Cartagena has beaches, plural, and they’re pretty different from each other. Which one you pick shapes the kind of day you’ll have, how much you’ll spend and how much planning it takes.
This guide covers the real options: what each beach offers, what it doesn’t, what it costs to get there and what to know before you go. Prices are listed in Colombian pesos (COP) with rough US dollar equivalents.
Quick answer: The best beaches in Cartagena are Bocagrande, the easiest to reach and right in the city; Playa Blanca on Barú Island, the most photogenic; the Rosario Islands, with the clearest water; La Boquilla, with mangroves and a local feel; and Manzanillo del Mar, the quiet alternative. For a no-hassle day, choose Bocagrande. For crystal-clear water and snorkeling, head to the Rosario Islands. For white sand and a long stretch of beach, go to Playa Blanca.
Cartagena beaches at a glance
| Beach | Getting there from Bocagrande | Approximate cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bocagrande | No travel needed | Free; chairs and umbrella COP 20,000 to 40,000 (about US$5 to $10) | Families with kids and zero-planning days |
| Playa Blanca (Barú) | Taxi to the pier (20 min) + boat (45 to 60 min) | Boat COP 60,000 to 100,000 (about US$15 to $25); tours COP 80,000 to 150,000 (about US$20 to $40) | The postcard version of Cartagena |
| Rosario Islands | Taxi to the pier (20 min) + boat (45 to 60 min) | Tours COP 100,000 to 200,000 (about US$25 to $50) | Snorkeling and clear water |
| La Boquilla | 15 to 20 min by taxi | Free; canoe tour COP 20,000 to 40,000 (about US$5 to $10) | Mangroves and an affordable local day |
| Manzanillo del Mar | 25 to 35 min by taxi | Free | A calm beach without a full excursion |
Prices are approximate and vary by season and how well you negotiate.
Bocagrande Beach: the easiest of them all
Bocagrande Beach is the one inside the city. It runs along the neighborhood for several miles, it’s open to the public and it has everything a city offers right next to it: hotels, restaurants, grocery stores and transportation.
- What you get: chair and umbrella rentals, vendors selling fruit and seafood, crafts, drink stands and a lively scene all day. The water gets deep gradually and is fine for swimming most days. The Caribbean breeze makes the heat easier to handle than inland.
- What you don’t get: water as clear as the islands or Barú. On rough days the water can look a bit murky. It also lacks the peace and quiet of beaches farther out.
- Getting there: it’s the easiest beach in Cartagena. From the Old Town, it’s a 10-minute taxi ride. From the airport, 15 to 20 minutes. From Hotel Regatta Cartagena, right across from the beach, you just walk out.
- Cost: free. The beach is public. Chairs and an umbrella run COP 20,000 to 40,000 (about US$5 to $10), depending on the season and your bargaining.
- Best for: families with young kids, travelers who don’t want to arrange transportation and anyone staying in Bocagrande who wants an easy beach day.
- What nobody tells you: on weekends and in peak season it gets crowded. For a quieter experience, go early on a weekday morning.
Playa Blanca (Barú Island): the most photogenic
Playa Blanca is probably the best-known beach near Cartagena. Fine white sand, calm water and a long stretch of shoreline that, in the low season, looks just like the photos.
- What you get: calm water, white sand, a more relaxed vibe than Bocagrande, rustic lodging if you want to stay overnight and local restaurants on the sand serving fresh fish.
- What you don’t get: peace and quiet in peak season. In December, January, Holy Week and on Colombian holiday weekends, Playa Blanca fills with visitors and pushy vendors. The water isn’t as clear as in the Rosario Islands.
- Getting there: shared boats leave in the morning from the La Bodeguita tourist pier, about 20 minutes from Bocagrande by taxi. The ride takes 45 minutes to an hour. You can also get there by road, crossing the bridge over the Canal del Dique, but it’s a longer trip.
- Approximate cost: a round-trip boat ride costs COP 60,000 to 100,000 (about US$15 to $25) per person, depending on the season and whether lunch is included. Organized tours from Cartagena usually include transportation, lunch and free time for COP 80,000 to 150,000 (about US$20 to $40).
- Best for: travelers who want the postcard version of Cartagena, anyone with a full day to spare and people looking for a beach with more character than Bocagrande.
- What nobody tells you: in peak season, the vendors can ruin your downtime unless you’re comfortable saying a firm “no, gracias.” In the low season (May through November), Playa Blanca is a completely different place.
Rosario Islands: the clearest water around
The Rosario Islands are part of a national natural park created in 1977. The archipelago has around 27 islands and islets, with water that shifts from emerald green to turquoise depending on where you are and the time of day.
- What you get: the clearest water of any option near Cartagena, coral reefs, tropical fish, snorkeling and the San Martín de Pajarales Oceanarium, where you can see sharks, rays and other marine life. Some islands have lodging, from eco-lodges to more upscale options.
- What you don’t get: the big, walkable beaches of Playa Blanca or Bocagrande. Beaches in the Rosario Islands are small, and on some islands barely exist. There are no city services either: whatever the tour brings is what you get.
- Getting there: boats leave from the La Bodeguita tourist pier or the Muelle de los Pegasos, both near the Old Town. The ride takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the boat and your destination in the archipelago. From Bocagrande, it’s a 20-minute taxi ride to the pier.
