CARTAGENA · COLOMBIA
Barú Beach Clubs & Playa Blanca Day Passes
The closest authentic Caribbean island to Cartagena. Home to Playa Blanca — one of the most iconic beaches in Colombia — and four curated beach clubs, each offering a completely different way to spend the day.
Why Visit Playa Blanca & Barú from Cartagena?
Playa Blanca Cartagena is one of the most photographed beaches in Colombia — white sand, warm turquoise water, and a wide open Caribbean horizon on the coast of Isla Barú, 45–55 minutes from the city. Barú sits closer to Cartagena than the Rosario Islands and offers the added advantage of land access via the Barú bridge, which means several beach clubs can be reached by air-conditioned van with no boat, no dock fees, and no port tax. Whether you want a premium private beach experience, a MICHELIN-listed eco-luxury resort, or an affordable organized day at Playa Blanca, Barú has an option for every type of traveler.
Compare the Best Barú Beach Clubs
The four main beach clubs on Barú offer very different experiences at very different price points. Sabai Beach Club ($129/person, ⭐ 4.9) is the most exclusive — 200 meters of private vendor-free beach, infinity pool, à la carte lunch, and port tax included. Hotel Las Islas (from $79/person, ⭐ 4.9) is MICHELIN-listed with six day pass plans, Spa Niña Daniela, and a dive center. Nena Beach Club ($79/person, ⭐ 4.4) reaches Playa Blanca by land — no boat, no dock fees — with welcome cocktail, beach bed, and Caribbean lunch included. Mambo Beach Club ($38/person, ⭐ 4.6) is the most affordable organized option with land transport and a lunch voucher. Read our complete Playa Blanca & Barú guide for a full comparison.
Considering Other Islands?
Barú is one of three main island destinations near Cartagena. Explore Rosario Islands beach clubs for the widest variety of experiences, or Tierra Bomba beach clubs for the closest option to the city with premium clubs like Makani. Not sure which island is right for you? Read our full comparison of Barú, Rosario Islands, and Tierra Bomba.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It depends on the beach club. Sabai includes sun bed, towel, infinity pool, à la carte lunch with beverage, kayaks, paddleboards, and Wi-Fi. Nena includes welcome cocktail, beach bed, Caribbean lunch, locker, and showers. Mambo includes sun loungers, welcome drink, and a COP $30,000 lunch voucher. All include round-trip transportation from Cartagena.
No. Playa Blanca is connected to the mainland by the Barú bridge. Nena Beach Club and Mambo Beach Club both use air-conditioned vans — no boat, no dock fees, no port tax. Sabai Beach Club and Hotel Las Islas are accessed by boat from Todomar Marina in Bocagrande.
Yes — Barú is one of the most family-friendly island destinations near Cartagena. Nena Beach Club on Playa Blanca is particularly well-suited for families, with calm waters, beach beds, lunch included, and a relaxed atmosphere. Mambo is also family-friendly and the most affordable option. Filter by family-friendly island experiences to see all suitable options.
Colombia's dry seasons — December through April and July through August — offer the clearest skies and calmest water. Weekdays (Tuesday–Thursday) are significantly less crowded than weekends at Playa Blanca. The beach and beach clubs operate year-round.
Barú is closer to Cartagena and includes Playa Blanca — a wide, open Caribbean beach with excellent sand and water quality. The Rosario Islands offer a wider variety of beach clubs across a larger archipelago. Both are excellent — the right choice depends on your group, budget, and preferred experience. Read our full island comparison guide to decide.
Beach club day passes at Playa Blanca and Barú range from $38/person (Mambo) to $79/person (Nena), including round-trip land transportation. Sabai Beach Club is $129/person with boat transfer included. Hotel Las Islas luxury day passes start at $79/person with transport coordinated separately.