Cartagena has never lacked romance. What it is gaining in 2026 is access and a new benchmark for where to stay. On September 11, Caribbean Journal reported a fresh wave of U.S. flights to the Colombian city, arriving months after the April opening of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena. For travelers planning the winter, the city is worth a fresh look.
Getting there
According to Caribbean Journal, Frontier Airlines will begin weekly nonstop service from Orlando to Cartagena on December 19, 2026, alongside new Frontier routes to Medellín from December 10 and Bogotá from December 14. The outlet also reports United Airlines launching Cartagena service from Houston and Washington, D.C., beginning December 17. None of the new routes announced start in New York, so travelers from the city will still be looking at existing services or a connection.
Where to stay: Getsemaní’s new landmark
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena opened on April 2, 2026, as the brand’s third property in Colombia. It sits in Getsemaní, steps from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Walled City, in a collection of restored historic buildings that includes the 1920s Club Cartagena, the former Iglesia de la Veracruz and Teatro Cartagena, according to Four Seasons.
There are 131 rooms and suites, including 27 colonial-style accommodations within the heritage buildings. The late French designer François Catroux led the interior vision, and the presidential Catroux Suite has two bedrooms, private elevator access and a Moorish-inspired ceramic fountain. WATG, Wimberly Interiors, SBM Interior Design and AvroKO contributed, as did local talents including the sculptor Alejandro Hernández and the textile designer Poli Mallarino.
“…we are proud to introduce a Four Seasons experience defined by genuine care, thoughtful craftsmanship, and a deep connection to Cartagena’s unique character.” Rainer Stampfer, president, global operations, Four Seasons, in the opening announcement
For a more traditional Walled City address, Caribbean Journal points to the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, set in a converted 17th-century convent.
Where to eat and unwind
Getsemaní’s new hotel doubles as a dining destination. Four Seasons lists eight venues, among them The Grand Grill steakhouse, Pizzeria Della Chiesa and the rooftop El Palmar, plus two rooftop pools with panoramic views. Umari Spa occupies a restored heritage building with six treatment rooms. The Ballroom de la Veracruz, which has a just-rediscovered, centuries-old fresco, hosts events for up to 300 guests, a detail that will interest anyone planning a destination celebration.
Arriving by sea
Cartagena is also on the itinerary for Four Seasons’ yachts. The brand’s 2027 Caribbean season, announced in February, includes Cartagena among its destinations and offers pre- and post-voyage stays at Four Seasons hotels in Cartagena and Costa Rica.
A short itinerary
- Base yourself in Getsemaní for its street life and proximity to the Walled City.
- Walk the Walled City in the cooler morning hours.
- End the day on one of the hotel’s rooftops.
- Book spa and dining ahead during the December holiday period.
See all sources
- Cartagena Is Getting a New Frontier Airlines Flight From Orlando, With $129 Fares, a New Four Seasons and a Booming Caribbean Hotel Scene, Caribbean Journal, 2026-09-11
- NOW OPEN: Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena Heralds a New Era of Modern Luxury, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, 2026-04-02
- Four Seasons Yachts Unveils 2027 Caribbean Season, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, 2026-02-24
Lead image: illustrative photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash.
