Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca
3.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Best nearby
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Restaurants
3 within 5 kms
Attractions
9 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- 1beingpoor5being251 contributionsSsshhI'm on the beach now outside Geronimo glamping, this will be our last night of 3. Maybe this is the time of year to visit. Vendors yes, but are put off just as easily as in Cartegena. The beach is not crowded, if anything, when the boats go back to Cartegena, it's too quiet. There are about a dozen bars open at night with 3 or 4 people in each and they close around 10 p.m. It's not what I expected, but in a good way.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 December 2023
- Jasmine38Chichester UKChichester, United Kingdom1,948 contributionsPleasant beach day if you appreciate its over developed and busyWhite sand beach although not very wide and blue waters. However, it is very overdeveloped and busy. It's probably best to book one of the nicer beach clubs as far as from the parking area as possible. Ignore all the guys that will approach you when you arrive. Once we'd walked to our beach club, the area was roped off and we didn't get hassled at all. Was a nice relaxing day after a lot of travelling around Colombia.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 February 2024
- Paradise59904420 contributionsLoved it!!!Tour guide we hired in Cartagena took us to such an unspoiled spot. A little rough getting down the hill from parking area….wear good shoes…but sooooo worth it went you get to bottom. Nice authentic beach restaurants, good food and good prices. Water was spectacularVisited March 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 14 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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3.5
4,685 reviews
Excellent
1,307
Very good
1,283
Average
855
Poor
497
Terrible
743
Xcan
1 contribution
Mar 2020
This place is an utter hole. We were trapped for 4 days at Rincon del Mar. non-functional toilets, had to beg every evening for the “free” internet to be turned on, no water in the shower, infrequent electricity. We chose to look on it as a chapter from a Paul Theroux book.
Paid for a snorkel trip and were given only a cheap leaky mask...no fins, no snorkel! Nothing but dead coral to see.
Rincon del Mar punted us off the beach chairs immediately after arriving because they were all sold to a day trip from Cartagena. Excuse me? I’ve paid for a beachfront room for 4 days that’s windowless plywood walls with the stench of a cesspool but I can’t sit in a chair? The venezolano who manages the place was extraordinarily unfriendly, never once offering a “buenos dios” or “como estas”. We have more than rudimentary spanish skills, but nothing we tried melted his obvious dislike of what he felt were rich gringos. These people don’t understand that we bank our holiday money for a year and we simply don’t have a bunch of cash to subsidize their lack of social security.
It’s certainly a destination for colombianos for a beach getaway, but hugely overmarketed to foreign tourists with misleading photos. Go if you want, but expect zero creature comforts, toilets full of rank stew and substandard food choices. Wash your hands as much as possible.
Paid for a snorkel trip and were given only a cheap leaky mask...no fins, no snorkel! Nothing but dead coral to see.
Rincon del Mar punted us off the beach chairs immediately after arriving because they were all sold to a day trip from Cartagena. Excuse me? I’ve paid for a beachfront room for 4 days that’s windowless plywood walls with the stench of a cesspool but I can’t sit in a chair? The venezolano who manages the place was extraordinarily unfriendly, never once offering a “buenos dios” or “como estas”. We have more than rudimentary spanish skills, but nothing we tried melted his obvious dislike of what he felt were rich gringos. These people don’t understand that we bank our holiday money for a year and we simply don’t have a bunch of cash to subsidize their lack of social security.
It’s certainly a destination for colombianos for a beach getaway, but hugely overmarketed to foreign tourists with misleading photos. Go if you want, but expect zero creature comforts, toilets full of rank stew and substandard food choices. Wash your hands as much as possible.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fabian G
2 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
They are over pricing at this beach , I was charged $240 usd for two plates of fish & rices , two drinks and a sprite …. Meanwhile I’ve been eating and drinking at 5 star restaurants in the city area for less that $60 usd. The people are money hungry trying to get over on tourist , the beach is beautiful water is clear but the people on the beach are too money hungry and looking to scam you so I would not recommend going there
Written 23 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ter06
London, UK11 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
While the sea may be clear and the sand may be white, the beach is far too crowded for this to feel like an idyllic Caribbean experience. Everywhere and everyone will try rip you off. We got 4 beers at a bar and they tried to charge up £30 service charge which I refused to pay. There is constant hassle from vendors when you are trying to relax in the sun, even from guys in jet skis hollering at you from the water. Speaking of which, they come really close when you are trying to swim and pollute the water. It’s disgusting. When we got the bus back to Cartagena, literally everyone on the bus was talking about how they had been scammed. One solo traveller even had her bus ticket robbed cos they tried to get her to pay for a cab back to town. Avoid
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
teresacorica
Melbourne, Australia62 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I came here 5 years ago and although it was busy then, there was still plenty of sand area to relax and not overly crowded with shacks.... we went there yesterday (January 6th and on a weekend) and it was the most chaotic beach experience ever. There were hundreds upon hundreds of people everywhere, beach shacks that came almost up to the water so there is no patch of sand anywhere along the beach. Heaps of vendors, but a shake of the head and the moved on (so they weren’t the worst part). The dirt road leading into the beach took almost as long and the journey from Cartagena and it was only 10am. They even had to close the entrance because the beach was that full.
