Why Cartagena Is The Best Spot In Colombia For Solo Female Travelers

For solo female travelers in Colombia, Cartagena’s arguably the safest and most female-friendly big city of them all.

With stunning colonial architecture, a vibrant rainbow of colors, 400 year old fortresses and castles, beaches, fantastic gastronomy and nightlife, and great remote work infrastructure, Cartagena definitely has a lot going for it!

So what’s not to love? Some travelers might be turned off by the heat, the (sex) tourists, and persistent vendors. But don’t write Cartagena off for solo female travel just yet!

I promise, there’s an amazing city waiting modestly underneath the surface for you to discover. Unique female-friendly local experiences are everywhere in Cartagena – if you know where to look.

The months I spent on the Colombian coast in Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Tayrona remain one of my top solo female travel memories of all time. I hope you can have the same fantastic memories of your Cartagena adventures!

Here’s how to make the most of your time in Cartagena, Colombia for solo female travelers:

Cartagena vs. Medellin

A lot of solo travelers will tell you that Medellin is the place to be. But personally, I preferred Cartagena – and I know plenty of women who felt the same.

It’s true, Cartagena can be super touristy, especially in areas like Centro Historico and BocaGrande. But I have two reasons why the tourists are not such a bad thing.

First of all, it’s totally possible to avoid the tourists if you want. Just hang out on the outskirts of Getsemani, the west and north sides of Manga, and San Diego. I found myself going out more during Monday-Thursday and taking trips out the city or working more during the weekend too.

More importantly, I’ve found that the most of the tourists here are Colombian. Sure, you’ll find plenty of Americans and Europeans, but it’s a totally different energy from the expat-dominated Medellin.

Add to that, lots of women from Bogota take solo trips or girls trips. I found a lot more independent local women tourists and nomads around to connect with here than in Medellin. Overall, Cartagena just felt like a more female-friendly experience than other Colombian cities.

Maybe I just got lucky in finding community in Cartagena. But I stand by my advice to first-time solo female travelers to Colombia — Cartagena is the place to start, then add on nearby Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park to your colorful, coastal Colombian itinerary.

For Digital Nomads (Isn’t that what Medellin’s for?)

Cartagena has some great coworking spaces and cafes, plus tons of cowork-friendly hostels. In my opinion, people hand Medellin the “digital nomad city” reputation too quickly and vastly underrate Cartagena. It’s well-equipped for remote workers and a total blast.

An important advantage is that the digital nomad scene in Cartagena seems much more gender-balanced than in Medellin. This is definitely a plus for solo female travelers who value the community aspect of things. That said, the digital nomad community here seems a little more transient and tends towards shorter stays compared to other cities.

In Medellin, I was one of 2 women in my cowork out of 2 dozen.
But in Cartagena, women make up the majority of my coworks and cafes on any given day.
A bigger percentage of the digital nomads here in Cartagena are Colombians from other cities, compared to the expat-heavy Medellin.

BEST COWORKS:

Cowork Cartagena

With its convenient location in Centro Historico and great reputation, Cowork Cartagena is widely considered the best overall cowork in town. It’s spacious and the staff are super welcoming.

Selina

This hostel cowork in Getsemani the best for 24 hour access, and in my preferred neighborhood. I had an overall okay experience here with my monthly pass. My biggest complaint is that staff (while perfectly nice) aren’t exactly attentive or proactive. So, you really have to advocate for what you need and you might wait a while for assitance, whether it’s an internet outage or a toilet paper shortage.

TuWork

Their Bocagrande office is the most stylish option. Plus, it’s super close to the beach. Staff and hospitality are hit or miss, though.

Coworking Cartagena

This lesser-known location in Centro Historico has great views and chill vibes, with all the amenities you need. While I didn’t personally use it, two of my friends have and recommended it.

BEST CAFES FOR WORKING:

Libertario Coffee

The indisputable #1 digital nomad cafe in Cartagena.

This Getsemani gem is my second home! Hands-down the best coffee in Cartagena. With lightning fast wifi, hidden floor outlets, and four different seating options, they have everything you could need to stay productive. The expert baristas will honestly treat you like family and teach you anything you want to know.

Recommended: Espresso (multiple varieties, ask baristas), V60, eggplant sandwich, goat cheese toast.

Wifi speed: 120/100 mbps

Bhoza Cafe

An unassuming sleepy coffeeshop in San Diego is hiding strong wifi and smooth coffee. My favorite thing about this colorful hole-in-the-wall is that they open earlier than anywhere else, at 7AM. The mellow vibes linger until around 5PM, when they convert into more of a bar until late at night. Feel free to enjoy happy hour after you wrap up your work! Pet-friendly (courtyard seating available) and family-friendly.

Recommended: Cold brew, cappucino, smoothies, empanadas.

Wifi speed: 55/45 mbps

Epoca Espresso

For the best working brunch in Centro Historico, pull up to Epoca. I like their plush booths and quiet balcony. The wifi is workable, but I would have a backup if you’re expecting an important meeting. Busy and buzzy on weekends.

Recommended: French press, butterfly pea matcha latte, breakfast sandwich, buttermilk pancakes.

Wifi speed: 14/8 mbps but varies by floor

Mirador Gastrobar

It’s well known for its craft cocktails and killer terrace views of the clocktower at night, but most people don’t know that El Mirador actually serves coffee and brunch during the daytime! Fair warning, you’ll sacrifice wifi speeds and stability for the view. There are outlets hidden by the palm trees on the left hand side of the terrace facing the clocktower, but use a surge protector. (No one will know if you treat yourself to a mimosa…)

Wifi speed: 5/2 mbps but unstable

What to do

You’ll never be bored in Cartagena, no matter what kind of budget or travel style you’re working with!

