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Playa Blanca – a beautiful beach or a tourist trap?
Playa Blanca is undoubtedly Colombia’s most famous beach and is often considered one of its very best.
And it truly delivers with its soft white sand, turquoise water, and the idyllic beach huts where you’ll find everything from restaurants to small hotels. Unfortunately, the beach also comes with several downsides that most visitors will feel sooner or later. When they arrive at this little slice of paradise on Barú Island near Cartagena.
We usually start our articles on a positive note, but with Playa Blanca it feels more honest to do the opposite. To truly enjoy your visit, you need to stay alert and avoid a few common pitfalls. All along the beach you’ll come across dozens of scammers who see tourists as nothing more than walking wallets.
Playa Blanca Baru
- Playa Blanca – a beautiful beach or a tourist trap?
- Tourist trap – how to avoid falling into one
- Getting to Playa Blanca by car and parking
- First impression and the beauty of the beach
- Banana Beach, the quieter part of Playa Blanca
- Secrets Behind the Beach - The Lagoon, the Mangroves and the Insects
- Where to stay in Cartagena?
Tourist trap – how to avoid falling into one
Since we came across plenty of questionable Google reviews, we also talked to locals and eventually decided to take the risk and visit Playa Blanca ourselves. We followed strict precautions the entire time and, unfortunately, saw firsthand what happened to those who didn’t stay alert. That’s why we’ve put together a few essential rules below to help you avoid getting scammed or ripped off.
1. The drive there and its hidden pitfalls
If you’re driving, be prepared for locals on motorbikes to follow you as soon as you enter Barú Island, offering to “show” you the way. The beach is poorly marked — likely on purpose. Even a firm refusal won’t help, as their goal is to get a tip for their so‑called assistance.
2. The pitfalls of boat tours
Avoid the typical “hop‑on” tours to the Rosario Islands, as many of them end up dropping passengers at Playa Blanca. Boats usually leave you at bars they have deals with, and the prices there tend to be heavily inflated. You’re better off getting to the beach on your own. Whether by car, bus, or a local boat taxi.
3. Don’t stay on the main beach
The main part of Playa Blanca is crowded and you will constantly be approached by people offering massages, food or souvenirs. It is also the least maintained area and you will notice the trash right away. It is better to walk about twenty minutes down the beach or hire a small boat to reach the more distant end. You will find cleaner surroundings there, fewer tourists and a calmer atmosphere. Make sure to agree on the boat price in advance.
4. Agree on the price for the sunbeds right away, pay immediately and insist on getting a receipt.
If they refuse to give you a receipt, pay by card. Almost all bars have payment terminals and they certainly use them when they charge tourists hundreds of dollars. All sunbeds belong to the bars, so you will not avoid paying. If you prefer not to use your card, at least insist on a written confirmation that they received your money.
5. Pay for every order immediately
Even if the bar tells you that you can pay at the end, do not do it. Insist on paying after every single order. An open tab often leads to problems because they can charge you for things you never ordered. And you have no way to prove it. If you refuse to pay, they threaten to call the police. The family sitting next to us dealt with exactly this situation. When they were asked to pay 750 USD for more or less nothing, just a few drinks and lunch for four people. You will find this practice mentioned in many negative reviews on Google Maps as well.
6. Everyone tries to scam you here, but the massage is worth it
Women offering massages will approach you every few minutes. Prices are high compared to other parts of the country or even Cartagena, even though the massage itself feels nice. Always ask how much it costs before you agree and hand over the exact amount. One woman never returned with our change, although fortunately it was only a small sum.
7. Take only as much cash as you will need
Do not carry a credit card or a large amount of cash. Set a clear budget before you go. For the boat ride back they asked us for four times the original price for the short trip (from the main beach to Banana Beach). Only after we showed that we genuinely did not have that much money did the price drop to something only slightly higher than what we paid on the way there.
8. Never leave your belongings unattended
Locals on Playa Blanca operate almost like an organized group. Everyone claims to be a cousin or relative and they help each other when it comes to scamming tourists. At the end of the day they gather in larger groups and split the money, often right in front of visitors. If you leave your belongings unattended, there is a good chance you will not see them again.
Getting to Playa Blanca by car and parking
Driving from Cartagena to Playa Blanca takes about 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. The fastest route leads over the new Puente Barú bridge that connects the mainland with Barú Island. Once you cross it, you continue along a narrow and dusty road with plenty of potholes. Set your navigation to “Parqueadero Playa Blanca” and it will guide you all the way to the right spot.
The parking area is large and finding a free spot is never a problem. What you should expect, though, is a lot of trash scattered all over the ground. It feels as if this part of the beach has never been cleaned. Our first impression was a bit disappointing, but fortunately the beach itself looked much better.
First impression and the beauty of the beach
Playa Blanca, a name that literally means “white beach”, captures the place perfectly. As we got closer, the first thing that struck us was the color of the sand. Soft, snow white sand contrasts so strongly with the turquoise water that you feel as if you have stepped straight into a photo from a Caribbean travel catalogue.
