How to get to and visit Barú Island in Colombia

Colombia has a wide variety of landscapes to explore, from the Amazon rainforest, through coffee-growing valleys, colonial cities, beaches in jungle settings, such as Tayrona Park, to paradisiacal beaches with turquoise waters typical of the Caribbean, such as Isla Barú.

During my visit to Colombia, I decided to check out one of the most popular and accessible beaches in Barú, Playa Blanca, an ideal spot to relax and unwind from the pace of travel.

The place combines a peaceful atmosphere with beautiful ocean views, pleasant sand, and the opportunity to enjoy both the sun and a refreshing swim. It's not a massive beach or crowded with tourists, making it perfect for those looking for a more relaxed space with a local feel.

Where is Barú Island?

The Barú Island It is located in the Caribbean region of Colombia, south of the city of Cartagena de IndiasAlthough it is called an “island”, it is actually connected to the mainland by a bridge, so it is a peninsula.

It is bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea and is known for its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, especially Playa Blanca, one of its most popular destinations. From Cartagena, you can reach Barú Island by car, boat, or organized tour.

Most of the beaches on the island are private, but there are some important ones that can be visited by tourists such as Punta Iguana, Puerto Naito, Playa Blanca (the most popular), the Playita de Cholón and others.

How to get to Barú Island from Cartagena de Indias

There are two ways to get to Barú Island from Cartagena:

– Arrive in Barú by land

The cheapest (but longer) route is by land. To do so, take the buses that leave from the India Catalina Monument (before leaving the walled city) and are marked with signs that say Pasacaballos.

This bus takes between 60 and 70 minutes to reach an intersection just past the town of Pasacaballos. Since the drivers know that many tourists are traveling to Barú, they usually let you know where to get off. Always ask if you have any questions.

At the intersection on the highway, taxis are waiting to take travelers to the beach. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Playa Blanca, where all the accommodations are located.

The taxi will drop you off at the beach entrance. Remember that because it's so long (3.2 km long), you may have to walk to get to your accommodation.

Upon arrival, many young people will approach you, offering to take you to their accommodation by boat if you don't want to walk. But don't be fooled if they tell you their accommodation is too far to walk on the sand. This is to pressure you into renting their transportation.

– Arrive in Barú by sea

The easiest and fastest way to get to Barú Island is by boat from the port in Cartagena. They take between 30 and 45 minutes. It's certainly the most convenient way to get there and back, but it comes with the added cost of the transfer. I don't have the most up-to-date price.

We took the bus on the way there to explore the outskirts of the city and cut costs, and took the boats back to get there faster.

One of the best beaches on Barú Island: Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca is the most popular public beach on Barú Island. It stretches 3.2 km from end to end. It's not very wide, but because it's so long, you can walk farther away if you want to avoid crowds.

Along the beach, there are numerous cabin-style accommodations. Most of them are quite simple and unluxurious, but that makes them very affordable for those who want to sleep by the sea.

The lack of amenities isn't a big issue, as you'll likely spend most of your time enjoying the beach and surrounding area. However, among so many options, it's always possible to find slightly more comfortable options, depending on what you're looking for.

Although in this article I tell you how to get to and from Playa Blanca on your own, if you are looking for a private tour that takes you to and from Cartagena, with a guide and lunch included, have this other option.

What to do in Barú Island

Being a tropical beach, you can imagine what kind of activities you will be able to do.

Enjoy the sun, sand and water

The plan everyone wants to make happen. As soon as they drop off their things at their hotel, they'll want to enjoy this tropical beach. Dive into its clear, gentle waters and feel the warmth of the Caribbean caressing their faces :D.

The water isn't as warm as I expected (at least when we went in March), but it's far from cold. For those who are sensitive to the cold like me, who suffer every time they try to get into the water at Argentine beaches, it won't be difficult at all to get in.

Swimming in fluorescent plankton

A very popular and easy excursion is to swim with fluorescent plankton at night. Around 7 or 8 pm, when the sun has set, boats take you to a section of the sea where there are plankton, which, when shaken while swimming, emit a certain luminosity.

When I heard about this excursion, the first thing that came to mind was the scene from the movie "The Beach," where Leo DiCaprio and the French girl kissed passionately in those crystal-clear waters filled with those little bugs that radiated so much light...

Reality was a little different from fiction :D. But the excursion was fantastic. As we swam among the plankton, we even saw flashes of light all around us. The entire experience lasted 45 minutes: 10 minutes to go, another 10 to return, and 25 minutes to spend in the dark water with your microscopic friends.

