How to Find Cheap Hotels In Cartagena, Colombia. The old walled town of Cartagena is filled with impressive architecture, flowers and friendly people. Your walking tour of this part of modern Cartagena should include the oldest section of the city, Plaza Trinidad in Getsemaní. Take a few days to enjoy rumba, rum and the ruins of an ancient fortress--just plan ahead to make sure that your cheap accommodations are also charming.
Tour the Fort San Felipe to see 17th and 18th century protection against pirates of the Caribbean. English-speaking guides will lead you through its imposing interior.
Take a mud bath at Volcán del Totumo--a natural mud volcano found just a short drive north of Cartagena. Several tour operators offer day trips that include lunch and a mud-removing swim before your return. You can also get there by bus or car, for the chance to enjoy the hot baths away from a crowd.
Avoid the crowded beaches of Cartagena; consider taking the bus to La Boquilla from India Catalina (Avenida Venezuela). Get off at the end of the line, where you can rent a canoe and paddle through lagoons and mangroves to the Playa del Oro beach.
Try to stay in or near the ciudad amurallada--the old walled city--for the best local flavor. Many hotels, including cheap accommodations, can be found in Bocagrande section of Cartagena. Look also into the Getsemaní area for cheap hotels and hostels. To book accommodations, contact the Cartagena Tourism Guide at 011 (+57) 5 665 0515 or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).
Study reviews of accommodations in Cartagena that you can easily find on user-contribution travel websites. The best cheap accommodations usually will not be found on the Web sites that advertise directly and book reservations online.
Rent a hammock on the beach for the night--they are available at the beach at Playa Blanca (on the island of Baru).
