Best Pet-Friendly Hotels and Stays in Cartagena for Travelers With Furry Companions

I have spent the better part of three years traveling through Cartagena with my rescue mutt, a scrappy little dog named Caiman who has seen more of this city than most tourists ever will. Finding the best pet friendly hotels in Cartagena was not easy at first. The old walled city, with its colonial-era buildings and narrow cobblestone streets, was not exactly designed with four-legged guests in mind. But over time, I discovered a growing number of places that genuinely welcome pets, not just tolerate them. What follows is a guide built from real stays, real conversations with hotel staff, and real walks through every neighborhood where you and your dog can actually enjoy this Caribbean jewel together.

The Rise of Dog Friendly Hotels Cartagena and What It Means for Travelers

Cartagena has changed dramatically in the last decade. The tourism boom brought boutique hotels, international restaurants, and a new wave of travelers who refuse to leave their pets behind. This shift pushed several properties in the historic center and surrounding neighborhoods to rethink their pet policies. Today, the dog friendly hotels Cartagena offers range from colonial mansions in the walled city to beachfront properties in Bocagrande. The key thing to understand is that "pet friendly" in Cartagena can mean very different things. Some hotels allow dogs under a certain weight. Others charge a nightly pet fee that can range from 30,000 to 100,000 Colombian pesos. A handful go further, offering dog beds, bowls, and even a welcome treat at check-in. I have stayed at all types, and the difference in experience is enormous. When you are researching pet allowed accommodation Cartagena has available, always call ahead and ask specific questions. Do not rely on booking platform filters alone. I once arrived at a hotel listed as pet friendly only to learn their policy had changed two weeks prior. That kind of surprise, with a tired dog at your feet after a long flight, is something you want to avoid.

Local Insider Tip: "When you call a hotel to confirm their pet policy, ask specifically about size restrictions and whether there is a pet fee. Many smaller boutique hotels in Getsemani do not list pet policies online at all, but they will accept dogs if you ask directly and your dog is well-behaved. The front desk staff at these smaller places often have more flexibility than the big chains."

Casa Lola Boutique Hotel in Getsemani

Casa Lola sits on a quiet stretch of Calle del Guerrero in Getsemani, the neighborhood just outside the old city walls that has become Cartagena's cultural heartbeat. I stayed here with Caiman for four nights last March, and it remains one of my favorite pet-friendly experiences in the city. The hotel occupies a restored colonial house with a central courtyard where Caiman could lounge in the shade while I drank coffee each morning. The staff brought him a water bowl without being asked, and the owner's own cat roamed the property, which told me immediately that animals were genuinely welcome here, not just permitted. Getsemani itself is perfect for dog walking. The streets are less crowded than inside the walled city, and Plaza de la Trinidad, just a two-minute walk away, becomes a lively gathering spot in the evening where dogs are a common sight. The hotel does not charge a pet fee for dogs under 10 kilograms, which is generous by Cartagena standards. One detail most tourists would not know is that the rooftop terrace, which has a small plunge pool, is accessible to guests with pets during off-peak hours. I had it entirely to myself one late afternoon, and Caiman sat beside me watching the sun drop behind the old city walls. The only complaint I have is that the rooms on the ground floor, while convenient for taking your dog out quickly, can be noisy when the courtyard fills up with other guests at night.

Hotel Casa San Agustin in the Walled City

If you want to stay inside the historic center and bring your dog along, Hotel Casa San Agustin on Calle de la Universidad is one of the few luxury properties that genuinely accommodates pets. This is a five-star hotel built around three colonial-era courtyards, and the fact that they allow dogs up to 15 kilograms speaks to a level of hospitality that goes beyond the norm. I visited with Caiman during a long weekend in July, and the experience was memorable. The staff provided a proper dog bed, stainless steel bowls, and a small bag of local dog treats at check-in. The courtyards are lush and shaded, giving your dog a cool retreat from the Caribbean heat that can be brutal between noon and three in the afternoon. The location puts you steps from the Cathedral of Cartagena and the Museum of Modern Art, both of which are worth visiting on their own. For dog walks, I recommend heading out early, before seven in the morning, when the walled city is quiet and the cobblestones have not yet absorbed the day's heat. Paws can burn on hot stone, and I learned this the hard way on my second day when Caiman started limping slightly after a mid-morning walk. The hotel's concierge can arrange a pet sitter if you want to explore sites that do not allow animals, which is a service I have not seen offered at many other hotels that allow dogs Cartagena has in its luxury tier. The downside is cost. The pet fee here is significant, around 120,000 Colombian pesos per night, and the rooms themselves are priced at a premium. But if you want colonial grandeur and your dog treated like a guest rather than an exception, this is the place.

