D&E Tents and Hammocks, Cartagena, Colombia.

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First posted by D&E on Jan 2, 2009, 11:51. Last edit by D&E on Jan 2, 2009, 11:51. Editing history.

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D&E at Playa Blanca - A great deal at a beautiful place

By kbutler64 on Aug 17, 2009, 09:12.

The good: Price, beauty of location, helpfulness of staff, food
The bad: bathroom facilities

We went to Playa Blanca recently with a group of 11 people and stayed at D&E Tents and Hammocks. The price was (I believe) 25,000 COP for up to 4 people in a tent -- that works out to about $3US per person per night.

We camped on the beach, under a thatched shelter. It's a beautiful location, west-facing to see the sunsets. The beach is gorgeous, the sand is fine and white, the water is warm and wonderful. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful beach location. Immediately in front of the D&E area is a rocky (coral) area where you can snorkel and see all kinds of marine life. Just past that, the swimming area is sandy and clear of rocks and coral.

D&E offers space under the shelter for tents, but they also have hammocks for (I believe) 8000 per night ($4US). The hammocks have mosquito nets (necessary if there is no breeze off the sea). They also have a shelter with a table where you can eat, and several other smaller shelters where you can sit and enjoy the view and relax. They can provide meals at a very reasonable cost and the meal we had was ample and delicious.

In the process of arranging our stay there we contacted Diego, one of the owners. He was very helpful, not just in arranging things for our time at Playa Blanca, but also in helping us locate other places to stay on our trip. Once at Playa Blanca the people there were very helpful and friendly -- if we needed anything they were happy to help.

D&E (and Playa Blanca) is a wonderful place to stay, to relax, to be away from civilization. But it's also important to say that you need to want to be away from civilization. This place is rustic. There is no electricity -- just the beauty of the beach. The bathrooms do leave a lot to be desired (A LOT). Showering involves a sponge and a bucket of fresh water. But if you're prepared for that level of rustic-ness, it's perfect.

Getting to D&E involves either taking a boat (like a water taxi) from Cartagena, I believe, or driving. I don't know what's involved in taking the boat since we didn't do that. To drive, you cross from Pasa Caballo on the outskirts of Cartagena to Isla Barú on a ferry. There are two different ferry operations and I think each costs 15,000 (7.50US). You only pay to go over to the island -- the return trip is free. Once on the island, it's about a 40 minute drive on dirt roads that are rough in spots. There's a parking area near the beach, but then, to get to D&E it's necessary to walk somewhere between 1/2 & 1km -- there is no direct vehicle access to the site.

I heartily recommend D&E -- both the site and the staff, if you're looking for a beach getaway that's quiet and removed from civilization.

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