Beaches & Islands

The beaches of Cartagena are a national treasure of Colombia, stunningly unspoiled pieces of paradise, but with every conceivable convenience close by. Most of the beaches are within two hours traveling distance from the city, and vary from the Rosario Islands, to the gorgeous white sands of Playa Blanca to the exciting beach scene at Bocachica Beach, where visitors can do everything from getting a massage to finding something to eat, or simply do nothing at all – whiling away the day in a hammock.

The Rosario Islands

For those looking for an adventure in an unspoiled landscape, a trip to the Rosario Islands is a must. One of Colombia’s national parks, the islands are less than two hours away by boat, with some speed water taxis taking only fifty minutes, and has some of the most pristine landscapes in the country. The national park also includes an aquarium that accommodates a number of endangered species, including a rare giant sea turtle.

On Isla Grande, the biggest island in the archipelago, there is an environmental interpretation path, which visitors can tour to see the island’s pristine beauty, including a mangrove forest, a number of lagoons and the migrating birds that periodically come to the island. Aside from their natural beauty, the Rosario Islands are extremely popular destinations for diving, surfing and sailing, and there are a number of shops to outfit visitors who want to see the many wild aquatic species of the archipelago first hand.

La Playa Blanca

The white sands of the Playa Blanca make it another popular site for visitors, and with good reason–with gorgeous white beaches straight out of a cubicle worker’s lunchtime daydream, the Playa Blanca is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in South America.

Located on the island of Baru, about two hours by boat out of Cartagena, the beaches are more remote from the city, which keeps them cleaner, less crowded and much more in line with images of a beach paradise. There are restaurants on the island and some privately rented cabins, but no hotels. In fact, most overnight visitors sleep in hammocks rocked by the warm breezes on the beach. Playa Blanca is also famous for ecotourism. Visitors can take both guided and individual tours into the jungle, where sloths swing from the mangrove trees and monkeys chatter down at hikers.

Manzanillo, Bocagrande, and Boquilla

For those looking for a more urban scene, Manzanillo, Bocagrande, and Boquilla beaches are sure to satisfy. A combination of screensaver-worthy beaches and complete convenience.

Manzanillo beach is about thirty minutes by bus away from Cartagena, and is one of the most popular beaches for visitors looking for a good time on the beach. It is less crowded than the more central Bocagrande and Boquilla beaches, but still features snorkeling, a number of restaurants and bars, and budget accommodation nearby.

Bocagrande beach is much closer to the city, about ten minutes away from the downtown area by foot, and is excellent for swimming, since the water here is particularly calm. It is not as natural as other beaches in the area, and high rises line the beach, but its convenient location makes it popular with locals and visitors alike.

Boquilla is a good compromise between the relative isolation of Manzanillo and the more urban skyline of Bocagrande, since it is still easily accessible with a thirty minute bus ride, but is less crowded and more natural than Bocagrande.

With a little bit of something for everyone, the beaches of Cartagena live up to expectations. The combination of pristine landscapes, environmental rarities and convenient facilities virtually everywhere, no trip to Cartagena is complete without a visit to at least one of these beautiful beaches.