Thinking about ringing in the New Year in Cartagena? Wondering where the wildest parties are hiding? Stop Googling. We’ve got the inside scoop. At Sanfelino, we know exactly where the champagne’s flowing, the DJs are killing it, and the dance floors are hotter than a midday beach. Book with us and you’ll score exclusive access to the most talked-about New Year’s Eve celebrations in town. No stress, no sketchy promoters, and definitely no waiting in line wearing your finest just to be told “guest list only.” But listen up: Cartagena fills up fast. If you think you can just show up on the 31st, strut into any bar or club like it’s a rom-com montage, we’ve got bad news. You’ll end up watching the fireworks from a crowded sidewalk, wondering where it all went wrong. So do yourself a favor: let us plan the party, and you just worry about your outfit.
A Colombian Cultural Crash Course
First, a little cultural education crash course. While the rest of the world is popping champagne, kissing strangers, and pretending they actually like being at crowded house parties, Colombians have their own set of rules when it comes to New Year’s Eve. Honestly, they might just be onto something. Firstly, yellow underwear. It has to be new, and ideally gifted by someone else. Why? Because apparently, your financial fate for the next 12 months depends on your underwear. Then come the 12 grapes at midnight in one minute. One grape = one wish, ideally not choked on in a rush. Pro tip: practice your grape-eating speed in advance. Want to travel more? Easy. Grab an empty suitcase and run around the block like your life depends on it. And just when you think things couldn’t get weirder: some families burn an effigy of the “Old Year” (a life-size dummy stuffed with fireworks) to let go of the past. Call it festive, call it symbolic, but maybe keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Why Cartagena?
Cartagena is the place to be for New Year’s in Colombia. No debate. Locals know it, foreigners flock to it, and honestly, who can blame them? The sun’s blazing, the beats are pumping, the drinks are cold, and the Caribbean is just casually lounging at your feet. It’s got the beaches, the blowout parties, and that unmistakable ‘let’s make questionable decisions and call it a fresh start’ energy. So let’s get this trip to finally make it out of the group chat. This isn’t just any NYE… it’s Cartagena, baby. Let’s plan this party like our 2026 depends on it.
What bars and which clubs?
Probably the most important question. In Cartagena, most bars and clubs keep it exclusive. Limited space means you’ll need to book in advance and cough up a cover fee. But don’t worry, it usually includes a generous flow of drinks, maybe some food, DJs, live music or performances, and rooftop access for prime firework viewing (assuming you’re not face-down in a bathroom by then). These parties are next-level. Equal parts glamorous and unhinged. Think champagne showers, bass drops, questionable dance moves, and a 98% chance you’ll wake up with glitter somewhere it definitely shouldn’t be. Do not underestimate Cartagena’s New Year’s Eve. Our top tip – choose one place and stick to it.
Alquímico (unfortunately already sold out)
Ranked the 8th best bar in the world and the most sustainable (cheers to drinking with a conscience), this place will blow your mind, melt your morals, and maybe even recycle your sense of shame. It’s classy chaos served with a biodegradable straw.
La Movida
Arguably one of Cartagena’s most iconic nightclubs, La Movida doesn’t do “low-key”, especially on New Year’s. Expect live performances, internationally hyped DJs, rooftop fireworks, and an atmosphere so extra it practically comes with a confetti cannon. Subtle? Never heard of her. This one’s not just a party, it’s a full-blown spectacle. Miss it and you’ll be hearing about it all year.
Café Havana
Feeling the urge to be spun around like you’re starring in a Cuban telenovela? Those hips don’t lie, so don’t fight it. Ring in the New Year with back-to-back mojitos, a live salsa band that won’t quit, and the kind of dance moves that say, ‘I’ve had just enough rum to believe I’m a professional.’ One moment you’re sipping a Cuba Libre, the next you’re twirling with a stranger who somehow knows every step. No shame, no rules. Just rhythm, rum, and a whole lot of sazón.
El Barón
Smack in the middle of one of the Walled City’s liveliest squares, El Barón is where the madness kicks off. Sip on dangerously good signature cocktails while the energy builds and witness music, dancing, and performances by local artists. When the clock strikes twelve, it’s champagne showers and glorious chaos because in Cartagena, even elegance comes with a hangover.
El Mirador
This place right here? Pure rooftop glory. El Mirador isn’t called El Mirador for nothing. The views are so good, even the fireworks try to pose for photos. Perched above the iconic Clock Tower Square, it offers one of the best front-row seats in the entire Walled City. Think of it as the VIP lounge for sky explosions, with cocktails.
