Beaches · Cartagena · Colombia
The best beaches in and near Cartagena
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Petruss, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Playa Blanca, Barú (About 1 hour by road or boat). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
About 1 hour by road or boat · Classic Caribbean scenery
1.Playa Blanca, Barú
White sand and turquoise water on the Barú peninsula, very busy on weekends.
About 1 hour by speedboat · Snorkelling and clear water
2.Rosario Islands
Small island beaches and beach clubs with clear water and snorkelling in a national park.
About 10 minutes by taxi from the old town · Convenience
3.Bocagrande
The city beach in front of the hotel towers, with grey sand and plenty of vendors.
About 15–45 minutes by boat · A quick island escape
4.Tierra Bomba
Simple island beaches and beach clubs facing the city skyline.
About 20 minutes by taxi · Local food and kitesurfing
5.La Boquilla
Long beach in a fishing village north of the airport with fried-fish shacks and mangroves.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| February | 26°C (79°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| March | 26°C (79°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| August | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| October | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| November | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| December | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for families, beach and budget
Bocagrande
Bocagrande is the modern hotel zone on a peninsula south of the old town, with a long grey-sand city beach, apartment towers, malls and chain restaurants. It is about 10 minutes by taxi from the walled city. Hotels here usually offer more space and better value than the old town, and families appreciate the larger pools.
- Good
- Beach on the doorstep; Large hotels with pools; Good value for space
- Watch out
- Little colonial character; Beach vendors can be persistent; Needs a taxi to reach the old town
- Nearby
- Bocagrande beach, Castillogrande, El Laguito
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Transcaribe is the city's bus rapid transit system along the main avenues; it is cheap but less useful for visitors than walking and taxis.
- Boat — Speedboats and larger launches leave the Muelle de la Bodeguita near the Torre del Reloj for the Rosario Islands, Barú and Tierra Bomba.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in December–July. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
The tourist areas are generally fine for visitors, but pickpocketing, overcharging and scams involving touts and street sales are common; keep phones out of sight in crowded plazas. Avoid quiet streets outside the centre at night, and decline offers of drugs, which are linked to robbery and police scams. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Cartagena have beaches?
Yes: Playa Blanca, Barú, Rosario Islands, Bocagrande, Tierra Bomba and La Boquilla.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Cartagena?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Cartagena?
Playa Blanca, Barú: White sand and turquoise water on the Barú peninsula, very busy on weekends.