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Cartagena Nature & adventure

Our most recommended Cartagena Nature & adventure

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

1. Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

Experience clear blue waters, white sand, and awesome corals on a day tour to the Corales del Rosario National Park. Discover the group of islands on the coast of Colombia, a perfect natural environment to have fun and relax. Start the day from the meeting point and after a speedboat ride, explore the fortress on Bocachica island. Continue to a relaxing private island where beach chairs and umbrellas await you. Spend time in the sun and have a seafood cocktail or lemonade in one of the most beautiful places you will visit. Afterward, continue to Cholon to enjoy a mini party in the water with music, drinks, and people from other boats. Finally, stop at Playa Blanca in Barú Island, where there will be a more private space waiting for you away from the main concentration of boats and vendors. Here, eat a typical island lunch and spend the rest of the day on the beach, relaxing and swimming, before returning to Cartagena.

Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Experience

2. Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Experience

Discover the natural landscapes of Colombia on this guided excursion. Visit Santa Catalina, and bathe yourself in the purifying mud of the volcano. As the minivan leaves town, hear some curious facts about Cartagena's history and some tips to ensure a better experience at the mud volcano. The trip to Santa Catalina, another beautiful Colombian city and the location of the volcano, lasts around 45 minutes. Upon arrival at the volcanic zone, be greeted by the owner of a small nearby restaurant. Then, prepare for a unique experience as you climb the 50 steps that surround the volcano; remember to wear old clothing as the mud can be rough on delicate materials. Immerse yourself in the volcanic mud, reaping the health benefits for your skin from the millions of minerals. Some people say afterward, you'll appear 10 years younger. Inside the volcano, you can float thanks to the high number of minerals present. There will be some locals around offering massages for an extra price of 2 USD. Outside of the volcano, pay to get your photo taken for another 2 USD. When the soaking is over, head to the lake for a shower.  Before continuing back to the city, enjoy a typical snack in a rustic restaurant. Get dropped off at your hotel.

From Cartagena: Day Trip to Playa Blanca with Lunch

3. From Cartagena: Day Trip to Playa Blanca with Lunch

Enjoy a paradisiacal day relaxing on the white sand beach of Baru Island's aptly-named Playa Blanca. After getting picked up from the los Pegasos dock, take a 1-hour journey in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan to Baru. Begin the day with pickup at the meeting point at 6:40 am. Be accompanied by a bilingual who will provide you with a fruit salad for you to snack on along the way. Ride in a climate-controlled vehicle and arrive on Baru Island at around 8:00 AM. Take a 5 minute walk along the shore of the beach until we get to the Mambo Beach Club restaurant which is located in front of the beach. Upon arrival be welcomed by the Mambo team. Be provided with beach chairs, huts, bathrooms and lockers (subject to availability). In the afternoon, savor a delicious lunch with several options including vegetarian and meat dishes. If none of the options take your fancy feel free to order anything else on the menu and only pay the difference. Head back to the beach after lunch to relax for another few hours before beginning the journey back to Cartagena in the evening.

Cartagena: 5 Islands Tour with Snorkeling and Plankton

4. Cartagena: 5 Islands Tour with Snorkeling and Plankton

Explore one of the Caribbean's top destinations, full of wonderful beaches, snorkelling opportunities and history, in Cartagena's surrounding islands. Get deeply acquainted with the former colonial port turned touristic hub with an extensive tour of its most iconic locations. Begin early in the morning, at 7:30 am, leaving from the hotel area in Bocagrande or Laguito, as well as the northern part of Cartagena. Rendezvous with your guide for the tour at the Pegasus Pier, where a sport boat will be waiting to take you sailing across the entire Bay of Cartagena. You will sail around the island of Bocachica, a stunning sight and where the city's first fortification was built. Stop at Isla Grande, famous for the mansion Pablo Escobar built, as well as the wreckage of one of his private planes. Following this landmark, the snorkelling begins in the natural pool of San Martín de Pajarales. Relax afterwards at the Cholón Island with a typical Caribbean lunch, as well as music coming from boats and yachts. Once rested, you'll head to Agua Azul Island, where crystal clear water greets you to enjoy of an unforgettable landscape. Just as the night begins to roll in, you'll head to a beach to witness the light show put on by the plankton. Marvel at their bioluminescent effect before heading back to the bus shuttles that will drive you back to your lodging.

Cartagena: Snorkel, Mangroves and Playa Blanca Tour

5. Cartagena: Snorkel, Mangroves and Playa Blanca Tour

Get picked up from your accommodation at 7:30 AM in an air-conditioned bus. Meet your guide who will provide all the details about your upcoming adventure and the route. At 9 AM, arrive at the island of Baru and board a boat. Cruise for 15 minutes through the crystal clear waters until you arrive at the snorkeling site. After 1 hour of enjoyable snorkeling, continue the tour into the mangroves to see birds, iguanas, and other species. Discover the fascinating landscapes of the island and the life of the native species who inhabit this magical ecosystem. At 1 PM, head back to Playa Blanca to enjoy a delicious lunch with options of fish, chicken, or vegetarian. Once you've eaten, spend some time swimming in the clear waters or relaxing on the beautiful white sand beach. At 3:30 PM, board the return bus which will drop you off back at your hotel.

