Category: Blog

Cartagena de Indias is much more than its iconic walled city. While the historic centre is a treasure trove of architectural and cultural, there is a Cartagena is revealed beyond its walls: vibrant, authentic and full of contrasts.

If you are planning a trip and want to live a more complete experience, we invite you to discover the Cartagena from a different view:

1. Gethsemane: art, history and tradition

Located just minutes from the historic centre, Gethsemane is a neighborhood that retains the popular soul of Cartagena. Its streets, decorated with street art and colourful murals, invite you to walk, without hurry.

You can also enjoy the Trinity Square at dusk, a coffee on a terrace or local of a spontaneous musical experience in its corners.

2. Islands of the Rosario and Baru: a refuge from the Caribbean

If you are looking for disconnection and nature, the Islas del Rosario and Baru are ideal destinations to enjoy a full day. There you will find crystal clear waters, reefs for snorkeling, and open spaces perfect to relax in front of the sea.

In Mustique, we will be happy to arrange according to your preferences your experience. In addition, we could book a tour of the islands on one of our boats.

3. Cerro de La Popa: from the top of the city

The Cerro de La Popa is the highest point in Cartagena and offers one of the best panoramic views of the city. At the top is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Candelariaa site full of religious history and spirituality that is worth getting to know.

4. Nozzle: connection with nature and local roots

Only 20 minutes from the old town, The Nozzle is a community of fishing tradition that offers experiences of responsible tourism. There you can explore the mangroves by canoe, guided by members of the community, while learning about their culture and the natural environment.

Continue reading «Qué hacer en Cartagena más allá de la ciudad amurallada»

During the colonial era, the churches and religious buildings were built as symbols of power and faith, to rise above the rest of the walled city. Its domes were led not only to the spirit of the inhabitants, but also to mariners arriving at the port. Today, between the contrast in the skyline, modern, and the walls are centuries old, these monuments continue to be the most recognizable, photographed and admired of Cartagena de Indias.

Stay in one of the houses Mustique —such as Hotel Casa Don Sancho Hotel House of Mercy or House Hotel Income means to be immersed in the heart of this story alive. Just steps away, guests can walk among centuries of architecture, legends and sacred art, while enjoying the elegance of a stay-colonial with all the contemporary comforts.

Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria: between heaven and earth

Located in one of the most emblematic squares of the city, this imposing cathedral dates from the SIXTEENTH century and is one of the oldest in America. Its dome yellow stands as a spiritual lighthouse and a point of reference, from different angles, from the historical centre.

Only A few steps away from the hotels Mustique, is today a meeting point for tourists, worshippers and travelers who stop to admire your greatness... and to capture it in a photograph.

Church of San Pedro Claver: faith, history and justice

Just A few minutes walk from either of our houses, this church was named in honor of the "slave of slaves" represents one of the most human of colonial history. San Pedro Claver dedicated his life to the defense of the rights of the enslaved, and their legacy remains in this temple of coral stone, one of the most visited and revered of the city.

In the square that surrounds it, in addition to being one of the most photographed places in the historic center, visitors can enjoy the outdoor art sculptures wrought iron master Edgardo Carmona, as well as a vibrant dining experience with restaurants and bars where you blend local and international flavours.

It is a place where art, history, and contemporary life are interwoven to provide an experience genuinely cartagena. 

Live Cartagena, live Mustique

Stay in Mustique is to enjoy the privilege of walking between jewellery colonial, living monuments and places that have witnessed centuries of history. From our boutique hotels, you can walk around every corner emblematic, discover new perspectives, and be enchanted by the legacy of a city that breathes art, spirituality and beauty.

Our concierges will be happy to arrange personalized experiences that connect to your stay with the best of the heritage of Cartagena de Indias. Because here, each walk is a lesson in history and each view, a postal eternal.

The beginning of the year in Cartagena de Indias, is not only is marked by its warm climate and its charming atmosphere in front of the Caribbean sea. It is also the season in which the city is alive with some of the cultural events, artistic, musical and most important of Colombia and Latin america.

If you're looking for a destination that combines beauty, history, beach and an intense cultural life, Cartagena is the perfect place to live unforgettable experiences in these first months of the year.

Hay Festival Cartagena

January 29 to February 1, 2026

One of the literary meetings more important in the world returns to Cartagena with its unique blend of thought, literature, journalism, science and culture. Authors, thinkers, musicians and artists to share ideas in scenarios that are open to dialogue and inspiration. The hay Festival is an invitation to look at the world from different perspectives, with Cartagena as a backdrop.

FICCI – International Film Festival of Cartagena

14 to April 19, 2026

The film festival is the oldest in Latin America celebrates the seventh art at its finest. Independent productions, talks with filmmakers, outdoor screenings and premieres of international filled with magic nights cartageneras. The FICCI makes the city at the meeting point of the audiovisual industry in the region and a showcase of emerging talent.

A cultural experience, from the heart of Cartagena

Stay in boutique hotels of Mustique, located in the Historic Center, is an active part of this vibrant cultural agenda. From our homes restored colonial, guests can walk to the main scenarios, live the city from the inside, and enjoy an experience that combines hospitality custom, living history and closeness with the art, the music and the word.

Either from a balcony flourished or a terrace with views of the domes colonial Cartagena is live different when you at the right place.

Cartagena 2026:

Culture, music, art and hospitality in a single destination.

Discover our homes and prepare to live a season full of inspiration.

Cartagena de Indias is not only synonymous with history, culture, romance, and hospitality. Today is also positioning itself as one of the most relevant of sports tourism in Latin America, consolidating its place on the international map with events of high impact as the Ironman 70.3. In its eighth edition, this competition of resistance returns to reunite with hundreds of athletes in national and international in a city that has it all: infrastructure, connectivity, natural beauty, and caribbean spirit.

A destination versatile: weddings, holidays and major events

From celebrations to intimate in colonial churches to international conferences, Cartagena adapts to every type of trip. Its streets, city walls, a hundred years old, beaches, warm water, and a gastronomy vibrant make it the ideal place for a family vacation as well as for experiences of luxury, honeymoons or getaways cultural.

The city is consolidated also as a hub for events, large format, and the Ironman 70.3 is proof of this: a global race that is done only in cities that meet high standards of logistics, weather and tourism.

Ironman 70.3 Cartagena: more than a career

With evidence of swimming, cycling and running, the Ironman 70.3 Cartagena challenges the limits of endurance of the athletes in a unique setting. Cartagena has been recognized as one of the venues most spectacular of the world circuit, thanks to its geography, its hotel infrastructure and the quality of the public that accompanies the event.

During this edition, participants will swim in front of the Bay of Souls, and they'll travel the northern area on bike and cross the historic center running between walls, squares and alleys colonial. A physical challenge and, at the same time, a unique sensory experience for competitors and spectators.

Mustique: a perfect location to live the Ironman

In Mustique, our boutique hotels located within the historic centre offered to the athletes, teams and associates are a strategic location for the event:

• A few steps from the exit point of the swim.
• In the same perimeter where the transition is made from bicycles.
• In the heart of the circuit trot and arrival end.

In addition to the closeness logistics, in our houses, you will find the necessary rest, the silence restorer and personalized hospitality that characterizes Mustique. Our team is ready to support you before, during and after the event, either as an athlete or spectator.

What we hope to do in Cartagena with Mustique

Whether you come to compete, to support, or to enjoy the energy of the event, in Mustique Hotels we will be happy to receive you. Our concierge team can help you plan your schedule, manage transfers, reservations, tours, or simply assure you an unforgettable stay.

Cartagena is alive with history, culture, and sport. And Mustique is the best place to live.

Each November 11, Cartagena de Indias dresses of history, memory and celebration. This iconic date, it is not only a commemoration more in the calendar colombian; it is a symbol of national pride. It was in 1811 when Cartagena became the first city in the country to declare its absolute independence from the Spanish Crown, marking a milestone in the history of Colombia and Latin America.

More than two centuries after, that rebellious spirit and brave continues to be present in every cobbled street, on every wall that resists the passage of time, in each face of its people.

A city that celebrates its history with joy

November 11 is much more than a date patriotic: it is a living expression of the identity cartagena. During this time, the city is transformed into a scene of color, music, tradition and pride. Parades, parades, presentations and folklore events that pay tribute both to its history as cultural richness.

The Festivities of Independence bring together locals and visitors in a celebration that unites the past with the present. Here, the joy is not disconnected from the memory, but the glory: the freedom singing, dancing, cooking and shares.

