Atolon Beach Club Review: Tierra Bomba Island Getaway

Okay, so you’re thinking about escaping the hustle of Cartagena for a day, and Tierra Bomba Island is on your radar, is that right? That, and Atolon Beach Club is popping up everywhere, right? So, yeah, you wanna know if it really lives up to all the hype, that’s fair. I recently spent a day there, kicking back, soaking up the sun, and, well, putting it through its paces. So, I am ready to give you my honest take, with all the good stuff and, let’s just say, things you might wanna consider.

Getting to Tierra Bomba and Atolon Beach Club

Alright, the first step is getting to Tierra Bomba, naturally, which is an island sitting just a short hop from Cartagena. So, boats are pretty much the only way to go, and most of ’em depart from Bocagrande beach or near the hospital. It is almost worth arriving a bit early. This way, that gives you the chance to compare prices with the different boat operators, and, you know, haggle a little for the best deal.

That, and depending on your negotiating skills, the boat trip, generally, will probably set you back somewhere in the neighborhood of 20,000 to 30,000 pesos each way. I suggest confirming this amount and negotiating before settling in on the boat! One tip that’s good to know is, those boats usually leave once they’re full, so, it might be an idea to get there earlier rather than later in the day, especially if you are not so keen on waiting around. Once you are finally sailing, the trip to Tierra Bomba usually is not very long, very likely just about 10 to 15 minutes.

Once you get there, the boat is sure to drop you off right on the beach in front of Atolon. Just remember, you might have to wade through shallow water to get onto the sand, very likely. So, just a heads up, that is worth it to be aware of. This means that wearing suitable footwear is actually something that can be valuable!

First Impressions: The Vibe at Atolon

So, my initial impression? That Atolon really does nail the whole beach club atmosphere, very much so. I was saying the music is playing at just the level it has to be so you get this ambient, lively, sound, yet, it is not overly loud, which, of course, is great, you know? You will not be shouting over the speakers just to have a talk with your travel companions! As a matter of fact, it is hard not to appreciate it!

As well, you might agree that the setup is also aesthetically very pleasing. I saw these comfortable sun loungers scattered all over the area, and plenty of shady spots to escape the midday sun, should you want to. Arguably, everything looks clean and well maintained, so, you sort of get that feeling that they care about the whole guest experience.

That is worth mentioning too, but, if you were looking for something quieter, you may want to check the left side of the compound. Arguably, this space looks ideal for folks seeking a little bit of rest and serenity in a calm ambience.

Food and Drinks: What to Expect

Basically, when you go to a beach club, right, one of the first things on your mind is, likely as not, “How’s the food gonna be?” At Atolon, I am saying that the menu offers a mix of both Colombian and international dishes. That is why, there ought to be something there to please almost every palate.

For my meal, I opted for a seafood dish. It had fresh fish grilled, and, too it’s almost fair to say, it tasted absolutely fantastic, that’s not to mention, reasonably priced. They even do great cocktails and, as I was saying, these prove perfect to sip on while chilling on the beach. However, those are perhaps, predictably, a tad expensive compared to other places around Cartagena, arguably, very likely given you are on a kind of, more or less, exclusive island beach.

If you want, my advice could be to check out prices before ordering lots of drinks, so that there are no bad surprises. Besides, remember that there’s a compulsory consumption rate of 80.000 COP. That means you must spend at least this amount, or pay it anyway if you do not. Worth it to bear this in mind.

Activities and Amenities

Well, apart from chilling on the beach – which, you know, I consider as a pretty legit activity in itself – Atolon also provides you with a range of options for keeping yourself entertained. Actually, I ended up seeing people enjoying swimming in the ocean, of course.

Additionally, if you are feeling a bit adventurous, it might be an option to rent jet skis or kayaks, arguably, like your other beachside resorts. Of course, there are also volleyball nets available for those keen on a bit of sport. I ended up feeling a little bit too lazy for it, to be honest.

Now, about the amenities, you will want to hear that Atolon provides showers and changing rooms. Still, based on my experience, it felt they are regularly in need of a clean from the sand, really. That said, you also get beachside service, alright, with staff very willing to assist you with any requests. Which makes a good bonus, arguably.

Potential Downsides: Things to Consider

Okay, so, no place is totally flawless, that is just a fact, right? When it comes to Atolon, there are certainly just a few things you may want to keep at the front of your head. Now, one very popular topic can be about the vendors, you know. Those vendors selling everything from sunglasses to massages do tend to visit frequently. While that is not normally a problem for many, arguably, some people might find that a little distracting from relaxing, to be honest, so bear this in mind if you think that you could be among them!

Too it’s almost right to say, Tierra Bomba, in the area around the beach club, tends to get somewhat overcrowded, really. I suggest that it can be really busy, most likely especially on weekends or holidays. So, the result is that If you are looking for complete solitude, maybe, like your, this is perhaps not very likely to be your dream spot, to be fair.

I would suggest that this area can get rather dirty and so, potentially a little unpleasant. Depending on the day you are there of course. Also, if you stay longer than a day, it may be worth packing things like water shoes since it gets pretty rocky when you go into the ocean.

Final Verdict

Alright, overall, my experience at Atolon Beach Club turned out fairly positive, to be sure. Very. You know, they do provide a great setting for chilling out, they certainly make a pretty good beach vibe, that you probably have already picked up by this stage in the game. All of that with just the right balance of comfort, scenery and entertainment.

But as with almost any travel experience, your own can still hinge on personal preferences. Which basically boils down to what suits you, the individual!