Best Beaches in Cartagena

Cartagena was one of the Spanish Empire's most important port cities.

Cartagena was one of the Spanish Empire’s most important port cities and has a location on the northern coast of Colombia that made the city very wealthy. Just like merchants flocked to the city because of its location on the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean, so do tourists today. Cartagena is surrounding by white sand beaches and calm waters that help make the city a fantastic beach getaway. Combined with the colorful and charming old walled city and dazzling Bocagrande, Cartagena is sure to please even the most picky travelers.

We know that beach bums will love to hop their way along the beaches that hug the coast and islands so here are our top recommendations for where to go for a day on the beach in Cartagena!

Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca is by far the most famous beach near Cartagena. The beach is just a 40-minute boat ride from Cartagena (or a two-hour bus journey) and features bright blue waters and white sand beaches. The beach can get very crowded on weekends (and Colombians know how to turn a quiet beach into a party) so for a more laid-back atmosphere, make sure to come on weekdays. A trip to Playa Blanca can be combined with a visit to the Baru Bird Sanctuary and even an evening tour to swim with biolilluminescence. You can learn more about Playa Blanca including how to get there here.)

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Bocagrande

Bocagrande is Colombia’s version of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro or the hotel zone in Cancun. The beach is close to the the hotels and resorts of Bocagrande Peninsula. It attracts tourists and locals alike so it can get very busy and a bit rowdy at times. For some people, this adds to the experience but if you are looking for a secluded, quiet beach, you may want to check out some of the other options on this list.

Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands is a series of islands a short boat ride from Cartagena. The islands have a wide variety of beaches to choose from and you can even spend the night in on of the hotels or guest houses there for a chance to really experience Colombian island life. You can learn more about the Rosario Islands and how to get there here.

Our Concierge Dream Team will be happy to arrange yacht service or a Dream Experience of your preference for you and your group. Should you require any assistance finding suitable transportation to and from the islands check out our Yacht Rental Services.

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