Best Beaches In Cartagena Colombia You Shouldn’t Miss

Cartagena, Colombia is mostly visited for its vibrant party culture, European architecture, and amazing gastronomic experience. But this lively city is also home to many of the best beaches in Colombia. Cartagena beaches are a must when visiting Colombia.

Cartagena, located next to the beautiful Caribbean, is a wonderfully preserved colonial city filled with lively town squares, expensive but world-class restaurants and persistent hawkers trying to sell you tours.

After a bit of exploring around the hot and humid city, you might find yourself wanting to get out and refresh on one of its beautiful Cartagena beaches.

There are many beaches in and around Cartagena. Blessed with being next to the warm waters of the Caribbean, most of Cartagena’s beaches are clear with brilliant turquoise colours, blanketing soft, powdery, white-sand beaches.

From the very accessible but busy beaches of Bocagrande right in the premises of the city to the truly paradise-like beaches of Rosario Islands off Cartagena, we’ll show you our favourite beaches in this blog.

Weather In Cartagena, Colombia

What’s the Cartagena weather like? When’s the best time to visit Cartagena?

Blessed to be situated right in the tropics, Cartagena weather is mostly the same throughout the year with temperatures averaging 28 to 31°C.

There are 2 main seasons in Cartagena: the wet and the dry season. The wet season is from May to November and usually means an average of 16 days of precipitation. So while the temperatures may still be warm, be sure to pack an umbrella.

The best months to visit Cartagena is from December to April which coincides with the dry season. There’s hardly any rain and the sun can be scorching hot and the more constant temperatures mean more activities to do. This is the summertime for many Colombians so expect busier streets and beaches.

How To Get To Cartagena, Colombia

Located in the northern part of Colombia, directly facing the Caribbean, Cartagena is a beautiful city that’s luckily easy to access by international tourists.

Most flights go through Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG). The airport is about 5.6 kilometres from Cartagena’s Old Town, where the main attractions are.

You can go to the city by getting an official taxi and paying COP 20,000/ USD 5 at the airport.

For a cheaper option, go outside the airport and get on one of the buses which cost COP 2000/ USD 0.60. or you may find collectives that are public transportation, so they’ll pick up passengers along the way. If you have massive luggage on you, they might not take you up. If you need more information about it, check this out.

 

Cartagena, Colombia is mostly visited for its vibrant party culture, European architecture, and amazing gastronomic experience. But this lively city is also home to many of the best beaches in Colombia. Cartagena beaches are a must when visiting Colombia.

Cartagena, located next to the beautiful Caribbean, is a wonderfully preserved colonial city filled with lively town squares, expensive but world-class restaurants and persistent hawkers trying to sell you tours.

After a bit of exploring around the hot and humid city, you might find yourself wanting to get out and refresh on one of its beautiful Cartagena beaches. 

There are many beaches in and around Cartagena. Blessed with being next to the warm waters of the Caribbean, most of Cartagena’s beaches are clear with brilliant turquoise colours, blanketing soft, powdery, white-sand beaches.

From the very accessible but busy beaches of Bocagrande right in the premises of the city to the truly paradise-like beaches of Rosario Islands off Cartagena, we’ll show you our favourite beaches in this blog.

Weather In Cartagena, Colombia

What’s the Cartagena weather like? When’s the best time to visit Cartagena?

Blessed to be situated right in the tropics, Cartagena weather is mostly the same throughout the year with temperatures averaging 28 to 31°C.

There are 2 main seasons in Cartagena: the wet and the dry season. The wet season is from May to November and usually means an average of 16 days of precipitation. So while the temperatures may still be warm, be sure to pack an umbrella. 

The best months to visit Cartagena is from December to April which coincides with the dry season. There’s hardly any rain and the sun can be scorching hot and the more constant temperatures mean more activities to do. This is the summertime for many Colombians so expect busier streets and beaches.

How To Get To Cartagena, Colombia

Located in the northern part of Colombia, directly facing the Caribbean, Cartagena is a beautiful city that’s luckily easy to access by international tourists.

Most flights go through Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG). The airport is about 5.6 kilometres from Cartagena’s Old Town, where the main attractions are.

You can go to the city by getting an official taxi and paying COP 20,000/ USD 5 at the airport.

For a cheaper option, go outside the airport and get on one of the buses which cost COP 2000/ USD 0.60. or you may find collectives that are public transportation, so they’ll pick up passengers along the way. If you have massive luggage on you, they might not take you up. If you need more information about it, check this out.

