Colombia · ROSARIO ISLANDS & PLAYA BLANCA TRIPS

The 15 Best Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips

52 tours  ·  from $11 a head

The water is the reason, so the boat and the beach time are what matter. These 15 compare catamarans against speedboats, how long you actually get on sand, what lunch is, and whether the day ends in a scrum at the jetty.

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel - Starting at Bodeguita Dock near the old city
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

1.Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,479 reviews · 7h 30m · from $107Our pick

Set out from Bodeguita Dock for a 7.5-hour catamaran trip toward the Rosario Islands. Expect a welcome fruit drink, snack, two water stops, snorkeling gear, lunch, and free soft drinks. This is mainly a boat-and-swim outing, not an island visit, so book it for time on the sea rather than beach exploration.

“It's a 2.5 hour trip to a snorkelling area. It's motorized not sailing. The crew were super efficient. Lunch was very tasty.”

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Full-Day Rosario Islands Including Barú, Bocachica & Playa Blanca - San Fernando fort on Tierra Bomba
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Full-Day, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Full-Day Rosario Islands Including Barú, Bocachica & Playa Blanca

2.Full-Day Rosario Islands Including Barú, Bocachica & Playa Blanca

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,729 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $88

Spend about eight hours boating from Cartagena to Bocachica, Isla Grande, Cholón, Playa Blanca, and Tierra Bomba. You’ll see a colonial fort, snorkel on the VIP option, eat lunch by the beach, and finish at Anaho Beach Club. Guides such as Franklin, Angel, Milton, and Cesar may lead the day.

“My sister originally sent me this for us to book for our trip. We thought it was a party boat but it wasn’t. We made it fun but the experience was boring and didn’t follow what was stated in the description. Like the guides just do whatever they want and go whenever they feel like it. Some stop we stayed longer, the boring ones. And some stop we left quickly. Overall me and my family and another girl made it fun. We got our own bottle and had a good time lol. Everyone around us had a good time too. But yeah not nothing I would recommend or book again.…”

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Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling - The catamaran ride is half the experience
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling

3.Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 569 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $106

Sail from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands aboard a spacious Bona Vida catamaran. You’ll stop near Isla Grande and Barú for swimming and snorkeling, enjoy lunch with seafood, chicken, or vegetable rice, and return after about 7.5 hours. Expect a relaxed boat day, not a beach-hopping tour.

“We had a fabulous time. They were super professional. The food was delicious. I highly recommend this trip,”

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Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch - The 45-minute ride from Bocagrande
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

4.Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 402 reviews · 8 hours · from $95

Spend eight hours island-hopping from Cartagena with English or Spanish guide support, snorkeling at Isla Grande, lunch at Playa Blanca, and beach or pool time at Tierra Bomba. Guides such as José, Franklin, Jesús, and David Santiago have earned praise for their care and clear communication. Expect a fast, sun-soaked day with bumpy boat rides.

“Our guide Jesus was excellent. He was friendly and knowledgeable abut the area. He also gaged where we were having the most fun and decided that we would stay longer on that island. The crew on the boat were very nice and pleasant.”

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Baru and Playa Blanca Full Day - The road to Barú can be the hardest part
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Full-Day, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Baru and Playa Blanca Full Day

5.Baru and Playa Blanca Full Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 371 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $39

Spend about seven hours at Playa Blanca on Barú, with round-trip minivan transport from Cartagena, a sun chair, lunch, and help from a local guide such as José or Milton. The water is clear and beautiful, but this is a public beach with persistent vendors, rustic facilities, traffic, and a busy shore by midday.

“There were too many boats in the area. Too many vendors. Too many flies on your food. Not a peaceful stay. Lunch was okay. The tour guides were nice.”

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5-Island Speedboat Tour in Cartagena and the Rosario Islands - Bocachica: a useful historical opening
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

5-Island Speedboat Tour in Cartagena and the Rosario Islands

6.5-Island Speedboat Tour in Cartagena and the Rosario Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 258 reviews · 8 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $85

Leave Cartagena by speedboat for Bocachica, Isla Grande, a private beach, Playa Blanca, and possibly Tierra Bomba. You will snorkel, receive a 30,000 COP lunch credit, and ride with a bilingual guide. The optional plankton trip adds a nighttime swim among glowing organisms. Guides have included Sergio, Charlie, Caesar, Franklin, and Alejandro.

“Amazing, amazing experience. One of the coolest things I have done in my life. Cannot recommend it enough!”