Living history, live in the Caribbean, lives Cartagena

In Mustique Hotels, we are proud to be part of this unique city. Our colonial houses, located in the heart of the historic center are the perfect place to stay and live the story of a close, without losing the warmth of the personalized service.

And for those who wish to continue the experience by the sea, in a natural environment and serene, Water-Baru by Mustique offers an exclusive setting for contemplation and connecting with the Caribbean, surrounded by a landscape of mangroves and with privileged views. An experience that combines privacy, nature, and good taste.

From our spaces, we discover Cartagena from its essence: his freedom, his identity and his beauty.

We look forward to celebrating the history, experience the culture and feel the sea. Cartagena de Indias has it all.

The magic of Cartagena not only live when you walk its streets or admire the sunset from its walls. Also you can breathe in events that consolidate its international position as one of the destination weddings most desired in the world. One of them is the Cartagena Wedding Dreams – Wedding Forum by 2025, an event that marked a milestone for the city and the bridal industry.

An event of city with global impact

Organised brilliantly by Mary Cueter, Cartagena Magic and a team of strategic partners to the highest level, this event became a real meeting point for wedding planners, designers, suppliers, and luxury brands of Colombia and the world.

More than a thousand participants took part in lectures, exhibitions, and experiences around the universe of destination weddings, with Cartagena as the protagonist.

The city as a stage of eternal love

It is No coincidence that Cartagena de Indias is considered a gem for those who dream of a “yes, I do” surrounded by history, art and the Caribbean sea. Its colonial churches, heritage homes, boutique hotels, nearby beaches and the warmth of its people make it unique.

In addition, Cartagena continues to be recognized in the international scene: in the most recent edition of the World Travel Awards 2025, was chosen as the Best Honeymoon Destination in South america, consolidating its charm to celebrations, and romantic getaways unforgettable.

In addition to this, the Port of Cartagena, received the award as the Best Cruise Port in South america, and Colombia was awarded as the Best Tourism Destination continent's Young, reaffirming the attractiveness of our country for new generations of travelers and celebrations.

A gateway of big names in the bridal industry

The presence of renowned international designers, who are experts in wedding design and renowned wedding planners was one of the great highlights of the event.

This exchange of visions and styles strengthens Cartagena as an epicenter for weddings, high-level, where the creativity and experience come together to design celebrations memorable.

An invitation to live the romance eternal Cartagena

Events such as the Wedding Dreams – Wedding Forum by 2025, not only positioned to Cartagena at the highest international standards, but that affirm what many already know: Cartagena is and remains, the quintessential destination to celebrate love.

From Mustique, we extend the invitation to live this unique experience. Whether it be a wedding, a loss of hand, a honeymoon or a romantic getaway, Cartagena is waiting. And we also, with open doors, and the heart is full of history, elegance and personalized service.

Visiting Cartagena de Indias is to enter in a city where history breathes from every stone. And between all their treasures, one looms over the city as a living testimony to his legacy: the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, one of the key strengths of the continent, and today, one of the places most visited by domestic and international travellers.

Recently awarded with the prize Travellers’ Choice 2025 Tripadvisor, this iconic castle not only stands out for its military architecture, but also for being a fundamental part of the cultural heritage of Colombia and the world.

A jewel of a declared World Heritage site by Unesco

Built in 1536 by the Spanish and expanded in several stages until the EIGHTEENTH century, the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas is a feat of military engineering of that time. Its complex network of tunnels, walls and passages in it was designed to defend the city from attacks by sea and by land, resisting numerous sieges.

For its historical value, cultural, and architectural, this fortress was included in the declaration of the Unesco World Heritage, along with the entire old city walls of Cartagena. It is, without doubt, one of the icons more recognizable in the country and a must for all visitors.

A cultural tour, a few steps from the hotels Mustique

Located just minutes from the historic center, the Castle of San Felipe is an ideal visit for those who stay in the hotels Mustique. Our concierges will be happy to arrange a guided tour that allows them to explore this fortress with context, detail and comfort.

In the morning, in the framework of a cultural walk, or at the end of the afternoon, when the sun goes down and the castle is dyed in golden, this visit becomes a memorable moment of the trip.

