Makani Beach Club Cartagena — The Most Exclusive Beach Club on Tierra Bomba
Travelers describe Makani differently than most beach clubs near Cartagena. Instead of "great beach" or "fun day," reviews say "unexpected," "unlike anything else," "worth every peso." That comes from a deliberate approach applied to every part of the day, not luck.
Makani Luxury Wanderlust Beach Club & Villas is the first and most awarded luxury beach club on Tierra Bomba island, just 20 minutes by boat from Cartagena. It's operated by GHL Hotels, was named a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice winner in 2025, and holds a 4.8/5 rating across 912 reviews. This guide covers what Makani offers, how to get there, and why it's worth building a day of your Cartagena trip around it. Full island comparison: Tierra Bomba vs Rosario Islands vs Barú →
4.8 / 5
TripAdvisor
912 reviews · Travelers' Choice 2025
#17
Restaurants · Cartagena
of 1,029 total
#1
Luxury Club · Tierra Bomba
Operated by GHL Hotels
The First Luxury Beach Club in Cartagena
Makani Luxury Wanderlust opened as the first true luxury beach club concept in Cartagena de Indias, operated by GHL Hotels, one of Colombia's largest hotel groups. It's a full hospitality property built to five star resort standards, delivered as a day experience just 20 minutes from the city, well beyond a beach club with a bar and a lounger.
The architecture is Wabi Sabi, the Japanese philosophy centered on natural materials, imperfection, and harmony with the environment. Natural wood. Lush tropical vegetation woven through every space. Open ocean views. Spaces designed for privacy, not volume. Guest capacity deliberately limited so the experience never feels crowded.
Choose Your Makani Day — 3 Plans, One Island
Makani offers three day pass plans designed for different travel styles. All three include round trip maritime transport, access to Zones Alaway (pool) or Kai (beach), and the full Makani experience. The difference is in the level of indulgence. The most sold plan is Makani + Lunch, which gives you the most complete day for the price.
Makani Live Day Pass
Adults · Also available for children
From
$56 USD
Best for: first time visitors, shorter stays, travelers who prefer ordering à la carte. Also available for children at a reduced rate.
Book Live Day Pass →Makani Live + Lunch
The most complete day · Best value
From
$109 USD
Best for: everyone. This is Makani's most sold plan, the ideal balance of comfort, food, and full access. If you're not sure which to choose, choose this one.
Book Makani + Lunch →Makani Elua
The perfect day for couples · Spa included
From
$279 USD for 2
Best for: couples (anniversary, honeymoon, birthday, proposal day). Limited daily availability. Spa slots fill before beach spots. Reserve in advance.
If you're visiting Makani for the first time and aren't sure which plan to choose, go with Makani + Lunch. It's the most sold, the best value, and the one that most consistently earns 5 star reviews. The food alone is worth it. If you're a couple celebrating something, choose Elua. If you're a family with kids who just want the pool and the beach, Live is perfectly fine.
What Makani Offers — Everything in One Place
The Largest Pool on Tierra Bomba — 700m²
Over 700 square meters of fresh water positioned to merge with the ocean horizon. The largest pool of any beach club on Tierra Bomba. A dedicated jacuzzi zone operates separately. VIP and adults only sections available.
5 Star Spa — The Only One on Tierra Bomba
Massages, body treatments, and wellness rituals. The only full service spa on the island. Book your slot when you reserve, not on arrival. Included in the Elua plan. Available as a 20% discounted add on with the Lunch plan.
Gourmet Dining
Fresh fish, ceviche, handcrafted cocktails, Caribbean cuisine prepared with local ingredients. Breakfast available for villa guests includes champagne, local specialties, fruit, and cheese. Reviewers consistently cite the food as one of Makani's strongest features: "Chef was exceptional and surprised us." "The food and drinks were fantastic."
Activities — Coordinate in Advance for the Best Day
Paddleboarding
On site · calm waters · beginners welcome
Kayaking
Explore the coastline · no current
5 Star Spa
Massages & treatments · book in advance
Beach Volleyball & Soccer
Families & groups · organized or spontaneous
Horseback Riding
On the island · coordinate with CDT in advance
Private Events & Weddings
500+ capacity · corporate & social
14 Luxury Villas — Stay the Night
The only beach club on Tierra Bomba with hotel accommodation. 14 villas in three configurations, from a private 56m² garden retreat to a 150m² ocean view sanctuary with panoramic terrace. All villas include TV, private bathroom, WiFi, air conditioning, and minibar. Some include jacuzzi and rooftop terrace. Couples rate the location 9.1/10 on Booking.com.
What Our Guests Say — And What We Do Differently
Finding an unmarked beach departure point in a city you don't know is one of the most common ways a beach day goes sideways, and it has nothing to do with the weather. We walk every guest through it step by step, before they even leave the hotel.
When you book through Cartagena Day Tours, you get a team that's done this dozens of times. We send you the exact address, the step by step directions to the Makani check in at Muelle La Bodeguita, Puerta 1 (Gate 1), what to say, who to look for, and what to expect at every moment of the day. We're on WhatsApp before you leave your hotel, and reachable throughout the day if anything comes up. We've selected Makani as one of our featured partners because their standard of service matches ours: premium, personal, reliable. We check in with their team regularly, and we don't recommend partners we haven't personally vetted.
