It might be a sleepy beach town during the day, but at night, Cartagena pops off. Want to make the most out of your trip? Tap into our network of local travel plannersโ Heroes โwho build unique, locally-curated trip plans, designed just for you. Get started. Most Cartagena locals go out late, and they generally go to bars. And while there are awesome bars in neighborhoods all over the city , the most vibrant ones are generally in the El Centro and Getsemani neighborhoods.
Most open pretty lateโaround 6 or 7 PMโbut they also stay open until 3 or 4 in the morning. The bar scene is Cartagena is fairly casual, and most places feature live music. Cartagena gets hot during the day, so things don't really take off until late at night. You should also check out Donde Fidel , which beloved for its salsa music. Be warned thoughโthe ones in San Diego are quite the destination both in price and style. And a heads up: depending on when and where you go, certain clubs can get a bit sketchy.
Most clubs are only open Thursday through Saturday, but they get absolutely wild. They also usually have dress codes, so be sure to wear your best. Just remember: the dance floor gets sweaty! Local tip: if you want to salsa the night away, you can always book a salsa bar tour โ ask a local for info on their favorite ones.
Two clubs in Cartagena are especially worth checking out. One is Cafe Havana , which is known for its excellent cocktails and retro interior design. Oddly enough, Hillary Clinton visited a number of years ago. Also of note is La Movida, perhaps the best known and most expensive club in Cartagena. Cartagena has been called the culinary capital of Colombia for a reason. The largest meal of the day is lunch, usually served in mid-afternoon. Dinner is generally eaten late as well, often around 10 PM.
Late dinners allow Cartageneros to escape the daytime heat for a long, leisurely meal outsideโhence the wealth of outdoor cafes. Most importantly, though, you just have to try the seafood. Octopus ceviche and pargo frito fried red snapper are the local specialties, and usually served with arepas or pandebono cheese bread. And as always, you have to drink the coffee. Trying to plan a one-of-a-kind Cartagena night out? It's like having a best friend in Cartagena help you plan your adventure.
