Best Hotels in Cartagena Beachfront

Cartagena is renowned for its stunning beaches and nearby islands. With crystal-clear waters, white sand, and year-round beach weather, it’s no wonder why people flock to this coastal paradise. If you want to make the most of your beach experience, consider staying at one of the best beachfront hotels in Cartagena. Whether you prefer luxury accommodations, rustic island resorts, or all-inclusive options, there are plenty of choices for you. In this article, we will explore the top 11 hotels in Cartagena near the beach.

Foto de una mujer sentada en una camita en uno de los hoteles en Cartagena frente al mar.
Enjoying the beach is a must in Cartagena. Here, you’ll learn about the best Cartagena hotels on the beach.

Best Hotels in Cartagena with Private Beach – Introduction

There’s no doubt that soaking up the sun and enjoying the Caribbean Sea on the beach is one of the best things to do in Cartagena. While I believe that the best neighborhoods to stay in are the Historic Center and Getsemaní, I also think that for true beach lovers, staying at one of the spectacular beachfront hotels in Cartagena is a great option.

Another option, especially if you have more than 4 nights, is to combine one of the best beachfront hotels in Cartagena mentioned here on the islands with one of the best boutique hotels or luxury hotels in the city. This way, you can enjoy the best of both worlds – a few days of relaxation and sun on the beach, followed by days of vibrant city culture.

Now, let’s dive into the list of the best beachfront hotels in Cartagena.

Don’t have time to read it all? A quick guide

  • Best hotel on the beach in the Rosario Islands: Las Islas
  • Best all-inclusive beach hotel in Cartagena: Estelar Manzanillo
  • Best value for a hotel with a private beach in Cartagena: IslaBela (in the islands)
  • Best beachfront hotel in Cartagena in the city: Hotel Hilton

Foto de un hombre en la playa en frente de uno de los hoteles en Cartagena frente al mar.
Enjoying the beach is a must in Cartagena, especially at one of the beachfront hotels.

To start, I would like to make a note: the beaches in Cartagena, specifically those in the city itself, are pleasant and beautiful. However, the best beaches and the best hotels near the beach in Cartagena are located outside the city, specifically in Barú and the Rosario Islands.

It is there that you will find white sand beaches and crystal-clear Caribbean waters. It’s also where the best hotels in Cartagena with private beaches are situated.

In my opinion, staying in the Rosario Islands is the best option if you’re looking for a hotel with a private beach in Cartagena. The surroundings are more beautiful, there are fewer people, and the few vendors there are respect your space and tranquility.

Therefore, the top rankings (#1-4) on this list of the best beachfront hotels in Cartagena are located on the Rosario Islands or Barú.

Foto de una escalerita con una copa de margarita en uno de los hoteles en Cartagena frente al mar.
The best hotels in Cartagena with private beaches are on the Rosario Islands (this photo is from #3).

There are also options for beachfront hotels in Cartagena on an island very close to the city called Tierra Bomba. It’s just a 10-minute boat ride away, and you don’t have to venture into the open sea because it’s on the other side of the bay.

While it may not be as spectacular as the more distant islands, it is still very beautiful, and there are several good options for a hotel with a private beach in Cartagena there.

The proximity makes it a good choice for those who don’t want to spend an hour or more on transportation to the Rosario Islands or Barú.

The options for beachfront hotels in Cartagena #5 and #6 below are in Tierra Bomba.

Foto de una botella de corona cerveza en frente de uno de los hoteles cerca a la playa en Cartagena.
Tierra Bomba is near the city and has good options for hotels with private beaches in Cartagena too.

Similarly, I understand that some people want to stay in a hotel with a private beach in Cartagena while being close to the city.

In this case, I recommend one of the beachfront hotels in Cartagena that you will find on the beaches north of the city. They are a bit more exclusive than the beaches in the city itself while offering easy access to everything there is to do in Cartagena.

Options #7-9 below are all-inclusive beachfront hotels located in that area, offering you the possibility of having the beach at your doorstep and the city nearby.

Foto de una chica en frente de una piscina en uno de los hoteles cerca a la playa en Cartagena.
There are some good options for beachfront hotels in Cartagena in the northern area of the city (this photo is from #7).

Another convenient area to stay in, where you can find several good options for a beach hotel in Cartagena, is Bocagrande.

For those who prefer to be both on a beach hotel in Cartagena and close to many restaurants and good shopping places, Bocagrande will be the best choice, despite the beaches being busier and having more vendors.

At the end of this list, you’ll find some options for a hotel with a private beach in Cartagena in Bocagrande as well. Options #10 and #11, along with two additional options for hotels near the sea, are located in Bocagrande.

Foto de un lago con edificios grandes donde hay hoteles en cartagena con playa privada y el atardecer atrás.
Modern hotels in Bocagrande are also good options for hotels with private beaches in Cartagena, although the beaches may be busier.

Ok, without further ado, let’s get to the list of the 11 best beach hotels in Cartagena, Colombia!

You might wonder why this is a list of 11 instead of the usual 10 you find on other blogs. The answer is that the number 11 holds a very special significance for Cartagena since it declared its independence on November 11, 1811 (11/11/11). Plus, I believe you deserve a little more than just 10 options.