Isla Barú tour from Cartagena: National Aviary and Playa Blanca

Parrots, flamingos and turquoise water in one morning from Cartagena

A full-day tour from Cartagena to Isla Barú combines a visit to the National Aviary of Colombia with beach time at Playa Blanca, the only public beach inside Corales del Rosario National Natural Park. Hotel pickup begins between 6 and 7:30am, followed by a 45-minute panoramic drive through Cartagena to the Barú Peninsula, crossing the Barú Bridge that connects the island to the mainland. The tour includes a bilingual guide, air-conditioned transport, welcome cocktail, aviary entry and a 30,000-peso lunch voucher redeemable at the beach club.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Baru Island1h
2. National Aviary of Colombia1h · entry included

Tour Barú Island and National Aviary

• Pick up from accommodation early morning
• Panoramic tour through Cartagena city
• Cross Barú Peninsula via Baru Bridge
• Visit National Aviary and attend presentation
• Arrive at Playa Blanca beach
• Relax at Beach Club and redeem lunch voucher

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel between 6 and 7:30am in an air-conditioned van shared with other travelers. A 45-minute panoramic drive takes you through Cartagena's streets and across the Barú Bridge, which opened in 2014 as the only road link to the island: before that, a raft was the only way across. The bridge itself passes the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park without stopping, so you see it from the vehicle. Barú is technically an artificial island, formed nearly a century ago by the construction of the Canal del Dique.

Once on the island, you reach Playa Blanca first. A five-minute walk from the drop-off brings you to the Beach Club, where you can claim a sun lounger or chair and swim in the turquoise water. The beach is the only public access point inside the national park, so the sand and the water are protected. Lunch is a 30,000-peso voucher you redeem from the club's menu. You choose what to eat. The club provides huts, bathrooms and social areas at no extra cost, so you can spend the afternoon moving between the water and the shade without paying again.

The National Aviary presentation happens at 11:30am, where a guide walks you through 22 exhibits across three ecosystem environments: immersion aviaries, radial aviaries, estuaries and lakes. You'll see parrots, peacocks, flamingos and other Colombian bird species in landscapes designed to match their natural habitats. The guide explains the biology and behavior of the birds and why their conservation matters. The whole tour runs seven to eight hours from pickup to return, with the bilingual guide present throughout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in air-conditioned transport.
• a welcome cocktail.
• bilingual guide throughout the day.
• entry to the National Aviary with the 11:30am presentation.
• a 30,000-peso lunch voucher at Playa Blanca Beach Club.
• use of sun loungers, huts and bathrooms at the beach.
• travel insurance.

Options for this experience

2 options

Full-day Baru Island tour: National Aviary of Colombia and Playa BlancaGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Pickup is included

Mambo B, Aviary and PlanktonGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Plankton, an organism that gives off flashes of light and can be seen at night. Length: 11 hours. The morning is spent at the aviary, the afternoon at Mambo Beach, and the plankton activity runs at night until 8 pm. A snack is served before the plankton. Round trip by land, with pickup included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (11 to 60 years) · Child (1 to 10 years)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Nexxt Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want wildlife viewing and beach swimming in one outing: the morning aviary visit and afternoon beach time both depart from Cartagena on a single itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 10 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What birds will I see at the National Aviary of Colombia?

The aviary houses parrots, peacocks, flamingos and other Colombian bird species across 22 exhibits designed to recreate their natural ecosystems: immersion aviaries, radial aviaries, estuaries and lakes. The presentation at 11:30am includes explanation of their behavior and conservation.

How long is the drive from Cartagena to Playa Blanca on Isla Barú?

The panoramic drive through Cartagena and across the Barú Bridge takes approximately 45 minutes. The bridge, opened in 2014, is the only road connection to the island. Before that, crossing required a raft.

What's included in the lunch at Playa Blanca?

Lunch is a 30,000-peso voucher you redeem from the Beach Club menu for items of your choice. The club also provides sun loungers, huts, bathrooms and social areas at no additional cost.

What time does the tour start and when do I return to Cartagena?

Hotel pickup runs between 6:00am and 7:30am depending on your location in Cartagena. The full tour lasts seven to eight hours, so return to your accommodation is typically mid-afternoon.

Is the National Aviary presentation included in the tour price?

Yes, entry to the National Aviary and the 11:30am presentation are included. The guide leads you through the exhibits and explains the bird species, their behavior and conservation importance.