I’ve seen a lot better beaches in the Caribbean but this one is most likely best option if you are in Cartagena and want to go on the beach. And it is a true blue water beach.
You have to be tough nerved if you want to go to this beach. First if you go with a rental car park on the street and not in the “paid” parking lot. They will try to rip you off 15.000 pesos for parking. The so called street is a very bad gravel road with lots of dust. Get used to it in Colombia.
On the exit from the main road to the road to the beach we were attacked by a bunch of aggressive black guys who even followed us on the motorcycle all the way. One guy followed us all the way to the beach trying to talk to you, befriend you or take you to some other guy who will sell you a cabaña or a place on the beach. It was super hard to get rid of him.
Other thing that you should get used in Colombia is the annoying vendors trying to sell you just anything. On the other hand you can get an inexpensive dose of beer, ice cream or smokes just anytime and anywhere. They do get very annoying.
I strongly recommend to not go to this beach unless you speak fluent Spanish. But If you are adventurous then be aware and don’t fall for scam, don’t talk to anyone much. Don’t hurry to pay for their “services”.
Overall I found the beach quite safe except that the jet ski riders are ready to run you over just anytime. Understanding about safety in Colombia is a lot different than in North America or...
Read moreDON’T GO HERE! My boyfriend and I are staying in Cartegena and decided to go to Playa Blanca for the day. We didn’t go with a tour opperator because that is not our style. The beach is nice, white sand blue water, but had horrible experience. We laid down on beds and paid 40.000 cop for the whole day for two wich seems like a good deal. Our time there was okay-ish although there are a lot of people trying to sell you stuff, jetski’s scooting up and down wiht all there fumes, but we tried to enjoy. We drank one limonade natural and my boyfriend ate a sandwich then came the bill 240.000 COP and we already paid for the beds. Normal lemonades we’re 100.000COP, well no way i’m going to pay that. So we gave him 100.000 COP and packed our stuff. Then he grabbed my boyfriend slipper as bargain and started to be very angry. I was very angry and strict with him that we are not paying more. Than he started to threaten us and walk with us to the parkinglot and said we would be in great trouble there if we don’t pay and my boyfriend saw him make a gun gesture at him. I have never ever paid 240.000 COP in our 5 weeks here Colombia for a drink and a sandwich, and it wasn’t like we’re in the maladives there. My boyfriend paid him 50.000 more and then he stopped and we took a taxi. Horrible end to our day. Watch out when you go here! Ask the menu when you get something and ask for other prices that you might have to pay before you...
Read moreTerrible, dirty tourist trap would summarise it, totally misled by the travel agency. The photos we were shown told a completely different story as to what we experienced.
After arriving at Playa Blanca we were to take a boat to Playa Tranquilla (heavily implied to be independent from elsewhere, it was only 5 minutes down from the main area, we were told you couldn't walk to it).
We were greeted by gratis piña coladas made especially by the nose picking bartender (he appeared to be wiping on his t-shirt for a quick snack later) .
The day was passed telling vender after vender that we were not interested in buying fake sunglasses and contaminated seafood. Swimming with plastic was also pretty fun.
If we hadn't been put off our day by now then lunch would have been the icing on the cake. Raw chicken was accompanied by swarms of flies and feral cats. The chicken had a nice rustic 3 day old taste to it if that's what you are in to.
We were pretty much waiting to leave by this point, the hesitance to use the waterless and urine filled toilets made us more eager to catch the boat.
Our departure was smooth from the beach, we were only delayed 40 minutes on the bus due to a lady having her passport and personal belongings stolen. Tells you a lot about the place!
I don't think I need to delve further into this, total tourist scam. If only we had taken photos!
Thank you for the great experience,...
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