I’m so disappointed how overrun it has become, and would absolutely not recommend anyone to spend a day there over the holiday period.
I’m so disappointed how overrun it has become, and would absolutely not recommend anyone to spend a day there over the holiday period.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zeynep B
5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Couldnt be worse.. too crowded, too expensive, and place to get ripped off. You cant even put your towels down, everywhere will charge you and food is overpriced. Bring pesos with you, our lunch place said they accept credit card but turns out they didnt even have a credit machine so they wanted us to pay in usd.. It looks like its all sand but after 3 steps into sea its rock..
My worst beach trip in my life so far. Dont waste time and money on this
My worst beach trip in my life so far. Dont waste time and money on this
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David K
1 contribution
Apr 2021 • Couples
I’ve never been more uncomfortable a day in my life, let alone a day that was supposed to be relaxing on the beach. Traveling by car, locals stand in a line in the middle of the road to force your car to stop just to try to sell you a stop on the beach. If you say no, they sprint after your car, reaching in the windows and banging on the doors. When you finally arrive on the beach, you are swarmed by seller after seller, many who don’t want to take no for an answer. The only way to avoid their harassment is to go in the water, which you can only do for so long. On top of this all, the people who you do choose to buy something from are liars. Our check for our breakfast and drinks came and was $250.000 pesos instead of $130.000 pesos. We left the beach early because it was excruciatingly stressful... the exact opposite of what it’s meant to be.
Written 18 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benedicte
Oslo, Norway56 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Worst experience I have ever had while traveling. I feel the need to be very strong with my words in this review because I don’t want anyone having this experience.
From the moment you enter the parking and WHILE INSIDE the car you are harassed and pushed to go wherever they want, because there are gangs gathering around you following (forcing) you to “their” place where they will make you sit down.
Later when they are doing the check/bill for whatever they have made you eat/drink they changes the menu to a menu that contains insane prices for everything and forces you to pay those prices. Also before leaving you will have to pay a “security fee” / “service fee”. We told them that this is crazy and that they are robbing us, but they just gathered around us telling us to pay up.
Basically we got robbed and the situation was super uncomfortable and tense. Literally felt like a hostage for the time we spent in this, sorry to say it, s***hole.
Hot tips: just avoid this place and keep living your life without the amount of stress and insecurity that Playa Blanca gives you. It’s not a safe place and it’s a shame for the few honest (I hope there are some of them) hostels and restaurants that is trying to make a living around there.
From the moment you enter the parking and WHILE INSIDE the car you are harassed and pushed to go wherever they want, because there are gangs gathering around you following (forcing) you to “their” place where they will make you sit down.
Later when they are doing the check/bill for whatever they have made you eat/drink they changes the menu to a menu that contains insane prices for everything and forces you to pay those prices. Also before leaving you will have to pay a “security fee” / “service fee”. We told them that this is crazy and that they are robbing us, but they just gathered around us telling us to pay up.
Basically we got robbed and the situation was super uncomfortable and tense. Literally felt like a hostage for the time we spent in this, sorry to say it, s***hole.
Hot tips: just avoid this place and keep living your life without the amount of stress and insecurity that Playa Blanca gives you. It’s not a safe place and it’s a shame for the few honest (I hope there are some of them) hostels and restaurants that is trying to make a living around there.