The sand felt as soft as flour, with no sharp stones or seaweed, so we could walk on it barefoot without the slightest discomfort.
The horizon is lined with mangroves and simple wooden huts that add to the feeling of an untouched paradise. Inside these huts you will find small hotels, hostels and restaurants.
We found the most beautiful views and the calmest atmosphere in the back part of the beach, especially around the area known as Banana Beach. Even though all the negative aspects were present here as well, we at least had some privacy and a feeling that we were in a more remote corner of the world.
Banana Beach, the quieter part of Playa Blanca
The atmosphere here was noticeably more pleasant with fewer tourists, fewer persistent vendors and more of the Caribbean calm that brings so many people to this place. Meanwhile, the sunlight reflecting on the water, the distant rhythm of the music and the breeze carrying the scent of the sea created the feeling that we had stepped into a different world.
Our kids really enjoyed the shallow and warm sea here. Although swimming was not really possible because motorboats and water taxis were constantly passing just a few meters from the shore. So we had to stay close to the beach just like all the other visitors.
There were plenty of water activities available here, including banana boat rides, jet skis and paddleboarding, although we preferred to relax under the palm trees. The beach is lined with simple restaurants and wooden bars where you can buy fresh coconut, fruit or a cold beer. The overall look is simple and at times a bit chaotic, but it definitely has its charm. Be careful with the prices, though.
One of the most beautiful moments of the day came when a large macaw flew right above our heads. Its vibrant feathers glowed in the sharp sunlight and that was the moment we truly realized we were in a tropical paradise. Even though we never fully got used to the smell of gasoline and oil from the boats, the beach won us over with its appearance. But you really need to be careful here.
At sunset the white sand turns golden, the beach empties out and it feels completely different, much calmer.
Secrets Behind the Beach - The Lagoon, the Mangroves and the Insects
Just behind the row of simple beach huts and restaurants lies a lesser known but interesting part of Playa Blanca. It is a small salt lagoon we found during a short walk inland. The water has a greenish tint and the surface is almost completely still. Locals know about it, but most tourists pass it without noticing. It is not a place for swimming. Still, its calm atmosphere feels special. In addition, the surrounding palms and many birds create a different kind of Caribbean experience.
The lagoon is connected to the surrounding mangroves that stretch toward the back of the peninsula. Here, dense dark green roots rise directly from the water and create shelter for many birds and insects. As a result, this small area feels surprisingly alive.
You should expect more insects in this part of the beach. Especially in the evening, tiny mosquitoes and almost invisible flies become active and they can get through your clothes. Even though we used repellent, we still ended up with a few bites. If you decide to stay overnight in one of the huts, be ready for sand flies after sunset.
Even though we originally considered spending the night at Playa Blanca, we were ultimately glad we stayed in Cartagena. One full day on this beach was more than enough for us. After that, we couldn’t wait for the following days and for our visit to Tayrona National Park.
Where to stay in Cartagena?
Cartagena is one of the most developed parts of Colombia, so you will find plenty of great places to stay. Whether you want luxury or comfort, Cartagena will not disappoint you.
If you are looking for a true beach paradise and complete peace, consider staying on Barú Island, but only at Hotel Agua Azul or Hotel Decameron. It felt too expensive for us, so we looked for a cheaper alternative to extend our stay in Cartagena, and we ended up regretting it. Even our accommodation on Barú Island tried to charge us for things we never ordered. Even though it was also a resort with a private beach.
Playa Blanca has plenty of hostels where you can stay, but for us it’s not worth the risk. If you’re looking for budget‑friendly accommodation, stay in Cartagena.
In Cartagena you can choose from many hotels in different price ranges.
The cheapest places to stay are located outside the city walls. These neighborhoods are not as safe and you will not be able to walk around. If you want to avoid overpaying for accommodation, choose a place just outside the walls in the historic center.
Budget friendly – simple and cozy
For those on a limited budget, good options on Booking include Casa Movida Hostel, which offers a garden, a terrace and reasonable prices starting at around 10 USD per night. If you’re looking for great private reviews and a good location, choose Hostal Casa Torres Centro Historico – Adults Only or Hotel Balcones de Venecia.
Affordable places to stay here: Budget‑friendly
Mid‑range category: comfort and views
If you want comfort, we recommend Hotel Don Pedro De Heredia, which we also visited ourselves. The hotel offered spacious, beautiful rooms and a rooftop terrace. The kids really enjoyed the pool.
The second alternative we considered was Hotel Casa Tere. It also offers beautiful rooms, a pool and great breakfast
Here you can find a selection of comfortable hotels: Mid‑range accommodation.
Luxury accommodation
If you are looking for something special, consider the hotel Casa del Gobernador. It feels like a place from a fairy tale and it has very positive reviews.
Another option is Hotel Boutique Casa Del Arzobispado, which offers plenty of greenery and feels like a peaceful oasis. A perfect escape from the busy city.
Check out the selection of premium hotels here: luxury hotels
