Cartagena: La Punta Beach Club Day Pass (Lunch included)

La Punta Beach Club turns a short boat ride from Cartagena into a full day of music, swimming, food, and palm-shaded lounging. I like the easy setup: you arrive with round-trip boat transport, receive a welcome drink, and have a beachfront bed waiting instead of hunting for a chair. The DJ, pool, swings, and 360-degree bar also give the day more life than a simple beach visit.

I especially like the six included lunch choices, which range from island fish and garden paella to pizza, sushi, and poke bowls. The staff earns strong marks for friendly service, with Alma singling out the warm welcome and spa team members Venus and Kandy for professional massages. The main caution is the beach itself: the water may not look as clear as beaches farther from Cartagena, and a COP 14,000 pier tax is extra.

Key points to know before you go

• Short boat ride: Depart from Muelle de la Bodeguita and reach Tierra Bomba in about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Your shaded bed is included: A beachfront bed under palm fronds gives you a base for the day.
• Lunch has real variety: Choose from island fish, grilled chicken, pizza, sushi, poke bowls, or garden paella, with a soft drink and seasonal dessert.
• Music shapes the day: House, Disco, and World Latin sets keep the club lively from the morning onward.
• The water is the weak point: The beach can be pleasant, but it may not match the clear water found at more distant island clubs.
• You can stay late: Return boats leave at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 p.m., with an evening fire and music available until 10 p.m. when arranged.

From La Bodeguita Pier to Tierra Bomba

Your day begins at Muelle de la Bodeguita on Avenida Blas de Lezo, close to Cartagena’s historic center. This is a central departure point for island boats, so give yourself time to find the pier and account for the separate COP 14,000 tourist boarding tax.

Boats to La Punta leave every hour from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The ride takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes across Cartagena Bay. You pass the statue of the Virgin of the Fishermen, making the transfer more than a simple shuttle. The bay views help you shift from city sightseeing to beach-club mode before you even arrive.

The exact boat experience may vary, but the crossing is short enough that you do not lose much of your day in transit. That is one of La Punta’s strongest practical advantages. You get an island setting without committing to a long ride or a full expedition.

A welcome drink and a bed under the palms

At La Punta, staff greet you with a welcome drink and direct you to your assigned beachfront bed. The bed sits under palm fronds, giving you shade and a clear view toward the bay. This matters in Cartagena, where a full day in direct sun can wear you down quickly.

Your bed becomes a useful home base. Leave your towel, take a swim, order a drink, or walk over to the swings without having to search for seating each time. The setup feels more organized than a public beach, while still giving you plenty of open time.

The club is designed around visual appeal. You will find sea-facing swings, a floating platform, Phoenix-winged doors, cozy nests, and other photo spots. These details are clearly made for pictures, but they also break up the property and give you different places to sit, pose, or watch the water.

The welcome can be a real strength here. Alma’s experience specifically praises the warm reception and the way staff made her feel at home. That kind of personal attention is useful on a day pass, since the quality of service often determines whether an organized beach day feels relaxing or merely commercial.

Music, pool time, and the beach-club mood

La Punta is not a quiet retreat. Resident DJs play House, Disco, and World Latin music through a high-fidelity sound system, with a dance floor near the sea. You can spend the morning lying under the palms, then move toward the bar or dance area as the music picks up.

That mix suits people who want more than sand and silence. The music creates a social setting, though it also means this is not the best choice if you want a peaceful reading day. The club’s energy is part of what you are paying for.

You have access to a crystal-clear pool, a volleyball court, beachfront swings, and a floating platform. The pool gives you an alternative when the sea is less appealing, and the volleyball court offers an easy way to get active without planning an organized excursion.

The water deserves a realistic note. One 2024 assessment called the beach just okay and felt the sea was less clear than at other nearby destinations. Another described the beach as beautiful but also made clear that the water was not the highlight. If bright, clear swimming water is your main goal, a club farther from the mainland may suit you better.

Six lunch choices included in the $76 pass

The $76 price includes lunch, a soft drink, and a seasonal dessert. You choose from six main dishes:

• Island fish
• Grilled chicken breast
• Pizza
• Sushi
• Poke bowls
• Garden paella

This range is helpful for a mixed group. One person can choose local island-style fish, while another can stick with pizza or grilled chicken. The sushi and poke bowls also give you lighter options than the traditional rice and seafood dishes.

The island fish and garden paella are the more regionally connected choices. They fit the setting and offer a better sense of place than ordering a familiar chain-style meal. Still, the menu is not limited to local cooking, so picky eaters and families have easier options.

For COP 25,000 extra, you can access the full menu. This adds vegetarian choices, pastas, burgers, soups, and traditional rice dishes. You should think of the included menu as sufficient rather than unlimited. If you want more choice, a larger meal, or a particular specialty, budget for the supplement.

