PAO PAO BEACH CLUB

Pao Pao Beach Club combines sea time, wellness, snorkeling, and a frigate tour in one seven-hour escape from Cartagena. The best part is the change of pace: you leave the city behind and spend the day in a quieter island setting with lunch, a lounger, and time to do as much or as little as you like.

I like the peaceful setting and the practical lunch choice, with five dishes ranging from seafood paella to a vegetarian plate. I also like that round-trip boat transport and access to the club are included. The main catch is the extra cash payment before boarding, plus a boat ride that may take more than the advertised 45 minutes.

Key points to know

• A full island day: Plan on about seven hours from departure to return.
• Three kinds of activity: The day combines wellness, snorkeling in clear water, and a frigate tour.
• Lunch has five choices: Pick from paella, seafood pasta, fish, grilled chicken, or a vegetarian dish.
• The boat ride may run long: One reported trip took a little over an hour each way.
• Budget for extra fees: The stated 2026 dock tax and insurance total COP 40,300 per person, paid in cash.
• Best for independent beach time: You get a sun lounger and facility access, but service at lunch may not be constant.

Leaving La Bodeguita Pier in the morning

Your day begins at La Bodeguita Pier in Cartagena. The information gives two slightly different meeting details: one says 7:20 a.m. at Gate 4, while another says 7:30 a.m. at Door 3. I would confirm the exact gate and arrival time after booking, then arrive early enough to handle the required cash payment without rushing.

The current stated charge for 2026 is COP 31,500 for the dock tax and COP 8,800 for health insurance, for a total of COP 40,300 per person. This is not included in the $109 tour price, and it must be paid in Colombian pesos before boarding. Bring cash, since the instructions specify cash payment only.

The boat transfer is part of the package and takes you from the pier to Pao Pao Beach Club, then back to the La Bodeguita tourist pier. The advertised duration is seven hours for the entire activity, but the crossing deserves some flexibility. A recent outing took a little over an hour rather than the suggested 45 minutes, both of which matter if you have evening plans in Cartagena.

At the club, the pace becomes slower. You receive a welcome cocktail, settle into a sun lounger, and have access to the beach club facilities. This is not a fast sightseeing circuit. It is a day built around staying in one place, with a few organized activities added around your free time.

What the Pao Pao day actually includes

The program is designed for people over 12 who want a mix of rest and water activities. You are not simply being sent to a beach with transport. The plan includes wellness activities, snorkeling in clear water, and a frigate tour, with staff coordinating the day.

The exact order of these activities is not provided, so expect the schedule to be set by the club and conditions on the day. That can be useful if you prefer not to manage every hour yourself, but it also means you should not expect a detailed, fixed timetable in advance.

The wellness element is the quiet counterpoint to snorkeling and the bird tour. You can use the calm setting to rest on your lounger, enjoy the water, or simply take a break from Cartagena’s busy streets. The package description emphasizes relaxation, so the value here depends on how much you enjoy unhurried beach time.

Snorkeling adds a little action. The water is described as crystal clear, but no equipment details are supplied, so ask what is provided and what you should bring before setting out. Quick-dry clothing is listed among the recommended items, which is sensible for a day that may move between the beach, water, and lounger.

The frigate tour gives the outing a nature angle. Frigate birds are a major feature of the setting, and the activity is designed to let you see them as part of the island experience. The instructions also say not to feed animals, so enjoy the birds without trying to attract them with food.

Lunch with five practical choices

The included chef’s menu is one of the stronger parts of the package. You can choose from:

• Pao Pao paella
• Pasta a la marinera
• Typical Cartagena-style fish
• Grilled chicken
• Vegetarian dish

That range makes the lunch easier for mixed groups. Seafood fans have two clear choices, while chicken and vegetarian options cover people who want something simpler or do not eat fish.

The food received strong praise in the available feedback, with one short comment specifically calling it very good. Another person described the food as good and the drinks as pleasant. That does not guarantee every dish will suit you, but lunch appears to be more than an afterthought.

The limitation is service speed and attention. One solo customer found that the waiter appeared only twice before lunch and disappeared for a long stretch afterward. That may not reflect the service everyone receives, but it is useful to know if you expect frequent table service.

I would treat lunch as a set meal included in the day, not as a restaurant experience with constant personal attention. If you want another drink or have a request, be prepared to find your server rather than waiting indefinitely.

Beach club time, drinks, and comfort

Pao Pao’s main appeal is the chance to settle in. Your sun lounger is included, as is access to the beach club facilities. You can use the setting as a proper rest day after sightseeing in Cartagena, especially if you value shade, a place to sit, and an organized return boat.

The welcome cocktail gives the arrival a pleasant start, while drinks are available as part of the club experience. Extra consumption is not included, so budget separately for anything beyond the welcome drink and included meal.

Private rooms cost extra, and towel service is not included. Bring your own towel if you want one, along with beachwear and outdoor clothing. Quick-dry clothes are especially useful after snorkeling or swimming.

