Playa Blanca: Daytour With Snorkeling and Racoon Sighting

Nestled just an hour from the vibrant city of Cartagena, Playa Blanca beckons with its pristine white sands and sparkling turquoise waters. This full-day adventure promises a chance to explore the coastal wonders, from snorkeling amidst a kaleidoscope of marine life to spotting playful raccoons. Priced at $43 per person, the tour includes round-trip transportation, a traditional Colombian lunch, and guided activities that showcase the region’s natural beauty. While some visitors note a touch of tourism, the stunning beach and great value make this excursion an enticing option for those seeking a memorable coastal escape. But what else awaits those who embark on this adventure?

Key Points

• This full-day excursion to Playa Blanca near Cartagena includes snorkeling, a mangrove walk, and opportunities to spot raccoons.
• The tour is priced from $43 per person and includes round-trip transportation from Cartagena.
• The itinerary features a scenic 1-hour bus ride, a typical Colombian lunch, and a comprehensive coastal experience.
• The tour offers snorkeling equipment and a guided mangrove walk to explore the local ecosystem.
• Restrictions apply for individuals with mobility issues, babies under 1 year, those over 309 lbs, and seniors over 70 years old.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Playa Blanca Daytour offers a full-day excursion to the picturesque Playa Blanca beach, located just outside of Cartagena. Priced from $43 per person, the 7-hour tour includes round-trip transportation, snorkeling, a mangrove walk, and the chance to spot raccoons.

With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later, the tour provides flexibility. Pickup locations span Bocagrande, Sibarita del Mar, and El Laguito, ensuring convenient access.

While the tour isn’t suitable for those with mobility issues or young children, it caters to a wide range of travelers seeking a comprehensive coastal experience.

Itinerary and Experience

The Playa Blanca Daytour kicks off with a scenic 1-hour bus ride from Cartagena, offering passengers breathtaking views along the way.

Upon arrival, the tour includes snorkeling, a mangrove walk, and an opportunity to interact with raccoons.

Lunch is a typical Colombian meal featuring fish or chicken, coconut rice, patacones, and salad.

The tour departs at 8:00 am and returns to the historical center of Cartagena at 3:00 pm.

Inclusions and Recommendations

The Playa Blanca Daytour includes round-trip bus transfers, lunch, snorkeling equipment, a mangrove walk, and photo/video recording. Plus, the tour provider offers recommendations to maximize the experience. Guests are advised to wear comfortable shoes, apply sunscreen, and bring beachwear. The tour is not suitable for those with mobility impairments, babies under 1 year, individuals over 309 lbs (140 kg), or those over 70 years old.

Inclusions	Recommendations	Not Suitable For
Round-trip bus transfer	Comfortable shoes	Mobility impairments
Lunch	Sunscreen	Babies under 1 year
Snorkeling equipment	Comfortable clothes	Individuals over 309 lbs (140 kg)
Mangrove walk	Beachwear	Those over 70 years old
Photo/video recording	–	–

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Based on the available customer reviews, the Playa Blanca Daytour has an overall rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars across 4 reviews.

While some customers praised the beautiful beach and good value, others found the experience too touristy, with long travel times, insufficient snorkeling duration, and inadequate equipment.

Plus, constant vendors on the beach were a common complaint.

The reviews suggest that this tour may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with mobility issues or seeking a more authentic and immersive experience.

• Beautiful beach
• Good quality/price ratio
• Too touristy
• Long travel time
• Constant vendors

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Pickup Locations and Transportation

The Playa Blanca Daytour offers convenient pickup locations in Cartagena, with guests able to board the tour bus from Bocagrande, Sibarita del Mar, or El Laguito.

After boarding, guests embark on a scenic bus tour lasting approximately 1 hour, providing breathtaking views along the way. The tour includes round-trip transportation by bus from Cartagena to Playa Blanca, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Guests can then look forward to a day of activities at the beautiful Playa Blanca, including snorkeling, a mangrove walk, and an opportunity to interact with raccoons.

At the end of the day, the tour returns to the Monumento Torre del Reloj in the historical center of Cartagena.

Snorkeling and Mangrove Adventure

One of the highlights of the Playa Blanca Daytour is the opportunity to explore the vibrant underwater world through snorkeling.

Equipped with the necessary gear, visitors can discover a kaleidoscope of marine life, including schools of tropical fish, coral reefs, and perhaps even a glimpse of a curious raccoon.

The tour also includes a guided mangrove walk, where travelers can witness the intricate ecosystem and learn about the importance of these coastal forests.

To make the most of the experience, visitors should:

• Bring their own snorkel gear if possible
• Be comfortable swimming in shallow waters
• Wear water shoes or sandals for the mangrove walk
• Bring a waterproof camera to capture the stunning scenery
• Remain respectful and cautious when interacting with wildlife

Lunch and Culinary Offerings

After exploring the underwater wonders and mangrove forests, visitors can indulge in a delectable lunch showcasing the local culinary delights. The included meal features a typical spread of fresh fish or chicken, accompanied by coconut rice, patacones (fried green plantains), and a refreshing salad. This spread provides a flavorful taste of the region’s coastal cuisine. To enhance the experience, the table below outlines the key components of the lunch offering:

Dish	Description
Main Protein	Fresh fish or chicken
Staple	Coconut rice
Side	Patacones (fried green plantains)
Accompaniment	Refreshing salad
Beverage	Local water or soft drink

Important Considerations

While the Playa Blanca Daytour offers a scenic and activity-packed experience, there are a few important considerations potential customers should keep in mind.

The tour may not be suitable for those with mobility issues, babies under 1 year, individuals over 309 lbs, or those over 70 years. The itinerary is also subject to change, and customers should inquire about extra services on the beach with the tour guide.

Plus, clients must wait in the lobby for the guide’s arrival, and the overall experience has received mixed reviews, with some finding it too touristy and the snorkeling duration too short.

• Not suitable for those with mobility issues, babies under 1 year, individuals over 309 lbs, or those over 70 years
• Itinerary subject to change, inquire about extra services on the beach
• Clients must wait in the lobby for guide’s arrival
• Overall experience has received mixed reviews, some finding it too touristy
• Snorkeling duration may be too short for some

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Snorkeling Equipment?

Clients can bring their own snorkeling equipment, but the tour provider recommends using the equipment included in the tour package. This ensures proper sizing and functionality for a safer and more enjoyable snorkeling experience.

Is the Tour Suitable for Non-Swimmers?

The tour may not be suitable for non-swimmers, as snorkeling is a core activity. However, participants can opt out of the snorkeling portion and still enjoy the mangrove walk and raccoon interaction on the beach.

Are There Any Restrictions on Photography?

The tour doesn’t explicitly mention any photography restrictions. However, guests should be respectful and ask for permission before taking photos, especially of other participants or wildlife encounters like the raccoons.

Can I Purchase Additional Food or Drinks on the Beach?

Clients can purchase additional food and drinks on the beach. There are various vendors selling snacks, drinks, and local cuisine. However, the tour package does not include the cost of any extra items purchased on the beach.

What Is the Cancellation Policy for the Tour?

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Customers can book now and pay later without upfront payment, providing flexibility to change their plans.

Recap

This Playa Blanca day tour provides a great value for those seeking a fun coastal escape near Cartagena. With a focus on snorkeling, mangrove exploration, and the chance to spot raccoons, it offers a well-rounded adventure. While the experience can feel a bit touristy, the stunning beach, typical Colombian lunch, and round-trip transportation make it an appealing option for travelers looking to experience the natural beauty of this region.

You can check if your dates are available here: