Gate-side caffeine in T1 without resorting to vending machines
Mr Bono sits airside in Terminal T1 at Rafael Nuñez International Airport, a small café open from 07:00 to 17:00, so it covers the morning departure rush and most afternoon flights. You’ll find it past security, which makes it a last-minute stop before boarding instead of a pre-checkpoint detour.
This is a true café setup with prices in the $$ range, so expect something between street coffee and hotel lobby rates. Think brewed coffee, espresso drinks, and light snacks rather than a full plated lunch. It’s a workable option if you want a sit-down coffee before a domestic hop or a short international leg out of T1.
Hours running only until 17:00 matter here, because evening departures won’t have this as an option. If your flight pushes into the night bank, plan to grab your caffeine earlier in the day or back in Cartagena before heading to the airport. For mid-day departures, Mr Bono works as a simple “coffee plus pastry” stop so you don’t board hungry.
Lines fluctuate with the mid-morning bank of flights in T1, especially between about 09:00 and 11:00, when several regional departures cluster. Service pace is typical airport café speed: not instant, not leisurely, so give yourself at least 10–15 minutes if you want something more involved than a plain coffee.
There isn’t strong intel yet on specific standout items at Mr Bono, but given the café focus and price point, your safest order is a basic espresso drink and a pre-prepared snack rather than anything that needs cooking. Until more reviews surface, treat it as a functional caffeine stop, not a destination meal.
Tip: T1 is compact, so hit Mr Bono right after security, then walk to your gate; this avoids backtracking if your flight boards from a remote corner of the concourse.