Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca
3.5
Monday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tours & experiences
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The area
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Restaurants
3 within 3 miles
Attractions
8 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
4,608 reviews
Excellent
1,306
Very good
1,275
Average
850
Poor
486
Terrible
691
juan V
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Friends
August 30th- The beach and water were really nice but the vendors were extremely annoying. the only way you could avoid them is to go in the water but most of the time they follow you in there too. Behind the beach ( where they cook food) is absolutely disgusting, filled with flies and bugs and poop. The restaurant that we ate at was not too good, food portions were very small and their was very limited menu. There was so many boats in the water and very just a very uncomfortable place to swim. It was not the relaxing day we expected. it was really stressful.
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rsmercader
Chicago, IL63 contributions
Mar 2022
When we arrived, we had a private tent to put our stuff in and a place to go to the bathroom and order drinks (our tour came with lunch). The beach was nice; the water was calm during the morning, and had a lot of activities.
Be aware that the vendors are very aggressive; our tour guide warned us not to touch anything they sold. While there were bathrooms where we were, there was no working plumbing, so we had to flush the toilet with buckets of water.
I would only suggest Playa Blanca if you have limited time during your stay in Cartagena. If you have more time, I recommend visiting one of the beaches on one of the small islands near Cartagena.
Be aware that the vendors are very aggressive; our tour guide warned us not to touch anything they sold. While there were bathrooms where we were, there was no working plumbing, so we had to flush the toilet with buckets of water.
I would only suggest Playa Blanca if you have limited time during your stay in Cartagena. If you have more time, I recommend visiting one of the beaches on one of the small islands near Cartagena.
Written April 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jefferson l
Las Vegas, NV296 contributions
Dec 2020
Every time that I visit I make sure to go to playa blanca! The cost of the excursion is about $20-$25 and it includes a very good meal! it is a very close and nice get away spot away from Cartagena. It is a small, remote area with white sand beaches and plenty of activities. You are required to purchase a cabana with 2 chairs for the cost of around $25, when you arrive there.
Just like in Cartagena, the locals are relentless about trying to sell you something or want money to give them. There was one man that bothered me 3 times about buying this live, large lobster for $35. I got mad at him because what am I suppose to do with this thing, it needs watered down, I would have to take it back on the shuttle van and there is no place in the hotel to cook the thing anyway. Another person kept bothering me to buy these children's wristbands and I told him that I do not have any kids and was not interested. Do not do the water activities because they are too short in time for the price, from what I noticed from the tourist complaining there!
The massage girls are worth dealing with and do a sensational job. Just don't let anyone lady also join in because she will want to charge you, as well. I try to go to the very end of the area to avoid as many people as possible!
Just like in Cartagena, the locals are relentless about trying to sell you something or want money to give them. There was one man that bothered me 3 times about buying this live, large lobster for $35. I got mad at him because what am I suppose to do with this thing, it needs watered down, I would have to take it back on the shuttle van and there is no place in the hotel to cook the thing anyway. Another person kept bothering me to buy these children's wristbands and I told him that I do not have any kids and was not interested. Do not do the water activities because they are too short in time for the price, from what I noticed from the tourist complaining there!
The massage girls are worth dealing with and do a sensational job. Just don't let anyone lady also join in because she will want to charge you, as well. I try to go to the very end of the area to avoid as many people as possible!
Written December 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benedicte
Oslo, Norway27 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Worst experience I have ever had while traveling. I feel the need to be very strong with my words in this review because I don’t want anyone having this experience.
From the moment you enter the parking and WHILE INSIDE the car you are harassed and pushed to go wherever they want, because there are gangs gathering around you following (forcing) you to “their” place where they will make you sit down.
Later when they are doing the check/bill for whatever they have made you eat/drink they changes the menu to a menu that contains insane prices for everything and forces you to pay those prices. Also before leaving you will have to pay a “security fee” / “service fee”. We told them that this is crazy and that they are robbing us, but they just gathered around us telling us to pay up.
Basically we got robbed and the situation was super uncomfortable and tense. Literally felt like a hostage for the time we spent in this, sorry to say it, s***hole.
Hot tips: just avoid this place and keep living your life without the amount of stress and insecurity that Playa Blanca gives you. It’s not a safe place and it’s a shame for the few honest (I hope there are some of them) hostels and restaurants that is trying to make a living around there.
From the moment you enter the parking and WHILE INSIDE the car you are harassed and pushed to go wherever they want, because there are gangs gathering around you following (forcing) you to “their” place where they will make you sit down.
Later when they are doing the check/bill for whatever they have made you eat/drink they changes the menu to a menu that contains insane prices for everything and forces you to pay those prices. Also before leaving you will have to pay a “security fee” / “service fee”. We told them that this is crazy and that they are robbing us, but they just gathered around us telling us to pay up.
Basically we got robbed and the situation was super uncomfortable and tense. Literally felt like a hostage for the time we spent in this, sorry to say it, s***hole.
