Life is Good Cartagena Hostel

My friend and I took a cooking class with Life is Good. It was fun and the food was great; very much worth the price! Our class was in Spanish and English and there were plenty of menu options.

My husband and I were looking for a fun activity to do during our stay in Cartagena and I stumbled upon Life is Good Cartagena’s cooking class!! It was truly an amazing experience with Chef Carlos and our translator Diana. They were both very friendly and the food was absolutely delicious. We cooked very traditional coastal Caribbean Colombian dishes and the class also included a free drink and dessert. They have so many dishes to choose from and day classes have a capacity of 4 guests, which keeps the experience very intimate. This class is great for all ages!! I would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Cartagena. It’s a great and unique way to experience the Colombian culture!!

I stayed five nights in the family suite. The room, AC and Wifi were great. It was really the staff that stood out. They were all so helpful, and I really felt like I was part of their family. The location was quiet, but close to lots of restaurants and bars. The coffee was available all day, and it was really good. If I come back to Cartagena, I would absolutely stay here. Great value too!

Very comfortable and very happy here. Good location away from Getsemani craziness but close enough to walk around and not far to old city. Staff very pleasant and breakfast good. Security very good and worked very well for us Very comfortable and

We took their cooking class and it was WONDERFUL! The chef takes you on a beautiful rooftop overlooking the city and teaches you to make a few dishes (shrimp in garlic sauce, coconut rice, arepas, etc. We had a great time. We ended up sharing a bottle of wine while we were cooking and it added some fun to the whole event. Would highly recommend this. Chef Omar was excellent!

I absolutely loved my stay here. So much that I cancelled my other hostel I had booked for my return to come back here. Location: Amazing - Getsemani is a wonderful neighbourhood with tons to do & see. I felt very safe at all times of the day here. Cleanliness: One of my main reasons for coming back here...if you find a clean hostel you don't want to risk going to another! The shared bathrooms were always in tip-top shape. Dorms: I was in a 4-bed female dorm. The AC was great, beds very comfortable. Had lockers for luggage and main door locked as well (which was a rarity in my travels through Colombia) Staff: The staff was incredible - another big reason I chose to come back. They were helpful via email from before I even arrived to help me know my airport options...they helped me book tours, find a running route, and even had a great recommendation for a tattoo shop. They were all so absolutely amazing and always made me smile whenever I'd run into one of them. Atmosphere: This was a very quiet hostel - very rare to run into others. I sometimes felt like I was the only one here. There's a great rooftop but I was always alone. Great if you want peace & quiet, but might be too quiet for some. Only great things to say! :)

This is for the cooking class. Found the excursion on Air BNB experiences. Took a cooking class with Juan and Omar and had a great experience. The class is beginner friendly and the food was similar to most dishes found in the area restaurants. Great opportunity for bonding with family/friends.

PROS: - Excellent location - in Getsemani - walkable to the old town, graffiti murals, pier, and castillo - Staff are what really make the hostel - they are super friendly and helpful, remember your name, and speak great English and Spanish. - Awesome roof terrace with loungers, beds, and jacuzzis to cool off in the heat - Good breakfast included with different options each day - Good wifi - Aircon in each room and comfortable beds - dorm beds have own lights, plugs, and lockers - Ice, water, hot drinks available - Towels can be rented - Washing and luggage storage services (paid) - Safe, secure, and clean building CONS: - hostels in Cartagena are more expensive than the rest of the country, but you do get good value here (eg breakfast is included)

This hostel immediately makes you feel like family. We were two friends traveling together. We both got private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The AC was kicking in the room, the breakfast was included and hearty every morning - not just toast and fruit, but eggs, sometimes rice, etc. But the staff is what makes the place so special. They all knew our names right off the bat. They made every effort to have our stay more comfortable. Jose, Daniela, Oscar and Edith went out of their way with hospitality. In fact, Edith helped to locate a supermarket so I could purchase a local shopping bag (I collect these- easy souvenir that fits in carry on luggage). When the store did not have any bags for sale, she brought me one from home and gifted it to me! So sweet!