Best Pet-Friendly Hotels and Stays in Cartagena for Travelers With Furry Companions
Words by
Andres Restrepo
When I first brought my dog Luna to Cartagena, I spent three days calling hotels that claimed to be pet-friendly on their websites only to arrive and find a "no pets" sign at the front desk. The city has come a long way since then, and the best pet friendly hotels in Cartagena now genuinely welcome four-legged guests with real amenities, not just a reluctant tolerance. After years of traveling through Colombia's Caribbean coast with Luna, I've built a personal directory of places where both you and your furry companion will feel like you belong, from the colonial walls of the historic center to the breezy beachfront strips of Bocagrande.
Hotels That Allow Dogs Cartagena: The Historic Center Gems
1. Hotel Casa San Agustín
Calle de la Universidad 36-44, Centro Histórico
This is the property that changed my mind about traveling with a dog in Cartagena. The staff at Casa San Agustín actually prepared a small welcome basket with a dog biscuit and a water bowl when we checked in, something I have never seen at any other hotel in the city. The courtyard pool area is shaded and cool in the mornings, and Luna loved lying on the tile floors that stay refreshingly cool even when the midday heat is brutal outside. The hotel sits on a quiet street just two blocks from the Clock Tower, so you can walk your dog through the colonial plazas early in the morning before the tourist crowds arrive.
What to Order / See: Request a room facing the interior courtyard. The stone walls keep the room naturally cool, and your dog will appreciate the tile floors over carpet any day.
Best Time: Arrive before 7 AM if you want to walk your dog through Plaza de Bolívar without encountering tour groups. The city wakes up slowly, and the morning light on the colonial facades is extraordinary.
The Vibe: Formal but genuinely warm. The staff remembered Luna's name after our first visit, which tells you something about how they treat animals. One small note: the courtyard can get loud during weekend events, so request a room away from the main event space if your dog is noise-sensitive.
Local Tip: Walk two blocks east to Calle de la Iglesia and turn left. There is a small park near the Convento de la Popa where locals bring their dogs in the evening. It is not on any tourist map, but it is the best spot in the historic center for socializing with other dog owners.
2. Hotel Boutique Casa del Colibrí
Calle del Quero 9-59, San Diego, Centro Histórico
Casa del Colibrí is a smaller, family-run property that does not advertise widely, which is exactly why I keep coming back. They have a rooftop terrace where you can sit with your dog as the sun sets over the cathedral domes, and the owner, Doña Carmen, keeps a bowl of fresh water on the terrace specifically for guest dogs. The rooms are modest but immaculate, and the location puts you within walking distance of the Getsemaní neighborhood's street art scene without the noise that comes with staying directly on Calle Media Luna.
What to Order / See: Ask Doña Carmen about her homemade arepas in the morning. She makes them fresh and will bring one to your room if you ask the night before.
Best Time: Late afternoon on the rooftop. The light over the tiled roofs is golden, and the temperature drops just enough for your dog to be comfortable.
The Vibe: Quiet, intimate, and unhurried. The only drawback is that the staircase is narrow and steep, so carrying a larger dog up to the rooftop requires some planning.
Local Tip: The hotel is one block from the Museo de Arte Moderno, which has a small garden courtyard that is technically not dog-friendly, but the security guard, Jorge, will let you tie your dog's leash to the bench outside while you peek in for five minutes. He has done this for me twice without issue.
Dog Friendly Hotels Cartagena: Beachfront and Bocagrande Options
3. Hotel Dann Cartagena
Avenida San Martín 3-120, Bocagrande
The Dann was one of the first major hotels in Bocagrande to openly welcome dogs, and they have a proper pet policy with a weight limit of 20 kilograms, which covers most medium-sized breeds. Luna and I stayed here for a week, and the beach access is what sold me. You step out of the lobby, cross the avenue, and you are on the sand within two minutes. The hotel provides a pet bed and food bowls upon request, which they deliver to your room before you even arrive if you email ahead.
What to Order / See: The oceanfront rooms on the fourth floor and above have balconies where your dog can watch the waves. Request room 408 or 412 specifically, they have the widest balconies.
Best Time: Early morning beach walks between 6 and 7 AM. The beach is nearly empty, and the water is calm enough for dogs who like to paddle.
