Cartagena: La Punta Beach Club Day Pass (Lunch included)

La Punta Beach Club turns a short boat ride from Cartagena into a full day of music, lunch, and seaside lounging. You leave from Muelle de la Bodeguita, cross Cartagena Bay, and arrive at a resort-style beach club with a pool, shaded beds, swings, and a DJ spinning House, Disco, and Latin tracks.

I like the easy transport and the fact that lunch is included, with six choices ranging from island fish to sushi and poke. I also like the welcoming staff, a point praised by Alma, who especially recommended the spa service from Venus and Kandy. The main consideration is the water: one review found the beach less clear than beaches farther from the mainland.

Key points to know before you book

• Short boat ride: The crossing from Muelle de la Bodeguita takes about 15 to 20 minutes and passes the Virgin of the Fishermen statue.
• Lunch is part of the price: Choose island fish, grilled chicken, pizza, sushi, poke, or garden paella, with a soft drink and seasonal dessert.
• A social beach club: Expect House, Disco, and World Latin music, a dance floor, pool, bar, volleyball, swings, and a floating platform.
• Your own shaded bed: A beachfront bed under palm fronds is included, giving you a place to rest between swims and meals.
• The beach has limits: The shore is convenient and pleasant, but the water may not be as clear as at islands farther from Cartagena.
• Sunset is optional: Return boats leave at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 p.m., with a bonfire and music available until 10 p.m. if space allows.

Leaving Cartagena from Muelle de la Bodeguita

Your day begins at Muelle de la Bodeguita, the central tourist pier on Avenida Blas de Lezo, near Cartagena’s historic center. This is a busy dock area with tour booths, vendors, and plenty of maritime activity, so give yourself time to find the right meeting point and check in.

Boats for La Punta leave hourly from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The ride across Cartagena Bay takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes. The exact timing varies slightly in the supplied information, but either way, this is a quick crossing rather than a long island voyage.

The route gives you a pleasant opening to the day. You pass the Virgin of the Fishermen statue and get views across the bay before reaching Tierra Bomba Island. The boat ride is part of the appeal here. You get an island setting without spending half your day in transit.

Bring sunscreen, and remember that the tourist pier boarding tax is separate from the pass. It costs COP $14,000. Food, drinks, alcohol, speakers, weapons, and sharp objects are not allowed on the boat or at the club.

Arriving at La Punta on Tierra Bomba

At La Punta, staff greet you with a welcome drink and help you find your assigned beachfront bed. This small touch matters. Rather than arriving and searching for an empty chair, you have a clear base for the day.

The beds sit close to the water and under palm-frond shade. From there, you can watch the bay, order drinks, and keep your belongings in one familiar place. Shade is especially useful in Cartagena, where a full day outside can become tiring long before sunset.

The setting combines beach time with the feel of a private resort. There is a pool, bar, restaurant, volleyball court, floating platform, sea-facing swings, and a 360-degree bar. You can spend the day moving between activities or barely leave your bed.

The club is designed for photos, too. Phoenix-winged doors, small nests, and swings facing the sea create plenty of decorated backdrops. If you like taking pictures during a beach day, you will find more variety here than at a simple stretch of sand.

Music, dancing, and the social side of the club

Music shapes the day at La Punta. The resident DJ plays House, Disco, and World Latin music through a high-fidelity sound system. This is not a quiet beach retreat, especially near the dance floor and bar.

I would choose this experience if you want a social day with a party element. You can swim and rest, but the music keeps the mood active. The DJ setup also makes La Punta a better fit for friends, couples who enjoy a lively setting, and people who want more than a towel on the sand.

If you want silence, long stretches of untouched beach, or a remote island feel, this may not be your best choice. The club’s appeal comes from the mix of sea views, service, music, food, and facilities. Its sound and activity are part of the package.

The service receives some of the strongest praise. Alma described the welcome and staff attention as excellent and specifically praised spa workers Venus and Kandy. That gives you a useful clue: staff contact is a major part of the experience, especially if you add a massage.

Choosing your included lunch

The pass includes one of six lunch choices:

• Island fish
• Grilled chicken breast
• Pizza
• Sushi
• Poke bowl
• Garden paella

Each meal comes with a soft drink and seasonal dessert. That makes the $76 price easier to assess, since you are not paying separately for the main meal, a basic drink, and dessert once you arrive.

The menu gives La Punta wider appeal than a beach club serving only one regional dish. You can choose fish or garden paella for a local-style meal, or stick with pizza, sushi, or poke if you want something familiar and lighter.

There is also a full menu for an additional COP $25,000. It includes vegetarian choices, pastas, burgers, soups, and traditional rice dishes. This is worth considering if you have dietary preferences or want a more substantial meal, but the six included choices should cover most people.

The restaurant also serves seafood pastas, burgers, soups, and rice dishes. These are extra unless you pay for access to the full menu. Check the arrangement when you arrive so you know which dishes are covered by your pass.

Pool time, beach time, and the water question

La Punta gives you several ways to cool off. You can use the crystal-clear pool, swim from the beach, sit on the floating platform, or join a volleyball match. The range of options is useful because the beach itself is not the only reason to book.

