Cartagena Beaches Explained

Around Rosario Islands

Cartagena is an excellent vacation spot for solo female travelers. The food scene is incredible, the weather is hot and sunny with virtually no mosquitoes (in the dry season), and there are plenty of cultural activities to enjoy, from historic monuments and museums to dance classes and live music. However, when it comes to beaches, Cartagena itself is not the best destination. The city is a major port rather than a traditional beach town, which can be disappointing if you are expecting long stretches of sand directly in the city.

The good news is that Cartagena is surrounded by stunning islands that are very easy to access. To reach them, you simply need to go to Muelle de la Bodeguita, the main port located right next to the historic Walled City. This is where most boats depart for the Rosario Islands and other nearby beach destinations.

Cartagena coast

Prepare yourself mentally before arriving at the port, as it can feel overwhelming, especially if you are traveling solo. It is a very busy and chaotic place, with large groups trying to find their boats, tour operators shouting instructions, and multiple departures happening at the same time. There are many boats and many tours, all leaving from the same area, which can feel intense if you are not expecting it.

I arrived early, before the crowds, which made the experience much smoother. I was able to speak calmly with a staff member, purchase my ticket, and wait patiently in line. I ended up spending two nights at a hotel located in the Rosario Islands called Hotel Fragata Island House.

View from my room

The hotel itself was amazing. It had a private beach with comfortable lounging chairs, light swimming equipment available for guests, and a chef on site, which meant you could enjoy all your meals without leaving the island. The hotel also offered several excursions. Looking back, I know that booking excursions directly through a hotel is usually more expensive since they take a commission, but at the time it felt convenient. I booked two excursions: an island tour and a bioluminescence tour.

The island tour was very enjoyable. I got to see beautiful houses and hotels scattered across the Rosario Islands, surrounded by crystal-clear water. Because my guide was friendly and flexible, we even stopped at a deserted island where I could swim and take photos. That spontaneous stop ended up being one of the highlights of my stay.

Rosario Island

Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the bioluminescence tour. When we went out, there were no bioluminescent organisms visible in the water. The guide encouraged me to get into the sea and move around to activate the glow, but nothing happened. It felt like a waste of time. Had I known that bioluminescence was not a frequent or guaranteed phenomenon in these waters, I would have chosen a different excursion.

One fun and unexpected thing about the islands around Cartagena is the presence of floating bars in the middle of the sea, where you can buy drinks while swimming. There were also men traveling by kayak, selling drinks directly to hotel guests. It added a playful and very Caribbean touch to the entire experience.

Floating bar

The Rosario Islands are just one option, but there are many beach and island destinations you can visit from Cartagena. I was only there for one week, so I focused on a single area. However, almost every hotel or tour operator you connect with, will offer packages for island-hopping tours or day trips to places like Playa Blanca, Isla Barú, or Isla Múcura. Personally, I am not a fan of island-hopping tours because there is usually too little time to truly enjoy each place. Day trips to one location can work well, but for me, the perfect balance is staying directly on an island, which is why I chose the Fragata hotel.

Let me know in the comments which option you would have chosen to experience Cartagena’s local beaches.