Cartagena · 11 min read
Cartagena · 11 min read
Cartagena's luxury tier means a private colonial villa inside the Walled City, a private yacht charter to the Rosario Islands and curated dining in Getsemani. Avoid the public ferry and unmarked beach vendors. Single experiences from USD $200; private yacht charters from USD $1,499; full villa stays from USD $700/night.
For travelers who want Cartagena done properly — whether that means a single private yacht day or a fully staffed week in a colonial villa. No shared ferries, no tourist traps, no guesswork.
Cartagena de Indias is one of those rare cities that earns every superlative. South America's leading honeymoon destination (World Travel Awards 2024). A UNESCO World Heritage walled city. A Caribbean coastline of turquoise impossible waters. And, for those who know where to look, one of the most extraordinary private villa inventories in the Americas.
Nothing in Cartagena matches the experience of a private colonial house in the Ciudad Amurallada. 17th and 18th-century properties with courtyard pools, terracotta tile, hand-carved wooden doors, and rooftop terraces above the Caribbean. CLS maintains a curated portfolio of fully staffed colonial villas from USD $700/night, accommodating 6–40 guests.
$700+
per night, full villa
$1,499+
full day, private
$1.5K–4.5K
all services included
$200+
yacht, tour, chef…
All pricing USD. Itemized quotes at inquiry. No hidden fees.
The Rosario Islands — 27 islands in protected turquoise waters — is the experience most visitors want and few get right. The public shared ferry is crowded and rushed. A private yacht charter to the Rosario Islands arranged by CLS gives your group the vessel exclusively: professional captain and crew, catered lunch, open bar, snorkeling at hidden coves, and exclusive beach club access.
CLS arranges private morning tours of Cartagena's Old City with dedicated historians before the crowds arrive — English-speaking guides who understand the city's colonial, Afro-Colombian, and independence narratives. It is the difference between taking photos of a beautiful place and actually understanding what you're looking at.
"Cartagena is not a city you visit — it's a city you inhabit, even briefly. Our best itineraries build in deliberate slowness: a morning on the walls at sunrise, an afternoon in a courtyard with a rum cocktail, an evening when the entire Old City turns gold."
December through April is the driest and most comfortable period. High season (December–January and Semana Santa) fills premium villas and yachts 6–8 weeks in advance. Shoulder season (May–June, September–November) offers better availability and rates — CLS negotiates priority access in both windows.
Yes. The Old City, Bocagrande, Castillo Grande, and Manga neighborhoods are very safe, with significant police presence. CLS clients travel with private transportation and 24/7 concierge support throughout their stay.
Rafael Nunez Airport is 15 minutes from the Old City. CLS provides private luxury SUV transfers with a bilingual host at arrivals.
CLS offers private colonial villa rentals, yacht charters to the Rosario Islands, private walled city tours, restaurant reservations, VIP nightlife access, airport transfers, and private chef services. Single experiences from $200. Full concierge from $1,500.
A private colonial villa in the Old City combined with a full-day private yacht charter to the Rosario Islands, VIP dining, and a sunset catamaran cruise.
Villa, yacht, private chef — tell us your vision and we'll build the rest.