100,000 Points: Weekend Edition – Cartagena
About This Series
Stop saving points. Start taking trips.
Welcome to 100,000 Points: Weekend Edition, where I use roughly 100,000 transferable points to plan international getaways you can actually book.
In each post, I’ll show you how I’d get there, where I’d stay, and how I’d spend four days using whichever airline, hotel, or credit card rewards offer the best value.
International getaways don’t have to mean crossing an ocean. Some of the best long weekend destinations are just a few hours away and they’re often overlooked in favor of bigger bucket-list trips.
Cartagena is exactly that kind of destination: affordable, easy to reach with points, and packed with enough history, culture, and food to fill a long weekend.
While my goal is to fund as much of the trip as possible with points, points aren’t the point. 🙂
Before transferring a single point, I always compare the cash price, taxes, and overall value.
The goal isn’t to maximize points.
The goal is to take the trip.
Introducing Cartagena
Cartagena is one of the easiest international destinations to turn into a long weekend.
With nonstop flights from cities across the East Coast and convenient connections from much of the United States, you can leave on a Thursday or Friday and spend three full days exploring one of South America’s most colorful cities before heading home.
Unlike many Caribbean destinations, Cartagena isn’t just about the beach.
The city’s historic Walled City is filled with colorful colonial buildings, lively plazas, rooftop bars, and streets that seem made for wandering. Just outside the walls, Getsemaní offers a completely different atmosphere, with vibrant murals, local cafés, live music, and a neighborhood that feels more relaxed and artistic.
Being on the Caribbean also gives you options. You can spend a day island hopping, relax on the beach, or, like I did, end the afternoon on a sunset boat cruise before enjoying Cartagena’s nightlife.
Three nights is enough to experience the city’s highlights without feeling rushed. You’ll have time to explore both historic neighborhoods, enjoy the waterfront, experience the city after dark, and still leave room for a slower morning or long dinner.
That’s part of Cartagena’s appeal.
It’s a city that rewards wandering as much as sightseeing.
Getting There
One of the things I love about Cartagena is that it’s surprisingly accessible with points. While there aren’t many nonstop flights from the United States outside of Florida and Atlanta, several airline programs offer excellent award pricing. Just remember that the cheapest redemption isn’t always the best one, especially if you’re only traveling for a long weekend.
Atmos
Transfer Partners: Bilt
Atmos continues to be my favorite program for Cartagena because of its excellent pricing on American Airlines flights, although the cheapest itineraries often come with long layovers outside of Miami.
- Miami (MIA): 7,500 points + ~$40 (nonstop)
- Philadelphia (PHL): 17,500 points + ~$40 (long layover)
- Washington, D.C. (DCA): 17,500 points + ~$40 (short layover)
- Los Angeles (LAX): 25,000 points + ~$47 (long layover)
If you’re already near Miami, this is one of the best sweet spots for getting to Cartagena.
📅 Award Calendar: Atmos has a monthly award calendar, making it easy to search an entire month for the lowest-priced redemptions.
American AAdvantage
Transfer Partners: Citi
American can offer excellent value to Cartagena, but there’s a catch. The lowest-priced awards often come with very long layovers or additional stops, so it’s worth looking beyond the cheapest option.
- Miami (MIA): 13,500 miles + ~$20 (nonstop)
- Philadelphia (PHL): 13,500 miles + ~$20 (long layover)
- Chicago (ORD): 13,500 miles + ~$20 (two stops)
- Cincinnati (CVG): 13,500 miles + ~$20 (one stops
The 13,500-mile pricing from Philadelphia and Chicago is tempting, but better itineraries often cost a little more. From Philadelphia, I found 2- to 3-hour layovers closer to 30,000–35,000 miles, while from Chicago, one-stop itineraries were available for around 14,500 miles.
📅 Award Calendar: Atmos has a monthly award calendar, making it easy to search an entire month for the lowest-priced redemptions.
Flying Blue
Transfer Partners: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Rove
Flying Blue offers one of the best values for travelers departing Atlanta.
- Atlanta (ATL): 17,500 miles + ~$45 (nonstop)
For travelers in the Southeast, this would be one of my favorite ways to book Cartagena.
📅 Award Calendar: Flying Blue has a monthly award calendar, making it easy to search an entire month for the lowest-priced redemptions.
💰 Award Changes: International airline programs often charge award cancellation or change fees. Be sure to check the policy before transferring your points or booking.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Transfer Partners: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Rove
Virgin Atlantic can also book Delta-operated flights.
