Cartagena: Transport to Barú Island and Playa Blanca

Cartagena, the vibrant coastal city in Colombia, offers travellers an enchanting opportunity to explore the pristine Playa Blanca on Barú Island. With convenient round-trip transportation available, visitors can easily access this stunning paradise. The journey takes approximately an hour, ensuring a comfortable ride in air-conditioned buses. Priced affordably, this excursion promises a day filled with swimming, sunbathing, and various water sports. What’s more, the flexibility of free cancellation and a "reserve now, pay later" option make this adventure accessible to all. But the true allure lies in the serene beauty of Playa Blanca, waiting to be discovered.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Drinking Tours In Cartagena.

Key Points

• Roundtrip transportation from Cartagena to Playa Blanca on Barú Island is offered, with prices starting at $9.11 per person and savings up to 12%.
• Hotel lobby pickups are available in various Cartagena neighborhoods, with a central meeting point at Juan Valdez Café near the convention center.
• The journey to Playa Blanca takes approximately 1-2 hours each way, with air-conditioned buses or coaches used for transportation.
• Upon arrival, visitors have ample leisure time to enjoy activities like swimming, sunbathing, and water sports such as jet skiing and snorkeling.
• Customers should expect some potential delays due to traffic, as highlighted in the customer feedback, and should plan accordingly.

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Overview and Pricing

The activity offers round-trip transportation to the picturesque Playa Blanca on Barú Island. Prices start from $9.11 per person, representing a savings of up to 12% compared to the standard rate.

The excursion lasts 7 hours and is available in both English and Spanish. Travelers enjoy the flexibility of free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, as well as the option to reserve now and pay later without any upfront payment.

Pickup Locations

For pickups, travelers can choose between having their hotel lobby as the starting point or meeting at a central location. The hotel pickup locations include Bocagrande, Laguito, Castillogrande, Marbella, and Cabrero. Alternatively, guests can meet at the Juan Valdez Café near the convention center between 07:50 to 08:20 AM.

Pickup Location	Pickup Time
Hotel Lobby	7:00 – 7:40 AM
Juan Valdez Café	07:50 – 08:20 AM
General Pickup	08:20 AM

The bus departs at 08:20 AM sharp, so it’s important for travelers to be ready during the specified pickup times.

Pickup Time

Pickup times for the transportation to Playa Blanca and Barú Island vary depending on the starting location.

Travelers who are staying at hotels in Bocagrande, Laguito, Castillogrande, Marbella, or Cabrero will be picked up at their hotel lobby.

For those in central locations, the meeting point is at the Juan Valdez Café near the convention center, between 07:50 and 08:20 AM.

Regardless of the pickup location, all guests should be ready from 7:00 to 7:40 AM for their hotel pickups, as the bus departs approximately one hour before the activity starts at 08:20 AM.

• Pickup at hotel lobby for select locations
• Central meeting point at Juan Valdez Café
• Ready for hotel pickup between 7:00-7:40 AM
• Bus departs 1 hour before activity start (08:20 AM)

Transportation Details

Air-conditioned buses or coaches transport travelers from the pickup locations to Playa Blanca, a journey of approximately 1 hour each way. Traffic may extend this to 1.5-2 hours. Pickup locations include hotels in Bocagrande, Laguito, Castillogrande, Marbella, and Cabrero, where passengers are picked up at the hotel lobby. For those staying in central locations, the meeting point is at the Juan Valdez Café near the convention center, with pickup between 07:50 to 08:20 AM.

Pickup Locations	Pickup Time
Hotels in Bocagrande, Laguito, Castillogrande, Marbella, Cabrero	7:00 – 7:40 AM
Juan Valdez Café near convention center	07:50 – 08:20 AM

The scheduled pickup time is one hour before the activity starts at 08:20 AM.

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Itinerary and Activities

The excursion begins with a scenic 3-hour journey from Cartagena to the beautiful Playa Blanca.

Upon arrival, travelers will have ample leisure time to enjoy the island’s offerings:

• Swimming in the crystal-clear waters
• Sunbathing on the soft, white sand
• Participating in exciting water activities like jet skiing, banana boating, kayaking, and snorkeling
• Indulging in soothing massages

At 3:00 PM, the group will meet the driver for the return trip to Cartagena, completing the 7-hour round-trip transportation experience.

What to Bring

Bringing the right essentials can enhance one’s enjoyment of the Playa Blanca excursion. Visitors should pack the following items to make the most of their beach day:

Essential	Purpose
Sunglasses	Protect eyes from glare
Sun hat	Shield face and neck from sun
Swimwear	Comfortable for swimming and water activities
Towel	Dry off after swimming
Beachwear	Lightweight, breathable clothing
Insect repellent	Deter mosquitoes and other bugs

Packing these basics ensures travelers can fully enjoy the stunning natural beauty of Playa Blanca without discomfort.

Customer Feedback

According to reviews, some travelers have offered feedback on their experiences with the transportation to Playa Blanca.

While the overall rating is 3.7/5 based on 6 reviews, some customers noted discrepancies in the time estimates for the bus ride, suggesting it may take longer than the stated 1-1.5 hours each way.

The feedback highlights:

• Potential delays due to traffic
• Longer than expected travel times
• Concerns about the accuracy of the travel duration information

Booking Flexibility

Travelers can book their transportation to Playa Blanca and Barú Island with flexibility, as no upfront payment is required. This "reserve now, pay later" policy allows visitors to secure their spot without any immediate financial commitment.

Plus, the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, providing customers with the freedom to adjust their plans if needed. This booking flexibility caters to the needs of various travelers, whether they’re planning their trip well in advance or making last-minute arrangements.

It’s a convenient option that adds to the overall seamless experience of exploring the stunning Playa Blanca and Barú Island.

Recap

Playa Blanca on Barú Island offers a picturesque escape from Cartagena. With convenient round-trip transportation, travelers can enjoy a scenic journey and ample leisure time for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports, all at an affordable price. The flexible booking options and free cancellation make this excursion an accessible adventure for visitors to Cartagena.

You can check if your dates are available here: