the House

The interior courtyard is a brilliant invention. It is an open space in the center of the house, with a fountain or a mango tree, that allows air to circulate through all the rooms. The bedroom doors open onto this courtyard, so when you wake up, the first thing you see is the greenery and hear the water. In the larger houses, the courtyard has a spiral staircase leading to the second floor, with hand-carved wooden railings. In the Martínez house, on Avenida del Lago, the courtyard has a pergola covered in bougainvillea that blooms all year round.

Sea View from Every Room

It is no coincidence. The architects of the 1950s designed the houses in an L or U shape, with the main rooms oriented towards the bay. Thus, from the bed, from the bathroom, from the kitchen, there is always a large window framing the water. In the two-story houses, the second-level terrace is the favorite spot for reading, working, or simply doing nothing while watching the sailboats go by.

Materials That Age Well

These houses were not built with drywall or catalog finishes. They used marble brought from Italy, cedar wood from the Sierra Nevada, granite from the quarries of Sincelejo. The floors are hydraulic tile in pastel colors, with geometric patterns that combine Arab tradition and modernity. The ceilings are exposed wood, with beams that cross the space and add warmth. The doors are solid mahogany, with bronze locks that still work after sixty years.

Interview with an Original Resident: Don Hernando Vélez

Don Hernando Vélez is 84 years old and has lived in the same house in Castillogrande since he was 7. His father, a fabric merchant, had the house built in 1958. He inherited it in the 80s and never wanted to sell it, not even when the developers' offers came in.

"Everything was different here," he tells me as we sit on his balcony, with the bay in the background. "There were no towers, no noise. We kids played soccer in the street, and cars passed by every half hour. The houses were all one or two stories, with gardens in front. Mine had a rose garden that my mother tended every day."

Don Hernando remembers how the house was built. "The architect was a man from Bogotá, but the master builder was from Cartagena. They argued all the time. The architect wanted floor-to-ceiling windows, but the master builder said that with the sun here, the rooms would get hot. In the end, they made a mix: large windows, but with wooden shutters that could be closed at midday. And it worked."

Today, his house is one of the few that retains its original structure. "I haven't changed a thing. Just paint every five years and wood maintenance. People tell me to sell it, that they'll give me millions. But what for? Here I have my view, my breeze, my peace. You can't buy that with money."

How to Visit a House-Museum or Rent One for a Stay

Not all the bay houses of Castillogrande are open to the public. Most are private residences. But there are ways to see them without being a family guest.

Houses You Can Visit

Some houses have been converted into boutique hotels or restaurants. The best known is Casa del Lago, on Avenida del Lago with Calle 5. It is a house from 1962 that was restored in 2018 and now functions as a restaurant and art gallery. You can enter, have a coffee in the interior courtyard, and see the original architecture: hydraulic tile floors, wooden ceilings, balconies with a view of the bay. The menu is expensive (dishes from $80,000 COP), but it is worth it for the atmosphere.

Another option is Casa de la Bahía, on Calle 3. It is a private house that its owner opens twice a month for guided tours. It is advertised on social media and on the Castillogrande Neighborhood Association page. The tour lasts an hour, costs $30,000 COP, and the owner tells the history of the house while showing the rooms, the courtyard, and the terrace. It is an authentic experience, without mass tourism.

Renting a House for a Stay

If you want to sleep in a bay house, there are options on Airbnb and local platforms. Look for properties on Avenida del Lago, Calle 4, or Calle 5, with descriptions that mention "1960s house," "original architecture," or "bay view." Prices range from $250,000 COP per night in low season to $600,000 COP in December and January.

Some recommendations:

• Casa de los Martínez: on Avenida del Lago, with three bedrooms, an interior courtyard with a bougainvillea pergola, and a balcony with hammocks. Price: $350,000 COP per night in low season.
• Casa del Sol: on Calle 5, with two bedrooms, an original 1950s kitchen, and a second-floor terrace with panoramic views. Price: $280,000 COP per night.
• Casa de la Abuela: on Calle 3, with one bedroom, ideal for couples. It has a small interior garden with a fountain. Price: $200,000 COP per night.