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Full Day 5 Best Rosario Islands Spots Make Friends & do Snorkel - Rosario Islands snorkeling in deeper water
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Full-Day, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Full Day 5 Best Rosario Islands Spots Make Friends & do Snorkel

7.Full Day 5 Best Rosario Islands Spots Make Friends & do Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 240 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $79

Spend about nine hours on a fast boat from Cartagena, visiting Bocachica, Rosario Islands, Isla Grande, Cholón, Barú, and possibly Tierra Bomba. Snorkeling gear, bilingual coordination, commentary, water, one drink, and lunch credit are included. Guides have included Franklin, Niche, Melanie, José, and John Wayne.

“The boat was too small The food was not great.didnot Worth the money. same ticket for $98us at ARRIV”

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Playa Blanca in Baru Island - Leaving Cartagena and crossing to Barú
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Playa Blanca in Baru Island

8.Playa Blanca in Baru Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 208 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $75

Spend about eight hours traveling from Cartagena to Playa Blanca on Barú Island. Guides such as Carina, Michael, Natalia, and Walter lead the day, with beach chairs, umbrellas, cold water, and optional Colombian lunch. Expect a rough final road, possible boat transfer, vendors, and a quieter beach area away from the main crowd.

“Karina was very hospitable and pleasant the moment we met her . She took us to a location where it was far away from other beach goers . 100% recommend.”

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tour to baru with lunch - Pickup details deserve careful attention
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

tour to baru with lunch

9.tour to baru with lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 203 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

This roughly seven-hour Cartagena to Barú outing uses an air-conditioned vehicle and is priced at $40 per group of up to 14 people. Pickup details need checking, since the description refers to hotel service while the stated meeting point is a McDonald’s. Lunch is suggested by the title, but not clearly listed as included.

“Made us pay an additional $10 in cash before transporting us to the hotel that was selected on-line.”

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Full Day Barú island: Mangrove +Snorkel + Sunset + Plankton - The Barú mangroves and a brief raccoon stop
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Evening Experiences, Full-Day, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Full Day Barú island: Mangrove +Snorkel + Sunset + Plankton

10.Full Day Barú island: Mangrove +Snorkel + Sunset + Plankton

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 139 reviews · 11 hours · from $69

Spend 11 hours traveling from Cartagena to Freedom Beach Club in Barú for a cocktail, beach time, mangrove visit with raccoons, snorkeling, island lunch, sunset, and a nighttime swim with bioluminescent plankton. Spanish-speaking guides include Angie and Dequer on some departures. Bring a towel and water shoes.

“snorkel di 10 minuti senza boccaglio in una zona dove c'erano davvero pochi pesci, situazione molto confusa, barca per trasferimento al beach club scomoda. chiedono il 15% per pagamenti con carta, cibo non male ma nemmeno ottimo. un po' diverso dalla descrizione del tour. non consigliato”

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Cartagena: Snorkel, Mangroves and Playa Blanca Tour - Boarding the boat near Playa Blanca
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: Snorkel, Mangroves and Playa Blanca Tour

11.Snorkel, Mangroves and Playa Blanca Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 132 reviews

Travel from Cartagena to Barú for a boat trip through mangroves, a snorkeling stop, and time at Playa Blanca. The Spanish-speaking team may include guides such as Wilber, Ruben, Diana, or Daker. Expect clear water, island lunch, beach time, and a long bus ride.

“The tour was awesome! Got to relax on the beautiful white sand beach, snorkel and tak fun underwater photos with a go pro included for free. We climbed and explored the mangroves and our tour guide Ruben was perfect. He was very knowledgeable and catered to our every need. I would highly recommend him and the tour to other tourists visiting Cartagena!”

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Cartagena: Isla Baru Beach Club at Playa Blanca - Five hours to swim, sunbathe, and order lunch
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: Isla Baru Beach Club at Playa Blanca

12.Isla Baru Beach Club at Playa Blanca

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 124 reviews · 8 hours · from $40

Ride from Cartagena across Barú Peninsula to Playa Blanca, then spend about five hours at Mambo Beach Club. Your $40 price includes transport, a welcome drink, facilities, and a 30,000-peso lunch voucher. Bring cash for drinks, vendors, and optional Balinese beds.

“Playa Blanca Beach is a paradise. Very beautiful beach. The guide, "Juancho" was nice and polite. At the beach, the attention provided by Neber was excellent. Things to improve: Transportation could be better (more comfortable), the washroom could be better, with fresh water, instead salt water. Banana boat rides and motor boat (like seedoos), could follow better safety rules (ride outside the swimming areas), the entrance to the beach could be improved.”

