Barú is one of the best tourist destinations with a beach in Colombia and as we mentioned in the travel guide on how to get to the beaches of Barú, there is a great deal of location confusion since the name Barú refers to the town that is located in the center of the peninsula. So you are going by land and you tell the driver to take you to Barú, he will probably leave you in the center of the town, being very far from the hotel zones and the beaches.
For this reason, we recommend you read this entire guide on the most recommended hotels and hostels in Barú Colombia, before making a reservation.
Where to stay on Isla Baru?
Although it is known as an island, it is not entirely true. It is a peninsula in the Caribbean Sea that is bounded by the Bay of Cartagena de Indias. That is why you can reach its different areas by land or by sea transport.
There are 6 areas within the peninsula where you can find different types of accommodation, these are:
- Horse rides
- White Beach
- Cholón Bay
- Downtown Baru
- White Tip
- Punta Mamón
In most of them, the accommodations have private beaches or are just a few minutes from the sea. But in the last two, you can only get to their hotels by boat. On the following map, we leave them marked.
Zonas de alojamientos en Barú
11 best accommodations on the tropical island of Barú
Baru Beach House
It is a lodging located in Punta Mamón that offers accommodation facing the sea and its rooms have a private balcony. Rates start at COP 1,000,000 (277 dollars) per night where up to 10 people can sleep.
Entrada al hotel
The Islands Hotel
It is an all-inclusive hotel in the middle of the beaches of white sand and 2 km from the bay of Cholón. Its rooms are bungalow-type decorated and with sea views. It has a swimming pool, and a private beach and its access are by boat. The prices per night for two people start at COP 1,400,000, which would be 388 dollars.
The House of Cholo
It is an ideal accommodation for swimming in Playa Blanca because its location is in front of the sea. Its rooms are family and lodging prices start at $232,000 per night for 4 people, which would be 64 dollars.
Hotel Isla del Encanto
It is one of the all-inclusive hotels in Barú. It is located in the Punta Mamón sector within the Islas del Rosario National Park and can be reached by boat from Cartagena. In its facilities, you will find a spa, 2 swimming pools and a play area for children.
Prices per night start at COP 1,220,000, which would be USD 330 at the currency exchange.
Aura Hotel Barú
It is an accommodation inside the Cholón cove. It can be reached by speedboat from Cartagena or Playa Blanca. The hotel has its private beach and their rooms start at COP 564,000 for two people per night, which in dollars would be USD 156.
They also offer day trips to their visitors, the transfer service leaves the Manga Yacht Club pier at 08:00 and returns at 15:30.
Kiosco del hotelHotel Luna Beach Island
It is located in Punta Mamón, on Bobo Beach. Its rooms have a spectacular view of the sea and you can arrive by boat with your pet because they are pet friendly. Their prices per night start at COP 589,000 for two people, in dollars they are $136.
Zona verde del hotelBaru Hostel
It is a hostel facing the sea in Playa Blanca and all the rooms have a terrace to enjoy the view. The beach area has its own umbrellas and their prices start at COP 135,000 per night in a single bed for one person.
The Wizard Hostel
It is another cabin-type hostel in Playa Blanca, with a restaurant, bar, and terrace. Its rooms are family-friendly and equipped with balconies with access to the sea. Room rates for couples start at $128,000 per night, which would be $35.
Bar por la nocheShekinah Inn
It is an ecology inn located a few steps from Playa Blanca. Its rooms have a shared bathroom and it offers a restaurant and bar service.
Prices Accommodations for couples start at $100,000 per night ($27).
Cayuco Camping
It is an accommodation with access to the sea very close to Pasacaballos. It offers a camping area with large tents included and very well decorated. There are also rooms for a value of COP 191,000 per night. A continental, American or vegetarian breakfast is served daily at the property.
Hamacas del hotelManglares Beach Hotel
It is an eco-lodge located in front of Barbacoa beach very close to Pasacaballos and less than 10 minutes by car from Playa Blanca. Its rooms are luxurious with a private bathroom, shower, hammocks, patio, and outdoor terrace. Prices for sleeping per night range from COP 517,000 ($143 USD).
Hamacas del hotelWhich are the all-inclusive hotels in Barú?
If you are looking for a hotel that offers you all meals included, a private beach, and a transfer service from the airport, you should check the prices of the resort Decameron Barú with its All Inclusive Plus service in the Portonato Sector. This service is also available at hotel Las Islas in Bahía Cholón and the Isla del Encanto hotel in Punta Mamón.
Which hotels offer a day trip?
The hotels that offer a day trip in Barú are because they are very far from the common areas, they have their private beach, their restaurants, and access is generally by boat. The most common hotels where you can stay just for a day are Eco Beach Resort, Isla del Encanto, Agua Azul Beach Resort and The Islands hotel.
Most day-trip options include boat transportation, welcome cocktail, towel, exclusive beach access, beach beds, chairs, beach towel, kayaks, and beach games.
The boats leave the Muelle de Los Pegasos in Cartagena at 8:00 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m.
What should you take into account when booking accommodation?
If you are in Cartagena and want to book accommodation in Barú for 2 days or more, you should take into account the following recommendations.
Transportation from Cartagena to Barú
If you do not have your vehicle as transportation, try to book an accommodation that offers the transfer service, since return transportation is not so easy to obtain. If you plan to arrive by sea, hire the services of the boats recommended by the hotel where you are going to stay.
Low prices to travel
The entire peninsula is a very tourist destination in Colombia and the price increase in the high season is very significant. If you are looking for an economy, try to travel in the low season since it is the cheapest time for a vacation. The months of this season are August, September, October, and November. The only drawback is that for these dates it is the rainy season.
Laundry
If you plan to stay for more than a week, you should book accommodation that offers laundry service because it is not easy to find laundries in these areas. In case your lodging does not offer, you must go to the town or the hamlets in Pasacaballos.
Parking or parking lot
If you travel by your car, try to get your accommodation to offer a free parking service because the largest parking lots are at the entrance to Playa Blanca, they are not cheap and you will have to take a motorbike taxi to the hotel.
Places to celebrate your wedding in Barú
If you are planning your wedding on the beach, you should select hotels that have a private beach and are all-inclusive resorts. Some of them are the Decameron Barú y el hotel Isla del Encanto.