Townhouse
Townhouse is where art, atmosphere, and mixology meet. The cocktails are as inventive as they are irresistible. Just one is enough to have your sophisticated self gliding toward the dance floor with zero hesitation. Stylish, vibrant, and a little mischievous, it’s the kind of place where elegance and revelry happily share the same glass. Oh, and the menu? Veggie-friendly and flavour-packed, because sophistication doesn’t always come medium-rare.
Niku
Trendy, electric, and unapologetically bold, Niku is Cartagena’s newest hotspot for a night that blurs the line between dinner and full-blown spectacle. Expect a gastronomic feast paired with fire dances, live shows, and local DJs who know exactly how to turn up the heat. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s an experience designed to dazzle every sense.
Baruco
Perched above Getsemaní, Baruco feels like stumbling onto a secret you can’t wait to brag about later. By day, it’s all polished sophistication; by night, it comes alive with live music and dance shows that give the rooftop its pulse. Chic enough for cocktails in your finest, warm enough to bring the whole family, it’s proof that not every hidden gem has to stay hidden.
La Jugada
Another Cartagena favorite, La Jugada is tall, narrow, and packed with charm, plus plenty of tucked-away corners designed for the kind of kisses you definitely won’t be telling your grandma about. The rooftop is pure magic at midnight – moonlight, fireworks, and just enough champagne courage. In Spanish, la jugada means “the play,” and let’s be honest: spending New Year’s here is the smoothest move you’ll make all year.
El Baluarte de San Francisco
On Cartagena’s iconic city wall, El Baluarte delivers romance with a twist of revelry. The Caribbean stretches out before you, fireworks light up the sky, and the cocktails are strong enough to make even history feel flirty. Sanfelino’s rating? An unapolagetic 10/10.
Casa Bohème
Arabic vibes? Check. Dark disco beats? Double check. Two rooms, endless grooves, and a crowd that looks like they just stepped out of a music video. Can we explain the music? Not really. Will your body understand it? Absolutely. One cocktail in and you’ll swear you’ve slipped into another world, and trust us, you won’t want to come back.
What if I want to party on the beach?
Dreaming of fireworks, salt in your hair, and champagne in hand? Cartagena’s beach parties book up fast, so trust us when we say: Blue Apple Beach and Eteka are Sanfelino’s top picks. Chic, stylish, and effortlessly cool, These are the barefoot, fireworks-filled nights you’ll be bragging about all year. But hey, if you want options, Fenix Beach goes big with electronic DJs and fire dancers (safety goggles optional), Wala Beach keeps it mainland, Atolón is the trendy kid on the block, and Banana Beach Club Hotel has the all-inclusive madness plus a spa for your recovery mission the morning after.
The Golden Ticket for Fireworks
Sure, rooftops have their charm. The wall? Iconic. The beach? Cute. But Cartagena’s real VIP secret? Watching the fireworks from your own catamaran or private yacht. This is Sanfelino’s golden ticket for NYE, where the skyline is your backdrop, the Caribbean is your dance floor, and the fireworks feel like a private show. It’s family-friendly, friend-friendly, and yes, even grandma-friendly (though don’t be surprised if she’s the first to demand another bottle of bubbly). Out at sea, there are no lines, no crowds, no sweaty strangers. Just champagne, ocean breeze, and the kind of midnight kiss you’ll never forget.
I’m hungry for something for the family
New Year’s Eve with the family doesn’t have to mean board games and sparkling grape juice (unless that’s your thing, no judgment). In Cartagena, you can celebrate big and keep it kid-friendly: space for the little ones to run wild, menus that please picky eaters, and cocktails strong enough to make bedtime negotiations a breeze. Our top pick? La Magnolia. It’s got the view, the vibe, and just enough sparkle to make everyone feel like VIPs. And because every restaurant rolls out its own NYE menu, you’re spoiled for choice. Here’s our shortlist of family-approved favourites where you’ll be in the safe zone.
- Salón Tropical – Tropical vibes, live music, killer food. Getsemaní’s hottest corner.
- Cande – Three words: classy, sophisticated, delicious. Enough said.
- Carmen – Intimate, elegant, and Caribbean at heart. Date night gold.
- El Beso – Shrimp burger = legendary. Fish lovers, welcome home.
- Juan del Mar – Plaza buzz, endless menu. Something for everyone.
- Basílica – Fireworks, family, food. The kids won’t complain.
- Mistura – Colombia meets Peru. Pure fusion magic.
- Cuzco – Peruvian flavours, Cartagena style. A fusion fiesta.
- Montesacro – Fish royalty. Central, spacious, discreet.
- Uma – History on a plate. Flair in a glass.
- Rabo de Pez – Tradition, but make it modern.
Explore Our Family-Friendly Favourites
