Cartagena Playa Blanca: Day trip with guide & lunch

Summary

White sand, local flavors, and five hours of real beach time

Spend a full day at Playa Blanca on Baru Island with a local guide who’ll show you Cartagena’s neighborhoods along the way. Enjoy five hours of real downtime on white sand — swimming, relaxing under palm huts, tasting fresh seafood for lunch. It’s simple but genuine beach time you’ll remember long after you leave Colombia.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed as we pulled up to Playa Blanca was the color — not just the sand (which really is white, almost chalky against the blue water), but all the little splashes of life around us. Our guide, Andrés, pointed out some fishing boats bobbing near the shore and told us how most folks here are descendants of people who built Cartagena’s old walls. I tried to picture that history while we walked past the busier stretch, following him down a quieter bit of sand where you could actually hear the waves instead of music from beach bars. The air smelled like salt and fried fish — not fancy, just honest.

I’m not much for swimming usually, but after an hour in one of those palm huts (they call them “huts of palms” here), I couldn’t resist. The water was clear and warm — no shock when you wade in — and there were kids laughing nearby, chasing each other with plastic buckets. Lunch came on a plastic plate: fried fish, coconut rice, plantains. I tried saying “mojarra” like Andrés did; he laughed at my accent but said it was close enough. There’s something about eating seafood right where it’s caught that makes it taste different — maybe it’s just being hungry from the sun.

The drive from Cartagena took about an hour, which went by faster than I expected because Andrés kept pointing out neighborhoods and telling stories about Mamonal’s factories or how his grandmother used to sell fruit by the road. It made me pay attention in a way I wouldn’t have if I’d come alone or just stared at my phone. Five hours at Playa Blanca sounds long on paper but honestly? It slipped by fast between swimming, people-watching, and just lying back listening to the wind rattle through palm leaves. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Playa Blanca Beach Day

• Transfer Cartagena to Barú Island
• Relax, swim, and tan at Playa Blanca (5 hours)
• Visit local neighborhoods and fishing villages

Top questions

How long does it take to get from Cartagena to Playa Blanca?

The transfer from Cartagena to Playa Blanca takes about 1 hour by vehicle.

Is lunch included in the Playa Blanca day trip?

Yes, a typical seafood lunch is included during your time at Playa Blanca.

Do I need to bring my own sun chair or tent?

No, sun chairs and tents are provided at the quiet area of Playa Blanca included in your tour.

Will there be a guide during the trip?

Yes, a bilingual local guide accompanies you throughout the day trip.

How much free time do we get at Playa Blanca?

You’ll have approximately five hours to relax, swim, or explore at Playa Blanca.

Is this tour suitable for families with children?

Yes, it is suitable for all physical fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

Are there public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near pickup points in Cartagena.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in Cartagena by air-conditioned vehicle with a bilingual local guide explaining neighborhoods along the route; five hours at Playa Blanca with access to palm huts for shade; use of sun chairs; a soft drink; and a typical seafood lunch before returning comfortably to the city.