Mama Waldy Hostel

There didn’t seem to be any rules here. People were talking loudly and playing loud music at 4 am, and my room was full of mosquitoes.

Getsemaní is a great base for exploring Cartagena, and the hostel itself is pleasant, with friendly staff and a roof terrace bar. But my room, P2Hab4, had a really strong moldy smell, and the bed sagged uncomfortably. We also heard animals running above the ceiling. The door lock was broken when we arrived and needed repair, and weekend music can get loud. During our stay, the city water supply was out for 12 hours, and the hostel had no tanks to help with the interruption, unlike some other accommodations.

I spent three nights in a private room. The staff were mostly helpful, tours were easy to book, and there’s a rooftop bar. The rooftop was nearly empty whenever I visited, though, so this didn’t feel like a good place to meet other travelers. The bigger issue was the room’s moldy smell and air quality. I suspect there may be moisture or mold in the walls. Leaving the AC on and opening the window, which faces the common areas, helped a little. When I was there (1/24), the jacuzzi was out of order until further notice.

You can walk to Cartagena’s old city center, and nights weren’t too noisy. But I didn’t like this place and wouldn’t return. The room was damp, humid, and smelly, and the 9sqm double room was so cramped there was barely space to move or put anything down. The bathroom was worse, with very old fixtures and no hot water. It might be okay if you’re looking for somewhere cheap, but it wasn’t for me.