A symbol of national identity and pride

The Castle of San Felipe is not only a tourist attraction: it is a symbol of resistance, strategy and identity. Represents centuries of history that shaped the character of Cartagena and Colombia.

Its conservation, its relevance in the national narrative, and its international recognition become an obligatory stop for those who want to understand the soul of this caribbean city.

Stay in Mustique and discover the history of Cartagena with elegance

From any of our boutique hotels located in colonial houses of the historic center, you can enjoy Cartagena at your own pace. Away from mass tourism and close to the real thing. With the accompaniment of our team, your visit to the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas will be much more than a walk: it will be an intimate encounter with history.

Discover Cartagena. Live your legacy. Stay with Mustique.

Walk through the historic center of Cartagena is to travel more than 500 years of history. Founded in 1533, this walled city was one of the most important ports in the Americas during the Spanish colonial era. From there out riches to Europe, arriving expeditions, were established viceroys and wove complex commercial and cultural networks. It is not by chance that it has been declared a Historical and Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity by the UNESCO in 1984. within its walls, the bastions and cobbled streets, Cartagena saves a legacy of stunning architecture. And although its churches, squares and fortresses were stolen many glances, the small details like the knockers on the doors of their colonial houses that reveal the most intimate secrets of the city.

Continue reading «Las aldabas de Cartagena: símbolos de historia, poder y tradición»

We are the gateway to South America – Cartagena de Indias is a destination that falls in love from the first moment and the best thing is that getting here has never been so easy. Thanks to its strategic location in the colombian Caribbean and the increasing supply air national and international, today most travelers can discover this historical gem, without scales unnecessary.

Whether you come from North America, Europe, Central america, or from another city in Colombia, you will find direct routes, airlines that connect with the magic of the Caribbean in a matter of hours. And if your visit coincides with the winter in your country, better yet: here the summer is eternal.

From the airport to the heart of Cartagena

The Airport is Rafael Núñez is located just 15 minutes from the historical centre. If you prefer, in Mustique Hotels we can arrange your private transfer from the airport directly to your hotel. So you can start your stay smooth and level of service that you expect.

When coming to Cartagena? At any time of the year

One of the great advantages of Cartagena is its warm climate all year round. That is why it is an ideal destination if you are looking for:

• Escape the winter and enjoy the sun
• Family vacations in any season
• An unforgettable honeymoon
• Hold a destination wedding with colonial charm
• Meet with friends in a bachelorette party or getaway for couples

From the historic center full of life, to the beaches of Baru or to the Rosario Islands, Cartagena always offers something special.

In Mustique, your only concern will be to enjoy. We take care of the rest.

Our hotels in Cartagena, houses with history, charm and personalized service— are much more than a place to sleep: they are the perfect starting point to experience the city with authenticity and elegance.

Our concierge team will be happy to put together an itinerary to suit you, manage transfers and accompany you in every moment of the trip.

Historic Centre

“I only needed to take a step inside of the wall to see her [to Cartagena] in all its grandeur to the light mauve of the six in the evening, and I could not repress the feeling of having been born again,” wrote Gabriel Garcia Marquez, in his autobiography Live to Tell it. 

The streets of the neighborhoods of San Diego and Gethsemane are surrounded by a wall of military-colonial, built four centuries ago. Its mission was to prevent invasions of navigators English and French. Its original shape remained almost intact to the present day, leaving a defence to become a door into yesterday.

The streets Garage Hobo, The Curacy of Santo Domingo, The Seven Infants, The Tumbamuertos and other more in the neighborhood of San Diego are full of colonial architecture, churches, theatres, convents, colleges, and houses that survive the passage of time and of the people. It is not only about walls, windows, and balconies, but also of stories that are discussed to be of historical events or legends mythologized.

In 1666, in San Diego, began the construction of the Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva, today known as Santo Toribio. By this time, the cloister was part of the everyday life of the high class cartagena. Housed beautiful, almost divine, religious images, and a beautiful baroque altarpiece. 

27 April 1741 the bullet of a gun came out of a pirate ship and entered by the gate of the Church of Santo Toribio up to the feet of the priest, without causing damage only to scare, according to the chronicles written at the time. 

When walking through this neighborhood all the senses delight; look, listen, feel and live.

Continue reading «Cartagena de indias, un destino para volver en cualquier época del año»