Marjolein Dilven
Are you looking for a beach destination aside from Cartagena? What are the other nearby tourist destinations with beautiful beaches worth visiting? A place that should win the spot in your itinerary is the charming San Bernardo Islands Colombia.
While not nearly as popular as nearby Santo Rosario, San Bernardo is a favorite getaway spot among the locals, and for a good reason. Vacations spent here will truly leave a mark on your memory.
This article will give an overview of the San Bernardo Islands, transportation and accommodation options, and a list of the must-do activities to enjoy the islands’ attractions fully. Let’s begin!
Best Things to Do in San Bernardo Islands, Colombia – Activities
1. Go Island-Hopping
San Bernardo Islands are part of an archipelago consisting of 9 islands, an artificial island, and several islets.
You can join a boat tour to different picturesque islands during the day. Prices start from 50,000 COP (around $11) per person, and you can choose and negotiate your island excursions in Tolu and Rincon del Mar towns.
Get some tranquil and idyllic pictures to treasure when you’re back home.
2. Snorkel at Mangles
The island’s name Mangles is Spanish for mangroves. It is well-known for the numerous mangrove swamps all over the island’s coastline, coloring it in black and red hues.
It is a paradise for snorkeling enthusiasts for its unspoiled waters, breathtaking coral reefs, marvelous marine flora, and fauna. If you like scuba diving, the clear water here is suited for you.
3. Go Spearfishing With the Locals
Spearfishing with the locals at Tintipan Islands is one of the most fun activities that you can do. Locals here are quite friendly and will teach you the basics of spearfishing.
However, if you are traveling with a professional guide, you can ask them too, as some of them are well-trained for such activities and with impressive knowledge about underwater life.
4. Observe the Birds
On your trip to Tintipan Island, you can spot a lot of pelicans and flamingos. Spotting these birds is not that difficult, but observing them in the light breeze over turquoise waters and pearly white sands makes the whole atmosphere lit up.
Trips to this place will leave you breathless about how these animals interact with nature.
5. Hiking and Water Sports
Mucura is the best place for hiking and water sports. You can rent water sports equipment, go kayaking or paddle boarding, and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere in the middle of the sea.
You can also enjoy many other water activities, such as windsurfing and diving. There are many places on the island where you can find snorkels and other diving equipment for safety measures.
Divers enjoy the rich marine life here in Mucura, and you can too! Make sure you leave early in the morning, after a light breakfast.
If you wish to have a more relaxing time, you can also do sunbathing on this island, which is part of the beautiful Colombian beaches.
Best Things to Do in San Bernardo Islands, Colombia – Sights
6. Mesmerizing Sunsets
Viewing sunsets is a must if you are visiting the San Bernardo Islands. Mix your Coco Loco and relax at the beach before the setting sun.
The best viewpoint is along the waterfront in Tolu. Stroll around this beautiful island as you watch the beauty of the sunset with your loved ones.
7. White, Sandy Shores With Clear Blue and Green Waters
Some of the most attractive islands where you can see pearly white, sandy shores are Tintipan and Mucura, also known as the 2 main islands of San Bernardo.
Tintipan has more mangroves that cover the area to provide more shade, whereas Mucura has less tree shade with more beach views. These are the best places to do a day trip to experience the sandy beaches and clear waters.
Best Things to Do in San Bernardo Islands, Colombia – Food
8. Try Langoustine Ceviche
At Mucura island, you will find one of Colombia’s most delicious langoustine ceviche.
You can watch the cook expertly prepare the dish live. The waiting time could be an issue as the place is usually crowded with tourists, but the taste makes up for everything.
9. Eat Fresh Crabs
You can also find fresh crabs in most of the San Bernardo Islands. Crabs are the best way to enjoy the tropical atmosphere under the bright sun and tall mangroves.
10. Delicious Prawns and Lobsters
Prawns and lobsters are the seafood that you will see very often on displays during your trip to San Bernardo Islands. These are absolutely delicious and highly recommended.
