Playa Blanca is the long white beach on the Barú peninsula, south of Cartagena. This guide is for you if you want a day there and are deciding how to go, which day of the week, what to carry, and how to handle the sunbeds, the sellers and the boats once you arrive.
Pick the day before the month
At Playa Blanca, the day of the week matters as much as the season. The beach fills up from late morning, when the boats from Cartagena arrive, and weekdays are quieter than weekends. Over-crowding is a long-standing problem here. In 2016 the city put the beach's capacity at a little over 3,000 bathers a day and said high-season numbers went beyond 10,000.
The busy seasons are the same as in the city: December to March, July and August, and above all Christmas, New Year and Holy Week. In past Holy Weeks, traffic police have controlled entry and parking, with checkpoints at the foot of the Barú bridge and at the beach entrance, and entry can be suspended when the queue grows too long. If your dates are flexible, avoid the holiday weeks and go midweek.
As for weather, December to April is the dry season. From May to November rain is more likely, with September and October usually the wettest months. Check the forecast the night before.
By road or by boat
There are two ways to reach Playa Blanca from Cartagena. Many visitors arrive by boat, on the morning departures. We go by road, about an hour each way, which is why you can be on the sand at about 08:15, before the boats arrive.
The trade-off is simple. By boat you leave and come back on the boat's timetable, and you arrive with everyone else. By road you choose when to leave and the car waits for you. The day runs from 07:00 to about 15:00, with lunch on the beach around 12:30 and the drive back at 14:00. If you want to stay longer, tell us when you book and we will price the extra hours.
Access to the beach itself is free. The mayor of Cartagena has said plainly that no one may charge you simply for entering Playa Blanca. What you pay for is what you use: a sunbed, shade, a hammock, lunch, a boat.
Sunbeds, sellers and boats
None of these is included in the tour, and all of them are paid on the beach, in cash. A few habits make the day smoother:
- Agree every price before you sit down or eat. Sunbeds, hammocks, shade and lunch are all offered on the spot. Settle what you are paying for, and for how long, first.
- Carry small notes. It makes paying for small things simpler.
- Say no politely. If someone offers something you do not want, one clear "no, gracias" is enough.
- Snorkelling is by local boat. Boats offer short trips to the nearby reefs. Agree the price, and what it covers, before you board.
Playa Blanca lies in the area of influence of the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo national park, which protects the reefs and islands offshore. The park can only be reached by sea, and visitors pay its own entry charge. Inside it, snorkelling and diving are meant to be guided by local guides. If a boat trip goes into the park, ask whether that charge is in the price.
What to bring
- Swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes for the ride home.
- Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses. The sand is white and the light is strong.
- Plenty of water, in a reusable bottle if you have one. The national park asks visitors to cut down on plastic.
- Cash in small notes for sunbeds, hammocks, lunch and any boat trip.
- A dry bag or zip bag for your phone if you go out on a boat.
The sea on this side of Barú is usually calm, but not always. Follow the flags and the lifeguards, and keep children in sight.
Who it suits, and who should think twice
It suits families and groups who want a quiet morning swim and lunch with their feet in the sand, without the boat crowds. Because the car is private, you can leave early if the sun gets too much or the beach fills up.
- You want a perfectly empty beach. Early morning is quiet, but by lunch Playa Blanca is lively. If that worries you, go on a weekday.
- You are in Cartagena for one day only. The city itself may be the better choice. Cartagena in a day covers the forts and old town, and Bocagrande has a beach in the city if you want a swim at the end.
- You want the islands. The Rosario Islands are reached by boat, not by road. This tour stays on Barú.
Questions people ask
Is shade included?
No. You hire shade on the beach, as you do the sunbeds. Agree the price first.
Can we leave earlier than planned?
Yes. The car is yours for the day, so tell your driver when you have had enough sun.
Can we cancel?
Yes, up to 24 hours before pick-up, with a full refund. See our cancellation page.
Booking the beach day
Pick a weekday outside the holiday weeks, bring cash in small notes, and agree prices before you settle. Our guide to day trips from Cartagena shows how this day fits with the city tours. To choose your group size and book, go to the Playa Blanca private day trip page.
