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Rosario Islands

While Cartgena's city beaches can't compete with tropical destinations as found on Cuba, Mexico, Aruba or Belize, some nearby destinations indeed can beat them. Rosario Islands, Playa Blanca and Baru are just a few minutes by speedboat away. But hard to reach. This article will give you an idea on how to get there.

The most comfortable way to visit Rosario Islands is to book an "all included" tour, no matter if you wan't to do a daytrip or if you want to stay overnight on Islas Rosarios. These trips you can easily book in your hotel, a travel agency or at the Tourist Marina Muelle de los Pegasos. (NEVER buy tickets on the street!).

Daytrips are offered by many different operators. The average price is USD 20.00, inlcuding food but excluding port taxes. They all leave between 8am and 9am in the morning. There is no real need to book in advance.

The common tour goes fist to Rosario Islands where you can optionally visit the Aquarium. A second stop will be made on one of the private resorts on the Rosario Islands before you go ahead to Playa Blanca. After spending about 2 hours on this paradise-like beach boats head back to Cartagena at around 4 pm.

The main difference on these tours is the kind of boat you travel with: Most agencies run speedboats for 30 to 50 passengers. If you prefer a slower but more comfortable trip you might choose the ferry Alcatraz.

To stay overnight you have to plan different: There is no way to go to the Islands and just look for a hotel! Book your stay from Cartagena. Individual trips to the Islands are nearly impossible unless you charter a boat. The hotels on Isla Rosario are not cheap but prices include full transport and complete food. Some resorts are Isla Pirata, Isla Naranja, Hotel Kokomo o Coco Liso. Many of the bigger Cartagena Hotels run their own resort on Islas Rosarios. Don't expect to find complete information on the web: Check with a local travel agency or your Hotel in Cartagena!

Backpackers favourite destination is Playa Blanca: Much cheaper but harder to get there. Though Playa Blanca is located on Baru Penisular you shouldn't try to go by bus. Road conditions are terrible: You will spend half a day in run down bus before you have to walk some hours. The easier way is to take a local speedboat at the back side of Mercado Basurto. This boat leaves daily, some hour between 8am and 11am in the morning. Expect to be seated between chicken, dead fish and dirty old men.

Be warned: Mercado Basurto area is no place for tourists and the boats are not considered to be safe. The good news is the price: About USD 7,00 one way. Trip takes -when the boat finally leaves- about 40 minutes. Be aware that this is a one-way: Your return will have to be negociated in Playa Blanca. In the worst case you will have to stay en extra night.

The touristic infrastructure of Playa Blanca you can't compare to Islas Rosarios. You can rent a hammock or a cabin from a fisherman. Don't expect any facilities. If you don't bother Play Blanca is definitely worth it! After 4pm -when the daytrips return to Cartagena- one of the most beautiful beaches of the Carribean is yours.

LINK:

http://portal.caribenet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=37

By NewBoy on Dec 9, 2005, 08:11 in Friendly Talkzone.

kernow62 says on Dec 9, 2005, 12:13:

After diving in many of the nicer areas in the Carribean I was a little let down by Rosario. Pirata was not what I expected either, the locals told us there was lots of white sand. I get more white sand in the crack of my ass on a Florida beach than Pirata had!

Don't get me wrong, I had a nice enough time, but I was perhaps expecting more because all the locals and friends who had been there before raved about it.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cali373 says on Dec 9, 2005, 15:01:

Been to islas rosario and Playa Blanca, siete olas. Fantastic! Cannot wait to go back. The beach in Parque tayrona is also a beautiful.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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