Where To Stay In Cartagena, Colombia

The best place to stay in Cartagena is inside the Walled City Centre where you’ll find famous neighbourhoods like El Centro, Getsemani, and San Diego. This is where most of the attractions are nearby.  If you’re booking a room in Cartagena, these neighbourhoods are recommended for being close to the must-dos in Cartagena.

The neighbourhood of Bocagrande is right on the beach and is 15 minutes away from the city. They offer modern accommodations like hotels and condos.

If you want to escape the city and busk on the lovely beaches of Cartagena, the many islands of the Rosario Archipelago offer several hotel resorts and beach clubs. In addition to enjoying the beach, tours and hotels, they also offer diving, snorkelling, and many eco-tours. 

Quick Tips On Visiting The Best Beaches In Cartagena, Colombia

Bocagrande and Castillogrande are the readily accessible beaches in Cartagena. It only takes a few minutes by public transport to get to these beaches. However, they are filled with hawkers so don’t expect a perfectly relaxing day at the beach. We don’t recommend spending a lot of time here.

Some of the best beaches in Colombia are found on Rosario Islands which is 1 hour from Cartagena by boat. The best way to visit them is by going on a boat tour, especially if you’re short on time. Otherwise, there are plenty of hotels where you can stay the night.

Perhaps the most beautiful beach is Playa Blanca on Isla Baru. It can get crowded here so avoid going on Colombian National Holidays and weekends.

Tierra Bomba is the closest island to Cartagena with amazing beaches as well, just 15 minutes away from the city by boat.

Manzanilla del Mar is about 45 45-minute drive from Cartagena Old Town. It’s a more quiet beach than the beaches in the city and great if you don’t feel like going on a boat trip and want to see more outside of Cartagena

For a more unique experience, head 1 hour out of Cartagena to visit Pink Sea, which is of brilliant pink colour.

Bring a lot of water, sunscreen, hats, and some cash but leave out very important items. Some Cartagena Colombia beaches have shade by palm trees but others don’t have any, so it’s good to be ready with sunscreen and some form of shade. Bring cash since some stands that rent out beach chairs only accept cash.

Stuff being stolen is also common on Colombian beaches, especially the busier ones, so be sure to carry just what you need for the day and watch out for your stuff.

Avoid visiting the beaches during national holidays and weekends when it can get really crowded.

Best Cartagena Beaches – For A Quick Visit And When You Don’t Feel Like Going On A Boat Trip

1. Bocagrande Beach

You probably just landed in Cartagena and might want to check out and swim at the nearest beach that you can find.

Bocagrande Beach is located just within the city limits. Lined by many hotels and restaurants, the white sand beaches fronting the Caribbean are great for swimming and getting a tan.

However, if you want to completely relax or read a book, then this beach is not for you. Because of its popularity and proximity to the city, the beach is usually crowded with local and foreign tourists. With that comes swarms of vendors selling you souvenirs or tours. Don’t expect to have a moment of peace in 1 hour of lazing under the sun.

Perhaps the only way to have a relaxing day on Bocagrande is to go into one of the big hotel’s front beaches and pay for umbrellas and sunbeds and food and drinks. They usually have security guards that can ward off the vendors. Indeed, Bocagrande Beach isn’t my favourite, but it’s still great for convenience and decent swimming.

Bocagrande is a long strip of beach and there are areas we’d recommend for you to hang out on. Kiosco Bony, commonly known as the Hollywood Beach Cartagena, is at the end of the strip and it offers a larger space. Here, you can get some food and drinks from nearby restaurants, rent a chair and hopefully chill on the beach.

2. La Boquilla

La Boquilla is a 200m-long beach located 20 minutes north of Cartagena, Columbia. It’s part of a fishing village with Afro-Caribbean roots and is very popular with local tourists.

However, foreign travellers have recently enjoyed the warm waters of La Boquilla. It’s not as visually appealing as the other beaches of Cartagena but it sure can be a great escape from the hectic city centre. The sands are not of the purest white but dark grey, unlike the popular beaches near Cartagena. Expect lesser crowds and lesser vendors in La Boquilla.

La Boquilla is lined by condominiums, hotels, fantastic restaurants and kite schools! The beach is for kitesurfing because of the perfect wind conditions all year round.

