Rosario Islands Full-Day Tour: Barú, Cholon, & Playa Blanca Review
Dreaming of turquoise waters, powdery sands, and maybe that distinct Caribbean vibe? A day trip to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena, Colombia might just need to be it. These tours very often cram in visits to Isla Barú, Cholon, and Playa Blanca, but is it all actually worth your precious time? I figured I’d take a closer look at what a full-day tour is kinda like, some potential hiccups, and, too it’s almost, some tips so your island experience is, actually, absolutely magical.
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First Stop: Isla Barú – A Bit of Everything
Barú is, potentially, often your initial plunge into island life on a full-day tour. Think, arguably, that you are beautiful beaches, mangrove tunnels, and the famous Playa Blanca all rolled into this one larger island, yet it’s all a bit different than you might be prepared for. Some tours will very quickly whiz you through a mangrove tunnel. If that is of interest to you, the stillness and mystery as you float through the dark waters surrounded, you know, kind of by dense vegetation can be, honestly, breathtaking.
Playa Blanca, possibly the big draw on Barú, very likely lives up to its name with super soft white sand and inviting clear water. Still, that part is that, and I may be upfront, that it is usually packed, pretty much especially on weekends and holidays. As soon as you arrive, people selling things will be upon you immediately so get your bartering pants on because you will be hassled a little bit. Just politely decline any services or products you’re not keen on. Find a spot, take a dip, and soak up that sun before moving on, so you don’t get completely overwhelmed by that activity.
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Cholon: The Party Island
Get prepared to crank up that music because Cholon is a party waiting to pop off in the center of the ocean. This small island, and honestly that it really might be more like a sandbar, actually functions as a big floating fiesta. Boats pull up and then they tie up together and everybody parties on the water. Music blares. People are, like your, often dancing in their swimwear, maybe enjoying cocktails, and just taking pleasure in the pure revelry of the place. So this can be super awesome for a specific personality.
If that part is that, too, you’re hoping for a calm, tranquil escape, that, arguably, Cholon is almost absolutely not that place. Cholon, and actually it can change by the minute, just sort of has a vibe so embrace the chaos and participate or just soak in all those super bright colors and all those high-energy antics from your own boat.
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Playa Blanca: Serenity… With a Catch?
Most tours will spend a good chunk of their duration at Playa Blanca. The name promises, and kind of delivers, brilliant white sand and that really clear, calm water. As I was saying it is truly a sight. Still, the whole experience so really relies on your own expectations and ability to deal with crowds. At times the vendors are overwhelming. They are persistent, as a matter of fact, because selling goods and services to tourists is their bread and butter.
They’re just very likely trying to make a living. A polite but firm “no, thank you” really needs to be your catchphrase. Try heading down the beach away from the main areas for some, like your, quiet spots, if that, arguably, you would really rather do that thing. Don’t be surprised if somebody approaches and offers you a beach chair to use. Know what you might be getting in for there.
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Choosing a Tour: What to Look For
Different operators may offer these types of tours at different price points so consider your own priorities while you’re deciding. Is a fancy lunch important to you, honestly? So what, too it’s almost, about an open bar, alright? Find tours offering things that you actually, totally want.
Reading recent reviews on a specific tour will give some pretty interesting details regarding real customer experiences. A bad experience may highlight things that could be deal-breakers like severely overcrowded boats or unexpected fees.
Think closely about the total time spent at each spot, that part is that, because some tours spend much less time on Playa Blanca while they make that up elsewhere, conversely, for some other options. Would you rather want the longest possible time to sunbathe, anyway?
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Tips for a Fantastic Trip
- Sunscreen is Really Essential: This is honestly the Caribbean sun we’re discussing so that sun shines down on you all day. So lather on that sunscreen, that’s the deal. Reapply regularly, even so that when that weather’s looking somewhat cloudy.
- Cash is Pretty Handy: Some vendors might not accept cards and honestly you will very possibly be glad to have small bills for drinks, for souvenirs, and, like your, any tips.
- Hydrate All Day: Take that bottled water, right, because that, very possibly, it does get super hot and it becomes very easy to dehydrate while you’re in direct sunlight.
- Waterproof Your Valuables: Get a dry bag, is that so? That’s almost definitely essential because you wouldn’t rather want that phone getting damaged by seawater.
- Go During the Week If Possible: The weekends are more popular which basically mean that more crowds are what you will probably face, that part is that, if you don’t go during the week.
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