Tying the knot is a special occasion that should be done once and done right. The same goes with your celebrations before and after the wedding. Getting your friends together to commemorate the last days as a “free” man or woman can be achieved in a number of ways. Rather than tacky pub crawls and drunken nights in Vegas, why not do something unique for your bachelor or bachelorette party like visit Cartagena in Colombia.
Cartagena is a colorful destination located on the Caribbean coast. Famed for its UNESCO-listed Old Town and surrounding islands, Cartagena is a place where you could easily spend weeks on end soaking up its charming atmosphere. Even for a weekend it makes for an exceptional getaway with your bachelor/bachelorette group as there are fantastic restaurants, bars and clubs to hit up – plus sites that can’t be found anywhere else.
A wonderful company called Two Travel offers affordable luxury concierge services in Colombia where guests have all the important details organized for them, so they can focus on celebrating that once-in-a-lifetime event in a stress-free manner. You may be thinking that “affordable luxury” is an oxymoron but believe us when we say: Two Travel have mastered the art of providing epic travel experiences for a fraction of the normal price.
That is why we recommend them for your bachelor or bachelorette party. It won’t break the bank and quality is never compromised. While planning, you will be able to coordinate all your needs with consultants and together create a dream journey. Two Travel have received many 5-star reviews and have gone from strength to strength ever since starting in 2018. Below we go into detail about their services and what you can expect on their trips.
Where to Stay in Cartagena for your Bachelor or Bachelorette Party
Whether you are coming to Cartagena for a weekend or an entire week, the first thing to consider is accommodation. If you are traveling in a large group, which is probably the case for a bachelor or bachelorette party, then a villa is perfect. Not only is it more economical to book a villa but you will also get to use facilities like a pool and rooftop terrace, and have quality meals cooked for you by a chef. Does it get any better than that?
Cartagena is home to gorgeous architecture, and many of the short-term stay villas come in beautiful colonial styles and colors. Just imagine having a whole place to yourself and partying until the wee hours without a care in the world. The team at Two Travel can arrange a festive house party for you – equipped with decorations, house supplies, a DJ, bartender and chef. Or they can suggest bars and nightclubs for you to go to after the pre-drinks.
There are plenty of villas located inside the stone-walled Old Town or you could opt for a place in the nearby Rosario Islands. The latter would suit beachgoers who want to be close to the sea. Your entourage will thank you for booking a private villa as everyone will be more comfortable and feel right at home, in comparison to a hotel which has other guests there and limited spaces to relax in. A villa makes it easy to bond with your friends.
With a villa as your base, you can come and go as you please and explore all that Cartagena has to offer. For those who are concerned about safety, Two Travel can organize a bodyguard to accompany you when strolling down the cobbled alleys and marveling at the magnificent churches. Cleaning is also included and there are options to get a professional massage at your villa too. This is usually a hit with the ladies on their bachelorette parties.
How to Spend your Time in the Historic Center of Cartagena
By staying in the well-preserved historic center, you will be within arms reach of some of the most incredible sights in Latin America. The Old Town is an attraction in itself so even if you don’t want to sight-see you can still wander around the streets and take in the ambiance. However, to dive deeper into Colombian culture, we do recommend booking guided experiences in Cartagena as part of your bachelor/bachelorette party.
This way you will get the chance to learn about the city’s culture in the company of your closest friends. From fascinating history tours to local food experiences, Two Travel offers a wide variety of tours that you can book straight off the shelf (so to speak) or you can customize a tour to suit the interests of your group. Most of these experiences last two hours, it won’t take up too much time, but longer four hour trips can also be arranged.
One unique experience that we would like to highlight is the photography tour because it’s ideal for a bachelor or bachelorette party in Cartagena. The combination of colonial architecture, colorful street murals and Caribbean culture means there is always a great photo to be taken. With the help of a photographer, you will visit the most photogenic spots of the city and finish with a handful of neat photos for your group to take home.
When the mood strikes for a bite to eat or a few drinks, there is no better place than Cartagena to pop into a restaurant or bar. Two Travel’s favorite weekend spot is Townhouse with its rooftop views and boozy brunch deals – for $30 USD pp you can enjoy unlimited food and drinks from 11am – 3pm. It’s considered the ultimate hangover cure. Take your pick of mimosas, bite-sized plates and Bloody Marys to soak up the alcohol from the night before.
Adventures Further Afield: The Rosario Islands & Beach Clubs
The great thing about Cartagena is that it’s situated on the Caribbean coast close to stunning islands, such as the Rosario Islands. On your bachelor or bachelorette party in Cartagena, it would be a shame to miss out on this archipelago set 45 minutes away. No less than 27 islands are found here and each one is more spectacular than the next. With Two Travel, you can hire a boat and visit the most amazing places in the Rosarios.
Aboard the catamaran, a chef and DJ can accommodate all your food and music requirements while you enjoy the day out at sea. Swimming, snorkeling and beach-hopping will be on the itinerary but you can change it up depending on the wishes of your group. Cholon is the best party destination in the Rosarios, and it’s a top spot to finish at, however you will want to explore the other areas first to do some sightseeing and take a dip.
Another option for those who want to escape the city is hitting up a beach club. Many of them have parties running all week long. Bora Bora Beach Club, for example, has a small beach but a massive party spirit. You can go here any day of the week to party at the club overlooking the beach. If you are in Cartagena on the weekend, head to Blue Apple Beach to mix and mingle with locals and tourists in their pool, and dance with the DJ.
Closer to Cartagena is Fenix Beach, just 10 minutes away. The setting at Fenix is serene with a large white-sand beach and a laid-back vibe. This might be a better option for groups looking for a chill excursion. Nights in particular are fun at Fenix because a fire pit is lit and this combines beautifully with the views of the city. Whatever islands or clubs you choose, finish the day with a chef coming to your villa to cook up a nice meal.
Final Tips for your Bachelor or Bachelorette Party in Cartagena
No matter what the makeup of your group is – be it all girls on a bachelorette party, or all guys on a bachelor party, or a mix of both – booking with Two Travel is the best way to celebrate your special occasion in Cartagena. To finish, we will leave you with some final tips to help you prepare for this trip of a lifetime. Our first piece of advice is to get in touch with Two Travel three to six months in advance to start organizing your trip.
As a general rule you need at least three to six months’ notice to confirm the booking for the house and boat, while the finer details of the itinerary can be sorted two or three months before arrival. For big events like a bachelor party, this is pretty standard stuff. You should also know that things like airport transfers are included in the concierge service, so you don’t have to worry about booking transport on arrival and departure.
One frequently asked question is around visas for Colombia. This country has relaxed borders and most nationalities can visit for a 90-day stay at a time without applying for a visa including the United States, Canada, most European nationalities, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, South Africa, etc. If you have any doubts about your visa situation, try to contact the nearest Colombian embassy or consulate for more information.
While Colombia has come a long way in regards to safety, some might still consider this South American country to be dangerous. But be rest assured that Cartagena, and Colombia as a whole, is a safe place for tourists. Visitor numbers have skyrocketed in recent times and the country is seen as a welcoming and friendly place. Like all countries, just be careful when going out late at night by yourself and stick to the populated areas of the city.
