High season in Cartagena: occupancy, cruises, and demand

A city above average

According to Cotelco, based on DANE figures, Colombia's average hotel occupancy went from 51.8% in 2023 to 50.3% between January and October 2024. Cartagena was among the best-performing regions: in August 2024 it recorded 70.6% occupancy, compared to 71.7% a year earlier.

In November 2024, national occupancy was 56.4%, slightly below November 2023's 57.1%. December and January are usually the city's strongest months of the year.

Cruises, an additional driver

The Cartagena Cruise Terminal reported that the 2024-2025 season moved 414,204 visitors including embarked passengers, in transit, and crew, with 162 calls from 37 cruise lines over 161 operating days. The estimated economic impact was 44.5 million dollars.

For the 2025-2026 season, growth close to 26% is projected. Although most cruisers do not stay overnight in the city, their spending on shopping, restaurants, and tours strengthens the tourism economy.

The competition from informal supply

Cotelco has warned about the rise of informal tourist housing, which competes with hotels and registered accommodations. For investors, formality has value: lodging with a National Tourism Registry can be legally listed on platforms and reduces the risk of sanctions or ad removals.

How it reflects in rental income

In high season, a well-located lodging can raise rates and fill more nights. The opposite happens in low season. That’s why the daily rent of a fraction isn’t the same every month: it reflects the occupancy and actual rate of each day.

• December and January: high national and international demand.
• Holy Week and mid-year: peaks in national demand.
• Intermediate months: lower rates and more competition.
• Events, weddings, and conferences: occasional peaks.

Risks

A city's occupancy is not the occupancy of each accommodation. Location, reviews, price, and management influence it. Security, air connectivity, and regulatory changes on tourist housing also matter.

Rate per night: the other half of the equation

Occupancy shows how many nights are sold; the rate shows at what price. An accommodation can have 90% occupancy with low rates and earn less than another with 70% at a better price. In high season, the strategy is usually to raise the rate and require longer minimum stays; in low season, adjust prices to avoid empty nights.

That's why the industry uses revenue per available room, which combines both variables. When reviewing an asset, make sure the estimated profitability considers occupancy and the average rate for the whole year, not just the best months.

Participate in the season

With fractions from 50 USD in Cartagena accommodations, you receive your proportional share of the net rent every day, including high season. Combining them with assets in cities from other hemispheres helps balance strong and weak months.

• See accommodations in Cartagena