3 best island getaways from Cartagena, Colombia

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Playa Blanca (on Isla Baru)

Playa Blanca is the quintessential Cartagena escapade as a day trip to the celebrated Isla Baru and its sun-kissed shores (Playa Blanca and Isla Baru are one and the same—a fact not immediately apparent to all visitors). Now accessible by road, this island escape is perfect  when you’re starting to crave a relief from the scorching heat of Cartagena. While weekends and peak seasons see a heavy surge of sun-seekers, a mid-week visit can reward you with a relatively more serene beach day, but beware – even on those days, this is not your secluded Caribbean island getaway or pristine nature experience. Playa Blanca is famous, easy and quick to reach and offers all imaginable comforts, so it is not surprisingly a crowd magnet, especially for local tourists and day trippers. And they demand the beer flowing and the beat pumping at max volume.

How to get there?

Independently

On land | Begin with a bus ride from Cartagena to Pasacaballos. Buses depart from the corner of Calle 30 and Carrera 17 and the ride takes about 30 minutes. After reaching Pasacaballos, you can hire a moto-taxi to take you the rest of the way to Playa Blanca. The moto-taxi journey should last about 20-30 minutes and may cost up to COP 10,000 that you might be able to negotiate.

By boat | For a faster route, you can opt for a speedboat from Cartagena’s port in the Old Town. This trip takes roughly 30 minutes. Speedboats can also be accessed from Mercado Bazurto, but it’s advisable to get there between 8-9am to secure a spot, and you might have to wait for the boat to fill up before departing. Prices for a one-way trip range from COP 20,000 to 40,000, and the return boats generally leave around 2-3 pm​.

Overnight | Consider staying beachside overnight at a local hostel to experience Playa Blanca’s tranquil after-hours, it will be a very different experience from the day crowd!

Half organized

Shuttle | Alternatively, streamlined shuttle services via platforms like Bookaway provide a happy medium between autonomy and convenience.

Fully organized

Standard boat tour | As the most convenient option, you can choose a day-trip package – you will be promoted with these walking around on the streets of Cartagena whether you’re interested or not 😀 You can opt for a VIP experience with early pickup and a day-long retreat at a beach club, complete with amenities and lunch, or a boat tour zigzagging through neighboring isles, including Isla Grande and Islas de Rosario, with snorkeling opportunities aplenty.

Tip: When you are there and want a bit more peace, all you have to do is walk a little bit – surprisingly few people do this, so a brief stroll along the beach unveils quieter, more secluded spots.

Where to stay

Staying overnight completely changes the Playa Blanca experience. Once the day-trip boats leave, the beach becomes calmer, sunsets feel magical, and mornings are surprisingly peaceful. Here are some great recommendations:

Cabañas Playa Blanca (budget) | Simple beachfront cabins offering direct access to the sand and a relaxed backpacker atmosphere. Best for budget travelers and short overnight stays. Expect basic comfort, fan rooms and an unbeatable location.

Nena Beach & Hotel (midrange) | A comfortable beach hotel with private loungers, restaurant service, and more structure than the typical Playa Blanca accommodation. Best for travelers wanting comfort without losing the beach vibe Why it works: good balance between affordability and amenities.

Cabaña Coral Azul (upscale) | One of the more refined stays on Playa Blanca, offering quieter surroundings and a more boutique feel compared to the party-heavy central beach area. Best for couples or travelers wanting a calmer overnight escape.

Go deeper

Islas Rosario

If Playa Blanca sounds like a bit too much, maybe an escape to the Rosario Islands is more to your liking. A breathtaking archipelago a little further, but still an easy boat ride from bustling Cartagena. Unlike the popular Playa Blanca, which many mistakenly believe is part of this chain, the Rosario Islands has had a national park status since 1988, so it is more protected and natural, although not all of its islands – depends on where you are. Some of the 28 islands are actual nature areas, some are open to the public, and some are even owned by wealthy Colombians. Isla Grande and Isla del Rosario are the primary hubs for tourists.

How to get there

Just like with Isla Baru, the options for visiting are numerous.

Independently

By boat | Your only option to reach Islas Rosario will be by boat. You can either take a speed boat or a slow boat. The speed boat (lancha rapida) journey takes about 45-60 min while the slow boat takes about an hour and a half. All boats leave from El Muelle La Bodeguita and it’s best to arrive for an early departure before 9 am. A one-way ticket from Cartagena to Isla Grande costs 50,000 COP + 18,500 COP for port fees.  Make sure you tell them where you’re going on the islands so you get dropped off at the right point, and note that the last public boat leaves at 10 a.m. You can buy your return transport in advance, this probably makes sense for day trippers as it means a bit less hassle. However, you can use any company to get back, there are no discounts for round trips, so you can also decide later (just note the last departure time not to get stuck).

