Getsemaní at Night: A Street Food Route That Isn't in the Guidebooks

Getsemaní: The Neighborhood That Never Sleeps (and Eats Better at Night)

At 7:30 at night, Plaza de la Trinidad changes its skin. What in the afternoon was a space for kids playing soccer and neighbors sitting on the church steps becomes a fair of smells: boiling oil, toasting corn, carimañolas just pulled from the pot, and a corozo juice vendor shouting "corozo, corozo!" as if it were a song. The carts appear one after another, almost in choreographed order, and the prices are still neighborhood prices, not historic center prices. That's what makes Getsemaní special after sunset: here street food isn't a show for tourists, it's dinner for the people who live in the neighborhood.

Getsemaní was historically the outskirts of Cartagena. While the Walled City was for Spanish merchants and officials, Getsemaní was where artisans, freed people, fishermen, and port workers lived. That working-class neighborhood identity was never completely lost, not even with the massive arrival of boutique hostels and specialty coffee shops over the last decade. Street food is the living proof that the neighborhood still belongs to the getesemanicenses, even though tourism has changed many things.

This route is for those who want to eat the way a cartagenero eats on a Friday night. It's not a list of restaurants with menus in English: it's a walking tour through three streets where food is cooked on the sidewalk, paid for in cash, and eaten standing up or sitting on a curb. Reference prices from September 2026, subject to change.

What to Do: The Route Step by Step

The full route takes about 25 minutes to walk if you go straight through, but with stops to eat and chat, plan for two to three hours. Start around 7:00 p.m., when the stalls are already set up but there's still room to walk. After 10:00 p.m. the plaza fills with live music and the dynamic changes.

Stop 1: Plaza de la Trinidad (Starting Point)

The plaza is the heart of Getsemaní and the mandatory meeting point. Arrive via Calle 29 or Calle del Guerrero and position yourself on the western side, where the fried food carts are concentrated. Here you'll find:

• Arepas de huevo: fried corn dough with a whole egg inside, crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Between $4,000 and $7,000 COP depending on size. The best ones are the ones that come straight out of the pot, not the ones that have been sitting in the display case.
• Carimañolas: yuca dough stuffed with queso costeño or meat, fried until golden. Between $3,000 and $5,000 COP. Order the cheese one if it's your first time.
• Empanadas de carne: small, with corn dough and a filling of ground beef with potato. They usually come with house ají. Between $2,500 and $4,000 COP.
• Corozo juice: corozo is a small, purple fruit with a tart, refreshing flavor that you won't find in many other parts of Colombia. Vendors blend it with water and sugar. Between $3,000 and $5,000 COP for a large glass.

A fact few people know: corozo is the fruit of the corozo palm, the same one used to make the tiles on colonial houses. Cartageneros grew up drinking its juice without thinking much about it, but for a visitor it's one of the most original drinks in the city.

Stop 2: Calle de la Sierpe (Murals and Fried Food)

From the plaza, walk south along Calle de la Sierpe (also known as Calle 29 with Carrera 10). This street is famous for its murals, but at night what matters are the stalls set up on corners and in doorways. The atmosphere here is calmer than in the plaza and prices tend to be a bit lower because there are fewer tourists.

What to look for on la Sierpe:

• Raspados: shaved ice with colored syrups (lemon, tamarind, maracuyá) and condensed milk on top. Between $3,000 and $6,000 COP. It's the perfect dessert for the heat of a Cartagena night.
• Buñuelos: although they're more common in December, some stalls sell them year-round. A ball of sweet dough with a cheesy aftertaste, between $2,000 and $4,000 COP.
• Deditos de queso: corn dough with queso costeño, fried in an elongated shape. Between $2,000 and $3,500 COP.

Calle de la Sierpe also has several artisan shops and galleries that stay open late. If you have time, it's worth looking at the murals under the streetlights: many tell stories of the neighborhood, of slavery, of resistance, and of everyday life in Getsemaní.

Stop 3: Calle del Guerrero (The Liveliest)

Calle del Guerrero (Calle 29 between Carrera 9 and 10) is the backbone of the night in Getsemaní. Here bars, hostels, food stalls, and street vendors all mix together. It's the noisiest stop and also the most fun. If you come in a group, this is the place to stay for a while.

What to eat and drink on Calle del Guerrero:

• Arepas de queso: thinner than the egg ones, with melted queso costeño. Between $3,000 and $5,000 COP.
• Chuzos de carne: grilled beef or chicken skewers, sometimes with papa criolla. Between $6,000 and $10,000 COP.
• Águila or Club Colombia beer: at neighborhood shops, between $3,000 and $5,000 COP per bottle. At bars, between $6,000 and $10,000 COP.
• Tamarind juice: tart, refreshing, perfect to go with the fried food. Between $3,000 and $5,000 COP.

