Cartagena Baru Boat Tour: Honest Review & Rosario Islands Guide

So, you’re looking at possibly doing a boat tour from Cartagena to Baru and the Rosario Islands, right? That’s a super popular thing to do if you find yourself visiting Cartagena, Colombia. With stunning turquoise waters and sandy beaches, the Rosario Islands can appear just like a slice of heaven. But, before you book that boat trip, maybe let’s have a chat about just what you are getting yourself into. This review will hopefully offer some insight based on a pretty candid experience. We will chat about the highs, the lows, plus some super helpful tips to assist you in making the ideal call if this type of adventure aligns with you, or like your travel dreams.

The Allure of the Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands… I mean, just the name gives off vibes of relaxation and total beauty, correct? These islands, also identified as Corales Islas del Rosario National Park, they’re a group of nearly 30 islands that you can locate off the coast from Cartagena. This is to say, these islands are super popular because of their super clear waters, unbelievable coral reefs, plus the beaches, perfect for any postcard. Seriously, loads of travelers actually dream about spending their days here swimming, snorkeling, or, at the end of the day, like, simply relaxing in the sun.

That being said, what you may or may not see in those super beautiful promotional photos is the true day-tripper chaos that it really sometimes is, and at the same time, the crowds. Yep, that remote, peaceful escape? Not always the vibe. Any time when there’s that level of recognition, what comes with is vendors, visitors, and a totally altered experience versus that peaceful scene you painted in your brain. You want to manage the expectations a bit, that’s what I am saying.

The Cartagena to Baru Boat Tour Experience

The usual boat tour to Baru and the Rosario Islands usually runs a super standard itinerary, basically, too it’s nearly the same no matter what firm you go with. A morning pick-up comes first, from your lodging, then next, is that shuttle to the boat. Aboard we go, we boat towards the islands, basically taking in the sea air and getting glimpses from afar of these tropical paradises. You usually find one or more stops that incorporate some snorkeling, lunch at a beach club, and sometimes even a visit to Playa Blanca in Baru.

Playa Blanca, in case you were wondering, it’s that postcard beach I am speaking of, what everyone raves about. Anyhow, while that sand certainly looks terrific, there’s frequently going to be sizable crowds of folks doing exactly what you are: soaking up that sunlight. What you will very easily find, if you weren’t ready, is a totally aggressive onslaught of beach vendors, trying very persistently to sell their wares. So you know, it really could become both tiresome and overwhelming.

Snorkeling and Water Activities: What to Anticipate

Okay, what about the snorkeling side of things? What can we expect? So usually the boat tour promises snorkeling in clear waters that are packed with sea life. Yet, just how good is it? The clarity of the water, I have noticed, changes relying on the season and weather situations. There could be days when visibility is, in fact, good for viewing different types of fish and coral. In contrast, sometimes sediment and boat activity tends to cloud it up quite a bit.

Something that you want to watch, that you’re often in a snorkeling location along with tons of other boats, and too it’s almost various other tour groups. So, just like that, the ocean becomes very busy, what sometimes compromises just how serene you would think it would be. It is advisable that if snorkeling is a main element from the day’s plans, ensure your expectations remain pretty realistic.

The Beach Club Experience

Most tours generally include lunch at a beach club located on one of those islands. Think about this, it seems perfect right? Lounging about with a drink in your hand plus the ocean sounds not far away? In reality, based upon which club you stop at, just how good it will be may wildly change.

These clubs, they vary when it comes to facilities, crowds, plus the food quality. It is very likely that you will get to experience a simple buffet with neighborhood options, while at the same time you might discover the meals is kind of average, and the establishment is over run by everyone on earth, creating less of that super idyllic getaway ambiance. Be mindful to get those reviews checked beforehand and find ones with smaller ratings or those noted for maintaining a more peaceful atmosphere.

Dealing with Crowds and Vendors

Let us chat about what numerous travelers discover to become one of the biggest negatives from this tour. That would be, naturally, managing crowds and the constant stream of sellers. Truthfully, from the instant you put foot on Baru’s Playa Blanca, someone may be giving you massage services, offering you trinkets, otherwise wanting you to get sunglasses.

Even when you nicely say no a lot of times, those people will really continue to approach anyone. Any person sensitive about getting approached quite constantly may struggle with it significantly on trips such as this. I think, being patient and setting limits clearly can assist but keep at it! I just find it is important that you be ready.

Is a Cartagena Baru Boat Tour Best For You?

Then that biggie, it is really worth every penny, right? The boat trip to Baru with the Rosario Islands can be rather terrific, but so too it will need the correct outlook. For anyone that has an adventurous streak, that are not as phased by tons of people and maybe looking for the most cost effective means of seeing some stunning landscapes, it could basically check every box. At the same time, for anyone hoping for anything quiet, plus a genuinely calm kind of beach setting, this may not align well.

Consider this too it’s almost how you would want to spend the time, or that funds you have. It’s always an option that you spend additional for one small group tour or personal boat to obtain something of a nicer plus much more personal encounter. You can easily also opt to keep at the beach resort found in the Rosario Islands, and that means you have that beach front pretty early morning and without that throng from vacationers around. Yet ,those types of choices would cost more.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Trip

Pick your tour provider cautiously: Shop around and seek tour providers with more favorable reviews along with smaller class sizes.
Prepare for crowds: Mentally ready yourself to discover huge groups of people and beach sellers, especially when visiting Playa Blanca.
Take cash money: Keep little bills at hand for those items you could wish to buy and for tipping purposes.
Protect yourself from sunlight: Put on loads of sunscreen, wear your hat, and bring sunnies to help keep your skin and eye protected.
Stay hydrated: In that heat it is simple to get dehydrated. Bring your own personal water or maybe get drinks often.
Be firm using sellers: Politely although directly decline whatever items you do not have curiosity about acquiring.
Look at the time of year: It could affect water clarity plus the amount of people around.

Other options other than the Standard Boat Tour

And so, this trip just might not be right for you. Understandable. If you really have some time and it falls within your budget, perhaps give consideration to just one or two of those alternatives for a great time there:

Private Boat Tour: Getting a boat just for only you and your people provides an entirely custom itinerary, and so naturally, that usually involves a much more laid-back atmosphere.
Staying overnight inside Rosario Islands: By actually simply keeping somewhere such as a resort throughout the islands, what that does is provide beach front with no crowds pretty early each day plus at nighttime following the trips make their departure.
Go to other beaches close to Cartagena: Check out beaches such as Bocagrande or even Castillogrande when you want some thing even nearer and even more nearby the area. Though not the same beauty of the Rosario Islands, you have much less people plus sellers.

Final Thoughts

To actually have that fantastic trip on a boat coming from Cartagena up to Baru and all those Rosario Islands demands handling the anticipation in addition to organizing properly. Yeah sure the islands provide appealing organic charm, what is a must to be well prepared for several of those potential downsides and actually approach the excursion by getting ready, in order that your recollections from these particular Colombian shores are certainly terrific.

Traveling to the Rosario islands and Baru, it is very common. This tour has some serious value to many people, just make sure you have your expectations in check! Is it relaxing? No. Is it gorgeous? Parts of it, yes. The boat ride can be quite fun, the music can be loud, and the drinks usually flow, as long as you’re prepared to embrace what the day actually is, you just might have a lot of fun!

Key Takeaways

Rosario Islands offer picturesque views but can be crowded.
The boat tour includes snorkeling, beach clubs, and a visit to Playa Blanca.
Be prepared for persistent vendors and large crowds, especially at Playa Blanca.
Consider private tours or overnight stays for a quieter experience.
Manage your expectations to align with the reality of the tour experience.