How To Get to San Bernardo Islands, Colombia
You can choose 3 options to reach the San Bernardo Islands in Colombia:
- A boat ride from Rincon Del Mar, a beach located south of Cartagena, for 200,000 Colombian Pesos (COP) or 43.32 US Dollars per boat.
- A boat ride from Tolu, located far south of Rincon, for 50,000 COP or $11.30 per hour
- A direct speed boat from Cartagena to San Bernardo Islands for 100,000 COP or $22.60 per 2.5 hours
Where to Stay in San Bernardo Islands, Colombia
Tintipan Island
If you are looking for a place to stay, visit Tintipan, the largest Island of San Bernardo. It is one of the best areas for accommodations.
It is also home to many pelicans roaming the island through the mangroves. Moreover, you can also enjoy festivals live if you are lucky enough.
To plan your stay here, make sure that you choose the hotel with the best views. Check out these hotels:
- Hotel Puntanorte is known for its location and views. It has basic cabins that are made of wood.
- Casa Tinti Hotel Boutique is the best for younger people traveling with their partners. It offers a restaurant, a bar, and a garden and serves continental breakfast. You can also do snorkeling and fishing.
- Santa Lova-Eco Hostel provides accommodation for adults with a restaurant and bar on the private beach.
Mucura Island
Mucura is another great island to spend some days in. It has the cheapest hotels on San Bernardo Island and offers the greatest nightlife.
The best part of this island is the tiny village nearby, where you can try street food and buy alcohol at night.
Make sure to book a hotel to enjoy the beach in advance, or you won’t be allowed to roam the area as it is only available to hotel customers. You can book one of the following hotels below as they are the cheapest and most reasonable options available.
- Hotel Isla Mucura is best if you travel with a group of friends. Its most popular features include a bar, a private beach area, and a beachfront.
- Hotel Dahlandia is the most affordable hotel on Mucura island. In addition, there is a continental breakfast every morning for the guests.
- Hotel Punta Faro is the best in terms of service, quality, and location, but it is a bit more expensive than the other accommodations on the island.
Palma Island
Palma is closest to Rincon del Mar. It is private and under the ownership of 2 hotels, which makes it the best island if you want peace away from crowds.
The hotels in this place are not the best, but the beauty of nature is enough to stay for a few days.
- Mistica Island Hostel provides all the basic facilities, such as a private beach, barbeque facilities, a game room, and Wi-Fi.
For more accommodation options, you may click on the map.
Tips To Get the Best Out of Your San Bernardo Islands Trip
San Bernardo can be a really fun place to visit, with mesmerizing views and luscious food, but there are some things that you need to consider before visiting the island.
Here are the 5 practical tips to get the best out of your trip:
- Take some cash with you, as there are no ATMs on these islands except in Tolu.
- The cellphone service is quite bad on most islands, so make sure that you inform your close ones about the issue beforehand.
- Most of the islands have no electricity supply, so hotels rely on generators. Make sure that you keep your cell phone and other electronic equipment charged.
- The seafood prices can be quite expensive, so keep your budget high. Fried fish is the most inexpensive item costing 20,000 to 30,000 COP ($4.50 to $6.80). On the other hand, lobster is the most expensive item costing around 50,000 COP ($11.30).
How To Stay Safe During Your Trip In San Bernardo Islands, Colombia
During your visit to San Bernardo Island, Colombia, prioritize staying in reputable accommodations and avoid venturing into unknown or poorly lit areas alone, especially at night.
Keep your belongings secure and be mindful of your surroundings, particularly in crowded tourist spots. Stay updated on local safety guidelines and trust your instincts if you feel uncomfortable in any situation.
Additionally, consider protecting yourself with travel insurance such as SafetyWing, which can cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen incidents during your stay.
Use the widget below to snag the perfect policy for your needs and travel with peace of mind knowing you’ve got your back covered, no matter what adventures come your way!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – San Bernardo Islands, Colombia
How Do I Get to San Bernardo Island?
If you want to get to San Bernardo Island, your only option is to take a boat.
