Major city · Colombia
Tolú
Spend 1–2 days in Tolú for a beach break and a day trip to the San Bernardo Islands; longer stays add little extra.
Tolú is a small Caribbean fishing town in Colombia's Costa Norte region. It offers a gritty beach, easy access to the San Bernardo archipelago and nearby mud volcano. Most visitors stay 1–2 days, using the town as a gateway for a day island tour.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Apr, Jul–Aug
- avoid May–Jun (rainy), Sep–Nov (humid)
- Airports
- EOH · CTG
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tolú123 ▾
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tolú, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
- SafetyTolú is generally safe for day visitors; keep an eye on belongings on buses and at the beach, especially after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police, ambulance, fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; Monday holidays (puentes) move almost half of public holidays.Colombia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEOH Enrique Olaya Herrera (Medellín) (Flights from Medellín by Clic or SATENA; book on airline website, not on major search engines).
- Getting aroundWalk the compact town centre; bicycle‑rickshaws cost COP$2,000 per ride; buses run frequently along the main road.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféCOP 3,000–5,000
- Street or quick mealStreet‑food arepaCOP 2,000–4,000
- BeerBeer (bottle)COP 4,000–6,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))COP 12,000–15,000
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket to CartagenaCOP 30,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 40,000
- Mid-range bedBeach‑front double room, a night, per roomCOP 110,000
- High-end bedBeach‑front double room, a night, per roomCOP 150,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 30,000 · Mid COP 55,000 · High COP 90,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EOH Enrique Olaya Herrera (Medellín) (Flights from Medellín by Clic or SATENA; book on airline website, not on major search engines) · CTG Rafael Núñez (Cartagena) (Bus from Cartagena to Tolú about 3 h, COP$30,000)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Jul–Aug, Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Jun, Sep–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tolú: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the compact town centre; bicycle‑rickshaws cost COP$2,000 per ride; buses run frequently along the main road.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Islas de San Bernardo
goDoor to door: About 4 h total (round‑trip)
Boat from Tolú beach; 30‑min ride
Cost around COP$80,000; start early for full day.
Volcán de Lodo (San Antero)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or local bus 20 min north
Mud volcano, free entry, check conditions after rain.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Villa Babilla
Hostel, budget option, about COP$40,000 per night.
Hostal El Velero
Beach‑front hotel, about COP$90,000 for a double room.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- COP 30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 45,000–80,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP 80,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed2 × 1 night × COP 50,000 | COP 100,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × COP 55,000 | COP 110,000 |
| Boat to San Bernardo Islands (round‑trip)2 × COP 80,000 · check | COP 160,000 |
| Bicycle‑rickshaw ride within town2 × COP 2,000 · check | COP 4,000 |
| eSIM, 1‑week data2 × COP 50,000 · check | COP 100,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 47,400 |
| Trip total≈ COP 260,700 per person per day, bed included | COP 521,400 |
2026 estimate in Colombian pesos; flights and long‑distance bus tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | COP 3,000–5,000 |
| Street‑food arepa | COP 2,000–4,000 |
| Beer (bottle) | COP 4,000–6,000 |
| Taxi (5 km) | COP 12,000–15,000 |
| Bus ticket to Cartagena | COP 30,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses can be crowded; keep valuables close.
- Island tours fill quickly in high season; book early.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire
- 123
Pocket card
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TolúTolú
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Embassy
US consulate in Bogotá; Colombian visa info at /colombia/visa-requirements
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Tolú → Cartagena: about COP 30,000, 3 h (check)
- Boat to San Bernardo Islands: about COP 80,000, 30 min each way (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (pweˈðo paˈɣaɾ kon taˈɾxeta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβaɲo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tolú. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr, Jul–Aug · avoid May–Jun (rainy), Sep–Nov (humid) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a day for island snorkeling or a mud‑volcano hike.
- Combine with a stay in nearby Coveñas for a longer beach stretch.
Sources
Ask about Tolú
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