Season 2 of BBC’s The Night Manager has transported viewers to a world of sun-drenched terraces, colonial courtyards and sultry Caribbean glamour in the heart of Cartagena, Colombia - a living, breathing city that looks as cinematic in real life. Key scenes were shot in Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, with its pastel-washed houses, flower-filled balconies and cobbled streets - the perfect setting for Jonathan Pine’s undercover work. The atmosphere that captivated millions on screen, is the same you experience the moment you step inside the city walls: warm air, slow rhythms, rooftop views and Caribbean soul.
Nuestra Cartagena helps travellers unlock the city and step into the story, with authenticity rather than artifice, through its collective of independent hospitality and cultural businesses. Made up of boutique hotels, fine dining restaurants, beach clubs and cultural experiences Nuestra Cartagena showcases the real Cartagena taking sophisticated travellers off the tourist trail and inviting them into the soulful, creative, and welcoming spirit of the city. With a shared love of this vibrant, captivating city, Nuestra Cartagena’s members offer guests a road map to an authentic, design and community focused experience of one of Latin America’s most exhilarating destinations, all while supporting independent entrepreneurs and community-based tourism.
“We created Nuestra Cartagena because we believe the best way to explore this city is through the people who live and breathe it every day,” says Portia Hart, Founder of Blue Apple Beach, Townhouse and The Pink Mango, co-founder of the initiative. “Whether you’re sipping cocktails overlooking the iconic Cartagena rooftops, sailing to nearby white-sand islands, or discovering local flavours in a neighbourhood café, you're experiencing the true Cartagena.”
Through boutique hotels like Casa Lola, Casa Don Sancho, Casa de la Renta, Casa Carolina and Townhouse, award-winning restaurants such as Carmen and Salón Tropical, island escapes with Blue Apple Beach, and cultural experiences led by locals, Nuestra Cartagena helps you to plan your stay and get special offers as Nuestra Cartagena acts as a carefully curated little black book for those who want style, substance and connection.
If The Night Manager sparked your wanderlust, consider this your invitation to step into the story. While the UK shivers under grey skies, Cartagena is glowing — and Nuestra Cartagena now offers the most authentic way to experience it.
Plan your stay in Cartagena with Nuestra Cartagena: Nuestra Cartagena offer 2 nights for 2 persons from £750 including accommodation, 2 x dinners including drinks, and a Luncatico Experience (such as a cooking class, Bazuruto market tour, Mixology class) including lunch. www.nuestracartagena.com
Where to Stay: Sleep in History: Agua Barú – Just 50 minutes from Cartagena, Agua Barú feels like discovering your own private corner of the Caribbean. Spread across the crest of a lush hill, its four villas open onto endless panoramas of green and turquoise, while the surrounding forest wraps the property in birdsong and sea breeze. Arrive by land along scenic coastal routes or glide in by boat for a true island welcome.
Blue Apple Beach -30 minutes from Cartagena's bustling centre, you'll discover Blue Apple Beach on the southern shore of Tierra Bomba island. One of the first of its kind in Cartagena, Blue Apple is named in the top ten hotels in South America by Condé Nast Traveller’s 2024 Reader’s Choice Awards and is the embodiment of laid back luxury. Blue Apple is a boutique hotel with 11 rooms or cabañas, and beach club with a strong focus on gastronomy and sustainability.
Casa Carolina - is a boutique home and hidden gem in Cartagena’s Historic Centre and one of the few homes officially recognised as a Cultural Heritage Site and Monument by Colombia’s Ministry of Culture. Here, striking contrasts between old and new create a truly special atmosphere—contemporary interiors set against original murals from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, alongside colonial artefacts that connect guests to the city’s living history. In addition to a yoga studio and wellness café, the gastronomic and cocktail offering is built on a model of responsible, inclusive sourcing—each ingredient arriving directly from the farm to the table, nourishing both body and soul.
