The Best Cartagena Beaches and Beach Clubs
Cartagena’s stunning location as the jewel of Colombia’s Caribbean coast is not simply because of its beautiful Old Town and UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Part of its increasing global appeal is it’s coastal location, giving you easy access to beautiful Caribbean islands, excellent beaches and best beach clubs in the heart of the city. Here’s our guide to help you find that perfect beach day during your stay in gorgeous Cartagena, Colombia.
It’s a one-hour boat ride to the Rosario Islands National Park, where you’ll find an archipelago of 30 sun-kissed almost-deserted islands surrounded by the turquoise waters and coral reefs we all dream of swimming, snorkelling and diving in – truly, a Caribbean paradise! If you’re looking for luxury or a quiet spot to retreat with a loved one, we recommend a night and day on Isla del Pirata. Islabela Beach Club is a perfect white sand spot for the ultimate Instagram envy-selfie. If you want to spend a day lounging or dancing in the Rosario Islands and are struggling to choose where, rather than touring from beach to swimming site to beach again, Bora Bora day trip is a great option. or Bora Bora VIP, a magical, stimulating, and constant private party atmosphere. Cholon is the place for parties. Isla Barú is very popular with locals and backpackers alike. There’s a diversity of experiences available on the islands and Hi Cartagena can help to guide you in your choice. Spend the day on a sunbed, cocktail in one hand, book in the other while listening to either DJ or crashing waves, enjoy a delicious lunch, and benefit from access to the swimming pool and 2 beaches at Pao Pao Beach Club.
Playa Blanca is a very long beach on Isla Barú. It’s famous for its stunning turquoise waters and white sands, but it’s also very popular as a destination, since the bridge opened up which connects it to the mainland, so the first tip is to visit on a weekday, rather than a weekend, when many local people will be enjoying the sea with their families.
We can help to organise a trip to playa Blanca by boat, which is a wonderful way to arrive and our trip takes you to the quieter end of the beach. We recommend Nena Beach Club & Hotel is currently the most stylish way to enjoy the white sand, blue water Playa Blanca beach, located on Isla Baru, the food is not only delicious, but also offers a range of flavors to tantalize your taste buds.
For the more adventurous traveller, head north of the city to La Boquilla beach for a day kite surfing, wind surfing and more. La Boquilla is named after the fishing village found at the very end of this 3km beach, but close to the city, you’ll find high-rise hotels and condominiums.
Although you won’t find the crystal clear waters of the Rosarios here, you will find a slice of the real Cartagena – families enjoying a day together under a sun shade and freshly caught fish from the fisherman who live in the area. You can also find some of the best kite surfing in the city. We can help you arrange a lesson – simply give us a call.
If you don’t have a whole day available to enjoy the beach, don’t worry – Cartagena has beaches you can enjoy in the centre of the city. Head to the beaches at Castillogrande and Laguito, just a short taxi ride from the walled city, and you can take a long stroll at sunset or spend a couple of hours in the morning or afternoon soaking up some rays.
The majority of the beach here is public, so it can get busy at weekends. If you’re looking for something a little more exclusive, head to the Hilton Hotel, where you’ll find the entrance to Playa Laguito. Here you can enjoy a cocktail, set up on a private sunbed and even go surfing, paddleboarding or jetskiing. Whatever your beach of choice may be, if you have any questions or need any help making arrangements or reservations, call our concierge and we can help you to plan your perfect beach day.
