Traveling to somewhere new with your family is exciting and can be incredibly rewarding. Sharing those new experiences, seeing and experiencing a different culture, trying new activities and creating memories to last a lifetime.
But it can also be daunting, too. Knowing what to do, where to go to find the best experiences and how to make the most of your stay can leave you spending so much time organizing things, you barely get a chance to enjoy any of it.
Our team of local experts are here to help you create the perfect family vacation to Cartagena, creating a tailored itinerary to suit your tastes and ensuring everything is in place, so you can relax and enjoy the trip, having the peace of mind of knowing that everything is taken care of for you.
Whether you are in Cartagena for a day, a weekend, a week or longer, our expert team will create a bespoke itinerary to ensure you make the most of every day. Our personalized service means that everything is tailored to include activities, experiences, dining and more that fit with your family’s tastes.
With our support, you can have the very best family trip ever, but why choose Cartagena?
Is Cartagena Safe for Families?
Yes! Cartagena is the perfect Caribbean resort, with so much to see and do that your kids will love it. Cartagena is a safe city in general, tourism is highly valued and much effort has been put into creating a safe environment for both locals and visitors alike over the last few decades.
Through apps such as Tapsi and Easy taxi, you can travel around with confidence, and as with everywhere in Colombia, people love kids and will go out of their way to make the experience special for them. Colombians are a family orientated people, and it shows throughout their culture. At holiday times, and especially around Christmas, you will often find street parties with families coming together for food and fun, and they will happily invite you to join in too.
What to Do in Cartagena with Kids
Cartagena has something for everyone. The historic walled city is a fantastic place to explore with kids, with surprises around every corner, and in places like Gethsemane, kids love the vibrant wall art you can see as you walk around. In fact, the colorful nature of the city makes exploration a joy, even younger children will find it fascinating to see what the next mural or street art contains.
Every child loves the beach, and at Cartagena, you have a choice of them to enjoy. With that deep blue Caribbean Sea, kids of all ages will love it. If you want to experience an adventure, then there are boat trips to nearby islands. For older children, you could combine that with snorkeling, as the crystal-clear waters around the islands give a superb view of the marine life in the region.
There are a number of other water sports you can try too, as well as tours into the mangrove forests, biking, horseback riding and so much more. Whatever age your kids are, there are plenty of things to keep them happy. Cartagena is also full of really wonderful, family-friendly hotels, many of which have pools and play areas for kids to spend time while you relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Where to Eat in Cartagena with Kids
Cartagena is a haven for food lovers, especially with locally sourced seafood of all types, but there are so many options you can be sure to find something for even the fussiest eaters. The incredible thing about this area is that these local restaurants go out of their way to make your children feel part of things. Here are some you should definitely try.
Demente
While it may not seem like the first choice for a family-friendly restaurant, this Getsemane restaurant is one of the best. It is a modern restaurant trying hard to create a chic, grown up vibe, but they welcome kids, and it has a great menu with many choices, including a delicious wood fired pizza that any child will love. There is also an outdoor garden area that allows kids to burn off some energy too.
Club de Pesca
A restaurant in a real fort, it is the most exciting place your kids will visit to have a meal in Cartagena. Sit outside overlooking the water and enjoy great food with a varied menu to suit every taste. You can even reserve a table in one of the fort’s canon placements to really make it a meal to remember. The fort, Fuerte San Sebastián del Pastelillo, is found in the old city, so it’s easy to get to as well.
Gelatería Tramonti
Any holiday is a time for treats, and there is none finer than the wonderful gelato you find here. Owned and run by an Italian chef, this fabulous ice cream outlet blends the richness of gelato with the tropical fruit flavors that the Caribbean is famous for. There are also chocolate flavors of all kinds too, of course.
Where to Stay in Cartagena with Kids
Hotel Las Americas Torre del Mar
Sitting right on its own private beach, with its pool and outdoor entertainment, dedicated children’s play areas and game room, there are few hotels that match this one for being an ideal place for kids to have fun. It is also a great hotel for adults too, rooms are lovely, the food is great and service is always of the highest standards.
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara
A fantastic, modern luxury hotel set within the colonial architecture of a 17th century Convent. It’s visually exciting for kids, and it has a magnificent central courtyard with pool and bar area that are great for having fun when the temperatures rise. This hotel also has a concierge service to help organize any trips or events that you may want to experience during your stay. It has a family-friendly restaurant too, with plenty on the menu for younger guests.
Hotel Caribe
At the heart of Bocagrande Beach, you will find this magnificent hotel and beach club that has been welcoming guests from across the world since 1945. The building itself still retains the colonial charm and luxurious glamour of those post-war years, its marble floors and twinkling chandeliers are most impressive.
Aside from the wonderful accommodation and service you expect, there is a choice of dining covering every taste, a swimming pool and of course, the beach club itself with service right to the sand for anything you need. The perfect spot for relaxing, but within easy reach of all the attractions too.