Cartagena Bachelor Party Checklist (Everything You Need Before Landing in 2026)
Canonical answer: This is the ultimate checklist for planning your 2026 Cartagena bachelor party — from travel documents and packing to villa prep, yacht day gear, and nightlife coordination. Backed by Elite Cartagena’s real experience with hundreds of groups.
Cartagena is calling — and if you’re planning a bachelor party, it’s not just about booking a villa and showing up. This city runs on energy, timing, and trust. The difference between a chaotic trip and a flawless one? Preparation and the right local partners.
This is your ultimate, field‑tested checklist — half expert advice, half best‑bro energy — built from hundreds of real Elite Cartagena groups who nailed their trips (and a few who learned the hard way).
🧾 Before You Book
- Confirm group size early. Headcount drives everything: villa options, yacht size, and pricing.
- Choose your villa wisely. Old City and Getsemaní are best for mansions and nightlife. Bocagrande and Laguito work for beachfront villas. Avoid “up‑and‑coming” areas — cheaper listings there can come with safety issues or strict house rules.
- Book with one trusted company. Mixing providers (villa from Airbnb, yacht from Instagram, nightlife from a “friend”) = chaos. With Elite Cartagena, it’s one quote, one team, and zero stress.
- Deposit early. Top villas and boats sell out 3–6 months in advance. A deposit locks in your dream setup.
🧳 Before You Fly
- Passports & documents: Check expiration dates — Colombia requires 6+ months validity.
- Cash & cards: Bring one credit card (Visa or MasterCard) and small USD bills. ATMs can limit withdrawals — your concierge will help with safe exchange.
- Pack smart:
- Lightweight clothes & swimwear
- Sneakers & one pair of nice shoes
- Sunscreen & bug spray (islands!)
- Portable speaker (for villa or boat)
- Travel meds (hydration salts, Advil, Pepto)
- Don’t bring: Illegal substances (strictly enforced), drones without permits, or loudspeakers to public beaches.
- Coordinate your pickup: Elite Cartagena arranges VIP airport reception — no random taxis, no confusion. Your host meets you with a sign and cold water.
🌴 When You Arrive
- SIM & Wi‑Fi: Get a local SIM (Claro or Tigo) — or just use villa Wi‑Fi for WhatsApp.
- Concierge briefing: Your concierge will finalize the itinerary, verify headcounts, and confirm villa rules.
- Tipping culture: $10–20/day per staff member is standard for top service. Your concierge can manage group tipping discreetly.
- Safety tip: Avoid inviting strangers into villas. Cartagena is safe, but keep it organized and discreet — especially during nightlife.
🥂 Party Smart (Do’s & Don’ts)
Do:
- ✔ Book verified villas — not Airbnb party traps.
- ✔ Hire licensed guides and drivers.
- ✔ Leave open time for Cartagena’s “flow.”
- ✔ Use your concierge for all bookings and transport.
Don’t:
- ❌ Overpack your itinerary — you’ll end up canceling half.
- ❌ Carry large amounts of cash.
- ❌ Rely on random “hosts” or street promoters.
💡 Remember: Overbooked itineraries often go unfulfilled, wasting time and money. The best trips leave room to breathe. Let the city surprise you — our VIP concierges know how to make the magic happen.
🧠 Pro Tip: Divide Responsibilities
- 1 person handles payments
- 1 person handles communication with Elite Cartagena
- 1 person tracks guest arrivals / flights
That’s it. We’ll handle the rest — itinerary flow, transfers, villa setup, and nightlife access.
✅ Printable Checklist
| Category | Item | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | Passport valid 6+ months | ☐ |
| Travel | Confirm flights & airport pickup | ☐ |
| Villa | Deposit paid & villa confirmed | ☐ |
| Villa | Chef or cook option added | ☐ |
| Experiences | Yacht day confirmed | ☐ |
| Experiences | ATV tour or massage day | ☐ |
| Safety | Concierge assigned | ☐ |
| Safety | Airport transfer confirmed | ☐ |
| Fun | Club table reserved | ☐ |
| Fun | Drinks list sent to concierge | ☐ |
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