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Barú Island, or Isla Barú in Spanish, is an island just south of Cartagena with some really nice beaches that are more accessible than the Rosario Islands farther off the coast.
Staying at one of the Barú Island hotels for a night or two can be a great complement to a stay in Cartagena.
However, navigating the options for Isla Barú hotels can be a bit confusing because there are multiple sectors of the island, some better than others.
I lived in Cartagena for over a decade and know Barú well. I even lived there my first year in Colombia.
In this post, I’ll use that knowledge and experience to share with you my picks for the best hotels in Barú, ranging from charming Isla Barú resorts to boutique style beach lodges to humble beach shack style bungalows.
Best Hotels in Barú Island Overview
Here’s the thing about finding the best hotels in Barú Island: it’s a big island.
What’s really tricky about finding the best Barú Island hotels though is the fact that the name Barú is often used interchangeably to refer to one specific beach on Barú named Playa Blanca.
Playa Blanca is gorgeous but gets overcrowded and lacks proper infrastructure to have nicer hotels.
Some people refer to all of Barú as an overrated tourist trap for this reason, but that’s not really the case.
In fact, several of the best beach hotels near Cartagena are located on Barú, just not on Playa Blanca.
I’ll go into more detail about the geography and share many more options for great Isla Barú Resorts, as well as some options for Barú accommodations on Playa Blanca in the complete list below, but here’s some quick picks for the best hotels in Barú Island if you’re in a hurry:
- Best Overall Resort on Barú: Sofitel Calablanca
- Most Romantic Luxury Beach Bungalows: Hotel Las Islas
- Best Blend of Rustic and Modern: Hotel Isla del Encanto
- Best All Inclusive Hotel on Barú: Decameron Barú
- Best Budget Friendly Hotel/Hostel (on Playa Blanca): The Wizard
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Best Barú Island Hotels Deep Dive
Ah Barú.
I spent my first year in Colombia, back in 2011, working as a volunteer teacher in the tiny town of Santa Ana on Barú.
Back then, Barú was still pretty lightly visited, but it’s grown a lot and is a popular choice for day trips and overnight beach escapes out of Cartagena.
In a moment, I’m going to go over some great options for the latter.
However, if you’re considering including Barú as part of your Cartagena trip, you’ve likely read or heard mixed reviews, perhaps even suggestions to avoid it entirely.
That’s because the most popular beach on Barú has a bit of a reputation.
To better understand why and why it’s not a good enough reason to cross all of Barú off your list entirely, I need to give you a brief geography lesson.
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Location of the Best Isla Barú Hotels
First, Barú Island is a peninsula. Or, well, it was a peninsula.
The Spanish cut a canal across it to connect the Magdalena River to the bay of Cartagena during the colonial era.
That made it an island, and it was relatively isolated up until about a decade ago.
Even back in 2011, when I lived in Barú, to get out here, you had to cross the canal on little boats or a barge like ferry, then take motorcycle taxis along the unpaved road, dodging cows to get out to where the places to stay in Barú were located.
However, they paved the road and opened a bridge connecting the island to the mainland in 2014.
Since then, there’s been an explosion of tourism to the island, the vast majority of it headed to the most famous and easy to reach beach there: Playa Blanca.
In fact, the names Barú, Barú Island, Isla Barú, are often used simply to refer to the beach of Playa Blanca.
I’d wager 75%+ of the time people say Barú, they are talking about Playa Blanca.
The far end of Playa Blanca is also often called Playa Tranquila, which can give the impression it’s a separate beach, but it’s on the same stretch of sand and has been just as overdeveloped by now too.
The problem with Playa Blanca is that it often gets overcrowded, vendors can be pushy and try to overcharge, and it lacks proper infrastructure like running water or electricity.
For that reason, I generally discourage people from going.
However, there are some more affordable Barú hotels on Playa Blanca and Playa Tranquila, and they do have things like toilets and generator power.