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Cartagena: BEACH DAY ON TIERRA BOMBA ISLAND PUNTARENA - Punta Arena: close, sunny, and not always tranquil
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: BEACH DAY ON TIERRA BOMBA ISLAND PUNTARENA

13.BEACH DAY ON TIERRA BOMBA ISLAND PUNTARENA

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 121 reviews · 1 day · from $11Best value

You’ll take a 5-minute speedboat from behind Bocagrande’s New Hospital to Punta Arena on Tierra Bomba Island. The day includes a beach chair, table, optional fish or chicken lunch with coconut rice and patacón, and English WhatsApp support. Return by boat between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility.

“Tudo como descrito no anúncio. Se atentem a ficar nas barracas mais lá pro final, comida boa e pelo preço vale a pena. A água não é azul como nas fotos mas ainda assim é uma praia bonita”

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Quiet Beach, Baru Premium to the max - Facilities are basic, not polished
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Quiet Beach, Baru Premium to the max

14.Quiet Beach, Baru Premium to the max

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 100 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $48

Spend about eight hours traveling from Cartagena to Playa Tranquila in Barú. The tour includes air-conditioned transport, a short boat ride, lunch, a welcome drink, beach seating, a shrimp ceviche or fruit starter, Wi-Fi when available, and medical insurance. Expect a quiet beach setting, limited public services, and some rough edges.

“The place could be cleaner (table, beds, etc), breakfast was poor, lunch was ok, shrimp welcome cocktail was given at the end of the tour. The driver refused to turn on the A/C on our way back.. it was not broken it worked fine on our way to the beach. We had a good time but it could be a much better tour if these details are improved.”

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Adventure full day Isla Barú + Mangroves + Snorkel + bioluminescent plankton - What the snorkeling actually involves
Cartagena Tours, Colombia Tours, Full-Day, Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips, Tour Reviews

Adventure full day Isla Barú + Mangroves + Snorkel + bioluminescent plankton

15.Adventure full day Isla Barú + Mangroves + Snorkel + bioluminescent plankton

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 95 reviews · 15 hours (approx.) · from $65

Spend a long day from Cartagena at Barú, combining a public beach club, mangrove boat ride, basic fish viewing, and nighttime bioluminescent plankton. The $65 tour includes transport, a 30,000-peso lunch voucher, bilingual guidance, insurance, and shared facilities. Expect a shared ride, crowded beach conditions, and a late return.

“Watch the negative reviews, I didn’t believe them and then I ended up living it. Our bus was 30 mins late, every seat was packed. The beach was ok, it really isn’t anything special. The sellers are incredibly forceful and want you to buy something all the time. Snorkeling does not include a snorkel, it’s just goggles, and it’s about 15 minutes. Also you use a fishing boat without a ladder to get over. If you have any physical concerns don’t do this. We also signed up for the plankton but left early cause we couldn’t take it anymore. Don’t do this tour, it’s not worth it.”

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New in Rosario Islands & Playa Blanca Trips

★ 4.5Rosario Islands Daypass Ibbiza Island Beach ClubFrom $10717 reviews
★ 3.1Rosario Islands, Playa Blanca, BaruFrom $3620 reviews
★ 3.2Rosario islands Playa Blanca Barù by boat & lunchFrom $528 reviews
★ 4.4Party Boat to Cholon Beach with 2 Drinks & LunchFrom $12917 reviews
★ 5.0Isla Tierra Bomba beach club: Day Pass with typical foodFrom $1023 reviews
★ 3.7Freedom Club en Isla Barú- Playa TranquilaFrom $385 reviews
★ 5.0CARTAGENA, EXCLUSIVE launch for Rosario and Baru Islands3 reviews
★ 3.4Pasadia 5 Islas del rosario and Baru boat trip8 reviews
★ 3.3Ecoplan on Barú, Aviary and Oceanarium in one dayFrom $683 reviews
★ 3.82×1 Boat trip to the Rosario Islands and Baru IslandFrom $445 reviews
★ 3.3Daytour Aviary and Playa blanca, Barú by bus!From $476 reviews
★ 3.2Day Tour to Tierra Bomba IslandFrom $453 reviews
★ 3.1Day Trip Aviary and enjoy Playa Blanca by busFrom $876 reviews
★ 3.2CHOLON & BARU with lunchFrom $8314 reviews
★ 3.4Basic Diving for beginners in Rosario IslandsFrom $1373 reviews

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