Cartagena Beaches: 10 Best Beaches in Cartagena
Cartagena, Colombia is a gem of a colonial city enveloped in colorful Caribbean vibes. It’s located on the coast with many vantage points of the ocean from its fortified walls.
However, when you start to plan a day of sun and sand, you’ll quickly realize that Cartagena beaches are not exactly the tropical paradise you were dreaming of.
But it doesn’t mean you should cross them off your list! You just need to know where to find the best beaches in Cartagena. And that’s where this guide comes in.
My favorite beaches near Cartagena are located on the Rosario Islands. And while you may have to get on a boat to get there, the prices are quite affordable.
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When I first outlined this list of beaches, I started with those closest to the city. That resulted in the most beautiful beaches in Cartagena listed all the way at the bottom.
And well, let’s face it I was afraid you wouldn’t read that far. So I flipped the list around to highlight the Rosario Islands because that’s what your tropical postcard dreams are made of. Let’s jump in.
Rosario Islands: Best Cartagena Beaches
This archipelago is a mix of private and public islands that make up the Rosario National Park. You can easily make any of these excursions a simple beach day, though I recommend staying overnight if you have the time.
If you plan to take a day trip, you should read about these Cartagena island tours which range from snorkeling and relaxing to a boat party to a sunset cruise. Most of the tours leave from the main marina in Cartagena, Muelle de la Bodeguita (map).
Continue reading to see which of the Rosario Islands is right for you.
Tip: Keep in mind, there is also a 19,000 COP fee to enter the national park which will be collected when you enter the marina.
1. Playa Blanca on Isla Baru
The most popular beach on Isla Baru is Playa Blanca. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also easily accessible by boat or car.
Yes, that’s right, you can book a shuttle to Playa Blanca (more about that later). Of course, the accessibility also means it’s full of people and vendors.
Photo Credit: Cuppa to Copa Travels
If you prefer less people, walk down the beach to the right until the crowds thin out. You can also rent a beachside bungalow for the night so you can enjoy the beach after the day trippers have gone.
My recommendation… Fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves and wake up to breakfast on the beach when you book a stay at Vista Linda Cabaña. A private room for one or two is quite affordable and the beach in front of their cabanas is beautiful white sand with crystal clear water.
How do you get to Playa Blanca?
It is possible to travel to Playa Blanca by land because Isla Baru is actually not an island, it’s a peninsula. It was part of the mainland until the Spanish dug a canal in 1582 to connect the Cartagena shipping trade to the mighty Magdalena River.
The easiest way to get to Playa Blanca is to book this day trip to a beach club on Isla Baru that includes lunch and a welcome drink.
Alternatively, you can book a shuttle for the two hour drive (private and shared options available).
If you’re adventurous and know some Spanish, the cheapest way to travel to Isla Baru is by public transport. From Cartagena, take a bus to Pascaballos south of town. From there you can catch a colectivo to Isla Baru. While I have not taken this option personally, I’ve been told the total cost is around 10,000 COP each way.
2. Playa Libre on Isla Grande
Only accessible by boat, Isla Grande Colombia is a great choice if you want to get away from the crowds but still do your own thing. I spent a couple of nights here and loved the rustic feel.
The best public beach on Isla Grande is Playa Libre. You can ask the boat to drop you off there, or at the closest dock to your hotel, should you decide to stay overnight.
This is the largest of the Rosario Islands and I definitely recommend you spend a night or two if you have the time. If you decide to take a day trip, book this island hopping snorkeling tour for the perfect day.
3. Isla Cholón
Isla Cholon is known as the party island located near Baru. If you book this Cartagena party boat tour, it’s one of the stops along with several other Rosario Islands. You’ll be able to mingle with other travelers while dancing to music and partying from the boat.
Do you love finding secret beach spots? You’ll want to read my guide to Rincon del Mar – a small fishing and beach town near Cartagena.
Beaches of Bocagrande
High-rise buildings line the skinny stretch of coastline of Bocagrande, resembling a small Miami Beach. The water here is not going to fulfill your Caribbean dreams, but it’s a place for sun and swim only a short taxi or bus ride from the heart of Cartagena.
4. Playa de Bocagrande
If you’re looking for a beach close to Cartagena, Playa de Bocagrande is one of the most popular.
It’s a great place to soak up the sun, enjoy a local snack, or watch the sunset over the ocean without leaving the city.
You can rent chairs under the shade of an umbrella while vendors pass by selling ceviche and other snacks.
5. Playas Castillo Grande and Laguito
This stretch of beach is on the far end of the Bocagrande peninsula and offers a longer expanse of sandy coastline with room to spread out. For this reason, Castillo Grande felt a little nicer to me.
In addition to the area with tents and chairs for rent, there is plenty of open sand where you can lay a towel down without hassle. If you’re looking for a quiet beach within the city limits, I recommend Castillo Grande.
Best Beaches Near Cartagena
Visiting these beaches near Cartagena means you can spend time at the beach and still have time to check out these other things to do in Cartagena later in the day.
6. Punta Arena on Tierra Bomba
Tierra Bomba is a large island off the coast with several beaches. The most popular is Punta Arena which faces the city.
While these beaches near Cartagena may not blow your sandals off, it’s a step up from the beaches on the mainland. And it’s only about 15 minutes by boat.
If you prefer to have everything taken care of for you, you should book one of these excursions to Tierra Bomba.
- Island Beach Day on Tierra Bomba – This excursion takes you by boat to a beach club where you’ll eat a seafood lunch (included) and lounge by the sea. Various departure times makes it easy to arrive. Plus you’re welcome to stay for sunset and dinner.