The club also serves seafood pastas, burgers, soups, and rice dishes as part of that wider menu. The supplied details do not establish exact portion sizes, so I would judge the value by the full day package rather than lunch alone. You are paying for transport, seating, facilities, music, and food together.

Cocktails, the 360-degree bar, and optional extras

After lunch, natural-coconut cocktails become one of the signature touches. They fit the relaxed beach setting and make a fun alternative to a standard glass. Drinks beyond the included soft drink are not itemized in the pass details, so check the current menu and pricing before ordering several.

The 360-degree bar gives you a central place to watch the action. You can move between the bar, pool, swings, and dance floor without needing a fixed schedule. That freedom is valuable because the day pass is built around free time rather than a tightly guided program.

Massage and kayaking are available for an additional fee. The spa received especially warm praise from Alma, who named Venus and Kandy as professional and excellent at their work. If you want a quieter break from the music, a massage may be the better add-on. If you want a little activity on the water, ask about kayak availability and cost when you arrive.

Neither massage nor kayaking is included, so keep them out of your base-price calculation. The same goes for the COP 25,000 full-menu upgrade and the pier tax.

Sunset, late music, and the return trip

Most people will return to Cartagena at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 p.m. The transport coordinator helps arrange your departure, which is useful since you do not need to guess where or when to board. The later boat gives you more time for swimming, pictures, food, and the sunset atmosphere.

You can also ask to stay through the evening. La Punta offers music and a fire until 10 p.m., subject to availability and arrangements. This changes the feel of the experience. A daytime pass is a straightforward beach day, while the later option adds a social night by the water.

Hotel availability may also be worth asking about if you want to remain on the island. The information provided does not give room types or rates, so treat an overnight stay as an option to confirm rather than a guaranteed part of the pass.

Staying late makes sense if you value the music and bonfire more than seeing Cartagena at night. If you have dinner plans in the old city, choose an earlier return and leave room for the boat ride back, pier procedures, and the walk or taxi to your next stop.

Is La Punta good value at $76?

The value depends on how much of the package you use. For $76, you receive round-trip transportation, a beachfront bed, access to the pool, volleyball court, bar, restaurant, swings, and other facilities, plus lunch, a soft drink, and dessert.

That is a fair package for someone who wants a polished day without arranging separate transport, seating, and meals. The short crossing is another advantage. You can reach the club without giving up most of a day to travel.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want a natural beach and clear water. In that case, the club setting, DJ, pool, and included meal may not make up for the sea quality. You are buying a complete beach-club atmosphere, not simply access to the best swimming water near Cartagena.

Remember the additional costs. The pier tax is COP 14,000. Massages, kayaks, and the full-menu upgrade cost extra. Drinks beyond the included soft drink may also add to your bill, so ask about prices if you want cocktails throughout the day.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend La Punta to couples, friends, and small groups who want a social beach day with food and music already arranged. It also suits anyone who likes taking photos, lounging in a shaded bed, and moving between a pool, bar, dance floor, and sea views.

The six lunch choices make it easier for groups with different tastes. The pool and volleyball court add alternatives for people who do not want to sit on the sand all day.

You should look elsewhere if your first priority is very clear water, a quiet beach, or a more remote island setting. The short transfer is convenient, but the beach does not necessarily provide the same water quality as locations farther from Cartagena.

The beach club is also not suitable for wheelchair users, according to the activity information. Bring sunscreen, and do not bring outside food or drinks, alcohol, drugs, speakers, weapons, or sharp objects.

Should you book La Punta Beach Club?

Book it if you want a simple, lively day with transport, food, shade, and entertainment handled in one package. The friendly staff, included beachfront bed, varied lunch, pool, and steady music make it easy to settle in and enjoy yourself.

Skip it if clear sea water matters more to you than convenience and club facilities. Before booking, add the COP 14,000 pier tax to the price and decide if you are likely to pay for a massage, kayak trip, extra menu choices, or late-night stay.

For the right kind of day, La Punta works well: less remote-island adventure, more organized seaside club with a short boat ride and plenty to do once you arrive.

FAQ

Where does the La Punta Beach Club day pass depart from?

The departure point is Muelle de la Bodeguita on Avenida Blas de Lezo in Cartagena, close to the historic city center.

How long is the boat ride to La Punta?

The crossing takes about 15 to 20 minutes across Cartagena Bay, depending on the boat and conditions.

What time do boats leave for La Punta?

Departures begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue every hour until 1:30 p.m.

Is lunch included in the day pass?

Yes. You can choose from island fish, grilled chicken breast, pizza, sushi, poke bowls, or garden paella. A soft drink and seasonal dessert are also included.

Is the pier tax included?

No. The tourist boarding tax costs COP 14,000 and is paid separately.

What time can I return to Cartagena?

Return departures are available at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 p.m. You can also ask about staying for music and a fire until 10 p.m.

Are massages and kayaking included?

No. Massages and kayak trips are available for an additional fee.