From Cartagena: Mangroves Trip With Lunch

6. From Cartagena: Mangroves Trip With Lunch

Journey from Cartagena to the nearby fishing village of La Boquilla. Experience the atmosphere of a place that has retained its Afro-Caribbean heritage from the days when the area was once a haven for freed slaves. Meet locals who are proud of their African ancestry and children feel the rhythm of the percussion in each movement. Boat through the mangrove forest and keep your eyes peeled for the amazing animals native to the region. Take in the unique surroundings of the swamp as you pass through bright tunnels formed by dense foliage overhead. See the fishermen pulling in their nets. When you return from your mangrove adventure, dig in to a delicious lunch of typical Afro-Caribbean cuisine. Enjoy the flavors of coconut and other local seasonings common to Caribbean gastronomy mixed with fresh, locally-caught seafood. Take a short walk on the beach to digest your lunch before heading back to Cartagena. 

Cartagena: Beach Horse Ride and Colombian Horse Culture

7. Cartagena: Beach Horse Ride and Colombian Horse Culture

Ride a horse along a scenic beach in Cartagena with a bilingual, English and Spanish-speaking guide. Find out about the local Colombian Paso Fino horse breed, and enjoy a small-group experience for no more than 6 people. Begin your activity with hotel pickup in Cartagena and get transferred comfortably to the ranch. Upon arrival, listen to an in-depth explanation about the Colombian Paso Fino, see how well the horses are cared for, and watch a demonstration of what they can do. From there, you'll be taken to the beach and paired with the perfect horse for your experience level, whether you've never ridden before or are an expert rider. Set off on your ride along the beach, and feel the smoothness of your horse's gait — paso fino means fine step. Disconnect from everything and tune in to the sound of the waves. Enjoy the sea breeze on your face, and have your photos taken by your guide so you can just focus on having an amazing time. After a couple of hours, you'll be taken to a beachfront restaurant where you can enjoy the ocean and sun while lunch is served before you are taken back to your hotel.

Cartagena: Bioluminescent Plankton Tour

8. Cartagena: Bioluminescent Plankton Tour

Admire an extraordinary natural phenomenon which only occurs in a few parts of the world– the bioluminescent plankton. Begin your tour during the afternoon, as the sun begins to set. Gain an understanding of these unique creatures from your knowledgable guide. Hop aboard your boat and sail for 10 minutes to the cove of Puerto Naito. Dive into sea and swim in the warm water which is full of bioluminescent plankton. With every movement you make, the plankton will generate light, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Choose to meet at the meeting point or choose the option including roundtrip transportation. If you choose the option with transportation, you’ll also have some free time to explore Playa Blanca.

Cartagena: Speedboat Trip to Rosario Islands with Snorkeling

9. Cartagena: Speedboat Trip to Rosario Islands with Snorkeling

Experience clear blue waters, white sand, and awesome corals on a day tour to the Corales del Rosario National Park. Discover the group of islands on the coast of Colombia, a perfect natural environment to have fun and relax. Start the day from the meeting point and after a speedboat ride, explore the fortress on Bocachica island. Continue to a relaxing private island where beach chairs and umbrellas await you. Spend time in the sun and have a seafood cocktail or lemonade in one of the most beautiful places you will visit. Afterward, continue to Cholon to enjoy a mini party in the water with music, drinks, and people from other boats. Finally, stop at Playa Blanca on Baru Island, where a more private space away from the main concentration of boats and vendors awaits you. Here, eat a typical island lunch and spend the rest of the day on the beach, relaxing and swimming, before going on the plankton activity, you will be given an induction on this activity including your snack. Your return by bus

Cartagena: Rosario Island and Mangroves Private Day Trip

10. Cartagena: Rosario Island and Mangroves Private Day Trip

Embark on a customized day trip from Cartagena and enjoy a trip to some of Colombia's famous sites and beautiful islands along the way. Leave Cartagena and travel to Baru Village and the Rosario Islands, and enjoy boating through the beautiful mangrove forests while trying to spot local wildlife. Enjoy the freedom of a customizable private tour and choose the stops you'd like to visit on the tour for a personalized experience catered to your group. Be picked up from your accommodation and travel by land to Baru Village, about an hour and fifteen minutes outside of the historic center of Cartagena. Start the tour with a visit to the Baru Village and enjoy a tasty traditional breakfast in the village, and visit Villa Bonga before leaving for the mangrove forest and Rosario Islands on the boat. Take the time to stop for a snorkeling activity in a coral reef environment. Stop at a local beach and have a welcome drink while resting on the beach. Enjoy a local lunch from 1-2 pm at a house in Baru before continuing the trip with a walking tour of the village and a visit to some of the village's handcrafters. Return to your hotel following the end of the tour at 3 pm.

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What people are saying about Cartagena

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 58 reviews

The execution of the tour was by the company BackPackers. The guides seemed a little lost in organizing the exit at the meeting point. Very good boat and guide (Christopher) very friendly, always attentive. They reversed the tour claiming that Baru was too crowded. Stop at Cocotea for a drink was quick. Basic snorkeling, not much to see. Cholon was pretty crowded. Lunch in Baru was nice. It's worth noting that it's not quite "lunch included". Each person has a credit of 25K pesos, the rest is up to you (25K pesos pays for a hotdog).

We had an amazing time with Maria and everyone who helped out on our ride. Whatever your experience level, I can guarantee you'll enjoy yourself. Maria was our guide for the day and is very passionate about the paso fino breed. We're so grateful for everyone's enthusiasm and kindness and hope to return the next time we are in Cartagena!

We had a great time Our tour guide Andres was an excellent guide guy He even took some Pics of us and Gave or to us Without any charge ,all The guys that help Him the set Up were great!!! I am glad that we decided to see the the sunset in a different way!!!!!!!!

The mud was just the right temperature and had a lovely texture. The actual mud bath area is about the size of a large hot tub. It was a great experience. Note that everyone involved in the process will swarm for tips at the end, so have a lot of small currency.

Amazing teachers, they were super patient with us and we got beautiful pictures.