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Voykit pocket guide · Colombia
Islas del Rosario
Spend one full day on Islas del Rosario; take a 90‑min boat from Cartagena, snorkel at Isla Múcura or Palma, lunch on Playa Blanca, and return by late afternoon.
Islas del Rosario is a protected archipelago 100 km off Cartagena, best explored in a single day via a boat tour that includes snorkeling, a beach stop and a visit to the aquarium. The islands are small, so a longer stay adds little beyond a beach day.
- Country
- Colombia
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Avoid
- May–Nov (rainy season)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- COP
- Money
- Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $). Cards work in hotels, malls and many restaurants; cash is needed for small shops, markets and rural areas.
- Daily spend
- Budget COP 50,000–70,000 excl. bed · Mid COP 80,000–120,000 excl. bed · High COP 150,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.
- Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire 123
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 110–120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.; Guides: COP 20,000–50,000 per person per day.; Taxis: Round up.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Boat tour (incl. lunch, aquarium) | COP 50,000–70,000 |
| Snorkelling gear rental | COP 5,000 |
| Beer (bottle) | COP 5,000–6,000 |
| Cocktail | COP 15,000–20,000 |
| Potato chips snack | COP 7,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CTG · Rafael Núñez International Airport
- 30 min drive to Cartagena port; many tours depart from here.
Typical fares
- Cartagena → Islas del Rosario boat
- about COP 55,000 per person, 90 min each way (check exact price)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Boat tours depart from Cartagena’s historic port; most include transport, lunch and a short stop at the aquarium. No public transport on the islands; walk or use provided kayaks.
See and do
Known for
- Snorkelling
- Playa Blanca beach
- Rosario aquarium
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cartagena | Boat from Cartagena port, about 90 min each way | ≈ 3 h round‑trip |
Sleep
- Eco Hotel Las Palmeras
- Family‑run eco hotel on Isla Grande; basic rooms.
- Hotel Cocoliso Island Resort
- Suites on the sea; good for a relaxed beach day.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasˈɡɾasjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?ˈkwanto ˈkwesta |
| Can I pay by card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?ˈpweðo paˈɣaɾ kon taˈɣɾeta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβaɲo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, cheek kiss between women and mixed pairs; avoid: Launching into requests without a greeting
- Politeness: 'Con gusto', 'a la orden'; avoid: Blunt commands
- Topics: Coffee, football, food; avoid: Escobar jokes, drug talk
- Showing valuables: Keep phones away; avoid: 'Dar papaya'
Scams and watch-outs
- Tours often charge extra for snorkeling gear and aquarium entry; confirm total price before booking.
- Harbor tax and park entrance (≈ COP 16,500) are not always included in advertised rates.
- Food, drinks and bathroom fees are higher than on the mainland.
Islas del Rosario is generally safe for tourists; keep valuables on the boat, watch for strong currents while snorkeling, and respect park rules.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Islas del Rosario yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Snorkelling
- Playa Blanca beach
- Rosario aquarium
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Colombian National Parks – Rosario and San Bernardo: www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/portal/es/islas-del-rosario
- Wikivoyage: Islas del Rosario, revision 5134793 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5134793
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Islas del Rosario
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, ambulance, fire123
US consulate in Cartagena (check address); other embassies in Bogotá.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/islas-del-rosario). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.