- Atlanta (ATL): 18,500 points + ~$20 (nonstop)
It’s slightly more expensive than Flying Blue but still substantially cheaper than booking through Delta SkyMiles.
💰 Award Changes: International airline programs often charge award cancellation or change fees. Be sure to check the policy before transferring your points or booking.
Delta SkyMiles
Transfer Partners: Amex
Delta isn’t always the cheapest option, but it often provides more practical itineraries than some competing programs.
- Philadelphia (PHL): 20,000–25,000 SkyMiles + ~$20 (short layover)
- Atlanta (ATL): 29,100 SkyMiles + ~$21 (nonstop)
- Chicago (ORD): 9,700 SkyMiles + ~$20 (short layover)
The biggest surprise from my search was Chicago. Delta consistently showed award space for 9,700 SkyMiles + about $20, making it one of the best values I found. This may be promotional pricing, so I wouldn’t expect fares this low year-round.
📅 Award Calendar: Delta SkyMiles has a monthly award calendar, making it easy to search an entire month for the lowest-priced redemptions.
Before You Transfer Your Points
- Transfers are one-way. Once you transfer points from your credit card rewards account to an airline or hotel loyalty program, they can’t be transferred back. Double-check award availability before clicking “Transfer.”
- Review the cancellation policy before booking. Many international airline programs charge a fee to cancel an award ticket and redeposit your miles, and those fees are typically charged per traveler, not per reservation. For example, Flying Blue charges approximately €70 per ticket, while Aeroplan’s cancellation fees vary depending on the fare option selected.
Where to Stay
Cartagena has three main areas where most visitors stay, and each offers a different experience. The good news is that they’re all relatively close together, so no matter where you stay, you’re never far from Cartagena’s main attractions. it simply depends on what kind of trip you want.
If it’s your first visit, I’d recommend staying in either the Walled City or Getsemaní, where you’ll be within walking distance of Cartagena’s top attractions, restaurants, and nightlife. If you’re looking for a beachfront resort feel with larger international hotel brands, Bocagrande is another excellent option.
Walled City
If you’ve dreamed of staying inside Cartagena’s historic center, this is the place. Boutique hotels, colonial architecture, rooftop bars, and many of the city’s best restaurants are all within a short walk.
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara
Best Luxury Splurge
Bookable with: Cash, Credit Card Travel Portals, Rove Miles
Typical price: ~$450–700+ per night
One of Cartagena’s most iconic hotels, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara occupies a beautifully restored 17th-century convent in the heart of the Walled City. Staying here means stepping directly into Cartagena’s historic center, with many of the city’s top restaurants and attractions just outside your door.
Before transferring points to Accor, compare prices through travel portals. During my search, Chase Travel with Points Boost priced the hotel at roughly 81,000 Ultimate Rewards, while Rove required about 106,000 miles for the same stay, a difference of roughly 25,000 points.
Nacar Hotel Cartagena
Best Hilton Redemption
Bookable with: Hilton Honors, Cash, Credit Card Travel Portals
Typical price: ~65,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Typical cash rate: ~$200–$350/night
If you want to stay inside the Walled City using hotel points, Nacar is one of your best options. The location is hard to beat, allowing you to explore Cartagena’s historic center almost entirely on foot while redeeming Hilton points.
Mood Matuna Hotel Cartagena
Best Cash Value
Bookable with: Cash, Credit Card Travel Portals
Typical price: ~$80–150 per night
This is where I stayed during my visit, and I’d happily stay here again. Located just outside the Clock Tower, it’s about a five-minute walk to the Walled City while typically costing much less than hotels inside the historic center.
The rooms were spacious, breakfast was included, the air conditioning worked exceptionally well, and I never felt like I was sacrificing convenience. If you’re looking to maximize value, this is an easy recommendation.
Bocagrande
Think of Bocagrande as Cartagena’s modern beachfront district. You’ll find high-rise hotels, familiar international brands, shopping malls, and long stretches of beach. While I still prefer staying in the Walled City or Getsemaní on a first visit, Bocagrande is an excellent choice if you want resort-style amenities with easy beach access.
Hyatt Regency Cartagena
Best Hyatt Value
Bookable with: World of Hyatt, Cash, Credit Card Travel Portals
Typical price: Category 3 (12,000–18,000 Hyatt points)
Typical cash rate: ~$180–$300/night
Hyatt Category 3 hotels continue to be some of my favorite Hyatt redemptions. Like the Hyatt Regency Panama City, this property offers excellent value while helping you stretch your Hyatt points much further than many higher-category hotels.
