11 Best Beach Resorts In Cartagena Colombia

On the northern coast of Colombia, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the gorgeous city of Cartagena, officially Cartagena de Indias, is a blend of history, culture, and coastal beauty. It’s transformed from an indigenous fishing village into Colombia’s crown coastal jewel. That’s why we found a plethora of options for beach resorts in Cartagena, Colombia. Not only are these beach resorts sprinkled all the way up and down the coast, but they’re also a delightful blend of chain names, big brands, lovely indie and boutique stays, and even guesthouses and hostels. Adding to the atmosphere are the palm trees swaying in the salty sea breeze, with the enchanting, sun-kissed horizon meeting the shimmering Caribbean Sea in the background.

What makes choosing beach resorts in this city a challenge is the fact that while there are urban beach stays in the city, Cartagena’s best beaches, and by extension, its best beach stays, lie in destinations located an hour-long boat ride away. These include the isolated Rosario Islands, Playa Blanca in Barú, the island of Cholón, Punta Arena, and more. So, we’d recommend splitting your stay between Cartagena’s urban and nearby beach resorts, allowing you to experience the best of both worlds. To that end, here are the best beachside stays in Cartagena, Colombia.

Also read: Explore the best day trips from Cartagena.

Casa en el Agua

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We begin with a rather unique beach-based, or rather, water-based stay in Cartagena: Casa en el Agua, a.k.a. the “House on Water.” This is a floating backpacker hostel and party house smack dab in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. A two-hour boat ride from the port of Cartagena brought us to the crystal-clear waters of the San Bernardo Islands, which are home to one of the world’s wildest hostels.

Not only is everything paid in cash, but there’s no Wi-fi, and water and electricity are also limited here (the house runs on solar energy) — but this hostel is the ultimate in staying experiences. The idea is that jumping into the sea, drinking tropical cocktails at the bar, unwinding on hammocks, reading books with superb views, and mingling with fellow travelers are the best cures for any overworked person. The ground floor, which is surrounded by water, has all the common spaces: the sunbathing platforms, the pool bar, sunbathing platforms, and the dining space, where three meals/day are included in the prices. What’s more, we had the choice of all kinds of watersports, such as subwinging, kayaking, paddle-surfing, snorkeling, and even bioluminescent plankton tours at night.

Finally, the second floor is the sleeping quarters, where sleeping in a hammock is the cheapest way to sleep! Alternatively, there are also dorms and private rooms, with the most exclusive being the double bedroom, which has two double beds and two hammocks!

Dreams Karibana Cartagena Golf & Spa Resort

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Dreams Karibana Cartagena Golf & Spa Resort is Cartagena’s only golf resort! Located just a bit past the Estelar Manzanillo, this resort is perfect if you want to combine your two great loves — golf and the beach. This Dreams resort offers a fabulous all-inclusive experience at a lovely, almost-private beach, but is also close to Cartagena proper.

The rooms and suites here were lovely, with each one of them offering a private terrace or a balcony with stunning views of the ocean, the pools, or the surrounding tropical landscape. What’s more, they were all luxuriously equipped with all mod-cons, including flat-screen TVs, luxurious bathrooms, and more.

We’d love sampling Caribbean cuisine down at the five restaurants and four themed bars and lounges. A relaxing spa and an endless variety of activities round up the facilities of this place.

Estelar Playa Manzanillo

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Set on leafy grounds, the premium Estelar Playa Manzanillo sits just north of Cartagena proper, complete with a private stretch of sandy beach right out front. The beach might not be as beautiful as other Rosario Island beaches, but the fact that it’s as good as private, along with the fact that this resort overflows with amenities, makes this resort extremely popular.

We had the choice of many rooms and suites, which were simple but extremely comfortable and stocked with all mod-cons we needed. These included minifridges, flat-screen TVs, and even balconies with lovely garden or ocean views. If you’re looking for something special, go for the upgraded, premium rooms, which add not only living and dining areas but also terraces with sea views.

The resort is exciting outside the digs as well. For instance, it not only has four restaurants but also three bars, which serve both local and international fare. Our favorite spots on the property were, undoubtedly, the two outdoor swimming pools, besides the private beach with sunloungers, of course. Amenities such as tennis courts, a fitness center, and a spa wrap up the place.

