Major city · Colombia
Rincón del Mar
Two nights: one full day for island tours and bioluminescent plankton, a second morning on the beach. A day-trip from Tolú or Cartagena is too rushed.
Rincón del Mar is a fishing village turned budget beach base on Colombia's Western Costa Norte, 15 km from San Onofre. Its appeal is affordable boat tours to the San Bernardo islands and a bioluminescent plankton lagoon, not the village itself. Most travellers stay two nights and leave satisfied.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid Oct–Nov (rainy, fewer tours running)
- Airports
- CTG · MTR
- Nights
- 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
Emergency numbers for Rincón del Mar123 ▾
- 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 Rincón del Mar, 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
- SafetyRincón del Mar is safe for tourists; petty theft is rare.
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.
- AirportCTG Rafael Núñez International (Cartagena) (About 2 h by bus + taxi; the nearest major airport.).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable end-to-end in 10–15 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle on the beach)COP 4,000–6,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Motor-taxi within the villageCOP 3,000–5,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 35,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate guesthouse room, a night, per roomCOP 150,000
- High-end bedPrivate guesthouse room, a night, per roomCOP 250,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 80,000 · Mid COP 140,000 · High COP 250,000
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
- CTG Rafael Núñez International (Cartagena) (About 2 h by bus + taxi; the nearest major airport.) · MTR Los Garzones (Montería) (About 2.5 h by bus + taxi.)
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
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
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: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Oct (12 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rincón del Mar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
3 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 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
The village is walkable end-to-end in 10–15 min. Motor-taxis (moto-taxis) wait at the bus drop-off for trips to nearby beaches or San Onofre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tolú
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Motor-taxi to San Onofre (15 min), then bus (30 min)
Larger town with a beach and more services; useful for an ATM or supplies.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus from San Onofre (2 h)
Direct bus from San Onofre; a day-trip is possible but long.
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.
Beachfront strip
Most hostels and guesthouses face the sea; walk to restaurants and tour operators.
Inland village
Quieter and cheaper, 5–10 min walk to the beach.
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 80,000–120,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 120,000–200,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP 200,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private guesthouse room1 × 2 nights × COP 150,000 | COP 300,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × COP 140,000 | COP 560,000 |
| Island tour (full day, lunch included)2 × COP 80,000 · check | COP 160,000 |
| Bioluminescent plankton night tour2 × COP 50,000 · check | COP 100,000 |
| Mangrove tour (half day)2 × COP 40,000 · check | COP 80,000 |
| Bus Cartagena–San Onofre, one way2 × COP 25,000 · check | COP 50,000 |
| Motor-taxi San Onofre–Rincón del Mar2 × COP 10,000 · check | COP 20,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 127,000 |
| Trip total≈ COP 349,300 per person per day, bed included | COP 1,397,000 |
2026 estimate in COP; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Seafood plate (fresh fish, rice, patacón) | COP 20,000–35,000 |
| Cocktail shrimp (coctel de camarones) | COP 15,000–25,000 |
| Beer (bottle on the beach) | COP 4,000–6,000 |
| Cocktail (rum or vodka) | COP 10,000–18,000 |
| Motor-taxi within the village | COP 3,000–5,000 |
| Island tour (full day, lunch included)check | COP 70,000–100,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM in the village: bring enough COP cash for accommodation, tours and meals.
- Tours run on demand, not on a fixed schedule; confirm the day before.
- Bioluminescent plankton is seasonal and weather-dependent; ask your host if it's visible.
- Motor-taxi prices are negotiable; agree the fare before getting on.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire
- 123
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Rincón del MarRincón del Mar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favor.To this address, please.
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cartagena → San Onofre (bus): about COP 25,000, 2 h (check)
- San Onofre → Rincón del Mar (motor-taxi): COP 10,000–15,000, 15 min
- Island tour (full day): COP 70,000–100,000 (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta el tour? — How much does the tour cost? (KWAN-to KWES-ta el toor)
- Quiero un plato de mariscos, por favor. — I'd like a seafood plate, please. (KYEH-ro oon PLA-to de ma-REES-kos, por fa-VOR)
- ¿Dónde hay un cajero? — Where is the ATM? (DON-de eye oon ka-HEH-ro)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay with card? (PWEH-do pa-GAR kon tar-HEH-ta)
Cash only in the village; no ATMs.
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 Rincón del Mar. 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 · avoid Oct–Nov (rainy, fewer tours running) · 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
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Rincón del Mar
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