You’ll trade the colonial atmosphere of the Walled City for larger rooms, waterfront views, multiple pools, and modern amenities, while remaining just a short taxi ride from Cartagena’s historic center.
Hilton Cartagena
Best Resort Experience
Bookable with: Hilton Honors, Cash, Credit Card Travel Portals
Typical price: ~60,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Typical cash rate: ~$170–$300/night
If you want your Cartagena trip to include actual resort time, Hilton Cartagena stands out. Sitting at the end of the El Laguito peninsula, the property has direct beach access plus a surprisingly extensive pool complex with separate family, relaxation, hydromassage, slide, and kids pools. There’s also a spa, tennis and padel, making this much more of a destination hotel than simply a place to sleep between sightseeing days.
Hampton by Hilton Cartagena
Best Hilton Value
Bookable with: Hilton Honors, Cash, Credit Card Travel Portals
Typical price: ~35,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Typical cash rate: ~$110–$170/night
For travelers looking to stretch their Hilton points or simply keep hotel costs down, Hampton by Hilton is a strong value option in Bocagrande. You’re within walking distance of the beach and restaurants, and the hotel includes free hot breakfast plus a rooftop pool with city views, two perks you don’t necessarily expect at this price point. The Walled City is about a 10-minute drive away, so you’re trading a historic-center location for a considerably lower nightly rate.
Getsemaní
If you want a neighborhood with more local character, colorful murals, and lively nightlife, Getsemaní is hard to beat. You’ll find fewer large hotel chains here and far more independent boutique hotels, making it an excellent choice if you’re looking for a more unique stay.
Casa Lola Deluxe Gallery
Best Boutique Luxury
Bookable with: Cash, Credit Card Travel Portals, Rove
Typical price: ~$330 per night
Casa Lola feels less like a traditional hotel and more like one of Getsemaní’s hidden design gems. Set across historic buildings filled with eclectic art, lush courtyards, and unexpected corners, the hotel has plenty of personality, plus rooftop pools and a bar overlooking the neighborhood.
You’re steps from Getsemaní’s restaurants and nightlife and an easy walk from the Walled City. I’d choose Casa Lola if you want your hotel to feel distinctly Cartagena rather than like a luxury property that could be anywhere.
Hotel Capellán de Getsemaní
Best Boutique Value
Bookable with: Cash, Credit Card Travel Portals, Rove
Typical price: ~$210 per night
Hotel Capellán hits a sweet spot between boutique luxury and price. Its Spanish-colonial design with French touches gives it plenty of character, while the rooftop pool and jacuzzi, spa, and atmospheric courtyard make it feel more upscale than the price suggests.
You’re also right in the heart of Getsemaní and only a short walk from the Walled City. I’d choose Capellán if you want the boutique Cartagena experience without jumping into the $300+ range.
Hotel Boutique Casa Isabel
Best Budget Stay
Bookable with: Cash, Credit Card Travel Portals
Typical price: ~$120 per night
Casa Isabel proves you don’t have to spend several hundred dollars a night for a charming stay in Getsemaní. The small boutique hotel includes breakfast and a rooftop terrace with a hot tub overlooking San Felipe Castle, a pretty impressive combination at this price point.
You’re also within walking distance of Getsemaní’s restaurants, street art, and nightlife. I’d choose Casa Isabel if you’d rather spend your Cartagena budget exploring the city than on your hotel room, without sacrificing location or personality.
Wild Card: Rosario Islands
If your idea of Cartagena is relaxing on Caribbean beaches rather than exploring historic streets, consider staying in the Rosario Islands instead.
Hotel Las Islas
Best Island Escape
Bookable with: Cash, Credit Card Travel Portals
Typical price: ~$350–700+ per night
Hotel Las Islas is the splurge option for turning part of your Cartagena trip into a Caribbean escape. Choose from treetop bungalows with private jacuzzis or beachfront options with private pools, then spend your days kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or escaping to the hotel’s private Isleta.
Because staying here takes you well outside Cartagena’s historic center, I’d choose Las Islas when the resort is part of the destination itself. For a long weekend, I’d stay in the city and experience the Rosario Islands on a day trip instead.
Before You Book Your Hotel
- Compare points and cash prices. A hotel award isn’t automatically the best deal. Always compare the nightly cash rate before transferring points.
