New Year’s Eve in Cartagena: There’s No Single Way to Do It
How would you like to ring in the New Year in Cartagena?
There isn’t one answer because the city transforms into several different versions of itself on December 31: rooftop parties along the colonial walls, families setting up tables in the plazas, and boats floating in the bay.
No matter which version of the night you choose, one thing stays the same: most people start planning too late. By November, the good hotels are already booked. The real planning for December 31 happens in September and October when the best rooftop tables, boats, and dinner reservations are secured.
Having spent several New Year’s Eves in this city, I know there isn’t one “correct” way to do it. Here’s how Cartagena actually welcomes the new year and how to find the experience that’s right for you.
A different party at every hotel
The easiest way to celebrate is to book a spot at one of the many parties organized by hotels, restaurants, and rooftop venues every year. Most include dinner or a buffet, live music, and the twelve grapes at midnight. Some also include the quema del Año Viejo, a Colombian tradition where a life-sized doll is burned to close out the year.
The Hotel Las Américas, located in the northern part of the city, usually hosts one of the largest parties and concerts in Cartagena. In the Old Town, both the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara and the Charleston Santa Teresa put on big celebrations. The Santa Teresa sits on the Baluarte de San Francisco, right on the walls, which gives it one of the best views in the city at midnight.
If you prefer a smaller, more local celebration, El Barón, which faces the Plaza de San Pedro, spills out into the street and has a good, unpretentious energy. I spent last New Year’s at Tito, also in the Old Town. It feels like the city itself and not something built for tourists.
How cartageneras and cartageneros actually celebrate
To understand how the city really celebrates, observe what local families do.
The mayor’s office sets different rules for using public spaces every year, so treat any specific location as provisional until closer to the date, as this is one of the things that changes most from one season to the next. In recent years, families have been allowed to set up chairs in the Camellón de los Mártires.
In practice, people arrive very early to claim a spot and leave someone behind to hold it while the rest of the family prepares food and sets up chairs. By midnight, there’s food, music, kids running around, and neighbors catching up. Everyone is waiting for the clock to strike twelve. This is completely different from a hotel party and is the celebration that best represents the city.
Receiving the year from the water
Another great option is to celebrate from the water. Boats and yachts are easy to rent in the days around New Year’s. From the water, you can see Cartagena’s skyline, the lit-up walls, the Bocagrande towers, and, if conditions permit, the fireworks over the bay.
If you’d rather walk, you can do that too. Last year, after leaving Tito’s around 1 a.m., I found that parts of the Old Town were quieter than I expected. The energy had shifted toward the Torre del Reloj and Getsemaní, where the festivities were still in full swing.
Getsemaní and the after-party
Getsemaní is the place to be after midnight on New Year’s Eve. Clubs have special programming for the night, increase their cover charges, and many require reservations in advance. If you plan on dancing until sunrise, don’t treat this like a normal night out where you decide on the spot; book ahead.
Why plan this early
Each year in Cartagena is a little different. The parties, rules for public spaces, and prices all change. That’s exactly why planning has to start early. By September and October, we’ve already secured hotel rooms, boats, and dinner reservations for clients spending New Year’s Eve in Cartagena.
There’s no single correct way to celebrate New Year’s Eve here: a hotel party on the walls, a family dinner in the street, or a boat on the bay. The important thing is to know which option fits you best and to secure it before the city fills up.
If you’re considering Cartagena for New Year’s Eve, contact us. We can help you decide which option is best for you and start making reservations while there’s still availability.
Caño Cristales
We have attended many trade shows and conferences for over 10 years, and one thing still catches us off guard: how far under the radar Caño Cristales still is for the international trade. Yet, it’s one of the most underrated natural wonders. Located just a short flight from Bogotá, it’s an experience that no nature lover should miss. Not only is the ecosystem worth the trip, but also the llanero culture, music, and food. Ten years ago, it wasn’t even possible to visit this place.
The season to see this natural marvel ends in November, so if you know any travelers who would like to see it before it fades, please get back to us. Want to see it for yourself? Check out our latest reel on Instagram.
New hotel brands debut in Santa Marta, Bogotá & Cartagena
Colombia’s high-end hotel landscape just got bigger with the arrival of three international brands in three very different destinations.
Santa Marta is getting its first branded residences: Marriott’s Santúa, Autograph Collection & Residences is a beachfront project by Grupo AR that pairs a boutique hotel with 44 fully furnished apartments. It’s an excellent choice for multigenerational families and long-stay guests seeking resort amenities with residential comfort, especially as the city reports a 48% increase in Easter visitors.
Meanwhile, Bogotá and Cartagena welcome Aria Hotels, a Greek boutique brand from Libra Group entering Colombia with two intimate, design-forward properties. Aria Bogotá, with 54 rooms and located steps from Zona T and Parque 93, opens in September. It’s ideal for foodies and business travelers who want to be in the middle of it all. Aria María will open in 2027. It is a restored 18th-century mansion inside Cartagena’s Walled City. It is ideal for romantic getaways and small private buyouts.
Colombia Earthquake update
Pereira’s Matecaña Airport is back open as of August 22, gradually ramping up toward full capacity. In Chocó and the Coffee Region, the hardest-hit areas, the government’s “Fondo Milagro” is overseeing reconstruction, and local commerce is coming back online, with shops and restaurants in Cali and Pereira reopening even as rebuilding continues.
