What Edificio Marina del Rey Is, and Where It Sits
Edificio Marina del Rey is a residential building on the El Laguito peninsula in Cartagena, Colombia. If you have a reservation in one of its apartments, or you are comparing places to stay in El Laguito and want to know what the building itself is actually like, this is the practical version.
A note on what this guide is. We are not the building administration and we do not speak for it. We host one private suite inside Edificio Marina del Rey, and this covers what we know first hand as owners and hosts: the location, the shared amenities our guests use, and what to expect on arrival.
Quick Take
- Location: El Laguito peninsula, the narrow strip at the end of Bocagrande
- Two minute walk to El Laguito Beach
- Five minute walk to restaurants and shops
- Ten minute ride to the Walled City
- Fifteen minutes from Rafael Núñez International Airport
- Shared amenities include a rooftop pool, elevator, and secure parking
- Building staff on site 24 hours a day
- Our suite is on the fifth floor
Why El Laguito Is a Different Experience From Bocagrande
El Laguito sits at the very tip of the Bocagrande peninsula, with the Caribbean on one side and the lagoon that gives the neighborhood its name on the other. It is a short strip, which is exactly what makes it work. Most of what you need day to day is inside a five minute walk, and the water is never more than a couple of minutes away.
It is quieter than the middle of Bocagrande and considerably quieter than Getsemani, without being isolated. The Walled City is a ten minute ride, so you can spend the evening in the Old Town and still be back quickly. For travelers who want the beach at the doorstep and the historic center on demand, that balance is the whole appeal.
The Building Itself
Edificio Marina del Rey is a residential tower, not a hotel. That distinction matters more than people expect. There is no lobby bar, no restaurant, and no concierge desk. What there is instead is space, quiet, and the things that make a longer stay comfortable.
The shared amenities our guests use most:
- Building staff on site 24 hours a day. There is a porter around the clock, which is what makes self check in work at any hour. Arriving on a late flight is not a problem here.
- Rooftop pool. Open air, shared, available year round during set hours rather than around the clock. It is not gated or locked, so families with small children should plan accordingly.
- Elevator. Worth confirming when you compare buildings in Cartagena, since not every older building on the peninsula has one.
- Free parking on the premises. Relevant if you are renting a car, though most guests find they do not need one here. There is free street parking as well.
- Exterior security cameras on the property, alongside the 24 hour staffing.
Two things the building does not have, so you are not surprised. There is no gym, and there is no private beach access from the building itself. The beach is a two minute walk, which in practice is close enough that most guests never think about it, but it is a walk out the front door rather than a gate onto the sand.
Because it is residential, the building has full time residents alongside short stay guests. Quiet hours matter, common areas are shared with neighbors, and the atmosphere is calm by default. If you want a party building, this is the wrong one, and we would rather tell you now.
Our Suite Inside the Building
We host one suite in Edificio Marina del Rey, on the fifth floor, run as Ritmo Cartagena. It is a one bedroom with two bathrooms, sleeping up to four on a king adjustable bed and a pull out sofa bed, and the balcony looks out over the lagoon.
What is in the suite:
- King adjustable bed with premium linens
- Sofa bed for two additional guests
- Two full bathrooms
- Private balcony with a lagoon view
- Kitchenette with a gas stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, cookware and dishes, and a dining table
- Washer and dryer in the unit
- Air conditioning, high speed WiFi, and a smart TV
The washer and dryer inside the unit is the amenity guests mention most on longer stays. In this climate you will use it more than you plan to.
Good to Know Before You Arrive
- Check in is at 3:00 PM, check out is at 11:00 AM
- Maximum four guests
- Smoke free property
- No parties, with quiet hours after 10:00 PM
Because the building is staffed around the clock, check in is self service with the building staff, so a delayed flight or a late arrival does not leave you stranded.
One practical arrival tip. Taxi and app drivers in Cartagena navigate by building name far more reliably than by street address. Say Edificio Marina del Rey, El Laguito and you will get there. The full address and check in details go out ahead of your stay, so you are not working it out at the curb.
Who This Building Suits
It works well for couples, small families, and small groups of up to four who want a quiet base with the beach a short walk away and the Old Town a short ride away. It works especially well for stays of several nights or more, where having a kitchen and laundry starts to matter.
It is less suited to large groups, to travelers who want the built in social scene of a hotel, to anyone who needs a gym on site, or to anyone who wants to be inside the walls of the historic center. Those are real preferences, and El Laguito is not the answer to all of them.
Staying in Edificio Marina del Rey
Our suite in the building is Ritmo Cartagena, rated 4.95 across 100 verified guest reviews. Booking direct puts you in touch with hosts who live and breathe this city rather than a call center, and it is the same suite either way.
Have a look at the suite in detail, or check availability for your dates. If you have a question about the building or the neighborhood that this guide did not answer, ask us. We would rather you arrive knowing exactly what you booked.
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Where is Edificio Marina del Rey
On the El Laguito peninsula in Cartagena, Colombia, at the far end of Bocagrande. It is roughly a two minute walk from El Laguito Beach and about fifteen minutes from Rafael Núñez International Airport.
Can you rent an apartment in Edificio Marina del Rey
Individual owners in the building rent their own apartments. We host one suite there, which you can book directly with us. The building itself does not operate as a hotel and does not rent rooms.
Does Edificio Marina del Rey have a pool
Yes, a shared rooftop pool, open year round during set hours rather than around the clock. The building also has an elevator and free parking on the premises.
Is there a doorman at Edificio Marina del Rey
Yes, building staff are on site 24 hours a day, which is how self check in works at any hour. There are also exterior security cameras on the property.
Does the building have a gym or private beach access
No to both. There is no gym in the building, and no private entrance to the sand. El Laguito Beach is about a two minute walk from the front door.
How far is Edificio Marina del Rey from the Walled City
About a ten minute ride to the Ciudad Amurallada. Taxis and ride apps are easy to find from El Laguito.
Is El Laguito a good area to stay in Cartagena
It suits travelers who want the beach within a couple of minutes on foot and a quieter base than central Bocagrande, while keeping the historic center a short ride away. If you want to be inside the walls of the Old Town, a different neighborhood will fit better.