The offshore paradise — the Rosario Islands, a national park of tiny coral islets an hour by boat, with the white sand, palms and clear turquoise water the mainland beaches lack, dotted with beach hotels and eco-lodges. Idyllic, remote and beautiful; the base for travellers who want to swim, snorkel and unwind on a real Caribbean island, trading city access for paradise. A blissful escape, best for a night or two after the city. Book boats and stays ahead.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€110–260
typical per night in Colombia
You pay for the postcode
One of the pricier addresses in Cartagena.
Where it sits
The circle is Rosario Islands and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Bocagrande (beach)97 min taxi32.4 km
- The Walled City104 min taxi34.7 km
- Salsa, rumba & rooftop bars104 min taxi34.7 km
- Getsemaní & its street art104 min taxi34.7 km
- Torre del Reloj & Plaza de los Coches104 min taxi34.8 km
- Plaza Santo Domingo & the plazas104 min taxi34.8 km
- Caribbean-Colombian food104 min taxi34.8 km
- The city walls at sunset105 min taxi34.9 km
- Castillo San Felipe de Barajas106 min taxi35.4 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 5.The Rosario Islands — Cartagena's mainland beaches disappoint, but an hour's boat ride south lies paradise — the Rosario Islands, a coral archipelago in a national park, with the white sand, swaying palms and clear turquoise water of the postcard Caribbean. Spend a day (or a blissful overnight) swimming, snorkelling the reefs and lazing on a beach club or eco-lodge. The essential Cartagena beach escape and a highlight of any trip; book a reputable tour or hotel boat. Idyllic, and worth the early start. Unmissable.
- 12.Playa Blanca — The most famous beach near the city — Playa Blanca on Barú, a long stretch of white sand and clear turquoise water an hour or so away by boat or road. Busy and touristy by day (and best enjoyed by staying overnight, when the crowds leave), it delivers the Caribbean beach the city itself lacks: swim, laze under a palm, and feast on fresh fish. A popular, easy beach day or overnight from Cartagena; go early or stay over for the quiet magic. A classic coastal escape.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Rosario Islands; flights via Google Flights.