Discover Getsemani Neighborhood in Cartagena [Local Guide]

Getsemaní: My Map

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Getsemani has a lively atmosphere

The neighborhood of Getsemaní can best be described as “up and coming.” Many people feel that upscale neighborhoods in Cartagena often have a very “sterile” feel. This will not be the case with Getsemaní. 

One of the nicest parts about being in Getsemaní is that the barrio itself, while appealing to tourists, still has plenty of locals living in it. 

This means that you will see people opening their doors of their colorful houses in the evenings to let the breeze in. You will see art everywhere, murals, street art, local art for sale, etc. 

People will be hanging out outside, playing cards and dominos, and so. Different sound systems will compete with each other, blasting vallenato or champeta music. 

The locals are almost always more than willing to mingle with you, the tourist, or with anybody, really. 

Because of this, you could say that Getsemaní has a “best-of-both-worlds” vibe. It’s not some plastic tourist area, but it’s still welcoming to visitors. Forbes magazine even described it as being among the world’s top-10 “coolest” neighborhoods. 

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Best things to do in Getsemani 

I think that most people, if they go to this neighborhood, will fall in love with it. 

Getsemaní is especially suited to:

• Tourists who like interacting with locals
• People who like colorful places and art, especially street art
• People who come to Cartagena to experience its authentic culture
• People who love colonial architecture
• Any tourist who is just plain bored of overpriced and soulless tourist traps

Here are just a few of the things I would do if I were in Getsemaní Cartagena right now:

Look for the amazing street art

One of the big draws of this colorful barrio is the art that you will find everywhere, especially the murals on the sides of local houses. 

Getsemaní’s street art serves many purposes. Of course, the murals help to make what was once an ugly place beautiful. Additionally, the art also has a strong social commentary aspect to it. 

Here are some of the authors of the place’s most celebrated and recognized pieces of street art:

• Yurika (the maker of the famous “Maria Mulata” piece, a must-see!)
• Marión VE (renowned for his “literary”-style pieces, which he says he makes to spread positive messages to his spectators)
• DEXS
• Juegasiempre
• Fin DAC
• Erre

Where are my favorite streets

Getsemaní is an old neighborhood by Western Hemisphere standards. As such, it’s full of winding streets and can feel like a maze at first! 

I recommend you use Google Maps or another similar app to get around this place. You can also contact our local partner for a guided walking tour to simplify things. Or pre-book this cool tour online.

Here are some highlights of don’t-miss places in the area:

• Calle de la Sierpe.
• Calle de la Sombrilla is the famous “umbrella street” in Getsemaní. 
• If you start walking from Plaza de la Trinidad, you will come to the famous tribute to Nobel-winning author Gabriel García Marquéz and a sign saying “I ♥️ GETSEMANÍ.”
• Casa Palenque, By Persepolis – Once again, going away from Plaza de la Trinidad, just keep following the street. 
• In front of Cafe del Mural.

Skilled street performers

Once you’ve walked around all day and the sun has set, it’s time to go back to Plaza de la Trinidad, the center of the neighborhood. This is because the street performers will start to come out and do their thing. 

I recommend having lots of small (2000 and 5000-peso) bills to give these talented people. Basically, if you see something you like, don’t hesitate to support the performer by dropping a small bit of money! 

You are likely to see a wide variety of performers on any given evening. Some to look out for are the “ugly Shakira,” the Michael Jackson impersonator, and professional dancers doing stunning salsa dancing routines. 

You can also see groups performing there, including groups performing traditional dance music such as cumbias and porros. There is even an excellent breakdance group that regularly performs in Plaza de la Trinidad.

Exciting Walking tour 

The neighborhood of Getsemaní, however, has many dimensions. Besides the rich and colorful street art, the area has an equally fascinating history.

Cartagena, in general, has a rich past and is an integral part of the history of Colombia. It was one of Latin America’s first places to declare independence. Significantly, Getsemaní figures heavily in the stories of the region’s struggle against the Spanish colonial yoke. 

In fact, one of the first active military units in the resistance against Spain was called the “Lanceros de Getsemaní.” They were formed by a man by the name of Pedro Romero and were active from the very beginning of the War of Independence in 1811 and continued to fight until the colonies won the war a decade later. 

In those days, the place was known as a sort of “people’s neighborhood.” It was, at the time, home to a mix of artisans and merchants. Some had come over from Europe, and others were newly-freed Africans who had been brought over as slaves. 