Because La Boquilla sits between the mangrove forests and the sea, you’ll find many tours on the beach offering a visit through the mangroves with its wildlife.

The beach has been certified eco-friendly with the community helping the water clean and safe. The community is also ensuring that they’re adapting sustainable eco-friendly protocols to maintain their beach. That sure is a big plus!

3. Castillogrande

Castillogrande Beach is Cartagena’s playground for the rich and the fancy. However, tourists have poured in from the city for a dip in its warm and very mellow waters. After all, beaches in Columbia are still considered public (much to the fancy residents’ dismay). Along with the tourists come swarms of vendors as well, though not as much as the main beaches of Bocagrande.

This upmarket beach is located at the end of the peninsula of Bocagrande, right in Cartagena. The beach is lined by luxury condominiums, exclusive neighbourhoods, and fancy hotels and restaurants.

You can get to Castillogrande by walking behind the Hospital of Bocagrande. It’s also where you’ll find boats to get to Tierra Bomba, another one of the best beaches in Cartagena, Colombia.

Best Beaches In Cartagena – The Dreamy White Sand Beaches Of Rosario Islands

Rosario Archipelago is a group of Cartagena islands off the city. These gorgeous islands sit right on the blue and warm waters of the Caribbean. Many different islands on the Rosario archipelago offer beautiful beaches that give different vibes and things to do as well. Some of the best Colombia beaches are located in this archipelago alone.

Regardless, you’ll be sure to find the perfect island getaway while exploring Colombia. The best part is it’s only a 45-minute boat trip from the vibrant city of Cartagena. We recommend taking a boat tour to see several of the islands’ beaches and/or staying the night in one of its amazing hotels with beachfront views to soak in that Caribbean sea and sun.

The best beaches on Rosario Islands are:

1. Isla Grande Beaches

 Isla Grande is the biggest island of the Rosario Archipelago and there are several beaches to choose from, complete with sunbeds. There are many activities that you can do on the island, like snorkelling, kayaking through the mangroves, and bioluminescent tours. There are several hotels on the island as well for when you want to stay the night.

The beaches on Isla Grande are warm and calm and the sand is comfortable to lay on. We recommend the Colombia beach Gente de Mar which is also perfect for kids, Isla del Sol, and San Pedro Majagua, which may be man-made but it’s great when you want a relaxing day at the beach or a good swim on its clear turquoise water.

2. Isla Marina Beaches

Isla Marina is close to Isla Grande and although it doesn’t have a public beach, the 2 eco-resorts on the island allow day trips and overnight stays. Isabela Beach offers a peaceful and relaxing vibe on its white powdery sand beaches and tranquil waters. Be careful with some small rocks and corals while wading on the water though.

While there, you might want to treat yourself to refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The eco-resorts on here work with the locals to preserve the nature on the island by doing sustainable tourism and other projects. So while you’re relaxing under the sun, you’ll be pleased to know that you’re part of something that helps the environment.

Best Cartagena Beaches – The Most Beautiful Beaches Are On Isla Baru Cartagena

It’s easy to mistake Isla Baru as part of the Rosario Islands. After all, it’s very close to the more popular archipelago. It’s also part of the National Park.

However, the island is totally different from Rosario. In fact, it didn’t even start as a natural island. It was cut off by the Spanish conquistadors during colonial times by building a canal between mainland Colombia and today’s Isla Baru.

This beautiful island has small Afro-Latin communities that are mostly fisher folks. Some of the islands are covered by mangroves. The rest of the island is dotted by white sand beaches on its coasts.

The best beaches on Isla Baru Cartagena are:

1. Playa Blanca

Undoubtedly, one of the best beaches is Playa Blanca Cartagena Colombia. Its soft, powdery white sand is lined by warm crystalline blue Caribbean waters. This inviting beach is 40 minutes away from Cartagena by boat. The beach is also lined with palm trees to shade you from the usual harsh Cartagena sun. There are plenty of beach chairs, hammocks and umbrellas for rent on the beach. Otherwise, you can lay your towel and chill.

Playa Blanca has become popular with foreign and local tourists and tends to get busy on the weekends and holidays, so plan your holiday well. The hawkers are definitely less here though so you’ll be guaranteed a few relaxing hours. And if you feel like staying the night, there are cheap and basic accommodations available.

