Colombia · DAY TRIPS IN CARTAGENA

The 15 Day Trips in Cartagena People Come Back For

25 tours  ·  from $26

The good ones fill weeks ahead and the best go first. Book the top 15 early. Each entry carries its price, its length and the thing that sets it apart.

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch - Isla Grande: Snorkeling, White Sand, and Clear Water
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Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

1.Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 402 reviews · 8 hours · from $95Our pick

Spend eight hours island-hopping from Cartagena with English or Spanish guide support. Snorkel near Isla Grande, eat fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch at Baru, then relax at Tierra Bomba’s private beach and pool. Guides such as Franklin, Jesús, David, and John Wayne have been praised for attentive service, but the pace is brisk and the sea can be rough.

“My family and I had an amazing experience, this tour definitely felt different for the others. Our guide David Santiago was excellent, he was very informative, charismatic and friendly all the qualities a guide needs, he even warned us about prices and help us with our jetski rental at the beach. Worth every penny.”

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Full Day Tour of Five Premium Islands in Cartagena - Isla Grande snorkeling and the sunken plane
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Full Day Tour of Five Premium Islands in Cartagena

2.Full Day Tour of Five Premium Islands in Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 337 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $110

Spend a fast-moving day from Cartagena visiting Bocachica, the Rosario Islands, Isla Grande, Cholón, Agua Azul, and Playa Tranquila Baru. You’ll snorkel with a mask, eat a chicken, fish, or vegetarian lunch, and may stay after sunset for glowing plankton. Guides such as Alex, Jafet, William, and Luis Alejandro have earned strong praise.

“Overall, it was a pretty good experience. Tour guide was helpful, good lunch, interesting islands... the only thing is they PACK you into the boat- no room to move and no shade from the sun. Also the drink prices on the island were outrageous. 12 dollars for a tiny drink and no one takes card. BRING PLENTY OF PESOS if you plan on having a few drinks and dinner on the beach. It also was a pretty long day (12 hours) if you stay for the bioluminescent trip so just plan accordingly.”

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Half-Day Tour of Cartagena by Air-Conditioned Vehicles - San Felipe Fortress and Cartagena’s military story
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Half-Day Tour of Cartagena by Air-Conditioned Vehicles

3.Half-Day Tour of Cartagena by Air-Conditioned Vehicles

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 105 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $55

Spend four hours seeing Cartagena by air-conditioned vehicle and on foot. Visit La Popa, San Felipe Fortress, the walled city, Getsemani, modern Cartagena, and Las Bovedas. Guides such as Nico, Richard, Adalberto, and Enrique are praised for clear bilingual explanations, though pickup times and English narration can vary.

“Really great guide - extremely knowledgeable about Colombian history and specifically of the city of Cartagena. Great stops”

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Full Day Tour from Cartagena through Barranquilla and Santa Marta - Barranquilla through six quick stops
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Full Day Tour from Cartagena through Barranquilla and Santa Marta

4.Full Day Tour from Cartagena through Barranquilla and Santa Marta

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · 13 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Leave Cartagena at 4:00 a.m. for a packed day in Barranquilla and Santa Marta. You’ll see major monuments, walk Santa Marta’s center, visit the Tayrona Gold Museum, eat lunch, and spend time at El Rodadero Beach. Guides such as Charlie, Estiven, and Mario have been praised, but confirm language and prepare for a very long ride.

“This tour picked us up early at our hotel at around 4:45am, not knowing much of the details of the transportation we find that it’s a large charter bus with about 50 other people joining the tour. We rode to get breakfast which was an arepa and small cup of coffee, tasted good. Then headed over to Barranquilla where we passed through to see the landmarks. We did not go inside the city and explore. Then we made it to Santa Marta and where we had another tour guide which whom was terrific, in Santa Marta we were taken to a hotel to get served lunch which was delicious! Then…”

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Magical Full-Day Tour Through The Mangroves And The Beach In Isla de Barú - Leaving Cartagena for the Barú Peninsula
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Magical Full-Day Tour Through The Mangroves And The Beach In Isla de Barú

5.Magical Full-Day Tour Through The Mangroves And The Beach In Isla de Barú

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 90 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $45

Spend 7 to 9 hours on Barú with a bilingual guide, beach time at Mambo Beach, a 30,000-peso lunch voucher, a mangrove boat trip, and snorkeling when conditions allow. Guides such as Gabriel and Jose have earned praise for their friendly help, but pickup, language, boat safety, and timing can vary.