In the present, Getsemaní maintains its street sense and pro-people spirit. However, the Lanceros have naturally been replaced by a new mix, one of the visual artists, poets, musicians, etc. In other words, the spirit of freedom and struggle still remains; it has just changed in form. 

Exploring the surrounding area, here are some cool spots to visit:

• The Church of the Holy Trinity (Santa Trinidad) that dominates Plaza de la Trinidad at the center of the neighborhood.
• Statues in Pedro Romero‘s honor.
• The city walls, where you can climb up and walk on top of them, catching a view of the imposing San Felipe Castle. 
• The Puente Román, which leads to Manga island. Manga itself is worth a quick look because of the many colonial buildings there.
• Parque del Centenario was built in 1911 to celebrate 100 years of Colombia’s independence. The best thing to do here is animal-watching since sloths and different kinds of monkeys are known to flock to the park. 
• The Plazuela del Pozo. Here, the main feature is a set of sculptures by Cartagena native Edgardo Carmona.

Art shopping

The city of Cartagena has always been known for its artistic talent. For those of you who want to acquire new pieces, you will have no problem being able to discover great options on the streets of Getsemaní. 

The best place for this is Calle San Juan. In this street’s open-air art gallery, you will find the best of Cartagena’s local artists with their latest and greatest on display for the discerning art buyer.   

Take amazing pictures

You may just be taking photos for your own private enjoyment. Or, you may want great material for your social media accounts. You may even be a professional photographer. In any case, Getsemaní will deliver for you in a big way! 

Whatever type of photo addict you may be, you will love the seemingly-endless display of colorful backgrounds and gorgeous colonial architecture. 

My best recommendations for the streets to go to for taking phenomenal photos are Calle Paco – famous for its flags – and Callejón Ancho. You can also go to Calle 31, the famous “umbrella street”, or other “umbrella streets” scattered throughout Getsemaní.

The neighborhood also has ladies dressed in bright Caribbean colors wandering around. These women are called “Palenqueras” and are actually making a living by selling photo ops. You will typically pay 20,000 to 40,000 COP for a picture with one of them. 

The best time for photos is in the mornings, usually around 8 to 8:30 am. At this time, the sun has reached the magical 30 degrees in the sky, eliminating any potential weird shadows. Also, most neighborhood shops will not have opened yet, so foot traffic in the area will be minimal. 

If, on the other hand, you want crowd shots, 4-6pm is the best time for you.

Learn a bit more about coffee

Coffee lovers will love visiting Getsemaní’s, Café del Mural. These people take coffee seriously and take every step of the coffee-making process to new levels. In fact, people sometimes say that this place is part café and part laboratory! 

Pro tip: the owner happily will exchange a bag of his premium blend for any decent bag of coffee from where you live, in the interest of science. Therefore, pack a bag of local coffee to take advantage of this! 

The place even has planned coffee-testing sessions. These usually go from 9 am to 12 pm and must be reserved in advance, as this is outside their regular opening hours.

Learn to dance like a Costeño

I highly recommend this experience for dancers with any level of experience. As long as you love dancing, you will love these classes. 

You will go to a 3rd-story rooftop of a local house in Getesmaní. This rooftop is actually grassy, so you can feel free to dance barefoot in total comfort. 

The class focuses on Champeta, Cartagena’s most emblematic style of music and dancing. However, they also touch on other popular Latin American styles, such as merengue, salsa, and bachata. 

Learn a bit of Spanish

Honestly, I can say that Colombia gets better and better the more proficient you become in Spanish. This is definitely true even for tourist-friendly Cartagena/Getsemaní. 

Of course, this can be difficult during a short stay. If you can, try to spend at least a month to really make some progress. 

My best recommendation for high-quality Spanish classes is located in Getsemaní. The people at Nueva Lengua are experts at getting foreigners up and running quickly with their Spanish. They have worked over the years to establish an excellent reputation in their industry.

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How to enjoy Getsemaní nightlife

Cartagena has many restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and other places to have fun at night. This is how I usually do it, however. 

A typical night of mine in Getsemaní

On a typical evening going into nighttime in Getsemaní, you can probably find me doing something like the following: 

As the sun sinks below the horizon, I typically will be hanging out at Terraza Municipal, which is right on the water and is a perfect spot to see the old city’s walls. I might have some beers here or similar. 

