Live prices for your dates · free cancellation on many rooms

Hotel · Cartagena · Bolivar

El Barrio Hostal Hostel - Cartagena

A budget-friendly stay inside Cartagena's historic walled city, with air-conditioned rooms and a shared balcony.

  • Central location within the old city walls
  • Air conditioning in every room
  • Free filtered water and shared kitchen
9 Perfect 0 reviews Booking.com 9 · 0 reviews

About

El Barrio Hostal Hostel - Cartagena

El Barrio Hostal occupies a second-floor position on Calle 36 in Cartagena's historic center, putting you within a short walk of the city's main sights. The property is rated 9 out of 10 by 856 guests, with a particular focus on its location and friendly service.

Accommodation ranges from budget singles to a deluxe double with a balcony and city view. All rooms include air conditioning and a shower, while common areas offer Wi-Fi, a shared kitchen, and a balcony overlooking the street. Check-in is from 15:00 to 17:00, and check-out is by 12:00.

  • Wi-Fi
  • Parquet floor
  • Curtains

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

5 reasons to book
  • Prime Old Town location — The hostel sits inside Cartagena's historic walled city, with Los Zapatos Viejos about a 25-minute walk away and Playa de las Tenazas roughly a 5-minute walk.
  • High guest satisfaction — With a rating of 9 out of 10 from 856 reviews, the property consistently earns praise for its service and cleanliness.
  • Air conditioning in every room — All listed room types include air conditioning, a valuable feature in Cartagena's warm climate.
  • Free amenities and shared spaces — Guests can use a shared kitchen, balcony, and free filtered water, with several reviews mentioning complimentary tea, coffee, and fruit.
  • Friendly and helpful staff — Many reviews highlight the welcoming and responsive team, from recommendations to luggage storage.

Worth weighing

5 to weigh
  • Small rooms — Several guests note that room sizes are compact, especially in the budget categories.
  • No windows in some rooms — A reviewer pointed out that some rooms lack windows, which may affect natural light and ventilation.
  • Occasional noise — While the location is praised for being central, some guests report occasional street noise, particularly from the balcony area.
  • Limited check-in window — Check-in is only available from 15:00 to 17:00, which may be inconvenient for arrivals outside these hours.
  • No pets allowed — The property does not accommodate pets, which could be a drawback for travelers with animals.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Small Twin Room #3

  • 1 Bunk bed
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning

Deluxe Double Room Balcony # 1

  • 1 Double bed
  • City view
  • Shower
  • Balcony
  • Air conditioning

Budget Single Room

  • 1 Single bed
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning

Twin Room Bathroom #4

  • 1 Bunk bed
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning

Economy Twin Room #8

  • 1 Bunk bed
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning

Budget Twin Room #5

  • 2 Single beds
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning

Budget Double Room # 9

  • 1 Double bed
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning

Standard Double Room #2

  • 1 Double bed
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

Common areas

  • Wi-Fi
  • Parquet floor
  • Curtains

Room amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Shower
  • City view (in select rooms)
  • Balcony (in select rooms)

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

9
Perfect 0 reviews

Guest-rated 9/10 from 856 reviews

Booking.com · 9 · 0 reviews
9Verified guest

“Great spot, close to supermarkets, drugstores, and restaurants. Staff were helpful, rooms were clean, and the shower had good pressure. Free filtered water and plenty of plug sockets. Beds were comfortable and the AC was quiet. Great value.”

9Verified guest

“Stayed at a charming hostel in Cartagena's historic district. Perfect location inside the old walls, felt very safe. Staff were wonderful and helpful. Loved the keypad entry, no physical keys needed. Breakfast was tasty with eggs, waffles, toast, fruit, and coffee. Rooms comfortable with good AC and hot showers. Balcony at night was a highlight. They recommended a great laundry service nearby. Highly recommend.”

9Verified guest

“Excellent value for money, with a cozy and clean room. Perfect location right in the historic center. Staff were friendly.”

9Verified guest

“Stayed at a cozy and affordable hotel in the historic center. Location was perfect, close to restaurants and attractions. Staff were friendly and responsive. Loved the shared balcony for morning coffee and people-watching. The kitchen was a bonus, and filtered water was always available. Relaxing and enjoyable.”

9Verified guest

“Great location, easy to get around. Staff were friendly and helpful, always ready with recommendations. Room was clean and bed comfortable.”

9Verified guest

“Excellent value at El Barrio Hostal. Room was spotless, and location in the heart of the old town was unbeatable. Staff were kind and helpful.”

04 — Location

Getting around Cartagena

The property sits in Cartagena.

Calle 36 N 5-60 2Do Piso, Cartagena, Bolivar, 130001, Colombia

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05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 15:00-17:00
Check-out
By 12:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
9 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 15:00 to 17:00, and check-out is by 12:00.

Is there air conditioning in the rooms?

Yes, all room types at El Barrio Hostal come with air conditioning.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What amenities are available in the rooms?

Rooms include a shower and air conditioning. The Deluxe Double Room with Balcony also has a city view and balcony access.

Does the hostel provide breakfast?

Yes, several reviews mention a delicious breakfast with options like eggs, waffles, toast, fresh fruit, and coffee.

The bottom line

El Barrio Hostal offers a well-located, budget-friendly base inside Cartagena's Old Town, with strong guest ratings and essential amenities like air conditioning and a shared kitchen. Trade-offs include compact rooms and a limited check-in window, but for travelers prioritizing location and value, this hostel delivers.

9A solid choice for budget travelers who want to be in the heart of the action.

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