Casa don Sancho - Casa Don Sancho by Mustique is considered one of the true gems of Cartagena’s historic centre. With just six beautifully appointed rooms, the house offers a serene, authentic stay shaped by thoughtful details and the unmistakable Mustique touch. According to tradition, the house was once home to Don Sancho Jimeno de Orozco, a Spanish nobleman who governed Cartagena between 1693 and 1695. He later became Lord of the Castillo de San Luis on Tierra Bomba and defended the fort during the French attack of 1697. His name lives on in the street where the hotel now stands, a reminder of the property’s deep historical roots.
Casa Lola – In the heart of Getsemaní, Casa Lola is a boutique hotel where more is more. Casa Lola blends Colombian magical realism with contemporary design, creating a space that feels both timeless and boldly stylish. Every corner has a story to tell, from handcrafted details to eclectic décor that reflects the city’s vibrant spirit. The experience extends to its cuisine: Doña Lola celebrates authentic Caribbean flavours using fresh local ingredients, serving everything from brunch to dinner in an atmosphere that is relaxed yet sophisticated. Up on the rooftop, Lolita’s Bar invites guests to unwind with creative tapas, natural juices and signature cocktails while taking in sweeping views of the Walled City.
Casa de la Renta – housed in a restored three-storey architectural gem on Calle Estanco del Tabaco, this six-room treasure blends luxury with authenticity. Every room and common space is a vibrant fusion of styles, materials and textures, creating a stay that feels both refined and delightfully unexpected. The hotel’s historic location is part of its magic. Once the centre of Cartagena’s colonial tobacco trade, the street’s legacy lives on in the hotel’s emblem: a tobacco leaf honouring the past it was built upon. On the second floor, a grand colonial salon with high ceilings opens onto a balcony overlooking the colourful street below and a rooftop terrace offering a serene spot for sunbathing or unwinding under the night sky, framed by a postcard-perfect view of the Cathedral’s tower.
Casa la Merced - Steps from the historic Adolfo Mejía Theater, Casa La Merced by Mustique offers an intimate escape in the very heart of Cartagena’s walled city. Beneath its beautifully preserved colonial roof, the house welcomes guests with warmth and refined elegance. Traditional furnishings mix with modern textures and vibrant accents, creating interiors that feel both timeless and fresh. The hotel takes its name from nearby Plaza de la Merced, a place of deep historical significance as the site where several heroes of Cartagena’s independence were executed.
Townhouse Art Hotel- is located in the heart of the Walled City, and stands out as the perfect choice for those seeking a vibrant, social atmosphere full of personality. Founded in 2017 by Portia Hart, Townhouse was designed to be a convivial destination for travellers seeking an authentic, vibrant Cartagena experience. Townhouse has eleven guest rooms and suites, each individually styled and decorated by local artists, and each named after birds, for which Colombia is celebrated. The hotel is crowned by two of the city’s most beloved bars. On the ground floor sits Members Only, the city’s first and only piano bar, where guests can enjoy piano singing, performances and jam sessions with local musicians and DJs alongside expertly prepared cocktails by executive mixologist Jeff Garcia. The Rooftop is a striking bar with panoramic views of Cartagena and two bijoux pools, a lively weekend brunch, sunset programming and late-night happenings.
Where to Eat: Carmen - In a beautiful, intimate and elegant colonial house in the historic centre of Cartagena, Carmen offers contemporary cuisine inspired by Colombia's biodiversity, with a special focus on the ingredients and flavours of the Colombian Caribbean. The menu is a journey through Colombia, paying tribute to artisans, fishermen, and biodiverse farmers with unique and flavourful dishes that celebrate the tastes, traditions, and culinary culture of the country.
El Beso - Located in Getsemaní, one of the city's most vibrant and authentic neighbourhoods, El Beso Restaurante offers a unique dining experience. The menu pays tribute to the essence of street cuisine, but with a special twist: a fusion of seafood and vegetarian flavours designed to delight the senses. Unpretentious yet deeply passionate about quality and authenticity, every bite is a journey through local flavours, reimagined with care and dedication.
