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Barú Island (Isla de Barú)
Barú Island is a summery getaway just off the southern coast of Cartagena, Colombia. Segregated from the rest of the peninsula by Canal del Dique, reaching the island required rafting until the bridge was finished in 2014.
Today, visitors can enjoy the Isla de Barú’s iconic pink and white sands, clear waters, and abundance of wildlife. With this travel guide, we invite you to join us for an exciting island escapade!
Barú Island (Isla de Barú): An All-In-One Travel Guide
Getting To and From Isla de Barú
Travelers can reach the island from the mainland of Cartagena. Most choose to cross the bridge by bus, taxi, or on foot. Others use a boat or ferry.
Planning
Choosing the right time of year, places to stay, and activities to enjoy is key to enjoying the island. As one of the most accessible islands, it can be overcrowded with tourists on certain popular seasons and weeks.
The sheer number of potential activities can be overwhelming. Consider a guide to help you strike a balance of nature experiences, relaxation, and adventure during your stay.
Safety Tips
When visiting Barú Island, it’s wise to bring bug spray and a water bottle, to protect yourself from pests and dehydration. Visitors to any part of Colombia may need proof of Yellow Fever vaccination to enter the country.
To protect your budget, use a taxi app and get ready to negotiate.
Spotlight On: Colombia’s National Aviary
Did you know Colombia is home to 20% of all bird species on Earth?
Colombia’s National Aviary is home to over 2,000 birds native to the region. The wide, 17-acre park is a sanctuary, protecting birds while giving them space to live naturally.
Explore the diverse spaces recreating different birds’ ecosystems, including rainforests, coasts, and deserts. Climb a trail leading up from the forest floor to the canopy, and experience toucans, flamingos, and so many more.
Playa Blanca (White Beach)
The beach is one of the highlights of any trip to Barú Island. From kitesurfing and windsurfing to snorkeling, the island’s beaches offer plenty of adventure. For a more peaceful experience, consider a guided boat tour among the mangrove coastlines. Moving among tall-rooted trees is memorable in its quiet loveliness. Surfing, kitesurfing, wind boarding
Discover a “Sea Full of Stars” On Barú Island’s Coast
As twilight begins, travelers can go on boat tours or simply choose a spot with a view to enjoy one of nature’s most unusual shows. After the sun sets, between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the tides begin to alight with eerie blue and green glows.
The swirls of ethereal light under the sea are the movements of rare bioluminescent sea creatures. Iridescent plankton and jellyfish swim, reminiscent of fireflies in a magical underwater dance.
South American, Thai & Caribbean Cuisine
Barú Island’s culinary heritage is influenced by African and Caribbean flavors, woven among the traditional recipes of diverse Indigenous Mexican cultural groups. Now, the island boasts a kind of “fusion cuisine” cultivated organically.
At the same time, the island’s appeal has drawn people from around the world, including ambitious chefs. The result? Plenty of four-star and five-star restaurants serving unique takes on island cuisine.
Guides recommend trying Restaurante Playa Scondia if you’re in the mood for a Carribean dinner, Pesca del Dia for more traditional South American eats, and the well-reputed Morei Club De Playa for a surprising Thai experience.
Day 9 of Caravan’s 10-Day Colombia Tour
On Caravan’s 10-Day Colombia Tour, Barú Island is our penultimate destination. The morning begins with breakfast in mainland Cartagena, which might include some of the unique dishes from the island’s dual Colombian and Caribbean heritage. Then, our expert guides lead guests through an exploration of the National Aviary.
The trip situates the Barú Island adventure among other intriguing experiences: coffee tasting in the Andean highlands, exploration of the mysterious Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira, and sightseeing in the art-filled center of Medellin.
About Caravan
Caravan cultivates affordable, all-in-one adventures for travelers like you. Since 1952, our expert guides have honed the art of creating inclusive, competitively priced tours in intriguing destinations. Your safety is paramount, and we include room and dining in the price for every day of the tour.
Skip planning stress, and let us do the work. Call one of Caravan’s agents at 1 (312)-321-9800, or call 1-800-CARAVAN, and embark on your next adventure.
2025 Hotels
2025 Hotels
Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are usually rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds.
Days 1, 2, 3 • Bogotá
Bogotá Marriott Hotel
The hotel is four miles from Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport, in the city’s financial and entertainment district. The Marriott has 24 hour front desk reception, two restaurants, a bar, fitness center, indoor lap pool and full service spa. Free Wifi.