A tip: don't sit at the first bar you see. Walk the whole street first, check the prices and the atmosphere, and then decide. Bars with live music usually charge a cover after 9:00 p.m., so ask before going in.

Stop 4: Calle de la Media Luna (A Quiet Finish)

Calle de la Media Luna (Calle 30) is more residential and less crowded than el Guerrero. Here street food is more scattered, but you'll find stalls selling:

• Mazorca asada: with butter and cheese, between $4,000 and $6,000 COP.
• Papa criolla frita: small yellow potatoes, crispy, with salt. Between $3,000 and $5,000 COP.
• Fruta picada: mango, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, with lime and salt. Between $4,000 and $7,000 COP.

This street is ideal for closing out the night if you want something calmer. There are also several ice cream shops and cafés that stay open late, although they're not exactly street food.

Where to Eat and Drink: Specific Stalls and Areas

Beyond the route, these are the spots worth keeping on your radar:

• Plaza de la Trinidad, western side: the largest concentration of fried food in Getsemaní. Open every night from approximately 6:30 p.m. until midnight or later on weekends.
• Calle de la Sierpe with Carrera 10: raspados and natural juice stall that usually stays open until 11:00 p.m.
• Calle del Guerrero, between Carrera 9 and 10: chuzos, arepas, and beer. More of a bar atmosphere, open until dawn on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Calle de la Media Luna with Carrera 9: mazorca asada and fruta picada, calmer, closes around 10:30 p.m.
• Parque Centenario (southern edge): some vendors set up on nights with special events. It's not fixed, but if you pass by and there's activity, it's worth a look.

If you want to sit somewhere with a table and chair, Plaza de la Trinidad has several restaurants and bars with terraces that serve local food. Prices go up (dishes between $25,000 and $45,000 COP), but the plaza atmosphere from a terrace is hard to beat. It's recommended to check hours and availability before going, especially in high season.

How to Get There and Transportation

Getsemaní is right next to the Walled City, separated by Puente Heredia and Avenida Miramar. From the historic center, walking to Plaza de la Trinidad takes between 10 and 15 minutes.

• On foot from Torre del Reloj: cross Puente Heredia, continue along Calle del Arsenal to Plaza de la Trinidad. It's safe during the day and until midnight if you stick to well-lit streets with people around.
• Taxi: from Bocagrande or the Center, between $10,000 and $18,000 COP depending on the starting point and time. Ask to be dropped off at Plaza de la Trinidad or Calle del Guerrero.
• Mototaxi: cheaper, between $5,000 and $10,000 COP for short trips. It's not the safest option for tourists who don't know the city, but it's common among locals.
• Uber or ride-hailing apps: they work in Cartagena, although drivers sometimes ask you to sit in the front to avoid problems with local authorities. Prices similar to taxis.
• Bicycle: some hostels rent bikes by the day. Getsemaní is flat and easy to get around by bike, but at night the streets are dark in some stretches.

There are no Transcaribe stations near Getsemaní, so the bus isn't a practical option for getting there at night.

Local Tips

• Bring cash. Most street stalls don't accept cards or transfers. With $30,000 to $50,000 COP per person you eat well and have enough left over for beer.
• Go hungry, but not starving. The route has many stops and it's easy to fill up at the first one. Eat small portions at each stall.
• Ask what everything is. Vendors are used to explaining. If you don't know what a carimañola is, ask. The people of Getsemaní are proud of their food and like to talk about it.
• Watch out for the ají. Ají costeño is genuinely spicy. If you're not used to it, ask for it on the side.
• Safety: Getsemaní is generally safe in tourist areas, but as in any neighborhood at night, don't show your phone or wallet more than necessary. Walk on well-lit streets with people around. If you're alone, avoid empty streets after midnight.
• Agua de panela: some stalls sell it hot or cold. It's a traditional Colombian drink made from sugarcane. Try it if you see it.
• Don't miss the Portal de los Dulces in Plaza de los Coches, in the Walled City. It's not in Getsemaní, but it's a 10-minute walk away and is the perfect complement to a night of street food. The vendors, mainly women, offer traditional sweets in glass jars.
• Prices go up on weekends and in high season (December, January, Holy Week). If you come during those dates, expect to pay between 20% and 30% more.
• Bring napkins or wipes. Not all stalls offer them.
• Respect the space. The stalls take up sidewalks and corners. Walk in the street if necessary, but watch out for motorcycles.

The Impact of Tourism on Getsemaní at Night

There's a real tension in