Palmarito Beach Hotel

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We have yet another favorite spot on the island of Tierra Bomba, which is the Palmarito Beach Hotel. It’s easily one of the best value beach stays on the island, which is a mere 20-minute boat ride from Cartagena proper. What we loved about the beach here is that it’s set apart, so even though it wasn’t private, it felt semi-private, which was much more than most of the other beaches around. What’s more, there was even a jetty out front, which meant that the waters were calm and nice. It also added a lovely touch to the gorgeous views of Bocagrande that we got across the bay.

What was great was that the beach was not only swimmable, but it also had a good many beach chairs and beds. Back at the property, there was a small ocean-facing pool, which was where we’d be when we weren’t at the beach. If that wasn’t enough, a little soccer field, as well as a restaurant and a bar. So, we didn’t even have to step out of the resort for snacks, drinks, or meals. In fact, the bar here made some of the best coco locos and piña coladas anywhere in all of Cartagena.

Even though the rooms weren’t particularly fancy, they were immaculate and well-designed, and had all the comforts we needed for a wonderful stay, including air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and TVs.

Blue Apple Beach Club

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We think that the stunning Blue Apple Beach Club is one of the most unique beach hotels and clubs we’ve ever seen. This cozy gem was perfect for our romantic getaway, as it was lively by day and transformed into a serene spot at night. It sits on the island of Tierra Bomba, which was a mere 20-minute boat ride from Cartagena.

This boutique hotel drew inspiration from the south of France’s beach clubs: it’s all about sunbirds framing a turquoise-styled pool, dj spinning Latino-Afro beats at the chic open-air bar and restaurant, and rosé flowing freely during the day. So, we’d either be at the pool or at the beach, where the crystal clear waters were extremely swimmable. The property, a large palapa shaded yoga deck, also doubled as an outdoor cinema at night. Not only did the hotel have its own PADI-certified scuba center, but it also provided stand-up paddleboarding equipment down at the beach.

After the pool party quiets down after dark, the resort feels like a tranquil retreat. Choose from just 11 rooms and suites, all of which are spacious and decked out in vibrant colors of the ocean. What’s more, they also have stone-lined bathrooms with walk-in showers, artisan-crafted wood furnishings, and private terraces, many of them with plunge pools and hammocks. If you’re looking for luxury, the cabaña-style bungalows even have king-sized day beds, outdoor showers, and ocean views.

Hotel Isla del Encanto

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Also located on the isolated end of Barú, Hotel Isla del Encanto is another great option for a luxury Cartagena resort on the beach. It boasts a splendid beachfront location on the Rosario Islands and is an hour-long boat ride from Cartagena.

We loved the positioning of the rooms and suites at this Cartagena resort, which were in the form of a row of townhouse bungalows, with a room at the top and one on the ground floor. What’s more, the rooms were all lovely, complete with air-conditioning, flatscreen TVs, modern bathrooms, and balconies and terraces with alfresco seating.

However, the resort was even lovelier in the common spaces. We loved hanging around the two great pools, one of which was exclusive to overnight guests like us. What’s more, there was even a kids’ section at the pool as well as a small playground, making this resort great for families like ours. When we weren’t at the pool, we’d all be at the wonderfully large beach area, which had tons of shade and lounge chairs to relax after a swim in the sea. If that wasn’t enough, they even offered activities such as visiting the oceanarium and boat rides to the islands for snorkelling. Since this was an all-inclusive resort, our food was all included, and the drinks were reasonably priced. A fitness centre and spa rounded up the facilities of this place.

Hotel Las Islas

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We were looking for a secluded, romantic beachy paradise in Cartagena, and the Hotel Las Islas fit the bill perfectly. Tucked within the lush and verdant Corales del Rosario National Park, this remote, upscale island resort sits on a private stretch of beach along the Caribbean Sea and could be accessed only via boat or helicopter! Did you know it’s also one of the best gay-friendly Cartagena hotels? Yes!

