Hostal El Tambo — Hotel in Cartagena

We booked this in advance online, and were promised a "private bathroom" and large room. The room was so small, there was just a mattress and a few inches on the side, so we couldn't move. In terms of bathroom, there was 1 common bathroom that you flushed with a bucket, and no soap by the sink to wash your hands. These unsanitary conditions were not exclusive to El Tambo. The island itself had no running water, no place to wash your hands, and bucket showers. We started feeling ill and had to leave early. We were made to pay for the night we didn't stay, to pay a surcharge for using a credit card, and in the end, got violently ill for 3 days. My husband spent 6 months in India, and nothing he got there compared to the illness contracted in Playa Blanca. Yes, the beach is beautiful, but it is crowded, the hawkers are pushy, and in general, the service is terrible and unfriendly. Having weak Spanish, we were often treated badly and given wrong change all the time. It was not quiet, either. Loud music from the neighboring hostel was blasting all night. If you want to visit Playa Blanca, you'll probably find the best deal at the far north-east end of the beach. But be prepared for extremely basic and rustic amenities, and bring lots of...

Don't waste your time reading the bad reviews, Isla Baru is not the Maldives or Barbados. If you can't life without running water, Wi-Fi and electricity go somewhere else. Baru is all about real Carribean island feeling - you can explore plenty of things, enjoy beautiful sunsets, relax, party, snorkel.. whatever you like. ||||The room was basic but absolutely sufficient: a fan, a little shelf and a mattress (which was surprisingly comfortable) - my girlfriend and I really liked it, slept like babies every night. Plus the view is great, beachfront all the way!||||However, the owner is the real showpiece of El Tambo. He must be one of most genuine and nicest guys I have ever met. He is an excellent cook, organizes trips, helps wherever he can and is always up for a little chit-chat. Besides that he's really keen to improve his English (since he only speaks Spanish like 95% of the people on Isla Baru), this guy is just the best. ||||All in all El Tambo is the place to be on Isla Baru. It feels more intimate and relaxing compared to the other hostels and cottages, a place where you like to come home to after a long day at the beach or one of the surrounding islands. Would...

First of all; don't let all the bad reviews about Playa Blanca scare you. The island is beautiful you just should't stay at the beach where the boats arrive. Walk 10 minutes to the left and you'll find calm beaches with hardly anyone around. Or even better: spend the night at el Tambo. After 4 pm all the tourist boats go back to Cartagena and the only ones you have to share the island with are a few cocktailbars. El Tambo is very basic, like all the hostels at Playa Blanca, but the owner makes a great effort in trying to make basic as comfortable as possible. He's a very nice guy (doesn't speak english though), most willing to help and have a little chat. The 'shower' is fresh, the toilet clean and the rooms have a fan. If you're planning to go to Playa Blanca, stay...