Cartagena Playa Blanca: Baru Island Beach Club Day Trip

Summary

Baru’s white sand, local flavors & a slow Cartagena morning

You’ll swap Cartagena’s bustle for Baru Island’s calm—think slow mornings, warm breezes, and time at Playa Blanca’s Mambo Beach Club with lunch included. Friendly guides handle hotel pickup and all the details so you can just float in clear water or nap under a palm hut. It’s not fancy, but it feels real—and you might find yourself missing that salty air once you’re back in town.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I booked this Cartagena Playa Blanca day trip mostly because I needed to get out of the city noise for a bit. The idea of Baru Island sounded almost too perfect—white sand, clear water, that kind of thing. But it was the little moments that stuck. Our guide, Daniel, showed up right on time (I was still fumbling with my sunscreen), and we picked up a few others along the way. Traffic crawled; someone joked about “Car-tagena” traffic being its own adventure. No one seemed in a rush though—maybe that’s just how the coast works.

Crossing the Baru bridge felt like leaving something behind—city heat traded for mangroves and salty air. Daniel told us how people used to cross by raft before 2014; he pointed out the three little towns on Barú as we rolled past. We didn’t stop, but you could see kids waving from doorways, and laundry flapping in the breeze. The bus windows fogged up from all our damp towels and swimsuits stuffed into bags.

Playa Blanca itself is busy but not wild—just lots of families and vendors selling fresh mango slices (I bought some; sticky fingers for hours). The Mambo Beach Club part is quieter, tucked at one end with those blue loungers and shaded huts. I spent most of my time floating in water so clear you could see your toes wiggle. Lunch was simple—fish with coconut rice—but honestly? That taste lingers more than any fancy meal I’ve had lately. There’s something about eating with your feet in warm sand that makes everything better.

We left around 2pm, sunburned and sandy. Someone fell asleep on the ride back—I almost did too. It wasn’t flashy or anything, but I still think about that lazy swim every now and then when city life gets loud again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Beach day at Baru Island Playa Blanca

• Pick up at accommodation early morning
• Cross Baru Bridge and observe surroundings
• Walk to Mambo Beach Club
• Relax on loungers and explore waters
• Enjoy optional lunch at beach club
• Depart from beach at 2 pm

Top questions

What time does the Cartagena Playa Blanca day trip start?

Pickup is between 6:00 am and 7:30 am from your accommodation in Cartagena.

Is lunch included at Mambo Beach Club on Baru Island?

You get a lunch voucher worth 30,000 pesos to use on their menu options.

How long do you spend at Playa Blanca during this tour?

You arrive in the morning and leave around 2 pm, so expect several hours at the beach club.

Are there facilities like bathrooms or lockers at Mambo Beach?

Yes, guests have access to bathrooms, lockers, sun loungers, huts, tables and chairs without extra cost.

Is this day trip suitable for families or young children?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants sit on an adult’s lap.

Does the tour include transportation from my hotel in Cartagena?

Yes, air-conditioned transport with hotel pickup is included for all guests.

Will there be an English-speaking guide during the trip?

A bilingual guide accompanies you throughout the day trip to Playa Blanca.

Can pregnant travelers join this Cartagena Playa Blanca tour?

This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers according to the info provided.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or hostel in Cartagena with air-conditioned transport out to Baru Island, entry to Mambo Beach Club with full use of sun loungers, shaded huts, bathrooms and lockers; there’s also a welcome drink waiting when you arrive plus a lunch voucher to use however you want on their menu—and a friendly bilingual guide handling all the details along the way before bringing you back mid-afternoon.