Cartagena

 On one of the city’s prettiest flower-filled streets, Hotel Tres Banderas (Calle Cochero del Hobo, No. 38-66; map; from 195,500 COP; book online to save on sales tax) has lovely, spacious, A/C-cooled rooms; conveniently they offer day trips for sun-seeking guests to their sister beach resort on Isla Tierrabomba/Punta Arenas for an additional fee, where you can indulge in a delicious fish lunch (it doesn’t have the greatest beach, but it’s good for being just a 10-minute boat ride from the city—plus there’s a nice pool and a few hammocks). Cheaper in El Centro is Hotel El Viajero (Calle del Porvenir, No. 35-68, 2nd floor, map), where doubles with A/C go for 100,000 COP.