• Take a free walking tour of the Historic Center / old city.

• Kayak throught the mangroves at nearby La Boquilla.

• Take a boat to Tierra Bomba, Tolu, or the Rosario Islands.

• Soak up the sun at Bocagrande beach.

• See vibrant art all around the colorful Getsemani neighborhood.

• Walk on top of the city wall at sunset.

• Explore Castillo de San Felipe.

• Take a day trip to the Pink Sea and El Totumo Mud Volcano

• Spend the weekend at Tayrona National Park (add-on: Lost City Trek, Minca)

• Cruise around the bay in a boozy Pirate Ship or Rumba Boat.

• See UNESCO World Heritage site San Basilio de Palenque on a day trip.

Where to Stay

NEIGHBORHOODS

Getsemani

Art, street music, dance, colors, and good vibes. This was the neighborhood where I spent most of my time when I wasn’t home in Manga. Depending on how close you are to Plaza Trinidad, it can get a little busy or touristy (esp. on weekends). Much less so than Centro, though, and it’s just a short 5-10min walk away.

If you stay in this area, you can wander the umbrella-topped sidestreets, listen to a street floutist, and make the hippest coffeshops in town your home.

San Diego

This is the ever-so-slightly more local outskirt of Centro Historico towards the northern wall. Great coffeeshops and restaurants can lure you to this more grounded feeling part of the historical center. Busy, buzzy, and central.

Centro Historico

If you’re staying for just one or two nights, you might want to stay in the historical center. It will be like staying in a Cartagena postcard. Most of the luxury hotels are located here, plus a few great hostels and Airbnbs.

Fair warning, you’ll be in hoardes of tourists on the street (esp. weekends) and get someone trying to sell you something about every 30 seconds. If that doesn’t bother you and you want to be in the middle of the action, go for the picturesque Cartagena experience in Centro Historico!

Manga

If you like it slow, chill, residential, and affordable — Manga’s the place to be. I lived here in a shared house I found on Anyplace with some other nomads, students, interns, and travelers. It’s safe and quiet.

You can walk along the marina, enjoy the green zone, or work out in a park. Best of all, prices are almost half what you would pay in Centro. With only a 20-25min walk to Getsemani and Centro Historico (shorter with TransCaribe bus or a bike), you can have the best of both words living in Manga.

This would also be my recommended neighborhood for anyone traveling with kids or pets.

Bocagrande

Tourist central – but, for a good reason. If you stay here, you can walk to the beach in under a minute every day and party it up every night, sorrounded by western comforts.

I wouldn’t personally recommend it for long-term stays, seasoned travelers, or digital nomads; however, it’s great for a weekend beach trip! Just keep in mind that unlike Centro, you aren’t exchanging any culture for that high touristy meter.

HOSTELS

Casa Zahri

My personal favorite in all of Cartagena, and my top choice for digital nomads and backpackers alike. This hostel is perfectly located on the edge of Getsemani close to the bridges towards both Centro Historico and Manga.

Staff are relaxed and helpful. Vibes are laid-back but welcoming and somewhat social (definitely not a party hostel). Great wifi, lots of quiet spaces to work, and a delicious breakfast. Ask for the spacious 6-bed dorm on second floor by the common room.

Casa Movida

Best for private rooms. It’s known for Instagram-friendly tasteful design with tons of photo spots and a pizzaria in-house on the first floor and rooftop.

The dorms are capsule-style and spacious, but they have their downsides. There are mostly young Colombians staying here on vacation or their first time away from home, so I found the dorms a bit loud and lacking general traveler etiquette. Plus, with only 2 private bathrooms for 18 people, the glitzy quality of the resort-style bathrooms gets lost on your wait time.

Where to Eat

CASUAL

• Bololo Caribe – healthy budget-friendly slow food with Caribbean flavors

• Street Arepas – on Carrera 10 just north of Calle 30, across from Libertario Coffee

• Smash Burger – good late-night food that won’t get you sick

• Mamma Pizza – the real deal with an Italian pizza oven

• Pizza from Cuidad Movil Centro Cultural – community center with eats

• Gelateria Ceiba – cash-only with unique local flavors, open late

• Espiritu Santo – affordable authentic Colombian, space for bigger groups

• Novo Kebab – the Chipotle of Arab food with higher quality

MID-RANGE

• Epoca – delicious bougie brunch

• La Mulata – elevated Colombian

• El Boliche cevicheria, La cevicheria – fresh delicious ceviches

UPSCALE

• Mar y Zielo – my personal favorite for fine dining, rotating menu

• Carmen – the most popular fine dining for tourists, earns the title

• Gran Inka Gastrobar – best for Peruvian ceviches and seafood (but skip the overcooked meats)

Nightlife

Nightlife in Cartagena can get wild, especially on the weekend. I recommend a party buddy for solo female travelers.

Local women dress for the heat, as well as for their beauty and confidence. So, this is a good city to try out some of your more adventurous nightlife outfits that have been gathering dust and anxiety in the back of your closet. (I fell in love with my body and sexuality all over again in Cartagena, and hope you get a bit of that confidence boost on your trip too!)

Here are a few fantastic cocktail bars for your next trip.

(Pro tip: If coming after 6pm to an El Centro bar, call ahead to reserve a spot or be prepared for a long wait to get in.)

• AlQuimico

• Members only

• Mirador

• Cafe del Mar

• El Baron

• Cafe Havana

• The Rum Box

Have you been to Cartagena? Share your tips and favorites in the comments below.

– WRITTEN SEPTEMBER 2021 –