Rosario Islands beach clubs compared

How do Cartagena's island beach clubs compare?

The Rosario Islands clubs are further out and adults-oriented; the Tierra Bomba clubs are closer, cheaper and take children.

What are the Rosario Islands?

A group of around 27 islands and islets inside the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Park, roughly 35 to 45 km from Cartagena by boat.

The park was created in 1977 and protects 84% of the coral reefs on Colombia's continental shelf. Every visitor pays the park fee (COP 13,500 in 2026) and must carry accident insurance, which is why the Rosario clubs add a cash charge at the pier. Isla Grande, home to Bora Bora, is the largest island and is inhabited, with the village of Orika.

Which is the best Rosario Islands beach club for adults?

Bora Bora: the best-reviewed and liveliest of the bookable Rosario clubs, at 4.1 from 700 reviews.

You get the speedboat, a bed and lunch for about four to five hours on the island, plus a DJ, a bar and a protected swimming area. It is 18+, the shore is coral and pebbles, and you add about COP 40,300 at the pier. Details in Bora Bora prices and the pier charge.

Is there a tour that visits several beach clubs?

Yes: the three-island tour stops for about two hours each at Pao Pao, Isla Bela and Bora Bora.

It suits people who get restless on a sunbed, has a bilingual guide and a cap of 28 travellers, and rates 4.6. Dock taxes and insurance (COP 34,500), towels and VIP access are extra. Pao Pao on its own takes guests from 12 but rates lower; see Bora Bora vs Pao Pao.

Three clubs, one boat: Pao Pao, Isla Bela and Bora Bora with a guide and lunch.

★ 4.6 139 reviews · 6 hours · from $166

Explore the three-island tour →

Which Tierra Bomba beach club is best?

Club Kabanna for a pool club with lunch and a cocktail; Nakawa for the lowest price with drinks included.

Tierra Bomba faces the city, so the boat is short, but the water is less clear than in the Rosario Islands. Kabanna ($75, 4.5 from 142) leaves from behind Hospital Bocagrande and includes a pool, lunch and a welcome cocktail; towels are COP 20,000. Nakawa ($34) meets in El Laguito at 9:30 AM and includes lunch, a welcome cocktail and beds, though it has only 7 reviews so far.

Is there a beach day with history for families?

Yes: the San Fernando day on Tierra Bomba adds a guided visit to the colonial fort at Bocachica, a beach and lunch.

It takes children from 4, rates 4.8 from 220 reviews and meets at Door 1 of La Bodeguita at 8:30 AM. One unhappy guest found the beach and water disappointing, so go for the fort and the easy family day rather than Caribbean postcard water.

What about Playa Blanca, Barú and Cholón?

They are different days: Playa Blanca on Barú is a busy public beach, and Cholón is a party island where boats play loud music.

Playa Blanca is beautiful but crowded, with vendor pressure, and is not a private club. Cholón is about an hour away and has no overnight stays. Further out, the San Bernardo islands such as Tintipán and Múcura are two hours or more from Cartagena. None of these is bookable through this site.

Which beach club should you choose?

Pick by your group, your budget and how far you want to ride.

• Adults, classic club day: Bora Bora.
• Adults who want variety: the three-island tour.
• Teenagers in the group: Pao Pao (12+).
• Young children: San Fernando.
• Short boat, a pool: Club Kabanna.
• Smallest budget: Nakawa.
• One night on the island: the Bora Bora overnight for two.

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