Hot tips: just avoid this place and keep living your life without the amount of stress and insecurity that Playa Blanca gives you. It’s not a safe place and it’s a shame for the few honest (I hope there are some of them) hostels and restaurants that is trying to make a living around there.
Written April 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fabian G
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • Friends
They are over pricing at this beach , I was charged $240 usd for two plates of fish & rices , two drinks and a sprite …. Meanwhile I’ve been eating and drinking at 5 star restaurants in the city area for less that $60 usd. The people are money hungry trying to get over on tourist , the beach is beautiful water is clear but the people on the beach are too money hungry and looking to scam you so I would not recommend going there
Written March 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaheed R
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Solo
Reading the comments, I feel a lot better to know I’m not the only one that was ripped off. They tried to charge me $500 USD for a meal (fish, plantain & salad) , beach chair and 4 beers and round trip boat to the “quiet” beach 5 mins down the sand.
I was charged 5 star prices for a meal that’s worth $18 even in America. I ate on a paper plate on my lap in a plastic chair. All in all I got scammed for $250. Learned my lesson!
I was charged 5 star prices for a meal that’s worth $18 even in America. I ate on a paper plate on my lap in a plastic chair. All in all I got scammed for $250. Learned my lesson!
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam W
9 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
On a positive note, the beach is clean and looks great.
But there is too much dishonesty and attempts to take advantage of tourists here. When you arrive to the parking area, locals will attempt to climb on to your taxi / vehicle to try to convince you there is a charge to enter the beach as its a private beach. Just ignore them and walk, they will leave you alone eventually. It is an intimidating arrival though. We got greatly overcharged at 'La Cherna Resteraunte' for a breakfast, because we made the mistake of not viewing a menu. (due to only 1 option). Masseurs, hustlers etc just don't accept your word when you say no / too pushy. A lot of genuine people, but a lot that just are not.
But there is too much dishonesty and attempts to take advantage of tourists here. When you arrive to the parking area, locals will attempt to climb on to your taxi / vehicle to try to convince you there is a charge to enter the beach as its a private beach. Just ignore them and walk, they will leave you alone eventually. It is an intimidating arrival though. We got greatly overcharged at 'La Cherna Resteraunte' for a breakfast, because we made the mistake of not viewing a menu. (due to only 1 option). Masseurs, hustlers etc just don't accept your word when you say no / too pushy. A lot of genuine people, but a lot that just are not.
Written June 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David K
1 contribution
Apr 2021 • Couples
I’ve never been more uncomfortable a day in my life, let alone a day that was supposed to be relaxing on the beach. Traveling by car, locals stand in a line in the middle of the road to force your car to stop just to try to sell you a stop on the beach. If you say no, they sprint after your car, reaching in the windows and banging on the doors. When you finally arrive on the beach, you are swarmed by seller after seller, many who don’t want to take no for an answer. The only way to avoid their harassment is to go in the water, which you can only do for so long. On top of this all, the people who you do choose to buy something from are liars. Our check for our breakfast and drinks came and was $250.000 pesos instead of $130.000 pesos. We left the beach early because it was excruciatingly stressful... the exact opposite of what it’s meant to be.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xcan
1 contribution
Mar 2020
This place is an utter hole. We were trapped for 4 days at Rincon del Mar. non-functional toilets, had to beg every evening for the “free” internet to be turned on, no water in the shower, infrequent electricity. We chose to look on it as a chapter from a Paul Theroux book.
Paid for a snorkel trip and were given only a cheap leaky mask...no fins, no snorkel! Nothing but dead coral to see.
Rincon del Mar punted us off the beach chairs immediately after arriving because they were all sold to a day trip from Cartagena. Excuse me? I’ve paid for a beachfront room for 4 days that’s windowless plywood walls with the stench of a cesspool but I can’t sit in a chair? The venezolano who manages the place was extraordinarily unfriendly, never once offering a “buenos dios” or “como estas”. We have more than rudimentary spanish skills, but nothing we tried melted his obvious dislike of what he felt were rich gringos. These people don’t understand that we bank our holiday money for a year and we simply don’t have a bunch of cash to subsidize their lack of social security.
It’s certainly a destination for colombianos for a beach getaway, but hugely overmarketed to foreign tourists with misleading photos. Go if you want, but expect zero creature comforts, toilets full of rank stew and substandard food choices. Wash your hands as much as possible.
Paid for a snorkel trip and were given only a cheap leaky mask...no fins, no snorkel! Nothing but dead coral to see.
Rincon del Mar punted us off the beach chairs immediately after arriving because they were all sold to a day trip from Cartagena. Excuse me? I’ve paid for a beachfront room for 4 days that’s windowless plywood walls with the stench of a cesspool but I can’t sit in a chair? The venezolano who manages the place was extraordinarily unfriendly, never once offering a “buenos dios” or “como estas”. We have more than rudimentary spanish skills, but nothing we tried melted his obvious dislike of what he felt were rich gringos. These people don’t understand that we bank our holiday money for a year and we simply don’t have a bunch of cash to subsidize their lack of social security.
