Cartagena

Cartagena is one of those destinations that makes the group chat understand the assignment immediately. Colorful colonial streets, Caribbean water, rooftop bars, old stone walls, beach clubs, music, restaurants and nights that can stretch much later than planned. It is beautiful without being boring, historic without feeling like a history lesson, and lively enough that sitting at the hotel all day feels like a waste.

For Black travelers, Cartagena has another layer. Colombia's Caribbean coast has deep African roots, and Afro-Colombian culture is part of the food, music, communities and history of the region. Get beyond the most polished parts of the walled city and there is much more here than the version of Cartagena built for Instagram. This is a Caribbean city in South America with Black culture woven into its identity.

From BlkTravel’s published hotel rankings