Cartagena: Playa Blanca day trip with lunch & beach club

Summary

Playa Blanca escape from Cartagena with lunch and local flavor

You’ll spend your day on Barú Island’s Playa Blanca relaxing at a semi-private beach club with comfy beds by turquoise water, lockers for your things, and a typical Cartagena lunch served seaside. With a friendly local guide and travel insurance included, you’ll soak up sun, taste fresh coconut rice, and share laughs with travelers and locals—moments you’ll remember long after leaving Colombia.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost missed the pickup because I couldn’t find my flip-flops — classic me. But we made it onto the van, still a bit sleepy, and our guide (I think his name was Andrés?) greeted us like we were old friends. The drive from Cartagena to Barú Island isn’t long, but you do get this slow reveal of blue water through the window that makes you sit up straighter. Someone in the back started humming along to the radio — some vallenato song I didn’t know — and it just felt right for a day trip to Playa Blanca.

When we got there, the sand was finer than I expected, almost squeaky underfoot. They handed us welcome cocktails (mine was way too sweet but honestly perfect for that first sweaty moment), and showed us these beds right by the water — not fancy, but comfy enough that I immediately flopped down. There were lockers for our stuff, which I appreciated more than I thought I would; nothing kills relaxation like worrying about your bag. Lunch was fish with coconut rice (I tried saying “arroz de coco” properly but got a laugh from one of the cooks), and we ate with our toes basically in the sea foam. The air smelled like salt and fried plantains drifting over from somewhere nearby.

I chatted with a couple from Bogotá who’d done this day trip to Playa Blanca before — they said weekdays are quieter, which made sense because it never felt crowded. Our guide pointed out some locals selling bracelets; he knew them all by name and joked around in rapid Spanish I could only half follow. At one point, a kid ran past chasing a crab and nearly knocked over my drink. It’s those little moments that stick more than any photo.

There were extra water activities if you wanted (I passed — too full after lunch), but mostly we just drifted between sun and shade, talking or not talking at all. I remember lying back with my eyes closed listening to waves and distant laughter, thinking how easy it is to forget time here. On the ride back to Cartagena everyone was quiet in that good-tired way; sand everywhere, hair salty, skin warm. Still can’t get that coconut rice out of my head.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Relax at Playa Blanca Beach Club

• Enjoy comfortable beds by the beach
• Receive welcome cocktail and use lockers
• Have typical Cartagena lunch by the sea
• Access bathrooms and showers

Top questions

How long is the Playa Blanca day trip from Cartagena?

The tour lasts around 7 hours including transport time.

Is lunch included on this Playa Blanca tour?

Yes, a typical Cartagena lunch is included by the sea.

Are there lockers available at Playa Blanca beach club?

Yes, lockers are provided so you can store your belongings safely.

Does this day trip include travel insurance?

Travel insurance assistance is included for all travelers.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this experience.

What should I bring for the Playa Blanca day trip?

You should bring swimwear, sunscreen, ID/passport info for insurance registration, and personal items.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are extra water activities available at Playa Blanca?

Yes, extra water activities are offered but not included in the base price.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip transport from Cartagena to Barú Island’s Playa Blanca with a friendly local guide welcoming you on arrival. You’ll have access to comfortable beds right by the sea plus lockers for your things. A typical Cartagena lunch is served seaside—think fresh fish or chicken with coconut rice—and travel insurance assistance is covered throughout your experience before heading back in the afternoon.