- Wellness Experience in Tierra Bomba – This holistic excursion includes yoga, meditation, and a massage. You can choose to participate between lounging and swimming in the pool or ocean. You’ll finish with an evening fire and cacao ceremony. Transportation is included.
- Punta Arena Cartagena Kayaking – If you’re looking for an active beach day in Cartagena, you’ll want to take this kayaking adventure to Punta Arena. You’ll have free time to lounge on the beach before returning to the city.
If you know a little Spanish and want to go on your own, you can go to the hospital in Bocagrande and negotiate a boat ride to Punta Arena for around 15,000 COP per person. Then choose a beach club when you arrive. Keep in mind they will require a minimum spend.
7. Southern Tierra Bomba Island
The other side of Tierra Bomba feels a bit more secluded. While the beaches are smaller due to some rocky land, one bonus of its seclusion is less vendors.
Another bonus of visiting this Cartagena Colombia beach is that you can visit the San Fernando Fort which is included in both of these excursions.
If relaxing at a beach club on a tranquil beach is what you’re looking for, book this day trip to Playa Morena on Tierra Bomba which includes a walking tour of the fort.
When you book this pirate boat tour to Tierra Bomba you’ll start with a guided tour of the fort.
8. Manzanillo del Mar
This is Cartagena beach is just past La Boquilla (see next) and is more friendly to tourists without the feel of a resort like Playa de Bocagrande. The sandy beach is expansive and the water is nice for swimming.
If you want to go for a half day, I highly recommend you book this experience to ride horses on the beach which includes lunch and round trip transportation..
If you want to stay overnight and you enjoy water sports, book a stay at Zion Beach House, a 2-story open-air accommodation directly on the beach at Playa Manzanillo.
Photo Credit: Zion Beach House
At Zion, you can take kitesurfing lessons, go parasailing, rent a stand-up paddleboard, and more. Plus, every Thursday, they hosts soccer and volleyball on the beach beginning around 4 pm, followed by a BBQ at 7 pm.
If being in the middle of the action at Playa Manzanillo isn’t your thing, you can choose the more remote beach like Playa de Oro. It’s fairly tranquil and the waves are quite gentle. Although I always recommend watching the ocean before you jump in as conditions can change.
How to get to Playa Manzanillo
To get to Playa Manzanillo it’s best to hire a taxi, though you’ll save money if you first take the bus to Crespo or La Boquilla and catch a taxi from there.
9. La Boquilla
La Boquilla is a small fishing village located on an island strip north of Cartagena. This is a local beach with bungalow restaurants that traditionally serve fried fish with coconut rice and bring it to you under the shade of a tent.
I really wanted to love this beach, but I can’t ignore the fact that tourists are routinely taken advantage of. It happened to me and I’m thankful it wasn’t worse.
After walking along the beach, talking with one of the local salespeople, he invited me to eat at his mother’s restaurant. I was prepared for an overpriced lunch and after our long conversation, I wanted to support him. He insisted I sit under the tent near the ocean so I assumed it was free.
When it came time to pay, not only did he want to charge me an outrageous amount for the tent, but he added a hefty tip to the bill. And even then, the prices did not add up to the amount he was requesting. I argued the price down but still paid more than we had initially agreed upon.
I’ve since read reviews of similar and sometimes worse situations. Ultimately, you need to be clear about the prices of everything you order, including the tent that you sit under after ordering your exorbitant lunch.
Or, consider visiting La Boquilla simply for a tour of the Mangroves and through the tunnel of love. This tour picks you up at your hotel and brings you to La Boquilla where a guide paddles you in a canoe through the mangrove forest.
While you bask in the view of birds and other wildlife, you’ll learn about the culture of this traditional fishing village. I didn’t have time this day but I’ve taken several mangrove boat tours throughout my travels and I always enjoyed the peaceful view into the natural world. One of my favorites is in Celestun, Mexico.
How to get to La Boquilla
To get to La Boquilla from Cartagena, you can take a 30-minute bus from La India Catalina monument. Since I was flying out the next day, I stayed closer to La Boquilla at Wonderland Hostel (which by the way is a fantastic place if you need something walkable to the airport). You can easily catch a bus on Calle 70 from that area of Crespo to La Boquilla.
As the bus approaches La Boquilla you’ll probably start looking at Google maps, wondering exactly where you should get off for the beach. But you’re in for a surprise. The bus turns directly onto the beach!
The route continues a sandy path for quite a while before turning around. In fact, it’s common to see other cars on the beach and motorcycles driving along the waterline.
10. Marbella-Crespo
I only mention this Cartagena beach because it’s the first one you’ll see as you drive from the airport to the city.
And like me, you’ll probably wonder if it’s worth venturing to for a beach day. Well it should probably be the last choice on your list.
I had an opportunity to get closer to this beach when I stayed at the Wonderland Hostel near the airport. It didn’t look inviting to me so I opted to take a bus to La Boquilla instead. I later heard the currents here can be dangerous.
Chairs under the shade of blue tents line the water and can be rented for 5,000 COP according to my taxi driver.
How to Get to Cartagena
Unless you’re flying directly to this seaside city, you may be wondering just how to get to Cartagena. If you’re coming from another spot on Colombia’s northern coast, I recommend taking a bus to Cartagena.
If you’re coming from a further distance such as Medellin or Bogota, it’s best to take a domestic flight to get to Cartagena. While there are buses from Medellin, the route is incredible long, often with delays, and costs about the same as a flight.
Final Thoughts on Cartagena Beaches
As you can see, there are many choices for a Cartagena beach to fit your style, budget, and vacation time. And after you feel the heat and humidity of the city, you’ll have no trouble convincing yourself you are in need of a beach day.
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