Dreams Karibana Cartagena Golf & Spa Resort
Dreams Karibana Cartagena brings the Hyatt Inclusive Collection's Dreams formula to Colombia, a country with very little all-inclusive resort infrastructure. Its signature neighbor is TPC Cartagena at Karibana, a par-72 Jack Nicklaus course whose front nine winds through lakes and mangroves and whose back nine runs right along the Caribbean, billed as the only seaside course in Colombia. The entertainment leans into local culture, with live music, salsa, theme parties and a nightly music lounge that guests describe as genuinely lively rather than a rehearsed resort show.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Next to TPC Cartagena at Karibana, a par-72 Jack Nicklaus design whose back nine runs alongside the Caribbean, billed as Colombia's only seaside course and a genuinely rare draw for golf travelers
- +Colombian flavor in the evening entertainment, with live music, salsa, theme parties and a nightly music lounge that feel energetic rather than generic
- +Five pools, including an activity pool, a kids' pool, a Jacuzzi pool and a spa pool, so families and couples can find their own zones
- +Reservation-free dining across a buffet, three a la carte restaurants (Portofino does Italian), a cafe and a pool snack bar, plus four bars and lounges including a beach bar
- +Explorer's Club for kids 3-12 and Core Zone Teens Club for 13-17 give families supervised programming for both age groups at once
- +All 266 rooms and suites have a private terrace, balcony or swim-out pool, and 24-hour room service is included
- +Dogs are allowed, which is rare among all-inclusives and handy for Colombian families driving in from Bogota or Medellin
- +Tour-operator fact sheets list a complimentary shuttle into the Walled City twice a week, which takes the hassle out of a day in old Cartagena
Cons
- −The beach is the most common disappointment: the resort offers a guest beach area with a bar, but recent guests report a rock barrier along the shore that blocks easy sea entry and say the nicer stretch beside the golf course is off limits to walkers
- −Cartagena's Caribbean is darker and less clear than the turquoise water of Mexico or the Dominican Republic, and the sand along this coast runs dark
- −As one of only a handful of international all-inclusives in Colombia, the property faces little local competition, and some travelers feel the pricing shows it
- −Buffet food is standard all-inclusive fare and does not match the a la carte venues, so guests who mostly eat there rate the dining lower
- −It is not walkable to the old city: the resort sits on the Anillo Vial north of Cartagena, roughly 20-30 minutes by taxi from the walled center
- −Nighttime entertainment runs late by Latin American convention, which suits night owls but can disturb guests in rooms near the venues
- −Green fees at the Karibana course are generally on top of the all-inclusive rate, so confirm current inclusions when booking
The resort delivers the core Dreams experience: 266 rooms and suites, each with a terrace, balcony or swim-out pool, five pools including a kids' pool and a spa pool, and reservation-free dining across a buffet, three a la carte restaurants such as the Italian Portofino, a cafe and a pool snack bar. Staff earn steady praise for warm, natural hospitality. Families get the Explorer's Club for ages 3-12 and the Core Zone Teens Club for 13-17, and dogs are allowed, which almost no comparable resort offers. The beach is the weak point. The resort runs a guest beach area with a bar and non-motorized water sports, but recent guests report a rock barrier that makes sea entry awkward and say the prettier stretch along the golf course is off limits, so most of the swimming happens in the pools.
This is the right pick for travelers who want an all-inclusive base paired with a genuinely interesting city. Cartagena's UNESCO-listed walled city is about 20-30 minutes away by taxi, and tour-operator fact sheets list a free shuttle there twice a week; plan at least one full day in the old town. Golfers will find the Nicklaus course reason enough to book. Compared with Dreams properties in Mexico or the Dominican Republic, Karibana trades beach perfection for culture, golf and a city on the doorstep.
Common Questions
How far is the resort from historic Cartagena, and is it worth visiting the old city?
Is the Jack Nicklaus golf course included in the all-inclusive rate?
How is the beach? Can you swim in the ocean?
Is Dreams Karibana good for families?
Does Dreams Karibana allow pets?
How does Dreams Karibana compare to Dreams resorts in Mexico or the Dominican Republic?
What's nearby
Marbella Beach30 min drive · 9.8 mi
Bocagrande Beach40 min drive · 13 mi
20 min drive · 6.5 mi
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas35 min drive · 12 mi
Torre del Reloj35 min drive · 12 mi
Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada)35 min drive · 12 mi
More things to do (22)
- Rosario Islands day trip · excursion35 min drive · 12 mi
- Manzanillo del Mar · beach10 min drive · 2.5 mi
- La Boquilla · beach20 min drive · 6.5 mi
- Crespo Beach · beach30 min drive · 9.0 mi
- Casa Museo Rafael Núñez · museum35 min drive · 11 mi
- Las Bóvedas · historic site35 min drive · 11 mi
- Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena · museum35 min drive · 12 mi
- Getsemaní · town35 min drive · 12 mi
- City Walls of Cartagena (Las Murallas) · historic site35 min drive · 12 mi
- Catedral de Cartagena · historic site35 min drive · 12 mi
- Museo del Oro Zenú · museum35 min drive · 12 mi
- Palacio de la Inquisición · museum35 min drive · 12 mi
- Bocachica forts boat trip (Tierra Bomba) · excursion35 min drive · 12 mi
- Club de Pesca marina · marina35 min drive · 12 mi
- Sunset cruise on Cartagena Bay · excursion35 min drive · 12 mi
- Fuerte de San Sebastián del Pastelillo · historic site35 min drive · 12 mi
- Convento de la Popa · viewpoint40 min drive · 12 mi
- Iglesia de San Pedro Claver · historic site40 min drive · 13 mi
- Museo Naval del Caribe · museum40 min drive · 13 mi
- Marina Santa Cruz · marina40 min drive · 13 mi
- Castillogrande Beach · beach45 min drive · 14 mi
- El Totumo Mud Volcano · nature60 min drive · 30 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Google Reviews★ 4.3 · 960 reviews
“I didn't know what to expect, coming to Colombia for the 1st time. So, im happy to report we are in love with the place. The hotel is about 30 minutes from the city, out on a quiet road on the water. The hotel is big and beautiful and we were greeted...”