2. Cholon

Cholon beach, a very tiny one that is, with most parts covered by mangroves, is a great beach for party boat goers. The beach is so tiny that most guests will have to settle standing on waist-deep waters under two rows of palm huts. But who needs a beach to lay down on when the beach is booming with party music and the drinks are overflowing? Many party boats stop by at Cholon to give guests a chance to swim and chill at the party beach.

The best way to experience Cholon is to rent a private boat. This way you’ll be able to stay on Cholon for as much as you want, or maybe squeeze in a bit of snorkelling and island hopping before or after your Cholon trip.

Or as mentioned above, you can also join a party boat with like-minded people and get boozy without worrying about anything.

Best Cartagena Beaches – Manzanillo Del Mar For A 35-minute Roadtrip Outside Of Cartagena

Manzanillo del Mar features large and beautiful stretches of warm black sand beaches (instead of the white sand on other Cartagena beaches) and calm and warm waters. It’s the furthest of the mainland beaches from Old Town Cartagena, but they are also the city’s most calm and peaceful stretches of sand with significantly fewer tourists and vendors on the beach. 

Manzanillo del Mar is about a 35-minute drive from the city. You can get a cab for USD 15 one way to the beach. Specifically, the beach Playa de Oro is the best on Manzanillo del Mar. 

Best Cartagena Beaches – Tierra Bomba For A Quick Island Trip

Tierra Bomba is one of the Cartagena islands that’s quickly reached by boat for when you’re looking to explore more island beaches. As expected of Caribbean beaches, the sand is white and soft and the water is crystal blue, calm, and warm.

It may not be as beautiful as the beaches on Rosario Islands and that of Playa Blanca, but the beaches on Tierra Bomba are definitely better than the ones on mainland Cartagena. 

They’re also more budget-friendly and more relaxing as there are fewer vendors over the island. The island is huge and it has several hostels and restaurants for when you want to stay longer. Otherwise, Tierra Bomba is just a short boat ride away and a quick day trip will be enough.

The best beaches on Tierra Bomba are:

1. Punta Arena

Punta Arena is a beach on Tierra Bomba that offers the usually clear waters of the Caribbean plus the beautiful views of the city skyline of Bocagrande directly across the beach. If you want a unique view while relaxing, then Punta Arena is a must.

To get to Punta Arena, go behind the Bocarande Hospital in Castillogrande and pay 20,000 pesos for a roundtrip.

Alternatively, there are day passes sold by resorts and Cartagena beach clubs that include the boat trip, beach chairs, umbrellas, and even lunch in some cases. These resorts also have private beaches with nicer views of Bocagrande. So when it comes to cost, buying a day pass could be more safe and more cost-effective than doing things yourself.

2. Bocachica

Bocachica on Tierra Bomba is a heavenly beach with white soft powdery sand and crystal clear blue waters. It’s also home to the massive colonial fort built during the Spanish era which happens to be the first line of defence during those times.

A walk through the mangroves and to the Castillo San Felipe and the forts topped by a relaxing day on the beach is perfect for history and beach bums.

Bocachica is also home to the popular Blue Apple Beach Club, which offers day passes for daytrippers who want to properly relax on beach chairs and loungers and the restaurant which offers great food and cocktails. They also have accommodation for those who want to stay the night.

To reach Bocachica, you can go by public boat taxi or by private boats that come with day passes sold by beach clubs like Blue Apple Beach.

Best Cartagena Beaches – Go For A Unique Attraction At Pink Sea Cartagena

Pink Sea, or officially Salinas Galirazambas, is located 1 hour outside of Cartagena. You can either rent a car or join a tour to get to this unique place, plus the nearby Volcano Mud that you can bury yourself into.

The Pink Sea is highly salty and swimming is not allowed. After all, it’s located in a salt mine area. The pink colour comes from the rain breaking the salt and the microalgae producing beta carotene.

The pink colour of the sea is only more visible from December to April and from August to September, so plan your visit ahead of time. The entrance fee to enter the Pink Sea is about USD 2. You can also visit Volcano Mud which is just 15 minutes away.

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Colombia is an amazing country with lots of things to do. One of its gems is Cartagena which not only boasts magnificent colonial architecture, bustling nightlife, and great culinary experience, it’s also home to some of the best Colombia beaches.

Whether you want a quick stroll to the beach from the busy streets of Cartagena or you’re up for island tours or just lazing your days away on some tropical island, Cartagena has something for everyone.