Local Insider Tip: "Ask the concierge at Casa San Agustin about the small park behind the Convento de la Popa. It is not well known to tourists, and in the early morning it is one of the few green spaces inside the walled city where your dog can actually walk on grass instead of cobblestone. Most visitors never find it."

Selina Cartagena in Bocagrande

Selina has built a reputation across Latin America as a hostel-hotel hybrid that caters to digital nomads and long-term travelers, and their Cartagena location on Avenida San Martin in Bocagrande is no exception. I spent two weeks here working remotely with Caiman, and the setup was ideal for anyone who needs Wi-Fi, a desk, and a place where their dog is welcome. The property allows dogs of all sizes with no weight restriction, which is rare. They charge a modest pet fee of about 40,000 pesos per night. Bocagrande is the modern beachfront district, and the beach itself is a short walk from the hotel. Early mornings along the Bocagrande waterfront are when you will see the most dogs out with their owners. The neighborhood has wide sidewalks and a more relaxed pace than the old city, which makes it easier to manage a dog on a leash. The Selina has a co-working space on the ground floor where I set up my laptop each day, and Caiman slept under my desk while I worked. The rooftop bar is not pet friendly, but the ground-floor common areas are, and the staff were consistently kind to him. One thing most tourists would not know is that the Selina occasionally hosts pet-friendly events, including dog adoption drives in partnership with local rescue organizations. I attended one during my stay and met several expats who had adopted dogs in Cartagena. The main drawback is that Bocagrande lacks the colonial character of the old city. If you came to Cartagena for history and architecture, you will need to take a taxi or bus to the walled city, which adds time and cost to your daily routine.

Hotel Boutique Casa del Arbol in Getsemani

This tiny property on Calle del Espiritu Santo in Getsemani is the kind of place you only find through word of mouth or deep online searching. It has just six rooms, a small garden, and a rooftop with views of the old city skyline. I discovered it through a local friend who told me the owner, a woman named Carmen, is a passionate animal lover who keeps two rescue dogs of her own on the property. There is no formal pet policy listed online because Carmen decides on a case-by-case basis, but every dog I have seen welcomed here has been treated like family. The garden is the real highlight. It is a small but well-maintained green space with tropical plants, a hammong, and enough room for a dog to stretch out. In the heat of the day, this garden becomes a sanctuary. I spent many afternoons there with Caiman while the temperature outside climbed past 35 degrees Celsius. The location in Getsemani means you are close to the street art, the salsa clubs, and the local food stalls that make this neighborhood the soul of modern Cartagena. The hotel does not have a restaurant, but Carmen will prepare breakfast if you ask the night before, and she is happy to recommend nearby places that allow dogs at their outdoor tables. The one thing to know is that the rooms are small. If you have a large dog, the space can feel cramped. This is best suited for travelers with small to medium-sized pets who value a personal, homelike atmosphere over hotel amenities.

Local Insider Tip: "Carmen knows every dog-friendly restaurant and cafe within a ten-minute walk. Ask her for a list when you check in. She keeps a handwritten map at the front desk that she updates regularly, and it includes places that do not advertise pet policies online."

Hyatt Regency Cartagena on Bocagrande Beach

The Hyatt Regency sits directly on the beach in Bocagrande, and it is one of the few international chain hotels in Cartagena that has a formal, published pet policy. Dogs up to 20 kilograms are accepted, and the pet fee is around 150,000 Colombian pesos per stay, not per night, which is more reasonable than many competitors. I stayed here for a long weekend with Caiman and was impressed by the consistency of the service. The hotel provided a dog bed, bowls, and a welcome note with nearby walking routes marked on a small map. The beach access is the obvious draw. The Hyatt has a private section of beach with loungers and umbrellas, and while dogs are not allowed on the beach itself due to local regulations, the hotel's landscaped grounds are extensive and perfect for morning and evening walks. The pool area is lush and shaded, and I spent several hours reading by the water while Caiman dozed beside me on a towel. The hotel's restaurant, which serves Colombian-Caribbean fusion cuisine, has outdoor seating where dogs are permitted. I ate there twice, and both times the staff brought Caiman water without being asked. The Hyatt is a safe, predictable choice for travelers who want international standards and do not want to worry about language barriers or unexpected policy changes. The trade-off is that it feels less like Cartagena and more like a Hyatt anywhere in the world. If you are looking for local character, you will need to leave the property to find it. Also, the beach in Bocagrande is not the pristine Caribbean postcard you might imagine. It is public, often crowded, and the water is not always the clearest. For better beaches, you would need to take a boat to the Islas del Rosario, which is a separate day trip entirely.