Although it doesn't look like the movie, the experience is very rewarding. You see flashes of light while swimming, not as bright and spectacular, but still luminous. You'll rarely find yourself swimming in Caribbean waters at night with plankton all around you. I highly recommend it.

Duration: 45 minutes

Snorkeling in the coral reefs of the Rosario Islands

Another typical excursion that can be done on Barú Island is to take Snorkeling through the corals of the Rosario Islands.

The Rosario Islands are a group of 28 islands, where a National Park has been created, in order to protect one of the most important coral reefs on the Colombian Caribbean coast (although I don't understand how they allow this type of activities...more on the details below)

They put you, along with a bunch of other people, on a boat that will take you through the islands, until they leave you at one of the coral reefs to go snorkeling.

The tour lasts approximately three hours. As you're guided, they'll share information about the National Park, the names of the islands, and a few other anecdotal facts.

Optionally, you can visit an aquarium on one of the islands (additional cost) on this excursion, but if you're planning to snorkel, I don't recommend it, as there isn't enough time to enjoy both activities. We didn't even consider it.

When you reach the coral reef, you're given the goggles you'll use to view the corals. The guides give you some instructions, and it's essential to stay with the group. This is important because you won't be alone, but rather with hundreds of people from all the boats that go on this excursion every day. Everyone gathers together to slowly swim over the corals.

The corals and the immense number of fish that emerge are beautiful. You'll be able to see a wide variety of marine flora and fauna. The crystal-clear water, with all the spectacle unfolding beneath us, is incredible and undoubtedly the highlight of the day.

But not all that glitters is gold. To be honest, we found the activity overwhelming. Too many people swim there every day, ruining the environment and likely destroying the coral reef ecosystem.

The consequences must be catastrophic, with so many people swimming at the same time. Crowded together, screaming and kicking, walking through the coral reefs. Something similar happened at Maya Beach in Thailand, where, due to the large number of tourists, they had to close it for years to restore the ecosystem.

We returned with a bitter taste in our mouths, reflecting on mass tourism and how its excessive practice can cause damage, sometimes irreversible, to nature.

We were part of that deterioration, but I wouldn't do it again, and my recommendation to you is not to do it, at least until it's organized in a way that isn't so invasive to the marine ecosystem.

Play

Backpacker tip: Ask for quotes from several companies, as you may find different prices.

Duration: 3 hours estimated

Practice water activities

Along the 3.2 km stretch of Playa Blanca, you'll find places to rent kayaks, jet skis, and other water activities.

Dancing on the beach at night

There are usually one or two accommodations that double as bars at night. They play loud music on the beach with bars for drinks. If you want to dance and have a drink, this is the place.

Private tours in Barú

Things to keep in mind before going to Barú Island

In Barú, all services are restricted; from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., there is no electricity throughout the island because the power plants are turned on after dusk. Access to water is also scarce.

Therefore, it is advisable to bring your own water. The accommodations provide water from jugs so guests can bathe or brush their teeth. Guests are provided with a limited amount of water to use during their stay.

What is the best time to go to Barú Island?

The best time to travel to Barú Island is from December to April. Temperatures range from 28°C to 31°C. This is also the busiest tourist season, when everything gets a little more expensive.

Peak seasonFrom December to February. The temperatures are very pleasant, and we are in the dry season.

Mid-seasonMarch and April, where temperatures remain favorable, but rain is slightly more frequent. Tourist numbers drop considerably, and with them, prices.

Low season: From May to November, where high rainfall and cyclones make it not a good time to visit Barú Island.

Where to stay on Barú Island

Along Playa Blanca's 3.2 km stretch, you'll find accommodations to suit your taste. All tend to be quite basic and rudimentary, but their prices are also affordable.

We stayed at “Vista Linda Cabaña"It has a good location, close to the center of the beach, the facilities were as needed, and it even has buoys in the water to separate its space from the rest.

If instead you want more comfort and luxury when it comes to staying, you can also enjoy large hotels from well-known chains, such as the Hotel Decameron.

Final considerations of the visit to Barú Island

Barú Island, with its Playa Blanca beach, is one of Colombia's most beautiful beaches. Its proximity to Cartagena de las Indias and its easy access make it one of the most visited by national and international tourists.

During peak season, it can be crowded with people and street vendors coming and going along the length of the beach, but since it's so large, you can probably find a quieter spot.

I don't know if it's THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH IN COLOMBIA or not, because we haven't been to San Andres Island or Mucurá Island, for example, which we've heard very highly of. But if you're looking for Caribbean beaches with clear (not transparent) waters near Cartagena, Barú Island is your best bet.