All-Inclusive in Cartagena, Colombia (2027): Resorts vs a Private Villa
Updated: November 4, 2026 · By Marta Fernández, founder of CABÚ Viajes, a local operator in Cartagena de Indias (RNT 215668).
In short: Cartagena, Colombia has only a handful of true all-inclusive resorts, and none of them is in the Old City: they sit on the beaches north of the city, 20–30 minutes away, or on Barú, reached by boat. For a couple who wants to stay put, a resort works. For a group of 8 or more who wants the Old City, the islands and the nights out, a private staffed villa with the boat, a concierge and transfers included usually gives more for a similar price per person.
All-inclusive resorts in Cartagena: what actually exists
Unlike Cancún or Punta Cana, Cartagena is not an all-inclusive destination. Booking sites typically list only about four properties that qualify. They are:
- North of the city, on the coast road past the airport: about 20–30 minutes by car from the historic center.
- On Barú island, near Playa Blanca: the most remote option, reached by boat.
Third-party listings from 2025–2026 put them at roughly 130 to 360 USD per night for two adults, with the top of the range in the December holidays and Holy Week. Plans usually include meals, non-premium drinks, pools and non-motorized water sports; premium alcohol, some à-la-carte restaurants, spa, golf, motorized sports, excursions and sometimes airport transfers are extra. Check each plan before booking, because prices and inclusions change.
The catch: Cartagena is the city
Most people choose Cartagena for the Walled City, Getsemaní, the restaurants and the nightlife, plus a day on the islands. From a resort north of the city, every one of those is a taxi or transfer away; from Barú, it is a boat. That is the main reason groups who come for the city end up staying inside it.
The private alternative: a staffed villa, with the essentials included
With CABÚ, every trip is built around a private house or villa in the Old City, Getsemaní or by the sea, and these are always included:
- Private airport transfers, both ways, and transfers to every activity.
- Breakfast at the house and a housekeeper with daily cleaning.
- A local concierge for the whole trip, at no extra cost.
- On boat days, food and drinks on board, with no separate departure tax.
Not included: dinners out and nights out (we book them at no charge and you pay at the venue), club covers and bottles, and tips for the boat crew. A private chef at the villa can be added from about 50–80 USD per person per dinner.
Price per person: resort vs villa
| All-inclusive resort | Private villa with CABÚ | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is priced | Per room, per night | Per house and per boat, split among the group |
| Reference price | About 130–360 USD per night for two adults (third-party listings 2025–2026) | 12 people, 4 nights: about 1,025 USD per person with villa, catamaran day, two chef dinners, concierge, overnight security and transfers |
| Location | 20–30 minutes north of the city, or on Barú by boat | Old City, Getsemaní or by the sea |
| Islands | Excursion booked separately, often shared | Private boat for your group only |
| Best for | Couples and small families who want to stay at the pool | Groups of 8 or more, milestone trips, bachelor and bachelorette parties |
The bigger the group, the more the villa wins: the house and the boat cost the same for 8 people as for 16, so the price per head drops as the group grows. See the full arithmetic in what a Cartagena trip costs and our published prices.
Want the all-inclusive feeling, privately? Tell us your dates and how many you are, and within 24 hours we send two or three villas with the boat, the transfers and the concierge priced line by line. Booking two months ahead gets a 10% discount.
Ask on WhatsApp (+1 754 201 9833) Request a quote onlineWhich one is right for you
- Two people, five nights, mostly beach: an all-inclusive resort is simpler and usually cheaper.
- A couple who wants the city: a boutique hotel in the Old City, plus a private boat day. See luxury hotels in Cartagena.
- A family or a group of friends: a staffed villa. See staffed villa rentals and group trips.
- A bachelor or bachelorette party: villa, boat and nights out. See the bachelor and bachelorette guides.
Still deciding where to go? Compare Cartagena vs Cancún, and see things to do in Cartagena and the beaches.
All-inclusive in Cartagena: frequently asked questions
Are there all-inclusive resorts in Cartagena, Colombia?
Yes, but only a handful, and none in the Old City. They are on the beaches north of the city, about 20–30 minutes by car, or on Barú island, reached by boat.
How much is an all-inclusive in Cartagena?
Third-party listings from 2025–2026 show roughly 130 to 360 USD per night for two adults, highest in the December holidays and Holy Week. Check what each plan includes before booking.
Is an all-inclusive or a private villa better in Cartagena?
For couples who want to stay at the pool, a resort. For groups of 8 or more who want the Old City, the islands and the nights out, a staffed villa with the boat, transfers and a concierge included usually gives more for a similar price per person.
What is included in a CABÚ trip?
Always: private airport and activity transfers, breakfast at the house, a housekeeper, a concierge, and food and drinks on boat days with no separate departure tax. Not included: dinners and nights out, club covers and bottles, and crew tips.