Written 1 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beatriz F
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1 contribution
July 2019 • Couples
When we arrived there were already people trying to get you in the boat tour sayong that the boat was leaving now. Which it wasnt. It took half an hour to fill the boat until not one needle fits in there. They tell you it will take one hour when it was 3h. (I left my boyfriend waiting for me at the beach without knowing where i was since they told me it would take so short...). Then the coral we went to see had no color at all so nothing to see there. Plus the driving of the boat was super scary. I was really scared for my life. There were waves and driver was like crazy against them. On top of that they told me i could pay later with the card and they followed me for 1h since they couldnt find the machine to pay. It became a stressful day in a beautiful place. Dont go. Its a tourist trap.
Written 5 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie M
2 contributions
Jan 2020
I just came back from my trip to Cartegena 2 days ago. Initially even before landing I already knew i wanted to visit this beach. The day of (Friday AM) I started reading reviews on here and I almost didnt go because of everything I read but my brother insisted so we went and I am glad I did! I stayed in Bocagrande so it took us about 40 min to arrive at Playa Blanca. My taxi guy was amazing. He took us to a spot toward the end of the beach. Less than 5 vendors came up to us but a FIRM "no thanks" did the trick and we were able to relax and enjoy the beach. I will agree that the entrance to the beach is very rocky and not pretty. The rental of 2 chairs cost me 50k pesos which is about $16. We had such a great time. Our taxi guy offered to wait for us (5 hours) and took us back to the hotel (very common to do this). Total round trip cost me $40.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Chaput
Ile-des-Chenes, Canada180 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Nice natural beauty but it’s crazy. May be the worst beach experience I ever had. You only get 10 feet of beach between the shade tents and the water. Tents are placed 3-4 rows deep. If you don’t get a front row seat $60,000 pesos, about $30 Canadian) you have to walk through the tents in front. Ames’s like pee if you go behind the tents and there is no place to “go for a stroll” anyway. The boats and jet skis come into the swimming area all day long. Stinking the air of 2 stroke exhaust and driving too close to swimmers. I was hit with. Tube and wife nearly stuck by a boat. I recommend you find an other beach. If you’re there anyway, make the most of it. The water is nice.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine M
Hatfield, United Kingdom
Hi my husband & I are in playa blanca for christmas, can someone recomend a restaurant thats open on christmas day lunch please?
Written 26 November 2020
Hi,
I am not sure what would be opened but there are a lot of places side by side all over the beach and you should be able to walk along the beach and choose the one of your liking. To be sure you have a spot you could always contact a travel agency that books tours closer to you departure date and maybe arrange a half day tour there with lunch included and maybe a little boat ride to an island.
Cheers
Written 27 November 2020
Hi I was wondering if this beach has a problem with people trying to see you drugs. I have been to many other beaches and it always takes away from the experience when people are approaching you to sell. Thank you
Written 2 January 2020
Is there any nightlife on Isla Baru? I’m thinking of parties on the beach with reggaeton, something along those lines?
Written 28 December 2019
Estuve el 20 de octubre mi experiencia no fue grata, playa blanca imposible estar.. me fui a playa tranquila, no hay buena infraestructura, muy precaria para tanto turismo y promoción, de los baños ni hablar. Pedimos,. No hay seguridad, casi me aplasta una lancha estando sentada en mi reposera,. Insoportable el olor a gaoil....Una pena,. Si no la cuidan pierden este paraíso..
Written 11 November 2019
J’y suis allée le 9 Novembre dernier... Honte à tous ces locaux qui en ont fait une décharge publique... Horreur totale... J’ai passé tout mon temps à ramasser les détritus dans le sable... et les mettre dans les poubelles devant des locaux qui me regardaient sans comprendre pourquoi je faisais cela.. AFFREUX souvenirs... j’ai détesté...
Written 27 November 2019
hola Denisse me podras recomendar el hostal en donde te alojaste??
Written 16 October 2019
Hola!! una consulta, en playa tranquila hay para hacer jetski? es que creo que entre playa blanca y playa tranquila es como que mejor playa tranquila!
Written 29 July 2019
recomendas ir a otra Playa que no sea Playa Blanca en Baru??? justo estaba viendo un hospedaje alli :)
Written 26 July 2019
Si me preguntaran si pudiera obviar el tour a Barú?, diría que no lo sé. Pero si lo que quieres es disfrutar de un día de playa, la mejor opción sería hospedarse en el casco antiguo, (porque es muy lindo y hay variedad de cosas para ver y hacer) e ir, caminando o en bus, y pasar la mañana en cualquier playa que está frente a las cadenas de hoteles en Boca Grande, porque son públicas, no pertenecen a los hoteles. Cualquiera puede ir y bañarse en esas playas.
Written 3 July 2019
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