Cartagena & Rosario Islands · Colombia · Bolívar · Caribbean Sea

Cartagena & Rosario Islands

One guide for four recreational shores on different landforms: Bocagrande and La Boquilla on Cartagena’s city Caribbean frontage, Playa Blanca on the Barú peninsula, and Rosario Islands beaches on the offshore archipelago inside PNN Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo.

BocagrandeLa BoquillaPlaya Blanca BarúRosario Islands

Choose your stretch

  • Bocagrande Beach — Cartagena city urban walk-on · Bocagrande / El Laguito tourist-sector frontage
  • La Boquilla Beach — Cartagena northern city Caribbean frontage · near the historic-center corridor
  • Playa Blanca Baru — Barú peninsula day trip · land via puente Campo Elías Terán Dix or by boat
  • Rosario Islands beaches — offshore archipelago · lancha from muelle turístico La Bodeguita · PNN

Full stretch cards

Parking at a glance

Bocagrande Beach: Urban tourist-sector frontage. Chair, umbrella, and food service is vendor commercial. Check the parking signs when you arrive.

La Boquilla Beach: City northern frontage. Alcaldía / Secretaría de Turismo delivered updated cartas de precios to provider associations (26 Aug 2025) — ask for the official price card on-site. Check the signs on the day.

Playa Blanca Baru (Barú peninsula): Land ~30 km via puente Campo Elías Terán Dix through Ararca / Santa Ana, or bay boat. Common one-day pasadía. Inside the protected area you pay park entry and the required insurance (seguro obligatorio). Check the current Parques Nacionales rates and where to buy the insurance before you go. Chair rentals from city vendors are priced separately from park entry.

Rosario Islands beaches: Boat from muelle turístico La Bodeguita, Avenida Blas de Lezo (PNN). Boat exit window 8:00–10:00 a.m.; return per port captaincy / sea conditions. Guide / transport / food are separate from park entry; seguro obligatorio required. Confirm operator and park notices.

Colombia.travel — Cartagena · Playas e Islas del Rosario · Conoce la playa de Barú · PNN Corales del Rosario · Alcaldía — La Boquilla cartas de precios

Best stretches and who they’re for

Bocagrande Beach

The easiest city beach for a first visit, along the hotel strip at Bocagrande and El Laguito. Wide beaches, hotels, restaurants, shopping. Check the street, lot and vendor signs on the day.

La Boquilla Beach

Cartagena northern city Caribbean frontage near the historic-center corridor (Colombia.travel). Alcaldía cartas de precios for beach-service providers — ask for the official card on-site. Check the parking and beach-service signs on the day.

Playa Blanca Baru

Barú peninsula day trip — peninsula (land ~30 km or bay boat); Playa Blanca most extensive; ~40 minutes from the city; pasadías common. Road access is via the Campo Elías Terán Dix bridge, the main park entry checkpoint. You pay park entry and the required insurance (seguro obligatorio). Check the latest Parques Nacionales notices before you go. In Playa Blanca, embarkation to other park sectors is not permitted.

Rosario Islands beaches

Islas del Rosario archipelago inside PNN Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo — ~28 islands; lancha; little under one hour; white sand / clear water / marine life. Boats leave from La Bodeguita, 8:00–10:00 a.m.; return times depend on the port captain and the sea. Confirm authorized operator, park entry, and seguro obligatorio before you go.

Notes before you pack

  • Dogs: City Bocagrande / La Boquilla — follow on-site Alcaldía / Secretaría de Turismo signs. Inside PNN Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo, Parques Nacionales visitor recommendations treat bringing mascotas as an ecosystem threat.
  • Flags / lifeguards: Follow on-site signs and on-duty staff when present. Colombia.travel notes swimmer rules and signal-flag meanings on Cartagena beaches — pair with IDEAM / DIMAR marine products.
  • On Barú / Rosario park days, park entry and seguro obligatorio apply, separate from city vendor chair pricing.
  • On the day, check the street and lot signs, boat tickets, park entry, and where to buy the required insurance.
  • Tide: use DIMAR SIPSEM / IDEAM Predicción de las mareas when you need heights.

FAQ

What is there to do near Cartagena & Rosario Islands?

Near Cartagena & Rosario Islands: snorkeling, sunset sails and cruises, jet ski, and food tours. See Off the sand for tours and tickets.

Beach safety — who to trust