Cartagena, Colombia

Colombia, perennially a hot destination, is carving out its place as a luxury escape, particularly with the buzz surrounding Cartagena, nestled on the country’s Caribbean coast. In 2023, the city welcomed Casa Pestagua, a 16-room boutique hotel housed in a meticulously restored 17th-century building in the historic center. Now, the same proprietors are gearing up to unveil bungalows on Isla Barú, a popular day-trip destination, by the end of 2023. Travelers with a sustainability focus will find themselves at home at Blue Apple Beach, an eco-hotel on Tierra Bomba Island just off the coast, recently spotlighted by T+L for its B Corp certification and reliance on solar power for half of its energy needs. In 2024, Colombia will be in the spotlight with Disney's “Encanto”-themed tour, shining a brighter light on Cartagena as one of its key stops. Furthermore, there's a wave of growth on the horizon: Delta Air Lines is introducing new nonstop flights to Cartagena from Atlanta in December 2023, a Four Seasons hotel is in the works, and the nation is investing in an airport expansion to accommodate the growing number of visitors.