Lunático Experience - is a journey into the flavours and culture of Cartagena. More than just a class, it’s a moment to share stories, discover ingredients, and connect with the essence of the Caribbean. Located in the heart of Getsemaní, this experience invites guests to put on an apron and prepare traditional dishes guided by passionate local chefs. Everything is then enjoyed at a table with a spectacular view of San Felipe Castle, the Bay of San Lázaro, and the Convent of La Popa. Beyond the kitchen, guests explore the tastes of Colombia through market tours, rum tastings, mixology sessions and craft beer experiences —it’s about feeling the rhythm of the Caribbean, bite by bite, sip by sip, story by story, all with one of the most breath-taking views in Cartagena
Members Only: This bar in Cartagena is an homage to the great jazz and piano bars and speakeasies of New York, LA and Madrid, with a touch of Caribbean flair. Led by local singing sensation Esteban Nieto alongside house pianist Angel, and house band Lake Avenue, travellers are just as likely to see a local singer grab the microphone as they are to grab it themselves. This tiny lounge bar is a place to kick back, have some fun and enjoy the incredible musical talent to which Cartagena is home.
Nia Bakery - Nía was born in the heart of Cartagena and inspired by the Serranías—those untouched Colombian territories where the country’s natural and cultural wealth remains intact— Founders Pierre and Talia have created a space where gastronomy, sustainability, and history come together. Enjoy the carefully selected coffee, or enjoy equally delightful pastries where every bite is more than just dessert—it’s a sensory journey, transporting diners to a unique corner of Colombia.
Salón Tropical - where fine dining meets the freshest flavours of Colombia. Located in the heart of Getsemani, Salón Tropical celebrates the richness of the Colombian seas and lands, working exclusively with fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced directly from local producers and fishermen. Every dish is a tribute to the authentic flavours of the region, crafted with creativity and respect for tradition.
The Pink Mango - is a favourite among locals and young travellers looking for an unpretentious, laid-back beach bar experience that doesn’t cut corners on quality. This locals favourite on the island of Tierra Bomba is 10 minutes from Cartagena by boat. We call it a beach shack because we want you to kick off your shoes, lean back against a coconut tree, and forget all about the real world.
Things to do: Boating Cartagena - Boating Cartagena offers private boat charters along Colombia’s Caribbean coast, with tailored experiences to destinations like the Rosario Islands, Barú, and Tierra Bomba. Designed for five-star hotels and discerning travellers, the company combines professional service with local charm. Guests enjoy custom itineraries, hidden beaches, snorkelling, and curated onboard refreshments — all delivered by a hospitality-trained crew focused on comfort, authenticity, and relaxation.
Casa Bohême - a creative hub in the heart of Cartagena, where music, design, food, art and entertainment come together in one space. Home to two restaurants, an audio lounge, a concept store and a food market, it offers a rich, multisensory experience through its eclectic, curated spaces. Founded by a group of entrepreneurs from the design, hospitality and entertainment industries, Casa Bohême was created for curious minds, music lovers and anyone in search of something unforgettable.
Fundacion Centro Histórico de Cartagena - a private, non-profit, non-political and non-religious civil society organisation that brings together more than 200 neighbours, residents and local employers committed to safeguarding the Walled City. Its mission is clear: to protect the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Cartagena’s Historic Centre in line with UNESCO standards, to uphold the well-being of its inhabitants and visitors, and to defend dignified employment as the basis of an inclusive community.
Green Apple Foundation – is the go-to resource for any hospitality business in Cartagena looking to operate more sustainably. In addition to running the city’s only glass recycling centres, Green Apple is home to a team of local women artisans who transform glass waste into beautiful products sold throughout Colombia. The Green Apple team has trained over 3,000 hospitality workers in best practices and collaborates with local communities and businesses to make tourism a positive force in Cartagena. Book a sustainability tour in town or on the island of Tierra Bomba and you’ll meet the incredible people behind the project, crush a bottle into sand, make your own candle or glass, and discover firsthand what sustainable tourism really means.
Lucy Jewelry - Did you know that Colombia is world-renowned for producing the most valuable and highest-quality emeralds? Discover what makes Colombian emeralds so special at Lucy Jewelry, where guests will see some of the most exceptional emeralds and learn how to identify their quality with the guidance of our GIA Gemologist Specialist (the world authority in gemology). In an exclusive, direct-to-client setting with no middlemen, you’ll find the authenticity and excellence that make Colombian emeralds a true treasure with a family run experience