Days 4, 5, 6 • Medellín
Estelar Square Hotel
The hotel is ideally located in El Poblado, Medellin’s most exclusive area. The Estelar Square Hotel is within easy walking distance of the Santa Fe and Oviedo Malls. The hotel has 24 hour front desk reception, a restaurant, bar, rooftop pool and fitness center. Free Wifi.
Days 7, 8, 9 • Cartagena
Estelar Cartagena de Indias Hotel
The hotel is in the upscale Bocagrande neighborhood. It directly faces the beach, and is just a 20 minute walk to the Walled City of Cartagena. The hotel has 24 hour front desk reception, two restaurants and a lobby and pool bar. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, full-service spa, and beauty salon. Free Wifi.
Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers
Arrival Transfers
Transfer on your own from the El Dorado International Airport (BOG) to Bogota Marriott Hotel (Av. El Dorado #69 B-53, Fontibon) in Bogota. Once you have exited customs and collected your baggage at the airport, proceed to the official taxi service known as “Imperial”. The Imperial kiosk is located as you exit baggage claims. Here you can request your taxi. The driving time from the airport to your hotel, Bogota Marriott Hotel, is approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. You can pay using US Dollars, Colombian Pesos, or with a credit card. Taxi fares range from 40,000 - 60,000 Colombian Pesos, or $15 - $20 US Dollars (depending on the exchange rate) plus tip. ATMs and a currency exchange are available at the airport. When you arrive at your hotel, please identify yourself as a Caravan tour member to the front desk personnel.
Departure Transfers
Caravan includes fixed departure transfers from your hotel to Cartagena’s Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG), scheduled to arrive at 5:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. These transfers are only available at these set times on the day the tour ends. If you extend your stay in Colombia or if you wish to go at a different time, you will need to transfer on your own, at your own expense. Please ask the hotel bellman to arrange a taxi. Fares are approximately $25 U.S. Dollars per taxi, plus tip. The driving time from the hotel to the airport is usually 15 - 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
Passports & Visas
Passports & Visas
To enter Colombia, US citizens need a passport valid for 6 additional months after the date of your arrival into Colombia. A 3 month tourist visa is automatically issued to U.S. citizens after clearing customs. Non U.S. citizens, please check passport and visa requirements. Note: It is recommended that children under 18 years old traveling internationally without both parents or legal guardians, carry a notarized letter of authorization signed by the missing parent(s) or guardian(s). A notarized birth certificate showing only one parent, a parent’s death certificate, or a court order of child custody may also be permissible. Failure to have proper documentation could result in denial of boarding by the airline, due to international child protection laws. See Travel Tips for more details.
Weather & Clothing
Weather & Clothing
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Bogotá | Medellín | Cartagena | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | |
| Jan | 66/44 | 1.6 | 77/62 | 4.4 | 87/76 | 0.1 |
| Feb | 66/46 | 2.6 | 77/63 | 4.6 | 87/76 | 0.1 |
| Mar | 66/48 | 4.2 | 78/63 | 5.5 | 87/77 | 0.1 |
| Apr | 65/49 | 7.7 | 78/64 | 9.3 | 87/78 | 1.0 |
| May | 65/49 | 7.8 | 78/64 | 10.5 | 88/79 | 3.4 |
| Jun | 64/48 | 5.4 | 78/63 | 8.5 | 88/79 | 3.4 |
| Jul | 63/47 | 4.0 | 78/62 | 7.5 | 88/79 | 3.6 |
| Aug | 63/47 | 3.9 | 78/62 | 8.3 | 88/79 | 4.0 |
| Sep | 64/46 | 5.1 | 78/62 | 9.1 | 88/79 | 4.8 |
| Oct | 65/47 | 7.2 | 77/63 | 10.3 | 87/78 | 6.1 |
| Nov | 65/48 | 6.0 | 77/63 | 9.3 | 87/78 | 4.3 |
| Dec | 65/46 | 3.3 | 77/63 | 6.3 | 87/77 | 1.4 |
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogotá | ||||||||||||
| temp | 66/44 | 66/46 | 66/48 | 65/49 | 65/49 | 64/48 | 63/47 | 63/47 | 64/46 | 65/47 | 65/48 | 65/46 |
| rainfall | 1.6 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 5.4 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 3.3 |
| Medellín | ||||||||||||
| temp | 77/62 | 77/63 | 78/63 | 78/64 | 78/64 | 78/63 | 78/62 | 78/62 | 78/62 | 77/63 | 77/63 | 77/63 |
| rainfall | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 9.3 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 10.3 | 9.3 | 6.3 |
| Cartagena | ||||||||||||
| temp | 87/76 | 87/76 | 87/77 | 87/78 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 87/78 | 87/78 | 87/77 |
| rainfall | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 6.1 | 4.3 | 1.4 |
Clothing Tips
This is a casual tour. Casual wear is suggested for sightseeing and daytime travelling. Dress code for evenings is casual. Suit jackets for men and dresses for women are not required. During the middle of the day, the sun is hot and bright. Caravan recommends shorts or light pants, a light shirt, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Also essential are comfortable, sturdy walking shoes with good treads. See Travel Tips for more details.
