Barú Island Day Trip & Beach Lunch from Cartagena

Summary

Playa Tranquila Escape with Caribbean Flavors

This is your chance to leave Cartagena behind for a day trip to Isla de Barú. Sip fresh mango lemonade on arrival, relax on Playa Tranquila with sun loungers and umbrellas, then share a Caribbean lunch by the sea. Swim or just float as time drifts by — it’s an easy escape you’ll remember long after you rinse off the sand.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the water at Playa Tranquila to feel so soft — almost like silk on my skin. We’d barely stepped off the boat when a woman in a bright headscarf handed me a glass of something cold and sweet (mango lemonade, I think). The air smelled like salt and grilled fish, and there was this lazy hum of voices drifting from the beach house. Our guide, Andrés, grinned and said, “Welcome to Barú — you can forget your shoes now.” I actually did. Sand everywhere, but somehow it felt right.

Lunch was simple but honestly perfect: fried fish with coconut rice and plantains, eaten under an umbrella while pelicans squabbled nearby. There was a vegetarian option too — my friend tried it and said it tasted like sunshine (not sure what that means but she looked happy). I tried saying “biche” like Andrés did when he brought over another round of mango drinks. He laughed — apparently my accent is hopeless. But that’s the thing about this day trip to Barú Island: nobody’s in a rush or judging how you say things. Even the sun seemed to slow down.

I floated for ages in the warm water, watching tiny silver fish dart around my ankles. At one point I just lay back and listened — waves, someone singing in Spanish somewhere behind me, kids laughing at nothing in particular. It’s not fancy here, but I still think about that view across the bay when the light started to shift golden. We left with sand stuck everywhere (still finding it days later), but I kind of loved that part.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Barú Island Beach Day

• Tour to Playa Tranquila on Barú Island
• Welcome cocktail at Fosforito Beach House
• Lunch at Fosforito Beach House
• Relax on the beach and swim
• Enjoy Caribbean cuisine and tranquility

Top questions

How do I get from Cartagena to Isla de Barú for this tour?

The tour includes transport from Cartagena directly to Playa Tranquila on Barú Island; details are provided after booking.

Is lunch included on the Barú Island day trip?

Yes, a Caribbean-style lunch is included with options for fried fish, chicken breast, or vegetarian dishes.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options available?

There is always a vegetarian meal option available; let your guide know if you have special dietary needs.

Can I bring young children or someone using a wheelchair?

The tour is suitable for all ages and is wheelchair accessible; strollers and service animals are welcome too.

What’s included

Your day includes transport from Cartagena to Playa Tranquila on Isla de Barú, entry to Fosforito Beach House with welcome fruit cocktail, use of umbrellas and loungers, plus a choice of fried fish, grilled chicken breast or vegetarian lunch along with biche mango lemonade tasting before heading back in the afternoon.