Hostal La Balconada in Manga

Manga is a residential neighborhood just north of the walled city that most tourists never visit, and that is precisely what makes it interesting. Hostal La Balconada sits on a tree-lined street in Manga, housed in a restored republican-era mansion with high ceilings, wooden balconies, and a small interior patio. I found this place through a local travel forum, and it turned out to be one of the most peaceful stays I have had in Cartagena with a dog. The hostal allows pets with no additional fee, which is almost unheard of in the city. The owner, a retired schoolteacher named Don Rafael, told me he started allowing pets after his own dog passed away and he missed having animals around. The patio has a mango tree that drops fruit in the summer months, and Caiman spent hours lying underneath it watching the leaves move. Manga is quiet, residential, and safe for evening walks. The neighborhood has a small park, Parque Fernandez de Madrid, that is popular with local families and their dogs. It is about a 15-minute walk from the walled city, or a five-minute taxi ride. The hostal does not have a restaurant, but there are several local comedores, small family-run eateries, within walking distance where you can get a full lunch for under 15,000 pesos. The rooms are simple but clean, with fans and mosquito nets. Air conditioning is available in some rooms for an extra charge. The lack of luxury amenities is the obvious trade-off, but the price and the genuine warmth of the place more than compensate. Most tourists would not know that Manga has some of the best-preserved republican architecture in Cartagena, dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Walking through the neighborhood with your dog in the early evening, when the light turns golden and the streets empty out, is one of the most underrated experiences in the city.

Local Insider Tip: "Don Rafael can arrange for a local teenager to walk your dog if you have a full day of sightseeing planned. He has been doing this for years for guests, and the kids in the neighborhood know him well. It costs about 20,000 pesos for a half day, and your dog will come back tired and happy."

Bovedas of San Juan de Dios for a Unique Stay

The Bovedas are the vaulted chambers built into the old city walls near the Clock Tower, and while most of them house shops and galleries, a few have been converted into small guest suites. One such property, which operates as a short-term rental rather than a traditional hotel, allows pets and offers an experience unlike anything else in Cartagena. I rented one of these vaulted rooms for three nights with Caiman, and the thick colonial walls kept the space remarkably cool even during the hottest part of the day. The location is extraordinary. You are literally inside the city walls, with the Caribbean Sea on one side and the old city on the other. Morning walks along the top of the walls, which are accessible from nearby stairways, give you panoramic views of the ocean and the skyline. Dogs are common on the wall walkways in the early morning, before the tourist crowds arrive. The rental does not offer hotel services like daily cleaning or a front desk, which means you are largely on your own. But for travelers who want independence and a truly unique setting, it is hard to beat. The stone floors are cool underfoot, which Caiman appreciated, and the small kitchenette meant I could prepare simple meals without leaving the property. The one significant drawback is accessibility. The Bovedas are reached by narrow stairs, and if you have a large dog or mobility challenges, this is not the right choice. Also, the vaulted ceilings create an echo, so a barking dog can become a problem for neighboring units. Keep that in mind if your pet is vocal.

Pet Allowed Accommodation Cartagena Options in La Boquilla

La Boquilla is a fishing village on the northern edge of Cartagena, about 20 minutes by taxi from the walled city. It is not a tourist destination in the traditional sense, but it has a handful of small guesthouses and beach lodges that welcome pets with open arms. I spent a week at a small guesthouse run by a local family, and it was the most relaxed I have ever felt traveling with a dog in Colombia. The guesthouse had a sandy yard, hammocks, and direct access to a quiet stretch of beach where Caiman could run off-leash in the early morning before other people arrived. The family cooked fresh fish for lunch and dinner, and the total cost for a room and two meals was less than what a single night costs at most hotels in the walled city. La Boquilla is not for everyone. The infrastructure is basic, the streets are unpaved in places, and you will not find the colonial charm or nightlife that draws most visitors to Cartagena. But if you want a slow, authentic experience where your dog has space to move and you can hear the ocean at night, it is worth considering. The community is small and tight-knit, and the family I stayed with introduced me to several neighbors who also kept dogs. It felt less like a hotel stay and more like visiting relatives. One detail most tourists would not know is that La Boquilla has a tradition of early-morning fishing, and if you wake up before dawn, you can watch the boats return with the catch. Caiman and I did this several times, and the fishermen were amused by the dog's interest in their nets.

Local Insider Tip: "In La Boquilla, ask your guesthouse host about the mangrove canoe tours. Several local guides will take you and your dog through the mangrove channels in a small canoe. It costs around 30,000 pesos per person, dogs ride free, and the early morning tours are the best for spotting birds and crabs. No tourist office in the walled city will tell you about this."

When to Go and What to Know About Traveling to Cartagena With a Pet

The dry season, from December through March, is the most comfortable time to visit Cartagena with a dog. Temperatures are still hot, often above 32 degrees Celsius, but the humidity is lower and rain is rare. This makes early morning and late evening walks far more pleasant. The wet season, from April through November, brings heavy afternoon downpours that can flood streets in low-lying areas like parts of Getsemani and Manga. Your dog will get wet, and the mosquitoes will be relentless. Bring a good repellent that is safe for animals.

Veterinary care in Cartagena is available and reasonably priced. There are several clinics in Bocagrande and the Crespo neighborhood that cater to both locals and expats. I have used a clinic on Calle 71 in Crespo for Caiman's vaccinations and a minor skin issue, and the service was professional and affordable. Keep your dog's vaccination records accessible, as some hotels may ask for proof of rabies vaccination at check-in.

Transportation is another consideration. Taxis in Cartagena are plentiful and cheap, but not all drivers welcome dogs. I have been refused by taxi drivers more times than I can count. The workaround is to use ride-hailing apps like InDriver or Uber, where you can message the driver in advance to confirm they accept pets. For longer distances, such as trips to La Boquilla or the airport, private transfer services are more reliable and can be arranged through your hotel.

Finally, be aware of the heat. Cartagena is hot and humid year-round, and dogs with thick coats or short snouts are particularly vulnerable to heat exhaustion. Walk early, carry water, and never leave your dog in a parked car. The colonial streets offer limited shade, and the cobblestones can burn paws by mid-morning in summer. I carry a small foldable water bowl everywhere, and it has been the single most useful item I own as a dog owner in this city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Cartagena?

A specialty coffee at a local cafe in Cartagena typically costs between 8,000 and 15,000 Colombian pesos. Traditional tinto, the small sweet black coffee sold on nearly every street corner, costs as little as 1,000 to 2,000 pesos. Fresh fruit juices and local teas made from herbs like limoncidra or citronella range from 5,000 to 10,000 pesos at most restaurants and juice stands.

Are credit cards widely accepted across Cartagena, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?

Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and larger shops in the walled city, Bocagrande, and Getsemani. However, small street vendors, local comedores, taxi drivers, and many market stalls operate on a cash-only basis. It is advisable to carry at least 100,000 to 200,000 Colombian pesos in cash for daily small purchases, tips, and transportation.

What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Cartagena?

Most restaurants in Cartagena include a 10 percent service charge, called a propina voluntaria, on the bill. This is technically optional under Colombian law, but it is standard practice to pay it. For exceptional service, an additional 5 to 10 percent tip in cash is appreciated. At small local eateries, rounding up the bill or leaving a few thousand pesos is customary.

What is the safest and most reliable way to get around Cartagena as a solo traveler?

Ride-hailing apps like InDriver and Uber are the safest and most reliable options for getting around Cartagena, especially at night. Official taxis are widely available but should be called through your hotel or hailed from reputable locations rather than randomly on the street. The walled city is compact and walkable, but solo travelers should avoid poorly lit side streets after 10 PM. Public buses are inexpensive but can be crowded and confusing for first-time visitors.

Is Cartagena expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid-tier traveler in Cartagena should budget approximately 250,000 to 400,000 Colombian pesos per day. This covers a mid-range hotel room at 120,000 to 200,000 pesos, meals at local and mid-range restaurants for 60,000 to 100,000 pesos, transportation for 20,000 to 40,000 pesos, and incidental expenses including tips, drinks, and entrance fees for the remainder. Staying in the walled city or Bocagrande is more expensive than neighborhoods like Getsemani or Manga, where budget options are more plentiful.