Cartagena Day Trips by Boat and Road

October 20, 2026

Travel advisory: The US State Department lists Colombia at Level 3, “Reconsider Travel” (issued 31 March 2026), and the UK FCDO advises against travel to several border and rural areas, among them the south of Bolívar Department. Neither names the city of Cartagena, but street theft, scopolamine drugging and unlicensed taxis are real risks for visitors. Take app or hotel-booked taxis, keep valuables hidden and refuse drinks from strangers. Read the US State Department and UK FCDO advice first.

Cartagena works well as a base for day trips by boat and by road. Distances and times below are approximate, and peso prices use about 3,200 COP to US$1, so check the day’s rate.

Rosario Islands

Every island departure leaves from the Muelle de la Bodeguita, in front of the walls. The Corpoturismo pier page describes it as the only authorised pier for tourist departures to the islands, and the pier ticket stays valid for 7 days (see Corpoturismo ). Gates open at 7am, departures run roughly 8 to 10am, and the crossing takes 45 minutes to an hour.

Budget for three cash charges on top of the tour price: a pier-use fee (roughly 18,000 to 34,000 COP, so confirm with your operator), park entry of 13,500 COP in the Rosario sector, and compulsory accident insurance, reported at about 8,800 COP, without which you cannot land. In total, plan on roughly 40,000 to 55,000 COP in cash. The port captaincy sets sea flags: green means sailing is allowed, yellow means caution, red means no sailing. Trade winds from December to March can cancel departures. Book with a registered operator from the Corpoturismo list, not a dock tout, and wear your lifejacket.

Playa Blanca and the Barú peninsula

Playa Blanca is on the Barú peninsula, not in the Rosario Islands, and takes about 1 hour by road or by boat. The insurance rule applies here too. Bringing your own food and drinks is restricted, with packaged snacks the exception, and vendors can be pushy, so ask the price before you accept anything. People who flag down cars on the Barú road to offer “guide” services can be ignored.

Aviario Nacional

The bird park is at Km 14.5 on the same road, about 50 minutes out. It opens daily 9am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, and the foreign adult ticket is 90,000 COP. The flight talk runs at 11:30am and 3:30pm. Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours. Check the official site for current tickets.

Totumo mud volcano

The volcano is near Santa Catalina, about 55 km north-east, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours away. Entry is about 20,000 COP with extras for mud massage and photos, and there are no lockers. Go on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds.

San Basilio de Palenque

Palenque lies about 50 km south-east, roughly 1.5 hours by road. It was founded by escaped enslaved Africans, with Benkos Biohó as its founding figure, and is widely described as the first free African town in the Americas. UNESCO proclaimed its cultural space in 2005 and inscribed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008. Palenquero, the local creole, is spoken by a community of about 3,500 people (see UNESCO ). Community tourism is run by local associations such as Benkos Tour, starting at the Biohó monument, and reseller trips are listed at about US$100 to 110 with transport. Treat the visit as a conversation with a living community, and agree any photo fee first.

Tierra Bomba and the Bocachica forts

The forts of San Fernando and San José on Tierra Bomba are reached by boat, from La Bodeguita or the Pegasus dock. Ask the operator for current entry details.

Not a day trip

Tayrona National Park is 4 to 5 hours beyond Santa Marta and sometimes closes, so it needs a night away. Mompox is 6 to 6.5 hours by road.

Browse departures on GetYourGuide if you prefer to book in advance.