Staying in barefoot paradise but in luxury didn’t get any better than at Las Islas. The rooms and suites were either set amidst lush trees or right along the beach in the form of the chic, thatched-roof bungalows. What’s more, they all offered all modern conveniences in the form of plush beds, furnished decks, flat screen TVs, free Wi-fi, and upscale bathrooms. If that wasn’t enough, all of them either had whirlpool tubs or private pools! While upgraded bungalows even added separate living areas, the pinnacle was the four-bedroom villa, which even had a kitchenette. If you fancy waking up in a tree-top bungalow, then this is the place to do it.

Our days started with a sumptuous breakfast buffet, which was a complimentary perk. When we weren’t at the private beach area, which had a lovely sandy beach, we’d be at the lovely outdoor pool, which also overlooked the beach. A cafe, two bars, two restaurants, a yoga area, a 24-hour fitness center, loner bikes, and boat shuttles round up the amenities of this place. Did we mention that they even have activities such as unwinding with yoga in nature and kayaking in the Caribbean? Yes!

Hotel Las Américas Casa de Playa

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Best all-inclusive beach resort. No list of Cartagena’s beach stays is complete without mentioning Hotel Las Américas Casa de Playa. Not only is it an extremely family-friendly resort, especially with the La Boquilla Beach and beautiful pool complex, but it’s also easily accessible from both the airport and the Cartagena walled city. So, it’s not isolated like other beach resorts in the city.

One of the best-known all-inclusive beach resorts in the city, this resort sits on a sprawling complex with lush gardens, multiple pools, and several restaurants and bars. Not only did we have direct access to the beach, but we also had access to as many as four outdoor swimming pools. This included two pools with children’s areas, as well as an adults-only infinity pool. Additionally, there was also a kids’ play area, mini-golf, a fitness center, tennis courts, five bars and four restaurants, and even a spa. Our days began with sumptuous breakfasts, and there was even free parking available on the property.

We had the choice of a slew of relaxed rooms, some of which even came with sea views, including ours. However, they all were spacious with terraces or balconies, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. While bi-level rooms even had living areas, suites added separate living areas and even whirlpool tubs. No wonder it’s one of Cartagena’s best hotels.

Hotel Islabela Islas Del Rosario

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Best budget beachfront stay. Hotel Islabela Islas Del Rosario is an absolute gem for budget-savvy travelers in Cartagena. Located just past Isla Grande, on Isleta, this hotel has one of the Rosario Islands’ best hotel beach areas. We had the choice of simple but immaculate and well-designed rooms, all of which had sloping roofs, parquet floors, and private bathrooms with complimentary bath products. What’s more, they came with a ton of additional amenities, including outdoor furniture, terraces and balconies, and even relaxing touches such as bathrobes.

Even though this was a budget beachfront stay, the place was stunning and brimming with amenities we loved. Besides the gorgeous semi-private beach, the hotel even had a fantastic restaurant that served delicious Caribbean cuisine, as well as a coffee shop and a bar with Caribbean drinks. What’s more, the lush gardens and the sun terrace only added to the beauty of the place. Walking and hiking tours, yoga classes, and free Wi-Fi wrapped up the amenities of this place.

Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand

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Best city beach resort. If you’re looking to stay in the heart of Cartagena de Indias, then there’s no place better than Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand. This classic Cartagena Caribbean beachfront stay happens to be one of Cartagena’s longest-running oceanfront hotels, sitting right across from one of the best stretches of Bocagrande beach. Our beach time was enhanced by the fact that they had a roped-off beach club area on the upper part of the beach. So, we could unwind and enjoy without having to head back to our rooms to use the bathroom every time. This is a luxury not many beachfront hotels in the city have. Choose from a gamut of lovely, modern, and air-conditioned rooms and suites, all of which have garden or ocean views and a slew of mod-cons.

We loved that despite being in the middle of the city, the hotel had a charming pool and garden area. It was the perfect place to unwind after a long day of exploring the city, that is, if we weren’t at the beach club. Our days began with lavish Colombian/continental breakfast buffets, which were served at one of the three restaurants. A poolfront and beachfront bar rounded up the features of this hotel.

