Selina Rooftop
Selina's rooftop bar sits atop the Selina hostel in Getsemani, offering a combination of pool access, DJ sets, and Old City views that makes it one of the most popular social hubs in the neighborhood's backpacker scene. The terrace has a small plunge pool, lounge chairs, a bar counter, and enough space for about 60 people before it feels overcrowded. The view captures the Walled City's illuminated walls and church steeples, with the cathedral dome as the centerpiece. DJs play on weekend evenings, spinning a mix of house, reggaeton, and tropical beats. The drink menu is mid-range: cocktails are more expensive than the hostel bars downstairs but cheaper than the Walled City rooftop venues. Beer is priced for the hostel crowd, and bucket deals encourage group drinking. The clientele is overwhelmingly hostel guests and backpackers, mostly in their 20s, with the social dynamics that hostel environments naturally create. Pool parties on weekend afternoons blur into evening drinking sessions that continue until the bar closes.
Where to stay near Selina Rooftop
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A hostel rooftop with a pool, DJ music, and a backpacker social scene. The atmosphere is casual, friendly, and party-oriented on weekends. The Walled City view is a bonus.
Social, youthful, and hostel-energetic. It's a travel social hub with a pool and a view.
House, tropical house, reggaeton, and dancehall. DJ sets on weekends, playlist on weekdays.
Pool-casual. Swimwear during the day, casual clothes in the evening.
Backpackers, social travelers, pool-to-bar afternoons, and budget rooftop views.
Cash and cards accepted.
Price Range
Cocktail 22,000-30,000 COP, beer 8,000-12,000 COP, beer bucket (6) 40,000 COP
Cocktail ~$5.50-7.50/~5-6.80 EUR, beer ~$2-3/~1.80-2.75 EUR, bucket ~$10/~9 EUR
Hours
11:00-00:00 daily, pool parties from 14:00 on weekends
Insider Tip
The pool is small, so arrive early on weekends to claim a lounger. The view is better after dark when the Walled City lights up. Non-guests can access the rooftop with a drink purchase. Saturday afternoon pool parties are the social peak.
Full Review
Selina's rooftop fills a specific niche in Getsemani: the social rooftop for the under-30 budget traveler crowd. The pool, the DJ, the view, and the hostel social dynamics combine into an experience that's less about the drinks and more about the connections.
The pool is the anchor during the day. It's small, more plunge pool than swimming pool, but on a hot Cartagena afternoon, it does the job. Loungers around the edge provide space for sunbathing and drinking, and the weekend pool parties starting around 2 PM attract both hostel guests and outside visitors. The atmosphere is festive and flirtatious in the way that backpacker social scenes tend to be.
As the sun sets, the rooftop transitions from pool scene to bar scene. The DJ increases the tempo, the pool empties, and the crowd shifts to the bar and the view-facing tables. The Walled City panorama after dark is the selling point, with the illuminated walls and church towers providing a backdrop that improves every photo and every conversation.
The drinks are adequate. Cocktails at 22,000-30,000 COP are fine for the setting, though they don't approach the quality of dedicated cocktail bars like Alquimico. Beer buckets at 40,000 COP are the value play for groups. The bar staff are young, friendly, and accustomed to the hostel crowd's energy.
The limitation is the same as any hostel bar: the experience depends on who else is there. On a night when the mix of travelers clicks, Selina's rooftop can feel like the best bar in Cartagena. On a quiet Tuesday, it can feel like a half-empty hotel pool deck. The variability is part of the hostel deal.
The Neighborhood
In Getsemani, a few blocks from Plaza de la Trinidad. The hostel is on a street with other accommodation options and small restaurants. The Walled City entrance is a 5-minute walk.
Getting There
Walk from Plaza de la Trinidad in about 3 minutes. The Selina hostel entrance is at street level; the rooftop is accessed through the hostel. Uber from Bocagrande costs 10,000-15,000 COP.
Other Venues in Getsemani
Café Havana
Legendary live salsa institution and a Cartagena pilgrimage site. Cuban-style son and salsa bands play nightly. Expect a line on weekends and a cover around 20,000 COP.
Demente
Graffiti-covered bar with cheap cocktails and a backpacker-heavy crowd. Good early-evening spot for drinks around Plaza de la Trinidad before heading elsewhere.
El Arsenal: The Rum Box
Rum-focused bar with an extensive Caribbean and Colombian selection. Colonial building interior with knowledgeable bartenders and a pace slower than the nearby clubs.
Beiyu
Asian-fusion cocktail bar bringing a different flavor to Getsemaní's scene. Moody lighting, creative drinks, and a crowd that skews toward late-20s and 30-somethings.
Media Luna Hostel Bar
Open-air hostel bar that doubles as one of Getsemaní's main social hubs. Cheap drinks, rotating DJs, and a reliable starting point for backpackers before a night out.
La Jugada Getsemani
Lively corner bar near Plaza de la Trinidad with reggaeton and champeta on the speakers. Cheap beers and a young crowd that spills onto the sidewalk on weekends.