The 15 Most Booked Rosario Islands Tours from Cartagena

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

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

Spend about eight hours island-hopping from Cartagena by boat, with a stop at San Fernando fort, snorkeling near Isla Grande, a party stop at Cholón, lunch at Playa Blanca, and time at Anaho Beach Club. Guides such as Franklin, Angel, Milton, Cesar, and Nicher have earned warm praise for their care and energy. Confirm your package, since snorkeling is listed as VIP-only.

“We had an great time. Our guide Mike was simply amazing, He was so personable, very helpful, and extremely knowledgeable. Mike definitely made this experience worth it. The island hopping tour was exactly like the advertisements. I will advise that on the actual islands you pay close attention to your belongs, your surrounds, and your charges if you use a card especially if you do not speak fluent Spanish. Some of the locals can be extremely aggressive and persistent. And some of the guys seemed to be too touchy feely.”

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2.Baru and Playa Blanca Full Day

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

Travel from Cartagena to Barú for a beach day at Playa Blanca, with air-conditioned minivan transport, lunch, a sun chair, local guidance, and time in clear Caribbean water. Guides such as José and Milton are praised for careful service. Expect rustic facilities, local vendors, possible traffic, and a public beach that can get crowded.

“The trip was very fun and relaxing… a lot of vendors coming by, but they were fun. I have a great time!”

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3.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 Baru Island. You get round-trip transport, a bilingual guide, cold water, chairs, and an umbrella. Add the Colombian lunch option for fish, plantains, and coconut rice. Guides such as Karina, Michael, and Natalia are praised for attentive service, though roads, vendors, and boat traffic can affect the day.

“Beach is pretty, but several boats in the water just a few feet from shore. There was a film of oil/gas in the water. Also, the bus had barely any air conditioning. It was a very hot ride back in the middle of the afternoon.”

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4.Snorkel, Mangroves and Playa Blanca Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 132 reviews

Spend eight hours traveling from Cartagena to Baru for a boat trip, snorkeling, mangrove wildlife, and a Caribbean lunch. Spanish-speaking guides such as Wilber, Ruben, Diana, and Daker have earned strong praise for their care. Expect a flexible, sometimes rustic day with beautiful water, beach time, and conditions that can affect snorkeling.

“They entire experience was outstanding! I contacted the day before to detail my trip and they added another adventure to my voucher without a problem. I had a tour guide the entire time I was at Playa blanca and got a few extra tours of hidden. I can't brag enough on how amazing this whole experience was.”

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5.Isla Baru Beach Club at Playa Blanca

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

Travel from Cartagena across Barú Bridge to Playa Blanca, then settle into Mambo Beach Club for about five hours. Your day includes air-conditioned transport, a 30,000-peso lunch voucher, a welcome drink, beach facilities, and a bilingual guide. Bring cash for drinks, rentals, and optional water activities.

“My husband and I were unsure what to expect but overall very much enjoyed our trip to Playa Blanca. Finding our guide to board the charter bus to Playa Blanca was easy. Our start time was pushed to 10AM vs the 9AM that we had signed up for, which was a little annoying at first but worked out. It was over an hour to the beach after dropping off other guests at the Aviary. We were passed off to a waiter from Mambo once at the beach. He led us to the beach club, where we were greeted by the rest of the staff. English was limited here but manageable.…”

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

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

Spend about 15 hours traveling from Cartagena to Barú for beach time, a 30,000-peso lunch voucher, a short mangrove boat ride, fish viewing, and nighttime bioluminescent plankton. The air-conditioned trip includes a bilingual guide, insurance, facilities at Mambo Beach, and a small group capped at 15 people.

“The beach is ok but the mangroves and snorkelling was awful You get on a crowded boat and are given life jackets. My husband's didn't close properly and no one cared after he mentioned it. Then we took the boat up and down the beach for half an hour picking up other people. I was so excited for the mangroves but you only go in 500 meters and they let you get off the boat to feed the lemurs which is so gross. You're supposed to look but not touch. And that's all you do in the mangroves! Then they to us to feed minnows. The snorkeling experience doesn't even…”

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7.5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $110

This seven-hour speedboat trip from Cartagena visits Bocachica, Isla Grande, Rosario reefs, Cholón, Agua Azul, and Playa Tranquila Baru. You get a fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch, beach chairs, bilingual guides, and a mask for snorkeling. Guides have included David, Miranda, and Teke. Expect music, sun, vendors, and a bumpy ride home.

“We had a blast...Everyone had fun.. Tha boatride was amazing... David the tour guy was very informative and helpful..”

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8.Barù Island Playa Blanca with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 89 reviews · 7 hours · from $26Best value

You’ll ride from Cartagena to Barú Island, walk 5 to 10 minutes down rustic stone stairs, and spend several hours at Playa Blanca. The $26 trip includes bilingual Spanish and English assistance, hotel pickup in selected areas, return transport, and a traditional fish lunch with coconut rice. Bring cash for chairs, tents, drinks, and umbrellas.