- Approximate cost: full-day tours run COP 100,000 to 200,000 (about US$25 to $50) per person, including transportation, oceanarium entry and lunch. Private boats cost quite a bit more but let you set your own itinerary.
- Best for: snorkelers and anyone chasing clear water, families with curious kids (the oceanarium works well for ages 5 and up) and couples looking for a different kind of day trip.
- What nobody tells you: the open sea between Cartagena and the islands can get choppy, especially in the windy months (December through February). If you get seasick easily, May through October is calmer. Some tours charge oceanarium entry separately, so confirm what’s included.
To plan the trip in more detail, see our guide to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena.
La Boquilla: mangroves, a local beach and canoe tours
La Boquilla is a fishing community about 5 miles (8 km) north of Bocagrande. It has two things the other beaches don’t: mangroves and the authentic feel of a place that doesn’t live off mass tourism.
- What you get: canoe tours through the mangroves (30 to 60 minutes, with birdwatching), a long beach that’s less crowded than Bocagrande, local restaurants with lower prices and a pace that’s nothing like the tourist center.
- What you don’t get: polished tourist infrastructure. There are no big hotels or organized services like at other beaches, and the water isn’t as clear as in the Rosario Islands.
- Getting there: a 15- to 20-minute taxi ride from Bocagrande. Local buses also run along the road to La Boquilla. It’s one of the cheapest options to reach.
- Approximate cost: a mangrove canoe tour costs COP 20,000 to 40,000 (about US$5 to $10) per person. The beach is free.
- Best for: travelers who want to get off the usual circuit, anyone on a tighter budget and couples or families who want a quiet day away from the crowds.
- What nobody tells you: the fishermen who run the canoe tours are from the community. Booking with them directly, without a middleman, is the cheapest option and puts more money into local hands.
Manzanillo del Mar: the quiet alternative
About 12 miles (20 km) from Cartagena, Manzanillo del Mar is less known than the beaches above. It has calmer water, fewer tourists, a few water activities and a laid-back feel.
- Getting there: by taxi or private car from Bocagrande, 25 to 35 minutes.
- Best for: travelers who want a beach day without complex planning or the cost of an island tour, and families who prefer a calm setting.
How to plan your day based on the beach you choose
- Staying in Bocagrande: zero logistics. Walk out of the hotel and you’re on the beach. Perfect for an easy morning before exploring the Old Town in the afternoon.
- Heading to Playa Blanca or the Rosario Islands: the tour takes the whole day. Early departure from the pier, between 8 and 9 a.m., and return in the afternoon, between 3 and 5 p.m.
- Heading to La Boquilla: it can be a half day. Go in the morning, tour the mangroves, have lunch at a local spot and head back to the hotel for the rest of the day.
For any excursion, bring sunscreen, a change of clothes, snacks and cash. For the full packing list, check out what to pack for Cartagena.
Where to stay to make the most of Cartagena’s beaches
Bocagrande is the most practical base for combining an on-your-doorstep beach with boat trips. The pier for Rosario Islands and Barú tours is about 20 minutes away by taxi, and Bocagrande Beach is right across from the hotel.
Hotel Regatta Cartagena sits on the beachfront with instant access to Bocagrande Beach, and the front desk can help you figure out how to reach the other beaches and which tours to book. If your trip is all about the ocean, the Superior Room has a direct, front-facing view of the Caribbean, and you can compare every category on our rooms page.
After a beach day, the hotel restaurant is a great way to wind down: fusion ceviche or fried whole mojarra with patacones (fried green plantains), plus an ice-cold coconut lemonade.
The beach right outside your door
If your Cartagena trip includes at least one easy beach day, staying at Hotel Regatta Cartagena across from Bocagrande takes care of it with no travel at all. For the other beaches, the front desk can point you to tours and transportation from the area.
Book direct and get personal attention from the first message: contact our team or message us on WhatsApp.
FAQ about Cartagena’s beaches
What is the most beautiful beach near Cartagena?
For crystal-clear water, the Rosario Islands. For fine sand and a long beach, Playa Blanca on Barú Island. For zero travel time, Bocagrande.
Can I visit Playa Blanca as a day trip from Cartagena?
Yes. Full-day tours leave in the morning and return in the afternoon. You don’t need to stay overnight, though you can.
How much does a Rosario Islands tour from Cartagena cost?
COP 100,000 to 200,000 (about US$25 to $50) per person on a shared tour, including transportation and lunch. Private options cost more.
Is Bocagrande Beach safe for swimming?
Yes, under normal conditions. Red or yellow flags signal restrictions. The water gets deep gradually, and currents are manageable most days.
Are there quiet beaches near Cartagena without a long tour?
Yes. La Boquilla is about 15 to 20 minutes from Bocagrande and has a calmer beach, with no tour required.
When are Cartagena’s beaches least crowded?
From May through November there are fewer tourists and tours cost less. December, Holy Week and Colombian holiday weekends are the busiest times.
What should I bring for a beach day in Cartagena?
Sunscreen, a hat, water, a change of clothes, snacks and cash, especially for Playa Blanca or the Rosario Islands, where there are no city services.
