In the heart of Cartagena, where the Caribbean breeze meets the rhythm of salsa, lies a party scene that’s as vibrant as the city itself.
Get ready to explore the top party hostels that’ll have you trading your guidebook for a dance floor.
From sunset soirees by the sea to hidden bars that only the coolest locals know about, Cartagena’s nightlife is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
Here are the best party hostels in Cartagena.
This guide is an extension of our handwritten guide to the best hostels in Cartagena de Indias.
🥳 The COOLEST Party Hostels? Our favorites are:
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. You can even filter specifically for Party hostels on Hostelz.com.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you want …
- to party!
- a social Hostel to actually meet people!
- a cool hostel with drinking games and such!
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels in” here.
Quick Introduction to Cartagena de Indias
Average price for a bed: On average, the price of a hostel in Cartagena de Indias is around 16€ per night. Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 p.m.), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 a.m.). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
More Special Topics about Cartagena de Indias: e.g., tourism tax, safety, pre-book unique activity, weather, …
Where to Party in the City:
- Getsemaní: This historic neighborhood doesn’t just offer colorful streets; it’s a treasure trove of lively bars and clubs, making it a hotspot for late-night revelry.
- Bocagrande: Known for its beachfront bars and ocean views, Bocagrande offers a unique blend of seaside relaxation and party vibes.
- Old Town’s Plaza de la Trinidad: By day, it’s a cozy square; by night, it’s a hub of open-air parties and live music that keeps the city alive.
Best Bar Areas:
- Calle del Arsenal: A street known for its hip bars and rooftop venues that offer stunning views of the city’s skyline and the Caribbean Sea.
- Calle Media Luna: This awesome street in Getsemaní is lined with bars that beckon you to dance and celebrate life.
Happy Hour:
Cocktail Hour at Sunset: The magic hour meets happy hour – find bars with sunset views and toast to the beauty of Cartagena.
Hostel Happy Hours: Many hostels offer happy hours where you can meet fellow travelers and start the night on a high note.
🔥 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 63 Craziest Party Hostels in the World (with Map)
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The Coolest Party Hostels in Cartagena de Indias are …
Let’s jump right into the fun hostels in Cartagena de Indias for partying:
These are our favorite hostels in Cartagena de Indias to party. We put all these hostels on the map, including our own insider tips for bars, clubs, and popular night life areas in Cartagena de Indias (and more!).
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Viajero Hostel Cartagena |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | Selina Cartagena |
| 👯 For Groups: | Life Is Good Hostel |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Viajero Hostel Cartagena |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Viajero Hostel Cartagena |
1. Viajero Hostel Cartagena
Viajero Hostel Cartagena rolls out the red carpet for party-loving travelers craving an adventure! Nestled in a beautiful neighborhood, this awesome party hostel hostel in Cartagena boasts free daily activities to keep the good times rolling.
From salsa and dance lessons to live music events by local artists, they know how to shake things up!
Their prime location means you’re never far from the heart-pounding beats of Latino clubs and energetic bars that blast electronic music.
During the daytime, their colonial house sits pretty on a colorful street adorned with flowers, balconies, and nature-filled plazas. And guess what? Top attractions are just a short walk away!
Whether you choose a shared dorm or a private bedroom, kickstart your Colombian experience with a cup of steaming coffee and fresh fruit.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Facilities & Amenities:
- Garden and shared lounge for relaxation.
- On-site restaurant and bar.
- Tour desk for travel assistance.
- Sun terrace
- Shared kitchen
- Free daily activities including salsa lessons and live music events.
Location of Viajero Hostel Cartagena: Located within Cartagena’s walled city, a significant attraction of Colombia. Convenient access to authentic Latino clubs and vibrant bars hosting electronic music. Moments away from Marbella Beach, Cartagena’s Walls, and San Felipe de Barajas Castle.
Our favorite hostel in Cartagena de Indias for
- Solo Travelers
- Social butterflies
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Selina Cartagena
Selina’s hostels in Colombia have earned a reputation for throwing the best parties, and their place in Cartagena is no different.
Notably in Cartagena, Selina Cartagena has an on-site bar with amazing cocktails that won’t break the budget for backpackers.
Plus, their hostel is home to two gorgeous rooftop pools, creating a social area perfect for sipping drinks and making friends while you watch the sun go down. T
his hostel is also right in the center of Cartagena de Indias, where you can admire the brightly colored buildings, quaint cobblestone streets, and flavored markets.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Facilities & Amenities:
- On-site bar offering specialty cocktails at backpacker-friendly prices.
- Two rooftop pool areas with scenic views for relaxation and socializing.
- Rooftop swimming pool and sun terrace.
- Daily yoga classes for relaxation and wellness.
- Games and activities
Selina Cartagena Location: Situated in the heart of Cartagena de Indias with a view of Cartagena Bay. 5-minute drive to the touristic area of Bocagrande. Provides easy access to city attractions and beach areas, catering to various preferences. Perfect location for a getaway offering a blend of city and beach experiences.
This hostel is great for:
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Life Is Good Hostel
Life Is Good Hostel, a funky boutique oasis, welcomes guests with open arms and a whole lot of Colombian charm.