From here, I will pick where to go for dinner or explore options. Lately, I have been visiting Arrabal GastroBar on Calle de San Juan. It’s a great place to have pulpo a la brasa (grilled octopus)—it’s truly amazing. 

Almost always, I head straight to Plaza de la Trinidad to a fun little street stand that makes delicious cocktails. I sip leisurely on these and hopefully check out one or more of the street performers I previously mentioned.

From there, the next stop would typically be somewhere on Callejón Ancho. More cocktails are available all around here. If I’m lucky, I will be able to find one of the numerous plastic chairs to sit on. They are numerous but almost always taken. 

After the cocktailing, it’s time for dancing, so at this point, I will continue to either Quiebra Canto or Tertulia de Getsemaní to whittle away the remaining hours doing some salsa dancing or similar and having more fun.  

Best bars in Getsemaní

In past years, Getsemaní was considered by the locals to be a fun place to go but also quite dangerous. It was not recommended for tourists at all. Fortunately for all of us, the neighborhood has vastly improved in almost every way in the past decade or so.  

Nowadays, Getsemaní is, all around, an incredible place to vibe. As we alluded to previously, the area has a strong local flavor but still is 100 percent tourist-friendly, even in the midst of increasing tourism. Here are some top spots to party in the Getsemaní neighborhood: 

Tertulia de Getsemaní – Salsa

If you go to one bar in Getsemaní, even in all of Cartagena, this should be the spot to go to!

The place has excellent live performances, a great and relaxed atmosphere, amazing people, and, to top it off, top-notch drinks. Do not miss out on Tertulia de Getsemaní if you come to Cartagena!

Café Havana – Salsa

This is another salsa bar and is actually the longest-standing salsa bar in Cartagena. It’s also the most well-known (still) among people living in the area.

There are also live bands here, and they are also excellent. Here, however, you will have to pay 50,000 COP just to get yourself inside. After that, drinks will also be costly. It can also get very crowded at this place, especially during the weekends and mainly after midnight. 

León de Baviera – German

This place has been the best rock bar in Cartagena de Indias for two decades now. It was opened up by a German immigrant who loves Colombia as much as I do. 

You will find the area’s best rock bands playing live on the weekends. You can also come here to get authentic Bavarian sausages and sauerkraut, and other German fares, including world-class German beers otherwise hard to find on this side of the Atlantic.

Wednesdays and Sundays, as noted above, they open a little earlier for people who want to have lunch there. 

Terraza Municipal – Outdoor

This is the “sunset spot” I referred to above and is, in my opinion, the best spot in Cartagena to watch the sun dip below the horizon. 

Terraza Municipal is an al-fresco open terrace that serves drinks. You can also order street food from any one of the nearby food trucks, and they will deliver it to your seat for you. 

Beer Lover – craft beers

Cartagena’s hot spots tend to be more open-air. Beer Lover, however, is enclosed and has the AC on blast, which you may be craving after walking around for a while in Cartagena’s sun and heat. 

Of course, you won’t go to Beer Lover only for the air conditioning. The real draw here is the fantastic selection of craft beers worldwide. 

For me, the only drawback is that the music here is often too loud to have a comfortable conversation.

Best nightclubs in Getsemaní

Getsemaní is the go-to neighborhood in Cartagena de Indias, not only for bars and restaurants but also for nightclubs. If you stay in Getsemaní, you have everything within walking distance. 

The nightclub vibe in Getsemani is not very different from the bars; everything is generally laid-back and relaxed here. 

Seven 7 Times – Trendy

This place is located on Calle Media Luna. It’s an excellent choice for groups of people with varied tastes. Inside, there are five different spaces, all playing different styles of music. 

You will also pay a 50,000 COP cover charge to get in here.

Taboo – Busy

This is the nightclub in Getsemaní that most resembles a traditional nightclub experience, meaning it’s more oriented toward bottle service. For that reason, you can go here alone, but it’s probably better to hit this spot with a group and get a bottle. If you do this, this place is actually very reasonably priced. 

Taboo is also the No. 1 destination for Cartagena’s party buses, so it can get jam-packed here. 

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Where to eat in Getsemaní, Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias is a world-class gastronomic destination, and Getsemaní is ground zero for Cartagena’s top dining spots. 

The local cuisine is Caribbean-influenced, of course, but it’s different from what you’d expect from Anglo-Caribbean food, like Jamaican food. It’s less spicy and less focused on cooking in big pots. 