Important: verify that the house has air conditioning in the bedrooms. Although natural ventilation is excellent, in June 2026 the heat can be intense, especially at midday.

What to Do in Castillogrande Besides Seeing Houses

Castillogrande is not just architecture. It is a neighborhood for walking, eating well, and relaxing.

• Walk the boardwalk: the path that borders the bay is perfect for jogging or walking at sunset. There are benches to sit on and watch the boats go by.
• Eat at Club de Pesca: it is a classic restaurant, with a sea view and fresh fish dishes. The shrimp ceviche is a must. Price: dishes from $45,000 COP.
• Have a coffee at La Tienda del Mar: a small coffee shop on Calle 4, with sidewalk tables and good music. Try the coconut milk coffee.
• Go to the crafts market: on Saturday mornings, in the park on Avenida del Lago, a market sets up with local crafts, linen clothing, and tagua jewelry.

How to Get There and Transportation

Castillogrande is a 10-minute taxi ride from the historic center. If you are coming from the airport, it is 15 minutes and costs about $25,000 COP by taxi or $15,000 COP by Uber.

Within the neighborhood, everything is walkable. The streets are flat and safe. If you need to go to Bocagrande or the center, city buses run along Avenida del Lago every 10 minutes. The fare is $2,500 COP.

For those renting a house, I recommend renting bicycles. There are a couple of shops on Calle 5 that rent bicycles for $20,000 COP per day. It is the best way to explore the neighborhood and get to the tip of Castillogrande, where there is a viewpoint with a view of the bay.

Local Tips

• Bring mosquito repellent: especially at sunset, when mosquitoes come out near the bay. In old houses with patios and gardens, there are more bugs.
• Don't wear heels: the streets of Castillogrande have cobblestones and uneven sidewalks. Flat shoes or sandals are better.
• Ask before taking photos: many houses are private and the owners don't like having their pictures taken without permission. If you see a pretty house, ring the bell and ask politely. Sometimes they let you in.
• Visit during the week: on weekends there is more noise and more cars. From Monday to Friday, the neighborhood is quiet and you can walk without rushing.
• Bring cash: although there are ATMs on Avenida del Lago, many food and craft stalls do not accept cards.
• Don't miss the sunset from the balcony of Casa del Lago: if you dine there, ask for a table on the balcony. The view of the sun setting over the bay is unforgettable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Visit the Bay Houses of Castillogrande Without Being a Guest?

Yes, but not all of them. Casa del Lago (restaurant and gallery) is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 10pm. Casa de la Bahía opens twice a month for guided tours, by reservation. For the rest, the best option is to rent one for a stay or contact the Neighborhood Association, which organizes occasional tours.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Bay House in Castillogrande?

Prices vary depending on the season and size. In low season (March to June, September to November), a two-bedroom house costs between $250,000 and $400,000 COP per night. In high season (December, January, Easter Week), prices go up to $500,000-$800,000 COP. It is best to book at least a month in advance if you are traveling in December.

What Makes These Houses Different from Those in Bocagrande or El Laguito?

The houses in Castillogrande are older (1950s-60s) and have a unique architectural style, with interior courtyards, wooden balconies, and high ceilings. In Bocagrande and El Laguito, modern apartment buildings predominate, built from the 1970s onwards. The houses in Castillogrande offer a more authentic experience, with open spaces and a direct connection to the bay, while in Bocagrande everything is more vertical and commercial.

Where to Eat or Drink

La Pérgola

This restaurant offers a delicious variety of fresh seafood, prepared with a Caribbean touch. The view of the bay is stunning, especially at sunset. Insider Tip: Don't miss the shrimp ceviche; it's a local favorite. Also, arrive early to get a table on the terrace, where the sea breeze makes the experience even more enjoyable.

El Kiosko

A landmark spot for a good breakfast or a light lunch. Their arepas de huevo are a classic you can't miss. Insider Tip: Pair your arepa with a glass of soursop juice; it's a perfect and very refreshing combination for Cartagena's climate.

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