This party paradise boasts air conditioning and en-suite washrooms in every room, ensuring maximum comfort for all party animals. They even throw in a delicious breakfast to help cure party hangovers.
Feeling social? Make friends over local Colombian cuisine and refreshing juices at their on-site restaurant.
Need to unwind after a wild night? Soak up the sun on their terrace with a jacuzzi, where the party never stops.
Just a skip away from the historic Old City, this awesome hostel is surrounded by cultural hotspots and entertainment galore.
Don’t expect elevators, but do expect a damn good time.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Facilities & Amenities:
- Included breakfast featuring local Colombian food and freshly squeezed juices.
- On-site restaurant offering typical Colombian cuisine.
- Sun terrace with jacuzzi.
- Concierge service for guest assistance.
- Garden, terrace, and bar on-site.
- Hot tub available for guests.
Location of Life is Good Cartagena Hostel: Situated in the Getsemani neighborhood, just outside Cartagena’s historic Old City. Close to cultural meeting points like Trinidad Plaza. Steps from the convention center, where major city events occur.Convenient access to Cartagena’s Walls, Palace of the Inquisition, and Bolivar Park.
A top choice for:
- Groups
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Fun Tips for Party Hostels in Cartagena de Indias
As you have come to realize, staying at a party hostel is a little different than staying at a regular hostel. Here are some tips to make your stay go a little smoother, and how to be prepared:
How to identify a party Hostel? 4 Simple indicators:
- Is there an age limit? 18+ and an upper age-limit are indicators
- Do they offer Pub Crawls and Drinking Games in the hostel?
- Check for party pictures
- Filter the Reviews on Hostelz.com for keywords like "Party", "nightlife" or "social"
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Things to Bring & Pack
There are a few things backpackers should be sure to bring when staying at a party hostel specifically. These items include earplugs (for early mornings and loud roomates), a padlock (lock up your valuables BEFORE going out), headache medicine (always usefful!), and condoms.
Especially for the bigger European cities where pickpocketing is common we recommend wearing trousers with zippers. This limits the chances of stealing from your pockets.
Read: 23 best items to pack for staying in a hostel
Be Sociable
One of the best things about a hostel is being able to meet new people from every corner of the world. Be sure to talk to people and mingle. Travelling solo is great and life-changing, yet enjoying it with new friends can be even better. Locals especially, can show you hidden secret and some of the best spots in the city.
Read: 18 Rules for Hostels and how to build life-time friendships in Hostels
What about the cheapest hostels in Cartagena de Indias?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Cartagena de Indias.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Cartagena de Indias
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Cartagena de Indias best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Cartagena de Indias?
Get your eSIM Card with Airalo.com instantly online. It is easy to set up and cheap! Read our review of Airalo here.
No more searching for mobile stores. Get your eSIM Card for now and enjoy it instantly after landing in your new destination.
Our Favorite Hostels in Cartagena de Indias put on a map + sights
Let us have a look at the handmade map we have created for you. As promised, below we list all party hostels and best hostels in Cartagena de Indias, as well as sights and our own travel tips.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map. It’s just easier. We thought this map would help you with planning your trip, too.
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Our Insider Tips
As mentioned in the beginning, this guide is an extension of our article “Best hostels in Cartagena de Indias.”
Yet, we have written down more of our best tips for Cartagena de Indias. Check out the following:
Nightlife Events and Activities:
- Chiva Party Bus: Hop on this colorful party bus for a wild ride around the city, complete with music, dancing, and lots of fun.
- Sunset Salsa: Cartagena is all about salsa. Join a sunset salsa class and twirl your way into the night.
- Beach Bonfires: Some hostels organize beach bonfires where you can mingle, dance, and create memories under the starry Caribbean sky.
What to Drink in the City:
- Aguardiente: This anise-flavored Colombian spirit is the heart and soul of many local celebrations. Sip, dance, and make new friends.
- Fresh Fruit Cocktails: When in Colombia, savor the abundance of fresh fruits by indulging in exotic fruit cocktails that burst with tropical flavors.
- Local Beers: Enjoy a cold Club Colombia or Aguila beer, a refreshing companion to Cartagena’s tropical climate.
FAQ
More questions left? No worries, we are here for you.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Cartagena de Indias for nightlife and party.
As you know by now, Colombia has awesome backpacker places to stay. So, we have more guides for you:
- 43 Best Hostels in Colombia – full country guide + map
- Best Hostels in Cartagena
- Best Hostels in Cali
- Best Hostels in Medellin
- Best Hostels in Bogota
- Best Hostels in Salento
- Best Hostels in Santa Marta
- Best Hostels in Taganga
- Best Hostels in San Andres
- Best Hostels in Palomino
- Best Hostels in Guatape
- Best Hostels in Minca
- Best Hostels in Popayan
Party hostels in Colombia:
For more cool hostel guides around South America, check out:
- Cool hostels in Quito, Ecuador
- Best hostels in Lima, Peru
- Best hostels in Cusco, Peru
Find all our hostel guides around the world here.
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Cartagena de Indias guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