These days, however, you can discover food from all over the planet on offer in Getsemaní. 

Angelina Ristorante – Italian

This is an authentic Italian restaurant located right in the heart of Getsemaní. 

One nice touch about eating here is that the menu is full of excellent wine pairings, so this place is excellent for wine lovers. 

Lunático – Tapas

Delicious tapas can be had in this spot. Also, check out the great views from this rooftop. 

The food here is best described as a fusion of traditional tapas and tapas with a unique Colombian flavor. 

Lunático is also famous for its guided tours of the nearby market and frequent craft beer tastings. 

Pascal – Brunch

If you’re looking for a great brunch in Getsemaní, Pascal is definitely your best bet. 

The pancakes and fried chicken are especially recommended. We devoured them so quickly that we forgot even to take a photo of them!

Celele – CARIBBEAN Fusion

For people who like innovative dishes and fresh new food creations, Celele is your place in Getsemaní. 

Not only does it have a unique menu, but it also has a sense of history. Each menu item describes precisely what it is and how and why it is prepared the way it is. Staff are amicable and knowledgeable and are glad to help explain and help you navigate through the menu. 

It is recommended that you make a reservation for this place. Also, allow plenty of time for your dining experience, as the excellent food at Celele takes some time to prepare appropriately. 

Arrabal GastroBar – octopus

This is the place I keep coming back to all the time. 

The main reason is their grilled octopus dish. 

Go there. Get the octopus. It will probably change your life. Enough said.

El Bololó – healthy food

I have gone to this place multiple times, and it has been stellar each time. 

El Bololó specializes in healthy options for dining. My favorite among these are the bowls, especially the fish bowl and the veg bowl. 

Also, the place is famous for its spectacular service, always with a smile. 

La Cocina de Pepina – local specialties

People looking for an authentic Cartagena de Indias cuisine experience should look no further than La Cocina de Pepina, a favorite among the locals. 

I’m thrilled to bring this place to your attention. The traditional dishes of the Colombian Caribbean coast are underrated, and finding an excellent place to get them is challenging, even right in Cartagena! 

Especially recommended is the Posta a la Cartagenera, a cut of beef heavily seared and then braised. This is the flagship dish of traditional Cartagena food. 

Also, try the mote de queso, a white cheese cut up and stewed slowly with ñame criollo (a local root vegetable), sweet red pepper, spices, and bledo, a herb only found in this part of the world. It’s as delicious as it sounds. 

Laguna Azúl – Ceviche

Laguna Azúl is well-known for its signature dish, the ceviche. It’s also one of the more economical options on this list; you can have some fine dining here without breaking the bank. 

The place is a little hard to find, so use the Google Maps link the first time you go there.

Colombitalia – AREPA

This street food stand sells arepas—a vast variety of arepas, something for every taste out there. 

Grabbing a quick and tasty arepa at this popular street food locale can sometimes be the perfect option. You could be walking around Getsemaní and not want to waste time on a sit-down meal. Also, these arepas are as dirt-cheap as they are delicious. 

Restaurante Espíritu Santo – MENU DEL DIA

Like the arepa joint mentioned above, this place is a great budget option. In fact, this place is probably the least touristy out of any of the options mentioned here. They are open for lunch only and have a limited menu of cheap and simple but delicious local fare, focusing mostly on fish, rice, yuca (cassava in English), plantains, etc. 

This is a good option for people who want to get the real, local Cartagena experience. 

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Where to stay in Getsemaní

Here are my recommendations for Getsemani.

The different areas 

Getsemaní may be one small neighborhood, but there are still a lot of nuances to it. It’s essential to keep in mind the differences between the various parts of the neighborhood. 

The first thing to remember is that as you go north, you are getting nearer to downtown. This can make a difference at night. North of Calle 30 or so, things do get a bit sketchier. 

Although I believe that the streets of Getsemaní and Cartagena are generally safe (see the appropriate section below), there is still a noticeable difference here. 

Staying right on the Plaza de la Trinidad is safer than the northern streets, but the noise will still be problematic because of the ultra-high concentration of night spots there. If you stay right on Callejón Ancho, you will have the same problem. 

If this is an issue for you, I recommend getting one of the hotels on Carrera 11. This is a much quieter street, but still close enough to the action, where walking home will never be a problem.

Upscale stays in Getsemaní 

Here are my favorite upscale hotels in Getsemaní.