Half organized

Resort shuttle | You can also choose to do as many Colombians and use one of the resort shuttle boats (if you plan on using (and paying for) their facilities while on the island). This makes sense if you are planning on a comfortable, hassle-free day trip and prefer to have full facilities and don’t mind more people around.

Fully organized

Standard boat tour | For a hassle-free experience, it’s possible to join a tour like this popular and highly-rated option that includes lunch, snorkeling equipment, and national park fees, making it a stress-free experience. Because lots of tours follow this route, you will be sharing the beach with many other people and the other tourists on your boat.

Catamaran day trip | You can have a beautiful experience on a catamaran trip sailing with the wind with the opportunity to snorkel and swim in the water. It’s important to note that while you will see the islands from a distance, you won’t actually step on them.

Private boat tour | Of course you’ll have the most freedom with this option, but it is also the most expensive. You’ll get to go off the beaten track, stopping at beautiful, remote islands without crowds – a dream!

Overnight | There are very few hotels on the islands, but spending a night is well worth the money, you’ll have a chance to enjoy the islands almost completely free of people once the boat tours leave, offering an intimate experience of island life. You can hike around, visit harder to reach beaches and even see glowing plankton at night at the Enchanted Lagoon on Isla Grande.

Where to stay

Accommodation here ranges from eco-lodges to boutique island resorts. Staying overnight is highly recommended if your budget allows – the islands feel completely different after tour boats depart.

Hotel Cocoliso Island Resort (budget) | A lively island stay popular with Colombian travelers, offering pools, beach access, and organized activities. Best for social atmosphere and value stays. Vibe: relaxed resort energy rather than secluded luxury.

Rosario de Mar Ecohotel By Tequendama (midrange) | An eco-focused hotel surrounded by nature with direct sea access and snorkeling opportunities. Best for nature lovers and slower travel. Why I recommend it: feels immersed in the national park environment.

Coralina Island (upscale) |A beautiful boutique island retreat known for excellent food, stylish design, and a peaceful atmosphere. Best for honeymoon vibes or special stays. Highlight: quiet beaches and elevated dining experience. An alternative upscale option is Hotel Isla del Sol for a classic private-island resort feel.

Go intrepid

Islas San Bernardo

Islas Rosario is still not secluded enough? Then this is your option to go with. The San Bernardo archipelago is a true hidden gem in Colombia that most tourists haven’t even heard about. The Islas San Bernardo is a group of ten coral islands nestled in the Gulf of Morrosquillo in the Caribbean Sea, roughly 80 km (50 miles) south of Cartagena. The archipelago forms part of the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Park, highlighting the importance of its marine and coral ecosystems. Of the 10 islands, only a few are accessible for visitors​. If you are interested, read my detailed guide about Islas San Bernardo.

Where to stay

The San Bernardo islands are far away that it doesn’t really make sense to not stay overnight. There are limited options, but some great gems do exist here.

Hotel Isla Mucura (budget) | One of the most accessible stays in the archipelago with beachfront cabins and a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere. Best for travelers wanting remote islands without luxury prices.

Eco Hotel Punta Norte (midrange) | This is where I stayed and recommend it a lot! This hotel offers exactly what many travelers imagine when dreaming about a hidden Caribbean escape: wooden cabins surrounded by palm trees, turquoise water steps away, and a peaceful atmosphere far removed from Cartagena’s crowds. Located on Isla Tintipán, the hotel focuses on sustainability and simplicity rather than luxury, which makes the experience feel authentic and intimate. Why I loved staying here: quiet beaches without day-trip crowds, relaxed, community-style dinners – no menu, always the fresh catch of the day ;), beautiful sunsets and slow island mornings, easy access to snorkeling and nearby islands. Days here naturally fall into a rhythm of swimming, reading in hammocks, and watching the colors of the Caribbean change throughout the day. Best for slow travelers, couples, and anyone wanting a true off-grid island experience.

Hotel Punta Faro (upscale) | The most refined accommodation in the San Bernardo Islands, offering white-sand beaches, excellent service, and a tranquil atmosphere. Best for a true Caribbean escape away from crowds. Vibe: barefoot luxury without pretension.