The boats have 3 departing points: Rincon del Mar, Tolu, and Cartagena. The boat ride from Tolu is the cheapest, costing around 50,000 COP ($11.30) per person.
How Do You Get to San Bernardo from Cartagena?
If you want to get to San Bernardo from Cartagena, book a speed boat that travels on the Cartagena and San Bernardo Islands routes. The boat departs around 8 to 10 am, and it usually takes 2 hours to reach the island.
How Do I Get to Isla Palma, Colombia?
There is no direct route from Cartagena to Isla Palma. The best way to get there is to take a ferry to Isla Tintipan first and then move to Mucura.
From Mucura, take another car ferry that will take you to Isla Palma. It should take around 4 hours to reach Isla Palma through these routes starting from Cartagena.
The total distance is around 48 miles (78 km).
Conclusion – San Bernardo Islands, Colombia
Are the San Bernardo Islands worth visiting? Definitely! If you want a memorable Colombian beach foray with amazing sunset views and yummy local food, head out to the San Bernardo Islands.
Travelers can choose from several beautiful islands for sightseeing, snorkeling, sailing, or just a laid-back day at the beach. Just figure out the best island that suits your dream vacation.
With something for everyone, the San Bernardo Islands are one of those perfect places to relax and enjoy yourself with the various activities offered.
Island Hopping in San Bernardo Islands – Best Booking Resources
I use a couple of favorite companies every time I travel. They have the best prices, great value, and customer service you can wish for. They’re much better than the competition, and I use them a lot. Every time I travel, these are the companies I go for:
Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my go-to platform for booking flights. It’s so easy to use. Skyscanner also searches the smaller websites and airlines that are often skipped, which means more savings in your pocket. They are hands down the number one place I book my flights.
Booking.com – Looking for the cheapest and lowest rates? Booking.com is the best platform out there. They have the widest selection and availability worldwide, ideal for travelers on a budget. I book 90% of my travels through Booking.com because they always have the lowest rates
Hostelworld – If you’re into hostels, Hostelworld is the best site to compare hostel accommodation. It’s easy to use, has many options, and has the best availability.
Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is an online marketplace where you can book tours and excursions. They have tour options worldwide, with any experience you wish for. This includes walking tours, cooking classes, street art lessons, and more unique experiences.
12Go Asia – This platform is my ultimate travel companion in Asia, offering the best budget service platform for seamless booking of trains, buses, ferries, and flights. The platform is easy to use and I have used it extensively when I traveled through Southeast Asia.
Rome2Rio – Rome2Rio is a convenient website where you can see how to get to your destination the quickest and cheapest. It gives you options for train, bus, plane, or even boat routes and tells you exactly how often they operate and how expensive they are.
SafetyWing – If you’re looking for affordable travel insurance, Safety Wing has you covered. It’s ideal if you’re traveling often or for the long term. I never travel anywhere without travel insurance, and I’ve used it often while on the road. So, I can recommend you look into Safety Wing. They have good monthly prices, the best customer service, and a convenient, easy-to-use process to make claims on the road.
LifeStraw – I love LifeStraw, and it’s been my go-to reusable water bottle with built-in filters for 10 years now. With their bottles, you make sure your drinking water is always clean and safe. I’ve used it everywhere, from South America to Southeast Asia, and I’ve always been perfectly safe drinking the local tap water.
Related reads:
- 10 Best and Enjoyable Day Trips From Bogota
- 10 Most Popular Colombian Snacks & Best Restaurants To Try This Year
Founder of Spark Nomad, Radical FIRE, Copywriter
Expertise: Personal finance and travel content. I’m a full-time traveler, and I’ve been to 49 countries and 5 continents.
Education: Bachelor of Economics at Radboud University, Master in Finance at Radboud University, Minor in Economics at Chapman University.
Over 200 articles, essays, and short stories published across the web.
Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Spark Nomad, a travel platform, and Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform. Marjolein has a finance and economics background with a master’s in Finance. She has quit her job to travel the world, documenting her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their travels. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications like MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News syndicate, and more.