Cartagena Neighborhoods

History Types:
History of cartagena

By Brenda Yun

The walled portion of Cartagena de Indias is broken into four neighborhoods: El Centro, San Diego, Matuna, and Getsemaní. Most of the city’s tourist attractions are consolidated in El Centro. San Diego has a quieter pace by day and a sophisticated buzz by night. Matuna is not worth visiting at all, as it is rather dirty and urban. Getsemaní is a bit rough around the edges, but has a lively night scene. Most tourists prefer to stay in the old city whereas vacationing Colombians tend to head to Bocagrande and Laguito, located on an L-shaped peninsula just five minutes south of the the old city. High-rise condos and upscale hotels are popping up on the peninsula at a heart-pounding rate.