“Playa Blanca/Magical tour is a must! The tour guides Gabriel and Jose were super friendly. The drive gives you a glimpse into the non tourist areas which I can appreciate. The beach club was nice and the staff attentive without being overbearing. The short ride through the mangrove is worth the somewhat chaotic ride to the snorkeling area. The guides were great, however I was thrown into the front part of boat that was beyond capacity (no actual seats left) and offered no life jacket. Even with the minor inconveniences, I would recommend this tour if you are looking to explore the area and be one with nature.”

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Cartagena: Rosario Island and Mangroves Private Day Trip - The road from Cartagena to Barú
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Cartagena: Rosario Island and Mangroves Private Day Trip

6.Rosario Island and Mangroves Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 73 reviews · 9 hours · from $244

Travel privately from Cartagena to Barú and the Rosario Islands with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide such as Luis, Sofia, Valentina, or Jonathan. Enjoy breakfast and lunch in a local home, cruise through mangroves, snorkel above coral, visit a beach, and adjust the day to suit your group.

“The trip is a delightful way to experience both the country outside of Cartagena and the Rosario islands. Be warned you have some lovely time on the beach and in the water snorkeling but it is not nearly enough! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the local wildlife (including fish), history of the area, and flexible to what we want. We ate local meals in a local home and had a place to wash off afterwards. Conditions at the home that serves as a base are primitive but authentic and sanitary. Great communication to make sure our questions were answered before the trip.”

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Cartagena: Baru Island & Playa Tranquila Day Trip with Lunch - The one-hour ride across to Barú
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Cartagena: Baru Island & Playa Tranquila Day Trip with Lunch

7.Baru Island & Playa Tranquila Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 67 reviews · 8 hours · from $26Best value

Spend about eight hours traveling from Cartagena to Barú, then walk to Playa Tranquila for swimming, sun, photos, and a typical lunch of fish or chicken, coconut rice, patacón, and salad. English and Spanish assistance is offered, but beach chairs, tents, drinks, and snorkeling cost extra. Expect a rustic walk and a busy public beach area.

“The beach we visited was truly beautiful and definitely the highlight of this trip. Unfortunately, the overall tour experience didn’t match the expectations set in the description. Our guide didn’t speak any English and there was very little interaction or explanation throughout the day, which made the experience feel disconnected. The food was also minimal, and contrary to what was advertised, the only option available was fish instead of the seafood casserole mentioned in the description. While the destination itself was stunning, the tour experience could be improved. Based on this, I wouldn’t fully recommend it unless there are changes made.”

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Playa Blanca Full-Day Trip from Cartagena - Playa Blanca’s clear water and busy shore
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Playa Blanca Full-Day Trip from Cartagena

8.Playa Blanca Full-Day Trip from Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 48 reviews · from $63

Leave Cartagena by air-conditioned transport, tour Manga and Mamonal, cross to Barú, then spend several hours at Playa Blanca. Your bilingual guide handles the day while you swim, sunbathe, eat a typical lunch, and enjoy bottled water and fruit. Pickup is available from selected hotels and central meeting points.

“Our tour guide was amazing! He went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. He even helped us confirm and locate our pick up point for a different excursion that we planned for the following day with another company! Definitely recommend going!”

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Family Day Trip - Private Boat Charter To The Rosario Islands - Rosario Islands: clear water and open choices
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Family Day Trip – Private Boat Charter To The Rosario Islands

9.Family Day Trip – Private Boat Charter To The Rosario Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) Top rated

Set out from Cartagena’s Sibarita del Mar on an eight-hour private boat trip for up to 10 people. A bilingual guide takes you around the Rosario Islands and Barú for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and lunch at your own cost. The route can be adjusted to your family’s interests, but confirm the snorkeling equipment before departure.

“A fantastic and enjoyable experience! Our tour guide was exceptional. Ensured we were comfortable and tailored the tour to suit our tastes. Showed us the islands, shared interesting facts and took us to great spots for snorkeling, swimming and lunch.”

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Palenque African Roots Day Tour - Walking through San Basilio de Palenque
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Palenque African Roots Day Tour

10.Palenque African Roots Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · 6 hours 5 minutes (approx.) · from $105

Travel from Cartagena to San Basilio de Palenque with a native guide and learn about its African roots, Palenquero language, music, food, medicine, and founder Benkos Biohó. This six-hour tour includes private air-conditioned transport, lunch, water, and a tropical raspado. Groups are limited to 10 people.

“This was such an amazing experience and absolutely my favorite tour in Cartagena. We learned so much about Palenque, and it was so inspiring. Can't wait to go again!”