The water deserves a realistic note. One review rated the experience only three out of five because the sea was not as clear as at beaches farther from the mainland. Another review praised the beach but also noted that the water was the weak point.

That criticism should shape your expectations. This is a convenient beach club close to Cartagena, not necessarily the clearest-water beach in the wider island area. If your top priority is transparent water and a more remote shoreline, you may prefer a club requiring a longer boat ride.

If your priority is a comfortable day with a bed, pool, music, food, and organized transport, the water may be only one part of the decision. You can still swim and enjoy the shoreline, but do not book this solely for the clearest sea around Cartagena.

Cocktails, swings, and the afternoon pace

After lunch, the club’s atmosphere shifts into a slower afternoon rhythm, though the music continues. Cocktails served in natural coconuts make a fun presentation and fit the tropical setting.

You can sit at the 360-degree bar, use the sea-facing swings, or relax near the pool. The beachfront bed gives you a reliable place to return to when you want shade. I like this balance because you can make the day active or very easy without arranging anything yourself.

Kayaking and massages are available for extra fees. The pass does not cover them, so ask about the price before committing. A massage may suit you if you want to turn the day into a spa break, while kayaking adds a little more activity to an otherwise relaxed schedule.

The spa deserves special mention because the service from Venus and Kandy received direct praise. If you are considering a massage, requesting those therapists by name may be useful, subject to availability. The supplied information does not give massage prices or treatment lengths, so confirm those details at the club.

Sunset departures and the optional bonfire

You can return to Cartagena at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 p.m. The transport coordinator helps arrange your departure, which is handy because you do not need to negotiate a separate boat back to the city.

The later departures let you enjoy the club as the sun goes down. The setting becomes especially appealing at that point, with music, bay views, and the chance to stay for an evening bonfire until 10 p.m.

The bonfire option is not simply part of every standard return plan. Ask about availability and the transport arrangement if you want to remain after the normal day visit. The hotel may also have rooms if you want to stay longer, but availability must be checked directly.

For most people, the 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. return should give enough time to enjoy lunch, the pool, the beach, and sunset. The 4:30 p.m. boat makes more sense if you prefer a shorter day or have evening plans in Cartagena.

Is the $76 pass good value?

At $76 per person, the pass is not the cheapest way to sit near the sea. It becomes more reasonable when you count the round-trip boat, beachfront bed, facilities, welcome drink, lunch, soft drink, dessert, and access to the pool and club areas.

The value is strongest if you plan to spend most of the day at La Punta. A quick visit followed by an early return gives you less time to use what you paid for. Arrive early enough to enjoy the full schedule, especially since boats leave from Cartagena through 1:30 p.m. and the return choices extend into the evening.

You should also budget for the COP $14,000 pier tax. Massages and kayaks cost extra, and the wider menu requires another COP $25,000. These are not dealbreakers, but they affect the final cost.

Compared with arranging transport, food, seating, and activities separately, the pass is convenient. You are paying for a managed beach day rather than just access to sand. The tradeoff is that you are in a developed club setting, and the beach water may not match more distant island beaches.

Who will enjoy La Punta most?

I would recommend La Punta to you if you want:

• A simple day trip from Cartagena
• A lively club with a DJ and dance floor
• Included lunch with several food styles
• A shaded beachfront bed
• Pool access and organized facilities
• The option to stay through sunset
• A beach day that works for couples or groups of friends

Families may appreciate the pool, food choices, and straightforward transport, but the music and party atmosphere may not suit every child. The supplied information does not list a child policy, so check before booking if that matters to you.

This experience is less suitable if you use a wheelchair, since it is specifically not recommended for wheelchair users. It is also a weak match if your main goal is a quiet beach, very clear water, or an isolated island setting.

The hosts speak English and Spanish, which helps at check-in, meal service, and when arranging your return. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later, which is useful when your Cartagena plans are still changing.

Should you book this beach club day?

Book La Punta if you want a polished, social beach day with food, music, shade, a pool, and easy boat transport. The staff service is one of its strongest points, and the inclusion of lunch makes the price easier to justify.

Think twice if clear water is your main reason for leaving Cartagena. The short crossing is convenient, but the beach may not compare with more distant island beaches. For most people, La Punta works best as a lively day at a comfortable club, not as a remote beach escape.

FAQ

Where does the La Punta Beach Club boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Muelle de la Bodeguita on Avenida Blas de Lezo in Cartagena, near the historic city center.

How long is the boat ride to La Punta?

The crossing takes about 15 to 20 minutes across Cartagena Bay.

What time do boats leave for La Punta?

Departures from Cartagena begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue hourly until 1:30 p.m.

What food is included in the pass?

You can choose island fish, grilled chicken breast, pizza, sushi, a poke bowl, or garden paella. Lunch includes a soft drink and seasonal dessert.

Is the pier tax included?

No. The tourist pier boarding tax costs COP $14,000 and is paid separately.

Can I stay for sunset or a bonfire?

You can choose return times at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 p.m. An evening bonfire with music may be available until 10 p.m., subject to availability.

Are massages and kayaks included?

No. Massages and kayaking cost extra. The full menu also requires an additional COP $25,000, while the standard pass includes the six listed lunch choices.