The Vibe: Business-hotel energy during the week, more relaxed on weekends. The lobby can get busy with conference groups on weekday mornings, which means elevators take longer with a dog. Plan your walks around the 9 AM rush.
Local Tip: There is a small veterinary clinic on Calle 2, two blocks inland from the hotel, called Veterinaria Bocagrande. Dr. Pilar speaks English and keeps evening hours until 8 PM, which saved me when Luna got a thorn in her paw on a Saturday afternoon.
4. Hyatt Regency Cartagena
Avenida Almirante Brion, Laguito
The Hyatt Regency sits on the Laguito peninsula, which is technically part of the Bocagrande area but feels like its own quiet island. The pet policy here is the most comprehensive I have encountered in Cartagena. They offer a full pet concierge service that includes dog walking, grooming referrals, and even a pet menu at the restaurant. The grounds are lush and tropical, with wide pathways perfect for morning walks before the humidity sets in. The infinity pool overlooks the Caribbean, and while dogs cannot swim in it, there is a small grassy area near the spa where they can relax under the palms.
What to Order / See: The pet menu includes grilled chicken and rice prepared specifically for dogs. Luna ate better here than she does at home.
Best Time: Sunset from the pool deck. The sky turns orange and pink, and the bay is glass-calm.
The Vibe: Resort luxury with genuine warmth. The only complaint I have is that the property is large, and walking from the farthest room to the lobby takes about ten minutes, which matters when your dog needs a quick bathroom break at 2 AM.
Local Tip: The hotel is adjacent to the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, but most tourists walk right past the small mangrove trail on the hotel's east side. That trail is shaded, quiet, and perfect for a dog walk where you will not encounter a single tour bus.
Pet Allowed Accommodation Cartagena: Getsemaní and the Bohemian Stays
5. Hotel Casa Lola
Calle del Guerrero 29-109, Getsemaní
Casa Lola is the kind of place where the owner, Sebastian, will sit with you in the courtyard, offer Luna a bowl of water, and tell you stories about the neighborhood's history as a working-class port district. The hotel is small, only about twelve rooms, and the pet policy is informal but welcoming. There is no weight limit, no extra fee, and no paperwork. The rooftop has hammocks and a small bar, and dogs are welcome up there in the evenings when the live salsa music starts. The energy in Getsemaní is raw and real, and your dog will hear drums and laughter until late.
What to Order / See: The rooftop at sunset. Grab a mojito, let your dog settle into a hammock corner, and listen to the music drift up from the street.
Best Time: Thursday through Saturday evenings. The street below comes alive with live music and dancing, and the rooftop is the perfect perch.
The Vibe: Bohemian, loud, and utterly alive. If your dog is sensitive to noise, request a room on the interior courtyard. The street noise can be intense on weekend nights.
Local Tip: Walk your dog down to the Malecón at dawn. The fishermen are already out, and the view of the bay from the old city walls is something no photograph captures fully.
6. Hotel Media Luna Getsemaní
Calle Media Luna, Getsemaní
Media Luna is a budget-friendly option that has become a backpacker favorite, and they added a pet-friendly policy after I suggested it to the manager, Carlos, during one of my stays. The rooms are basic but clean, and the common kitchen is a great place to meet other travelers with dogs. The location puts you in the heart of Getsemaní, steps from the street art and the nightlife. The rooftop has a view of the old city walls, and dogs are welcome in the common areas.
What to Order / See: The common kitchen. Cook your own meals and save money for the real splurge at Casa San Agustín's restaurant.
Best Time: Early morning. Walk your dog along the old city walls before the heat sets in.
The Vibe: Backpacker energy, social and loud. The Wi-Fi is unreliable near the back rooms, and the shared bathrooms can be a drawback for some.
Local Tip: Carlos knows a vet two blocks away who makes house calls. Ask at the front desk for the number. It is not listed online, but he has helped me twice.
Extended Stays and Apartment Rentals for Pet Owners
7. Airbnb and Apartment Rentals in Castillogrande
Castillogrande is the residential peninsula just south of Bocagrande, and it is where I recommend travelers with dogs stay for anything longer than a week. The apartment buildings here are
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