Food and drinks from outside are not allowed. The same applies to coolers, drones, fireworks, explosive substances, alcohol and drugs, and pets. Nudity is not permitted, and feeding the birds or other animals is also prohibited.

One important practical point is the bird activity. The birds are part of the appeal, but they can also make the setting less tidy at times. A very negative experience described bird droppings around the pool and sea. That is not a reason to assume the entire day will be unpleasant, but it is a real consideration if you are sensitive to birds, want a spotless pool area, or expect a polished resort atmosphere.

How much value do you get for $109?

At $109 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Cartagena. The price covers round-trip island transport, the welcome cocktail, a five-choice lunch, a sun lounger, and access to the club. It also brings together snorkeling, wellness activities, and a frigate tour.

The value is strongest if you want convenience. You do not need to arrange your own boat, find a beach chair, or decide where to eat once you arrive. You get a planned day and a return transfer, which removes several small decisions.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short boat ride and a simple beach visit. The crossing can take more than expected, extra fees add COP 40,300 per person, and private rooms, towels, and additional consumption cost more. Add those costs before comparing this with other island options.

I would also factor in the nature of the day. This is a club-based outing rather than a remote beach expedition. You are paying for facilities, organized access, lunch, and a calm setting. If your priority is seeing many places, exploring independently, or keeping costs very low, another outing may fit better.

The overall rating is 4.2 from 20 ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience with some unevenness. The most consistent strengths are the food, the clean and peaceful setting, the drinks, and the punctual boat service on at least one reported trip. Service attention and bird droppings are the main cautions.

Who will enjoy this island escape

I would choose Pao Pao Beach Club if you want a full day away from Cartagena and prefer a simple plan. It suits couples, friends, and families with children over 12 who can manage a boat trip and want a mix of beach time and light activity.

It is also a good match for someone who wants to rest rather than fill every minute. You can snorkel, take part in the frigate tour, enjoy the wellness side, eat lunch, and spend the remaining time on your lounger.

The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. It is also not recommended for people with epilepsy, recent surgery, motion sickness, or anyone over 75. A maximum weight of 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, is listed as another restriction.

Those limits matter because the day involves boat transport and water-based activities. If you are unsure about a medical condition or the weight limit, ask the provider before paying.

Smart preparation for the morning

Bring your passport or a copy, or your identification card or a copy. The instructions accept copies, which is helpful if you prefer not to carry your original document to the beach.

Pack beachwear, outdoor clothing, and quick-dry clothing. Bring a towel because towel service is not included. Cash in Colombian pesos is essential for the dock tax and insurance, and you may want more for extra drinks or other consumption.

Leave outside food, drinks, coolers, drones, and pets at your accommodation. Do not plan to bring alcohol, drugs, fireworks, or other explosive items. The rules are strict, and the club also prohibits feeding animals and nudity.

If you are prone to seasickness, this is a poor choice. The crossing may take close to an hour or more, and the activity specifically excludes people with motion sickness. Even for people without that issue, it is wise to avoid an overfull breakfast and bring anything you normally use for comfort, provided it is allowed and appropriate for you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Cartagena plans are still changing.

Should you book Pao Pao Beach Club?

Book it if you want a structured island day with lunch, a lounger, boat transport, and a few planned activities. The peaceful setting, good food, and choice between relaxing and snorkeling give the day a useful balance.

Think twice if you dislike long boat rides, need attentive table service, want a perfectly controlled pool area, or are trying to keep the total cost below the advertised price. Remember the COP 40,300 cash charge, possible extra consumption, and the fact that bird activity may affect how tidy the pool and beach feel.

For the right person, Pao Pao is a convenient break from Cartagena. Go for the slow pace and the complete package, not for a tightly timed sightseeing tour or a luxury resort standard.

FAQ

How long does the Pao Pao Beach Club experience last?

The activity lasts seven hours. The boat journey may take longer than the suggested 45 minutes, so allow extra time around the stated duration.

Where do I meet the boat?

The meeting point is La Bodeguita Pier in Cartagena. The information lists 7:20 a.m. at Gate 4 and also 7:30 a.m. at Door 3, so confirm the exact gate and arrival time before the day of departure.

What is included in the price?

The price includes round-trip transport to the island, a welcome cocktail, a chef’s menu with five meal choices, a sun lounger, and access to Pao Pao Beach Club facilities.

What extra fees must I pay?

For 2026, the stated dock tax is COP 31,500 and health insurance is COP 8,800. The total is COP 40,300 per person, paid in cash in Colombian pesos before boarding.

What food choices are available?

You can choose Pao Pao paella, pasta a la marinera, Cartagena-style fish, grilled chicken, or a vegetarian dish.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, outdoor clothing, quick-dry clothing, and a towel. You should also bring your passport or identification card, with a copy accepted.

Who should not book this activity?

The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, epilepsy, recent surgery, motion sickness, people over 75, or people over 220 pounds or 100 kilograms.