Cartagena de Indias isn't just for those arriving with luxury suitcases and five-star hotel reservations. Behind its colonial walls and cobblestone streets beats a heart that pulses stronger for backpackers—those travelers who carry little but seek much: authenticity, connection, and adventure without emptying their wallets. This city, declared a World Heritage Site, welcomes you with open arms if you know where to look, away from the most crowded tourist circuits. Here, magic doesn't have a price tag, but it does have a budget you can cleverly adjust.
Budget Accommodation: Hostels and Cheap Lodging in Cartagena
In Cartagena, sleeping well doesn't mean spending a lot. Hostels are the soul of the backpacker community, places where stories are shared in hammocks at sunset. We recommend five options that combine good prices and vibrant atmosphere:
- El Viajero Cartagena: In Getsemaní, this hostel offers dorm beds starting at 25,000 COP per night, with breakfast included and a terrace with views of the walls. It's a meeting point for excursions and salsa nights. Address: Calle del Guerrero #29-100, Getsemaní. Website: elviajerohostels.com/cartagena. Google Maps: View location
- Media Luna Hostel: Also in Getsemaní, famous for its courtyard full of travelers and daily activities like Colombian cooking classes. Beds start at 28,000 COP, and its bar is ideal for socializing. Address: Calle de la Media Luna #10-46, Getsemaní. Website: medialunahostel.com. Google Maps: View location
- Mamallena Hostel: A classic with a family atmosphere, located in the San Diego neighborhood. Offers dorms from 22,000 COP, shared kitchen, and affordable tours to the Rosario Islands. Address: Calle del Sargento Mayor #9-52, San Diego. Website: mamallenahostel.com. Google Maps: View location
- Hostal Casa del Curandero: In the heart of Getsemaní, this small, cozy place has beds from 20,000 COP. Its owner, a local, always has tips for exploring like a Cartagenero. Address: Calle del Espíritu Santo #29-58, Getsemaní. Google Maps: View location
- Hostal Santo Domingo: Near Santo Domingo Plaza, perfect for those who want to be in the Historic Center without paying high prices. Dorms from 30,000 COP, with air conditioning and fast wifi. Address: Calle Santo Domingo #33-46, Historic Center. Website: hostalsantodomingo.com. Google Maps: View location
Affordable Local Food: Authentic Flavors of Cartagena
Eating in Cartagena can be a feast without breaking the bank. Forget the expensive restaurants on the pier and dive into the street stalls and eateries where locals fill their plates. Try the arepa de huevo at the Bazurto Market, a delicious chaos where for 3,000 COP you get a crispy bite. Bazurto Market Address: Carrera 29 #25-100, Barrio Bazurto. Hours: 5:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
In Getsemaní, look for La Esquina del Pan de Bono, where for 2,000 COP you enjoy this baked cheese accompanied by a black coffee. Address: Corner of Calle de la Media Luna and Calle del Guerrero, Getsemaní.
For complete lunches, head to Restaurante Coroncoro in the Pie de la Popa neighborhood, where daily menus with soup, main dish, and juice cost 15,000 COP. Address: Calle 24 #9-45, Pie de la Popa. Hours: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Don't miss the cocadas (coconut sweets) sold by street vendors in the plazas, for 1,000 COP each. And at night, join forces with other backpackers to share a seafood platter at La Cevichería on Calle Stuart, where for 40,000 COP you eat like a king. La Cevichería Address: Calle Stuart #7-14, Historic Center. Website: lacevicheria.com.co. Google Maps: View location
Free or Low-Cost Activities in Cartagena
Cartagena offers experiences that don't cost a peso, just curiosity. Walk the walls at sunset, when the sun paints the sky orange and street musicians fill the air with rhythms. The best access is through Las Bóvedas or near Café del Mar.
Explore the Getsemaní neighborhood, with its graffiti telling stories of resistance and joy, and visit Plaza de la Trinidad at dusk, where the community gathers. Local tip: On Fridays and Saturdays, the plaza fills with live music and festive atmosphere.
Free museums include the Museo Naval del Caribe on Sundays and the Museo de Arte Moderno on Wednesdays. Museo Naval del Caribe: Calle San Juan de Dios #3-62, Historic Center. Museo de Arte Moderno: Plaza de San Pedro Claver #30-01.
If you have a little to spend, take a local bus to Bocagrande beach (2,000 COP) instead of a taxi, and spend the day swimming without paying entrance. Catch the bus at the Terminal de Transportes or on Avenida Santander.
Another option is joining a free walking tour (tip only) that departs from the Clock Tower, where local guides show you city secrets. Meeting point: Torre del Reloj, Plaza de los Coches. Times: 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM daily.
And don't underestimate the simple pleasure of sitting in a park watching life go by, like in Parque de Bolívar, where fruit vendors offer you green mango with salt and lime for 2,000 COP.
Money-Saving and Safety Tips for Backpackers in Cartagena
Traveling with little requires ingenuity and caution. First, estimated daily budget: with 70,000 to 100,000 COP per day, you cover hostel accommodation, three local meals, public transportation, and some activity.
To save money, use public transportation: urban buses cost 2,500 COP and take you almost anywhere; avoid taxis without meters and negotiate the price beforehand. Tip: The "Transcaribe" app helps you plan routes.
Drink water from sealed bottles and eat at places with good customer flow to avoid discomfort. For safety, keep your money and documents in a security belt under your clothes, especially in crowded areas like the Bazurto Market.
At night, walk in groups through Getsemaní and avoid dark streets. Trust your instincts: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. And remember, the best protection is blending in: dress like locals, avoid flashy jewelry, and carry only what's necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cartagena for Backpackers
What's the best time to visit Cartagena on a budget?
The low season (April to November, except Holy Week) offers better accommodation prices. October and November usually have rains, but also discounts.
Is Getsemaní safe for backpackers?
Yes, Getsemaní is generally safe, especially around Plaza de la Trinidad and main streets. As in any tourist city, maintain basic precautions at night.
How to get from the airport to the city center economically?
Avoid airport taxis (they charge more). Take the public bus (2,500 COP) or walk 10 minutes to the main road and request a shared taxi (15,000 COP).
Where can I store my backpack if I arrive early or leave late?
Many hostels offer free luggage storage for guests. There are also locker services at the Terminal de Transportes for 5,000 COP per day.
Cartagena for backpackers isn't a destination, it's an experience woven between laughter in hostels, flavors at street stalls, and free sunsets over the Caribbean. Every peso saved is another story to tell, another encounter to have. This city teaches you that authenticity doesn't have a price tag, only heart. Share your own budget recommendations for Cartagena in the comments and help other travelers discover this gem without breaking the piggy bank.