Travel Tips & FAQs
Travel Tips & FAQs
These are only the first 10 Travel Tips. Read all 43 Travel Tips Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Free bottled water is provided on the motorcoach. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified. Virtually everything! Hotels, most meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary, airport departure transfers, gratuities to hotel porters and restaurant staff. Caravan’s professional Tour Directors and local guides will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a worry free vacation. They are fluent in English, experienced and fun, ensuring a worry-free vacation. Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Caravan Tour Director, driver, and local guides. A well-paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation. Caravan has been offering fully guided tours worldwide under the same family ownership and management since 1952. Caravan understands and truly cares about your great expectations. The farther in advance that you book, the more likely it is that your preferred tour will be open. Late bookings are welcome if the space is still available. Families are always welcome on any of our tours, but we do not have any programs specifically for or limited to families. Families can make specific requests for connecting, adjacent, triple or quad rooms, when available. Children must be at least 5 years old. Caravan Travel Protection offers peace of mind if you cancel for any reason whatsoever prior to the departure of the tour. The travel protection plan also includes air, baggage, evacuation, medical, and quarantine coverage. The cost is $129. Children age five (5) and older are welcome on tour when accompanied by an adult. Usually, children travel during the school vacation months of June, July and August, and also during spring and winter school breaks. If you are travelling with children under 18 years old without both parents or legal guardians, carry a notarized letter of authorization signed by the missing parent(s) or guardian(s). A notarized birth certificate showing only one parent, a parent’s death certificate, or a court order of child custody may also be permissible. Failure to have proper documentation could result in denial of boarding by the airline, due to international child protection laws.Are meals included?
My Tour Price Includes
My Tour Price Does Not Include
A Well-Paced Itinerary
Fully Guided Tours Since 1952
Many Tours Sell Out Each Year
Family Trips
Caravan’s $129 Travel Protection
Children on Tour
International Travel with Minors
Why Travel with Caravan?
Why Travel with Caravan?
Excellence Since 1952
You can trust our years of experience with tours of superb quality and excellent value. Caravan has enjoyed the same family management and ownership since 1952.
Caravan Care
For your safety, Caravan cancelled most 2020 and all 2021 tour departures and refunded 100% of all payments received. See Caravan’s Covid-19 Terms of Travel.
Caravan's Proud History
In 1965, Roger Mudd hosted a two-hour CBS TV special on Caravan Tours. This TV production took about one month to make and was so successful it inspired the 1968 romantic comedy movie “If it’s Tuesday this must be Belgium.” In the early 50’s the Mayor of Dublin presented Caravan with the Key to Dublin for bringing the first American tour to the city after WWII. Since then, Caravan has been recognized as a pioneer in travel. You can trust in our stability, experience and dedication to quality.
Great Hotels
Stay at park lodges, scenic resorts, and excellent hotels in great locations. See hotel descriptions on each tour page.
Meals
Most meals included within Latin America. For USA and Canada tours, included meals are listed on each itinerary page. Bottled water is provided on motorcoaches in Latin America.
Complete Sightseeing
Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides.
Fully Guided by Tour Directors
All tours conducted from start to finish by professional tour directors, who are fluent in English, experienced, and fun.
All-inclusive
Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary page. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.
Shopping Freedom
Caravan will not bring you to overpriced shops in exchange for payments. Caravan gives you ample opportunity and time for great shopping, and the freedom to choose where and when to shop.
Great Value, Book Early
Caravan’s strong buying power gives you great vacations at prices much lower than you can find anywhere. In a typical year, most of our tours sell out quickly. Book early for the date you prefer and the best air fare.
How does Caravan Tours sell these tours for such a low cost?
Caravan delivers volume to our suppliers, who in turn reward us with their very best prices. We in turn pass these savings on to you, and you reward us by buying our tours. As volume continues to rise, we then receive even better prices from our suppliers, and we pass even greater savings on to you. This year our tours are better than ever.
Trade Association Memberships
Caravan is a member of NTA (National Tour Association), ABA (American Bus Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and ACMA (American Commerce Marketing Association).