It’s certainly a destination for colombianos for a beach getaway, but hugely overmarketed to foreign tourists with misleading photos. Go if you want, but expect zero creature comforts, toilets full of rank stew and substandard food choices. Wash your hands as much as possible.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DaniBonato
Rio de Janeiro, RJ48 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
Rude locals that make you think you are going to be robbed all the time. Even chased our car. It was the scariest experience we had in a trip, and even if it were the most beautiful beach in the world I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I lost one day trying to go and couldn't enjoy due to the locals.
Written October 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine M
Hatfield, UK
Hi my husband & I are in playa blanca for christmas, can someone recomend a restaurant thats open on christmas day lunch please?
Prez
Ottawa, Canada227 contributions
Hi,
I am not sure what would be opened but there are a lot of places side by side all over the beach and you should be able to walk along the beach and choose the one of your liking. To be sure you have a spot you could always contact a travel agency that books tours closer to you departure date and maybe arrange a half day tour there with lunch included and maybe a little boat ride to an island.
Cheers
Jocelyn D
St. John's, Canada1 contribution
Hi I was wondering if this beach has a problem with people trying to see you drugs. I have been to many other beaches and it always takes away from the experience when people are approaching you to sell. Thank you
YolandaKS
Glendale, CA35 contributions
Is there any nightlife on Isla Baru? I’m thinking of parties on the beach with reggaeton, something along those lines?
Mabel Corina G
Buenos Aires, Argentina13 contributions
Estuve el 20 de octubre mi experiencia no fue grata, playa blanca imposible estar.. me fui a playa tranquila, no hay buena infraestructura, muy precaria para tanto turismo y promoción, de los baños ni hablar. Pedimos,. No hay seguridad, casi me aplasta una lancha estando sentada en mi reposera,. Insoportable el olor a gaoil....Una pena,. Si no la cuidan pierden este paraíso..
J’y suis allée le 9 Novembre dernier... Honte à tous ces locaux qui en ont fait une décharge publique... Horreur totale... J’ai passé tout mon temps à ramasser les détritus dans le sable... et les mettre dans les poubelles devant des locaux qui me regardaient sans comprendre pourquoi je faisais cela.. AFFREUX souvenirs... j’ai détesté...
Genesis L
1 contribution
Hola!! una consulta, en playa tranquila hay para hacer jetski? es que creo que entre playa blanca y playa tranquila es como que mejor playa tranquila!
veronica b
2 contributions
recomendas ir a otra Playa que no sea Playa Blanca en Baru??? justo estaba viendo un hospedaje alli :)
VAM77
Lima, Peru15 contributions
Si me preguntaran si pudiera obviar el tour a Barú?, diría que no lo sé. Pero si lo que quieres es disfrutar de un día de playa, la mejor opción sería hospedarse en el casco antiguo, (porque es muy lindo y hay variedad de cosas para ver y hacer) e ir, caminando o en bus, y pasar la mañana en cualquier playa que está frente a las cadenas de hoteles en Boca Grande, porque son públicas, no pertenecen a los hoteles. Cualquiera puede ir y bañarse en esas playas.
Podrias indicarnos como contratar a playa tranquila con los nativos de alla? alguien en particular? estamos interesados en ir ? la playa de playa tranquila tiene mucha piedra? Gracias de antemano por tu respuesta. Saludos
Playa Blanca (Isla Baru) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Playa Blanca
- Playa Blanca is open:
- Mon - Sat 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- We recommend booking Playa Blanca tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 53 Playa Blanca tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Playa Blanca:
- Baru and Playa Blanca Full Day Including Lunch (From $55.00)
- Playa Blanca in Baru Island (From $75.00)
- Playa Blanca Experience (From $85.00)
- Full-Day Mambo Beach Club Baru Top-Rated (From $38.00)
- Baru Island, Playa Blanca + Rosario Islands panoramic boat tour (From $30.00)
- Hotels near Playa Blanca:
- (0.01 mi) Arrecifes
- (0.11 mi) Hostal El Personaje
- (0.10 mi) Cabana Luna Azul
- (0.12 mi) Pura Vida Baru - La Casa del Cholo
- (0.16 mi) The Wizard Hostel
- Restaurants near Playa Blanca:
- (0.24 mi) Playa Surf
- (0.24 mi) El Paraiso de Adan
- (7.60 mi) Blue Apple Beach
- (9.33 mi) Makani Luxury Beach Club
- (7.10 mi) Hugo
- Attractions near Playa Blanca:
- (0.76 mi) Aviario Nacional de Colombia
- (0.41 mi) Freedom Beach Club
- (1.47 mi) Playa Puntilla
- (0.94 mi) Banana Beach
- (9.96 mi) IslaBela
Playa Blanca Information
Excellent Reviews | 1,306 |
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Very Good Reviews | 1,274 |
Playa Blanca Photos | 3,371 |