If you’re a beach lover, you’ll fall in love with Cartagena Private Islands. These beautiful archipelagos in the Caribbean are just an hour by boat from the city.
They are the places that most visitors imagine when they book a vacation to Cartagena. You can spend a day or a couple nights in these beautiful paradises.
Isla Baru
Isla Baru is a tropical paradise that most Cartagena tourists dream of visiting. It’s a tiny, white-sand island in the Caribbean with turquoise seas and palm trees!
The most popular beach on the island is called Playa Blanca, and it’s a lovely spot for soaking up the sun. It’s also great for swimming in the crystal clear water.
You can get to Isla Baru by taking a lancha boat from the port in Cartagena. They leave around 9am and take about an hour.
One of the most impressive aviaries in the world is on Isla Baru. This aviary is known as the Aviario Nacional de Colombia and has hundreds of different bird species, making it a must for anyone who loves birds or animals!
It’s also a fantastic place to see bioluminescent plankton. The evening tours start at 6pm, and are 25,000 COP, so it’s worth doing if you want to add a bit of magic to your trip!
Isla San Bernardo
Between Capurgana and Cartagena, the tiny San Bernardo islands are made of white sands, palm trees, and cabanas. Hidden from the gringo trail, they are a beautiful and tranquil getaway spot.
Isla San Bernardo is a small island located in the Rosario Islands, part of the Natural Coral National Park and just 1h45 by boat from Cartagena de Indias. The archipelago is surrounded by crystal blue waters and offers a variety of activities for travelers looking to experience the best that the Caribbean has to offer.
This party-centric cape is constantly buzzing with youthful energy and is a coveted day trip for tourists visiting Cartagena and also a sought-after weekend destination for locals. Its shacks sell barbecued lobster, coconuts and pina coladas and many boat parties take place in the aquamarine waters of the inlet.
Isla Cholon
Isla Cholon is a little speck of beach that was turned into one of the top attractions near Cartagena. It’s most well known as a boat party hot spot where boats pull up to little palm thatch roofed huts in waist deep water that people dance around to Reggaeton music.
The Caribbean sun glimmers on skin the color of caramel as throngs of gorgeous people dance to a beat that seduces with its bass. In addition, there is a variety of beach food to enjoy.
To reach Isla Cholon, you can either join a day tour with a company in Cartagena or hire a private boat for a day. The latter is the preferred way to visit this beach because the tours that leave from Cartagena usually haul 30-40 people on a single boat and charge about $140 for round trip transportation.
Isla Manglares
If you’re looking for a Cartagena Private Islands getaway that offers a true escape from the city, head to Isla Manglares. This eco-lodge is a 10-minute drive from Playa Blanca Beach and can arrange snorkeling trips to the Rosario Islands.
Isla Manglares has five rooms with a private beach and a garden, offering a quiet escape away from the crowds of Playa Blanca. It also arranges door-to-door transportation from Cartagena.
The guest rooms are a good value and are very clean. They come with a private bathroom and shower. They are also equipped with a TV and free Wi-Fi.
The hotel also provides free shuttle service to downtown Cartagena, as well as a safe deposit box at the front desk. Guests can also enjoy a regional breakfast with tropical fruits.