Sofitel Barú Cartagena Beach Resort

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Best overall. Sitting at the top of the list is the Sofitel Barú Cartagena Beach Resort, an eco-friendly beach getaway. A blend of calming Caribbean vibes with exquisite French service, this Sofitel outpost is a gorgeous tropical paradise for everyone. We were whisked away on a 40-minute boat ride to this escape on the white sands of the island of Baru, with the gorgeous beach right out front. And since there’s nothing else around the resort, it feels like a private beach escape!

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We had the choice of 187 rooms, including 23 suites, at this hotel. What’s more, each one of these sanctuaries boasted balconies with incredible views of the Caribbean Sea. For the most glorious oceanscapes, go for one of the 23 suites, which sit in towers 4 to 10 on the top floors. And when you’re staying in a suite, don’t forget to order a floating breakfast, which is an incredible feast with fresh fruit, croissants, charcuterie, and mimosas in your private jacuzzi!

Our favorite spots on the property were the four pools, where we’d enjoy swimming and unwinding. Besides the Sofitel spa, the place had seven bars and three restaurants, with French chef Patrice Guaus at the helm. However, what we loved about the hotel was that we could learn about the island’s beauty and culture via the activities offered here. These included scuba diving, guided mountain bike tours, sombrero-making workshops, and the once-in-a-lifetime experience of night sea swimming among glowing plankton. Did we mention that this resort is excellent for families with kids? The complimentary Kid’s Villa was open every day for children aged 3 to 12 years.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all the beach resorts on this list, we loved some Cartagena beach resorts more than others. Here’s a specialized list.

• Best overall: Sofitel Barú Cartagena Beach Resort
• Best city beach resort: Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand
• Best budget beachfront stay: Hotel Islabela Islas Del Rosario
• Best all-inclusive beach resort: Hotel Las Américas Casa de Playa

Where to Stay in Cartagena on the beach?

While there are beaches in Cartagena proper, some people say that the best beaches are on the islands around the city. Firstly, there are the coral-riddled Rosario Islands, which have crystal clear, gorgeous waters off rocky beaches and lie around 45 minutes off Cartagena’s coast. In fact, they’re one of the top things to see in Cartagena. Secondly, there’s Barú, which has many nice beaches around the town named Barú on the southwestern end. While Playa Blanca is possibly its most famous beach, it’s also the most crowded. For those looking for boat dance parties and booze cruises, the tiny beach of Cholón, on an island near Barú’s tip, is perfect. After all, it’s a shallow, central area covered by thatch-roofed huts. Directly across the bay sits Punta Arena, which is home to the most popular beach hotels and clubs, like our personal favorite, the Palmarito Beach. The best bit? It’s not as far away as Barú or the Rosarios.

When it comes to Cartagena proper, one of the best beaches is Playa Azul on the northern edge of the city, just past the airport. Also known as Las Americas, this beach is great for families. Secondly, there’s the tiny residential peninsula of Castillogrande, with fancy apartment buildings and condos. So, the beach isn’t very crowded. Next is Bocagrande beach, which stretches all along the main strip of the modern beachfront district of Bocagrande. If you want fewer crowds, go closer to the entrance that lies towards the Walled City. Finally, there’s Laguito Beach, which lies around the end of the main stretch of beach past Hollywood Beach. It might be slightly less fluffier and have darker sand, but it does get fewer crowds than the main Bocagrande beaches and enjoys excellent sunsets.

Does Cartagena have an all-inclusive beach resort?

Yes, Decameron Cartagena is a gorgeous all-inclusive paradise that has the perfect balance of amazing adventures, beach tranquility, and fun in the sun.

Where is the best beach in Cartagena without vendors?

Further north of Cartagena lies the fishing village of Manzanillo del Mar, which has a stunning beach. It has a calm and relaxing atmosphere, waters perfect for swimming, and a beach with a long stretch of dark sand. The best bit? There are no street vendors here, and there’s very little traffic, too.

Can I swim at the beaches in Cartagena?

Yes, the Cartagenian beaches are swimmable, but the experience varies significantly between the island beaches and the city ones. For calmer, scenic, and cleaner waters, head to the Rosario Islands or Playa Blanca on Baru Island.