Hotel Capellán de Getsemaní

I am putting this hotel first because it represents the apex of the Getsemaní hotel experience. People reviewing the place tend to agree, with the overwhelming majority being positive.

The hotel staff is famous at this place for going way above and beyond what is usually expected to make guests’ experiences the absolute best possible. 

Another great part of staying at the Capellán is the rooms themselves. They are incredibly comfortable and spacious. Of course, there is a gorgeous rooftop with a pool, etc. 

GHL Arsenal Hotel

The GHL Arsenal is slightly less expensive than the Capellán.

This place has a breathtaking rooftop with a vast pool, bar, and stunning city views. 

As with other GHL hotels in other cities, the hotel is a magnet for foreigners and well-to-do locals. This means that if you’re feeling lazy, you can just hang out at the hotel, and all the action just comes to you.

Mid-range stays in Getsemaní

Here are 3 options with excellent value for money.

Casa Jaguar Hotel Boutique

The Casa Jaguar is recommended for people who want to be close to all of Getsemaní’s action but don’t want to sleep in a noisy environment. It is a little oasis of tranquility in the middle of this bustling neighborhood. 

It also has a terrace with a pool—quite small; you won’t be doing your laps in it or anything like that!

This well-appointed boutique hotel also is well-known for its excellent staff and room service. 

Casa Isabel 

Located right on Carrera 11, the Casa Isabel is also close to the action but far away from potential noise. 

The best part of this hotel is its breakfast. In addition to the mouth-watering flavors, you can experience it on the rooftop terrace, with a fantastic view of the neighborhood and the city. 

The rooms are also very nice, but be careful not to pick the cheapest option, as this will give you a tiny room with no windows. So, unless that’s what you are looking for, spend a little extra for a higher room category.

Casa Morales Cartagena by Soho

This option is great for small groups or people who like apartment-style stays. You can get 1-3 bedroom apartments here. This also means that there are way fewer units to share the pool. 

My only minor complaint is that the rooms’ decor is a bit outdated, especially the walls. 

Budget stays in Getsemaní

Some perfectly acceptable options are also available for those who aren’t great for money but want to come to Getsemaní anyway. 

Remember that all three of the stays described below have tiny rooms. Also, they either have no windows or they have windows you can’t open. 

La 10B

This bohemian spot to stay has been hosting people in Cartagena for decades and is a go-to destination for budget travelers. 

It couldn’t be better located, and the terrace is very nice, especially for a budget hotel. 

Keep in mind, though, that because of its high profile, they are often full. I recommend booking this place well in advance if you plan to stay here. 

Hotel Casa Cielo Cartagena

The Casa Cielo is an economical option where they treat you like you are staying in a fancy place. People rave about the customer service here, especially mentioning the kind and attentive hotel owner. 

Like the 10B, this place also has a small but lovely rooftop.

Scalea di Mare Hotel

This place is great and cheap and actually has a very nice complimentary breakfast, too. It is spotless, as is almost any Colombian hotel—even the cheapest ones.

For the extremely budget-conscious, there are also dorm-style options available here. 

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Moving around in Getsemaní

Getsemaní is a highly walkable neighborhood. You can get anywhere on foot quickly. 

Even if you wish to explore outside the neighborhood, you can generally get there on foot. Specifically, crossing the bridge to Manga or going the other way to the walled city are both very easy on foot. Taxis or other public transportation are not necessary.

In my honest opinion, Getsemaní, Manga, and the walled city are the three best places in Cartagena, so you can feel free to stick to these areas if you wish. 

For longer trips, both yellow taxis and Uber are widely available. Bear in mind that taxis in Cartagena are not metered, so be sure to negotiate the price beforehand!

A typical taxi trip to the airport should be around 15,000 COP, and it costs about 20,000 COP to get to the bus terminal from Getsemaní.

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Is Getsemaní safe?

In general, the answer is: yes, Getsemaní is a safe place. 

Of course, Getsemaní is still an area full of visitors and, as such, attracts criminal elements, especially pickpockets and similar. 

I recommend not walking around too late at night on Calle 30 or north of there, but generally, Getsemaní is pretty walkable otherwise. As always, if the streets are devoid of people, it’s better to take a taxi or an Uber to be safe, just like anywhere else. 

Also, you don’t want to be wandering around alone outside after a night of heavy drinking or having cash fall out of your pocket, so it’s a good idea to keep a tight watch on your cell phone, camera, etc.