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Cartagena: Scuba Diving Day Trip at Playa Blanca with Lunch - Thirty minutes of instruction before the boat ride
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Cartagena: Scuba Diving Day Trip at Playa Blanca with Lunch

11.Scuba Diving Day Trip at Playa Blanca with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 22 reviews · from $120

Spend a full day traveling from Cartagena to Baru for a guided scuba session over coral reefs, followed by lunch and free time at Playa Blanca. You receive equipment, photos, and a typical meal, with English or Spanish instruction. Hotel pickup is available in Bocagrande and El Laguito. Confirm beach-chair fees and guide language before booking.

“I asked for a guide in English, but had someone who only spoke Spanish. What was good was that the bus came to the hotel. An hour late, without letting me know or responding to a message. Furthermore, I got the entire explanation in Spanish. The guide did not know that I was registered for scuba diving. I had to find out for myself. Diving was very good, only the description said one hour of diving and this was only 20 minutes. Even after that I had to figure out where I had to go myself, the guide, Mary, was nowhere to be seen and did not respond to whatsapp…”

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National Aviary and Playa Blanca Plankton Full-Day Tour - The National Aviary is the day’s clearest highlight
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National Aviary and Playa Blanca Plankton Full-Day Tour

12.National Aviary and Playa Blanca Plankton Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 17 reviews · 15 hours · from $83

This 15-hour day from Cartagena combines the National Aviary, Barú beaches, Mambo Beach Club, a $30,000 COP lunch voucher, and a night boat trip to see glowing plankton. A bilingual coordinator handles the main transfers, but you should expect a long day, crowded beaches, and some waiting between activities.

“La organizacion del día estuvo muy buena, el aviario espectacular. El almuerzo en Mambo estuvo muy rico, las instalaciones del club bonitas, la playa hermosa, pero muy llena de gente, lo cual hizo la experiencia un poco incomoda. Luego nos trasladaron a otro club de playa para hacer la experiencia del plankton, y estuvimos ahi mucho tiempo sin hacer nada hasta que empezó la charla, entonces opinamos que pudieron habernos dejado en Mambo hasta que de verdad fuera la actividad. El plankton estuvo muy bonito e impresionante, valio la pena, pero el regreso tambien fue como corriendo para poder montarnos en los buses, habia mucha gente regresando al mismo tiempo,…”

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Cartagena: San Basilio de Palenque Guided Day Trip - The 80-minute ride from Cartagena
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Cartagena: San Basilio de Palenque Guided Day Trip

13.San Basilio de Palenque Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 11 reviews · 6 hours · from $92

Travel from Cartagena to San Basilio de Palenque in a small group of up to 15 people. Local guides such as Moises, Abraham, or Thierry introduce you to Palenque language, music, dance, food, medicinal traditions, and boxing, with hotel pickup, lunch, water, and a raspado included.

“Malheureusement le guide ne nous a pas expliqué l’histoire de la libération, ni relaté les faits de Bihio, à peine a-t-il effleuré le sujet. Bref, rien de bien intéressant.”

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Santa Marta and Tayrona Park Day Trip - What you actually see around Santa Marta
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Santa Marta and Tayrona Park Day Trip

14.Santa Marta and Tayrona Park Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 9 reviews · 15 hours · from $175

This 15-hour trip from Cartagena combines a light breakfast, Santa Marta-area stops, Tayrona Park, Seven Olas viewpoint, Neguanje Beach, and a boat ride to Playa Cristal. You receive park access, lunch, a guide, and an environmental talk. Departures run Tuesdays and Fridays, with English and Spanish listed, though English service may not be available.

“the Tour ist only in spanish even when you book it in english, your not going to see much of Tayrona Park only the one beach.”

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From Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Trip - Isla del Sol, your private-island base
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From Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Trip

15.Rosario Islands Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 8 reviews · 8 hours · from $180

You’ll ride a speedboat from Cartagena to Isla del Sol, passing Tierra Bomba and turquoise Caribbean water. Spend the day at a private island eco hotel with a beach, pool, hammocks, lunch, and optional snorkeling, kayaking, massages, or a visit to the Rosario Aquarium. English and Spanish support is included.

“The actual trip was excellent and I would highly recommend but I would book through someone elde. The organisation by GYG was very poor and we were left very disappointed with the service and assistance they provided.”

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New in Day Trips in Cartagena

★ 4.0FULL DAY BARRANQUILLA AND SANTA MARTA 1 DAY from CartagenaFrom $913 reviews
★ 3.9San Basilio de Palenque private DayTrip with LunchFrom $1093 reviews
★ 3.3Ecoplan on Barú, Aviary and Oceanarium in one dayFrom $683 reviews
★ 3.2Day Tour to Tierra Bomba IslandFrom $453 reviews

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