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Cartagena sits right on the Caribbean, but its city beaches surprise a lot of visitors: the sand is greyish, the water is often churned up, and the best swimming is a boat ride away. This guide covers the beaches in the city, the island beaches most people head for, and how to choose between them.
Cartagena’s beaches at a glance
- Best for a quick swim from the city: Bocagrande and Castillogrande
- Best white sand and clear water: Playa Blanca (Barú) and the Rosario Islands
- Best for a quiet escape: Tierra Bomba, or Barú outside the main stretch
- Best for wind and kite surfing: La Boquilla
- Best for a party day: Cholón
Beaches in the city
Bocagrande
The long strip of sand in front of Bocagrande’s high-rise hotels is the beach most visitors see first. It’s easy to reach by taxi from the old town, lively, and fine for a walk or a dip, but the sand is darker and the water less clear than the islands. Expect a lot of vendors.
Castillogrande
At the tip of the same peninsula, Castillogrande faces the bay rather than the open sea, so the water is calmer. It’s popular with local families and quieter than Bocagrande.
La Boquilla
North of the city, past the airport, La Boquilla is a fishing village with a wide, breezy beach, beach restaurants serving fried fish, and canoe tours through the mangroves. The wind makes it the go-to spot for kite surfing.
Island beaches: the ones worth the trip
Playa Blanca, Barú
This is the white-sand, turquoise-water beach on most people’s list. It’s on the Barú peninsula, reachable by road (about an hour, depending on traffic) or by boat. It gets very busy at weekends and in high season, with persistent vendors. Arrive early, or stay the night in a simple cabin to see it at its best when the day trips have left.
The Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario)
A chain of small coral islands inside the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park. Day trips by boat leave from the old town’s tourist pier, usually stopping at an island beach club or a snorkelling spot. The water here is the clearest you’ll find near Cartagena. Choose an established operator, and check what’s included: lunch, entry fees and the port tax are often extra.
Cholón
A shallow lagoon near Barú where boats anchor side by side and the music doesn’t stop. It’s a party, not a beach day, and it’s popular with groups.
Tierra Bomba
The island directly across the bay from Bocagrande, a short boat ride away. It has small beach clubs and a few quiet stretches, and makes an easy half-day trip if you don’t want a long boat ride.
When to go
Cartagena is hot all year. The driest months are roughly December to April, which is also peak season, with the biggest crowds and highest prices, especially around Christmas, New Year and Easter. October and November tend to be the wettest. Sea conditions can be rougher in the windier months, which makes the boat rides to the islands bumpier.
Tips before you go
- Agree prices first. For boats, chairs, food and massages on the beach, agree the price before you accept anything.
- Bring cash in small notes, sun protection and water. Shade on the islands can be limited.
- Book boats through your hotel or a known operator rather than touts at the pier.
- Check the sea conditions. Boats to the islands are cancelled when the sea is rough, so leave a spare day in your plans.
Where to stay for the beaches
Stay in the walled old town or Getsemaní for atmosphere and easy access to the boat pier; in Bocagrande for a beach on your doorstep and bigger hotels; or on Barú or the Rosario Islands themselves for a night or two of quiet.
Planning a trip to Cartagena?
- Stay connected: get a Colombia eSIM from Airalo so you have data as soon as you land.
- Airport pickup: book a private transfer from Rafael Núñez airport with Kiwitaxi or GetTransfer.
- Flights: compare flights to Cartagena on Aviasales.
More about Cartagena and the coast
- What is the elevation of Cartagena? (why it’s so hot and humid)
- Is there a beach in Medellín?
- How far is the beach from Cali?
Quick answers
Does Cartagena have nice beaches? The city beaches are fine for a dip, but the best beaches (white sand, clear water) are on Barú and the Rosario Islands, a boat or road trip away.
How do I get to Playa Blanca from Cartagena? By road to Barú (about an hour) or by boat from the city.
Can you swim at Bocagrande? Yes, though the water is less clear than on the islands.