Baru Island beach day from Cartagena: Mambo Beach Club

The Baru Bridge opened in 2014—before that, you needed a raft to reach this island.

A full-day beach trip from Cartagena to Baru Island, departing early morning with hotel pickup and returning by 2 pm. You spend the day at Mambo Beach Club on Playa Blanca, swimming in clear water and relaxing in included loungers and huts. The tour includes a bilingual guide, welcome drink, travel insurance, and a lunch voucher worth 30,000 pesos to use at the beach club menu. Children from age 1 are welcome; infants sit on an adult's lap.

Step-by-step itinerary

Beach day at Baru Island

• Pick up from accommodation early morning
• Cross Baru Bridge without stopping
• Walk to Mambo Beach Club
• Relax on loungers and explore waters
• Enjoy optional lunch at the beach club
• Departure from beach at 2 pm

The Experience

Pickup happens between 6 and 7:30 am from your hotel or accommodation in Cartagena, and you'll travel in an air-conditioned van with other travelers. The drive crosses the Baru Bridge, which connects the mainland to Baru Island and passes through the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park. Baru itself is an artificial island formed nearly 100 years ago by the Canal del Dique; until 2014, the only way across was by raft.

Once on the island, it's a short 5-minute walk to Mambo Beach Club, sitting right next to Playa Blanca. The club provides loungers, sun chairs, huts, bathrooms and social areas at no extra cost. You can swim in the crystal-clear turquoise water, dive, or stay dry with a book in the shade. Your lunch voucher covers items from the beach club menu; the club also serves a welcome drink when you arrive. Departure is at 2 pm, so you have most of the day to settle in.

Three options let you customize the experience: the standard Playa Blanca day, Mambo Beach plus a plankton tour, or Mambo Beach plus a diving excursion. All include the same beach club access, guide, insurance and lunch voucher. A bilingual guide (English and Spanish) stays with the group throughout.

What’s included

• Hotel or accommodation pickup in Cartagena between 6 and 7:30 am.
• air-conditioned transport to and from Baru Island.
• bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• travel insurance.
• welcome drink upon arrival.
• use of loungers, sun chairs, huts, bathrooms and social areas at Mambo Beach Club.
• lunch voucher worth 30,000 pesos redeemable at the beach club menu.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Nexxt Tours

Is this one for you?Show up and spend the day in the water and shade—we handle pickup, timing, and lunch, so you just arrive ready to swim, dive, or unwind at this exclusive beach club.

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Top questions

How long is the full day from pickup to return?

The tour runs 7 to 9 hours total, with pickup between 6 and 7:30 am and departure from the beach at 2 pm.

What's included in the lunch voucher?

The 30,000-peso lunch voucher is redeemable for items from Mambo Beach Club's à la carte menu; you choose what to order.

Can I bring my infant on this tour?

Yes, children from age 1 are welcome; infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

What is Playa Blanca like compared to other beaches near Cartagena?

Playa Blanca is the only public beach inside the Corales del Rosario National Natural Park and is known for white sand and turquoise water; it sits within the protected park boundary.

Do I need to bring my own towel?

Towels are not included, so bring your own or purchase one at the beach club.

Is the plankton tour or diving option worth adding?

Both are available as paid add-ons at checkout; the plankton tour explores bioluminescent organisms in the water at night, while diving offers underwater exploration if you're certified or want to learn.