"We didn't want a 45 minute boat ride so we chose Tierra Bomba. Makani exceeded everything: the jacuzzi, the spa, the food, the design. Felt like a proper resort. The towels, the shade, the service, all perfect. Worth every peso."
"Only 20 minutes from Cartagena but it feels like a private island far from the city. The large pool, the lookout tower, hammocks, soft sand. Kids were busy all day. Parents loved the cocktails, the food, the attentive service. A perfect family day."
"We booked the spa and it was the highlight of the day. The setting, the quality, the staff. Genuinely surprised by how good it was for a beach club. This is our new go to every time we visit Cartagena."
What's included when you book through us
How to Get There — Step by Step
Makani departs from Muelle La Bodeguita, Puerta 1 (Gate 1), on Avenida Blas de Lezo in El Centro, Cartagena's Historic Center. The pier is organized into several numbered gates, so knowing your exact gate ahead of time is what makes check in fast.
Head to Muelle La Bodeguita
Avenida Blas de Lezo, El Centro, Cartagena
Tell your taxi: "Muelle La Bodeguita." It's a 4 minute walk from the Clock Tower. From Bocagrande: about 10 minutes by taxi or Uber, $4–6 USD.
Find Puerta 1 (Gate 1)
Muelle La Bodeguita is organized into several numbered gates, each one for a different beach club or tour. Look for Puerta 1, that's Makani's check in point. You'll see other operators at their own gates, that's normal.
Check in at the Makani stand
Our team member will be at Puerta 1 with the guest list. Give your name, confirm your plan. Arrive 10–15 minutes before your slot. Boats leave on time.
20 minute crossing and you've arrived
Short, calm, scenic. Life jackets provided. Apply sunscreen before boarding. A chilled oshibori towel and your welcome drink are waiting when you dock at Makani.
Slot 1
9:00 AM
Slot 2
10:00 AM
Slot 3
11:00 AM
⚠️ Makani Elua has limited daily availability, spa slots fill before beach spots. Reserve your plan when you book, not on arrival.
Best days to visit
Weekends bring more social energy: more guests in the pool, more movement, a livelier atmosphere. If you want energy, go Saturday or Sunday. If you want space and calm, weekdays offer the same quality with more room to spread out.
What to Bring — and What Not To
Bring
Leave behind
Makani vs Other Beach Clubs on Tierra Bomba
| Club | From | Vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makani | $56 | Resort · Wabi Sabi · 5 star Spa · 700m² Pool | Luxury, couples, wellness, families |
| Eteka | $79 | Boho · jungle · boutique | Nature, slow travelers |
| Fénix | $55 | Exclusive · vibrant · DJ | Culture, groups, sunset |
| Kabanna | $49 | Fusion · nightlife · open until 11 PM | Food, value, evening |
| Namasté | $59 | Holistic · calm | Wellness, solo |
| Palmarito | $65 | Relaxed · authentic | Quiet, private, local |
Full guide: All 6 Tierra Bomba Beach Clubs 2026 →
Frequently Asked Questions — Makani Beach Club
If you're undecided, choose Makani + Lunch. It's the most sold plan, the best overall value, and the one that consistently earns 5 star reviews. It includes gourmet lunch, 20% spa discount, and full access to all facilities. If you're a couple celebrating something, go Elua: spa included, cocktails included, everything handled. If you're a family with kids just wanting the pool and beach, Live is perfectly fine.
They deliver different experiences. Rosario Islands win on water clarity and beach club variety. Makani wins on proximity (20 min vs 45–50 min), no dock fee, flexible departure slots, the spa, the architecture, and the overnight villas. If you have limited time, want wellness integrated, or want to skip the fixed 7:50 AM departure, Makani is the stronger choice.
No. Tierra Bomba is not inside a national park. No mandatory park entrance fee, no maritime insurance charge, no cash needed at the departure point. The Rosario Islands require COP 40,300 (~$10 USD) per person in cash at the pier. At Makani, what you book is what you pay.
Yes, transfer from your hotel to Muelle La Bodeguita is available on request through CDT. It's not included in the day pass price but can be added when you book. Message us on WhatsApp →
Yes, very much so. The 20 minute crossing is far easier for kids than the 45 minute Rosario Islands speedboat. The 700m² pool, lookout tower, hammocks, swings, soft sand, and calm water keep children occupied all day. The club has both social zones and quieter adult areas. Children are billed at a reduced rate on the Live plan.
Yes, both can be coordinated in advance through CDT. Horseback riding on Tierra Bomba island needs to be arranged before your visit date, not on arrival. Same for private photographer sessions and drone footage. Let us know when you book.
Regular season weekdays: 2–3 days. Weekends: 5–7 days. High season (December–March, July–August) and holidays: 2–3 weeks minimum. Elua and spa slots fill before beach spots, so book both together.
Reserve Your Makani Day — Don't Leave It to Chance
If you're visiting Cartagena and can only do one beach day, make it Makani.
Capacity is limited by design. Spa and Elua slots fill before beach spots. Regular season: 5–7 days ahead. High season and holidays: 2–3 weeks minimum. We confirm within 2 hours.
Book Makani Now →Book Your Makani Day
We handle full logistics: step by step directions, booking confirmation, spa coordination, hotel to pier transfer on request, and WhatsApp support throughout the day. Need horseback riding or a private photographer? Tell us when you book.
Chat on WhatsApp →
Request Transfer →
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