- Use the right points for the job. If you have Bilt points, Hyatt is often an excellent value. If you’re using Capital One miles, booking through the travel portal may be the better option since you won’t need to transfer your miles.
Your 4-Day Cartagena Itinerary
This itinerary is designed for a long weekend in Cartagena. You’ll have enough time to explore the Walled City and Getsemaní, see the city from the water, experience Cartagena after dark, and still leave room to slow down.
Day 1: The Walled City
After checking into your hotel, head into Cartagena’s historic Walled City.
Spend the afternoon wandering colorful streets, relaxing in the plazas, browsing local shops, and simply getting your bearings. If your timing works, join a walking tour to learn more about Cartagena’s history before enjoying dinner or rooftop drinks overlooking the city.
Travel Breakdown Tip: Cartagena’s heat changed the way I traveled. Instead of staying out all day, I explored in shorter blocks and returned to my hotel during the hottest part of the afternoon. Staying somewhere central made those breaks much easier.
Day 2: Getsemaní & Castillo San Felipe
Start the morning in Getsemaní, one of Cartagena’s most colorful neighborhoods.
Spend time admiring the murals, stopping at cafés, browsing local shops, and wandering around Plaza de la Trinidad before visiting Castillo San Felipe later in the day.
Return to your hotel for a break, then head back out for dinner. Both Getsemaní and the Walled City come alive in the evening with live music, busy plazas, and restaurants that stay active well after sunset.
Travel Breakdown Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and carry water. Cartagena is incredibly walkable, but the heat makes sightseeing more tiring than you might expect.
Day 3: Cartagena from the Water
Today is your flexible day.
You could visit the Rosario Islands, spend the day at a beach club, or simply enjoy a slower morning around the city. I chose a sunset boat cruise instead, and it ended up being one of my favorite experiences of the trip. Watching Cartagena’s skyline from the water felt like the perfect way to experience the Caribbean without dedicating an entire day to island hopping.
After the cruise, enjoy one final evening in Cartagena. Whether that’s rooftop cocktails, live music, or hopping aboard one of the city’s famous Chiva party buses, this is the night to simply enjoy the city’s energy. I almost skipped the Chiva bus, but it became one of the highlights of my trip.
Travel Breakdown Tip: If you only book one paid activity, I’d make it the sunset boat cruise.
Day 4: One Last Walk
Enjoy breakfast before taking one final walk through the Walled City.
If your flight leaves later in the day, revisit a favorite plaza, browse for souvenirs, or enjoy one last meal before heading to the airport.
Four days won’t show you everything Cartagena has to offer, and that’s okay.
The goal isn’t to see all of Colombia.
It’s to come home already thinking about your next trip.
Planning Your Points Budget
The examples above are just that, examples. The exact number of points you’ll need depends on where you’re flying from, which airline program you use, the type of hotel you choose, and the season you travel, but here’s a good starting point when planning your trip.
Flights
I’d budget approximately:
- East Coast: 25,000–35,000 points round trip
- West Coast: 45,000–50,000 points round trip
Travelers departing from Miami, Atlanta, Washington, and other East Coast gateways can often find excellent award availability, while flights from the West Coast generally require more points.
Hotels
For a three-night stay, I’d budget approximately:
- Hyatt hotels: 36,000–54,000 Hyatt points
- Hilton hotels: 105,000–195,000 Hilton Honors points
- Boutique & cash hotels: $120–700+ per night, depending on the property
- Credit card travel portals: Plan on roughly 35,000–110,000 transferable points, depending on the nightly cash rate and your card’s redemption value.
Putting It All Together
As we’ve seen throughout this guide, 100,000 transferable points is more than enough to enjoy an incredible long weekend in Cartagena. Whether you redeem points for your flights, your hotel, or both, there are plenty of ways to make this trip fit your travel style and points balance.
For me, Cartagena was one of those destinations that exceeded my expectations. Between wandering the colorful streets of the Walled City, exploring Getsemaní, taking a sunset boat cruise, and ending the night on a Chiva bus, it became one of my favorite long weekend trips.
I’m already looking forward to going back.
Whether you’re planning your first award redemption or your hundredth, I hope this guide gives you the confidence to stop overthinking your points and start planning the trip.
Points aren’t the point. 🙂
The goal isn’t to maximize every redemption.
The goal is to take the trip.
Next in the series: Where can 100,000 points take us next?
Think volcano views, colorful neighborhoods, and a city break fueled by pupusas.
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