The Rosario Islands are the ideal spot to enjoy the magic of the Caribbean without the crowds. As home to incredibly still waters and vibrant coral reefs, the islands are a natural wonder—and as part of Colombia's protected system of national parks, the Rosario Islands are perfectly safe to travel through as well.
With five days, it's best to stick with one city and make day or overnight trips within the region. This 5-day itinerary for Cartagena will take you to the best sights of the city, plcolous the Rosario Islands and some diving.
Cartagena is generally considered safe to visit if you use common sense and take some precautions. There are a number of basic precautions you can take to be vigilant about your personal safety and improve your security while in Cartagena and Colombia.
Cartagena also has some of the most beautiful beaches on the Caribbean Peninsula. With an average temperature of 81.6 degrees, nearly every day is perfect for heading to the beach. The tropical islands and beaches that surround the city attract visitors from around the world.
Of the 400 that exist worldwide, Colombia is home 76 species of sharks, which are distributed through 18 families in the Caribbean (57) and the Pacific Ocean (36). These statistics rank Colombia as the third most diverse country in terms of sharks in Latin America, after Mexico and Brazil.
8 Easy Beach Trips From Cartagena
- The Best Beaches In & Around Cartagena. By Lisa Cheng.
- Bocagrande. A Miami Beach vibe pervades at Bocagrande, the visitors' beach of choice thanks to its convenient location just outside Old Town.
- El Laguito.
- Taganga.
- La Boquilla.
- Playa Blanca, Island of Baru.
- Islas de San Bernardo.
- Islas del Rosario.
approximately 100 kilometres
The Rosario Islands are an archipelago located within a national park on the Colombian Caribbean coast, only about an hour from the popular tourist city of Cartagena. They are beautiful, diverse, and well worth a visit, for a day or even longer.
Cartagena is undoubtedly the current crown jewel of Colombian tourism, and as such is one of the most expensive locations in this amazing country. Don't worry, though, you CAN visit Cartagena on a budget!
What to Wear In Cartagena: Your Comprehensive Packing List
- Maxi Skirts/Dresses. I'm starting with maxi skirts and dresses because you're definitely going to want to pack at least one of these for your Cartagena trip.
- Short Skirts/Dresses.
- Two Piece Jumpsuits.
- Crop Tops.
- Flowy Pants.
- Swimsuits.
- Cover Ups.
- Sandals.
The best time to visit Cartagena is December to April. The city's tropical climate means that, although temperatures tend to stay around the mid-80s year-round, the amount of precipitation each season varies wildly.
The Best Areas to Stay in Cartagena
- The Historic Walled City – Overall Best Area to Stay in Cartagena.
- Getsemaní – Best Area to Stay in Cartagena for Young Travelers and Backpackers.
- Bocagrande and Laguito – Best Area to Stay in Cartagena for Beach Bums.
Cartagena's most famous and popular beach paradise is Playa Blanca, located around 40 minutes from the city by boat on the Barú peninsula.
*Note: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Cartagena's beaches were closed. As of early October 2020, the beaches in the city are being reopened in phases with special biosecurity protocols, while some hotels and beach clubs are being allowed to open once receiving an inspection and a license.
All-Inclusive Hotels and Accommodations in CartagenaThis beach destination has 6 all-inclusive hotels and other accommodations. The closest major airport is in Cartagena (CTG-Rafael Nunez Intl.), which is located 2.7 mi (4.4 km) from the city center.
Things to Do near Playa Blanca
- Aviario Nacional de Colombia. #1 of 14 things to do in Isla Baru.
- Playa Puntilla. #2 of 14 things to do in Isla Baru.
- Banana Beach. #99 of 169 things to do in Cartagena.
- Bora Bora Cartagena Beach Club. #2 of 14 things to do in Islas de Rosario.
- VIP Service Taxi.
- Isla Grande.
- Bendita Beach.
- THalaSa Boat Trips.