“El transporte se demoró, llegamos pasadas las 10 a la playa y el tiempo de estadía en la playa se redujo. La salida sí fue puntual”

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9.Cholon The party island, with DJ on board

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 87 reviews · 5 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Spend nearly six hours boating from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands and Cholon, the area’s famous party island. Expect crossover music, a DJ on weekends, lunch, two national beers, and time in the water. Guides such as Jesus, William, Adrianno, and Orlando are praised for keeping the day organized and friendly.

“The excursion began with a meeting point that was somewhat difficult to navigate, as the square was quite busy with local vendors. However, once organized, the process was smooth with a bus ride to the marina followed by a boat trip to Cholon. Cholon offered a lively beach atmosphere with tables, huts, bars, and makeshift restaurants, as well as restrooms available for a small fee. The setting was festive, the water refreshing, and the food flavorful. Our tour guide was excellent—providing clear instructions, maintaining a professional yet approachable demeanor, and ensuring that all guests had an enjoyable experience. This excursion was a highlight of my trip and a memorable way…”

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10.Rosario Island and Mangroves Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 73 reviews · 9 hours · from $244

Spend nine flexible hours with a private guide such as Luis, Sofia, or Valentina, traveling from Cartagena to Barú and the Rosario Islands. Eat breakfast and Caribbean lunch in a local home, cruise mangroves, snorkel at coral reefs, relax on a beach, and learn about village life away from the big tour boats.

“What a great day tour! Valentina was an amazing tour guide- so friendly and accommodating. We learned so much about the history of Cartagena and the islands. You can tell she really loves what she does! And Luis is a wonderful tour coordinator! He’s so responsive via WhatsApp as soon as we booked the tour and even said hello to us when he saw us on the island. Highly recommended. Will definitely refer some family and friends who visit Cartagena.”

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11.Cartagena’s Legendary Boat Party : Full Day in Cholón

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $120

Spend about 5½ hours on a music-filled boat trip from Cartagena to Cholón, with a short swim stop, lunch, two beers, and three hours at the famous party island. Hosts such as Adriano, Orlando, Melanis, Carmelo, and Jaseff have led recent trips. Expect crowded water, local vendors, and a social, adults-only atmosphere.

“I was robbed on this tour. The party island it’s self was nice and a lot of fun but when we got off the boat someone cut my bag and took my phone out of the back pack. It seemed like the tour ppl were well aware of things like that happening too. Don’t bring a pack back if u do go and bring cash only.”

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12.Full day At Beach Club in Playa Blanca Baru cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $40

Spend about eight hours at Playa Blanca from Cartagena, traveling by air-conditioned vehicle across the Barú Bridge to Beach Club Mambo. You get a welcome drink, a 30,000 COP lunch voucher, bathrooms, lockers, tables, chairs, and beach access. The bilingual coordinator meets you at Los Pegasos Monument at 8:00 am.

“I thought it will be a bigger beach club but it was ok for it's size. There's bathrooms, which by the way were clean, most waiters speak Spanish but there was one who spoke English and he was very helpful. When we arrived, they greeted us with welcome drink and lunch included (upto 30,000 COP) if you want something else, you may order and pay before you leave the club. It's better to bring cash, easy process and I rented a cabana (120,000 COP) for the whole day, right by the water, for the view, swim and lay down. Don't bring your personal items, unless you want to pay for…”

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13.Playa Blanca Barú: VIP Access to Mambo Beach Club

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 61 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $39

Travel from Cartagena to Playa Blanca on Barú for a nine-hour beach-club day at Mambo. You get air-conditioned transport, a sun chair, locker access, snacks, a welcome drink, and 30,000 COP toward lunch. Expect clear water, local vendors, loud music, and a party setting rather than a quiet retreat.

“This is the only bar on the beach that offers sunbeds without a parasol, and only these are included in the price. To be in the shade you have to pay 80k (or 50%) extra. The 30k meal voucher only buys you fried rice. If you want fish that's another 30k. Music is played very loud even in the morning so this is not the place for relaxation. You'll get a better deal elsewhere.”

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14.National Aviary & Mambo Beach Club Baru – Playa Blanca

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 55 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Combine the National Aviary with an afternoon at Mambo Beach Club on Barú. You’ll ride from Cartagena in an air-conditioned minivan, walk through bird exhibits, watch a live show, eat lunch, and relax beside Playa Blanca. Guides such as Jose, Jesus, Alex, Sergio, and Juancho have led this trip, though guide language and service can vary.

“The avary had so many different kinds of birds. The beach was nice. Lunch was so so but okay. The van ride was so so.”

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15.Playa Blanca Full-Day Trip from Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 48 reviews · from $63

Leave Cartagena by air-conditioned vehicle, pass Manga, Bosque, Mamonal, and the Campo Elias Teran Bridge, then spend the day on Baru’s Playa Blanca. Your bilingual guide, typical lunch, bottled water, and fruit are included. Pickup is available from selected hotels and central meeting points.

“The staff was on time for pick up, very informative and polite. The provided cooked lunch was prepared well and was delicious. It's definitely worth the money.”

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