I’ve included a handful of options for that at the end of this list, but I highly recommend you read my guide to Playa Blanca before booking any of those to know what to expect.
The nicer Isla Barú resorts, hotels, and lodges are located on other beaches, with a large cluster around the far southern end of the island outside the town of Barú, where there are much smaller crowds and a few others set off on their own with semi-private beaches.
Most of the best Isla Barú hotels on this list are in those areas, and they are what I recommend, especially for families or people looking for more comfortable and clean accommodations.
In fact, while I often recommend the Rosario Islands over Barú, especially over Playa Blanca, their isolation means most of the best Rosario Islands hotels are more rustic, beach bungalow style accommodations and lack things like TVs, pools, and internet.
So, choosing one of the nicer resorts or lodges in Barú is a better choice if you want access to those type of amenities.
If you’re on the fence or want more info, you can read my complete guide to Barú, my comparative guide to all the Cartagena islands, or my guide to the the Rosario Islands.
With that out of he way, let’s get to this detailed list of the best Barú Island hotels.
Sofitel Calablanca: Best All Around and Most Modern Resort in Barú
The Sofitel Calablanca is one of the newer Isla Barú resorts, and it is the most similar to a typical beach resort style experience you’ll find. The rooms here look like higher end, luxury hotel rooms, and the property is lovely.
There is a super nice pool, and, because its set off on its own with practically nothing else around, the hotel has what is in practice a private beach.
What I really like about it though is that it offers activities like outdoor movie nights, windsurfing classes, mixology classes, and cooking classes. That makes it a great fit for families, couples, or just about any other kind of traveler.
So, if you’re looking for the best overall resort in Barú Island, this would be my pick, hands down.
Las Islas: Most Unique and Most Romantic Barú Resort
If you’re traveling as a couple, I think Hotel Las Islas would be the perfect place for a romantic getaway.
If you can describe something as rustic luxury, Las Islas is it.
There are lovely bungalows here that are tucked in amongst the mangroves. Some bungalows even have their own little splash pools or beach accesses.
It doesn’t seem to be as kid friendly as the places above and below it on this list, but it looks like a stunning place to spend a few days away from it all, be it with your significant other or not.
Hotel Isla del Encanto: Between Rustic and Modern
I thinkHotel Isla del Encanto offers a happy mediaum between the more traditional hotel experience that the Sofitel does as well as some of the rustic beach bungalow vibes of Las Islas.
Susana and I did a staycation at Isla del Encanto (click that link to read my review), and we thought it was really nice. The photo at the top of the article of Susana standing on a balcony and the one of her on the beach are both at Isla del Encanto.
As you can see in that first photo, rooms here are in two story townhouses, and they are really lovely. They do also have A/C and TVs.
The beach is also really nice here with lots of space and crystal clear waters.
There are two pools here, including one with a kids area, so it’s very family friendly. Much like the Sofitel, I think this makes a great choice for any kind of traveler as well.
Islawa Soy Local – Lovely Private Beach Lodge
TheIslawa Soy Local looks like such a nice place to unplug from the world in a tiny corner of paradise for a few days (or maybe months!).
Located on a little point at the edge of a tiny mangrove covered peninsula jutting off Barú, you’ll feel like you’re on your own private island here.
With a look that seems more like a former home turned lodge than hotel, it all looks very intimate.
The rooms look gorgeous too, and the view of sunrise here is amazing!
After Las Islas, this would make the second best resort in Barú to spend a romantic getaway unplugged from the rest of the world.
Aura: Terrific Boutique Beach Resort in Barú Island
The Aura Hotel Barú isn’t quite as luxurious as the first four places on this list, but it’s a really charming hotel that has a vibe like a beach vacation rental.
There’s a nice pool and beach bar here, plus a fairly large beach area that is tucked way so it feels very private.
Rooms look very nice, clean, and comfortable, and they have lovely bathrooms.
This would be a great spot to relax for a few days at prices a tad more comfortable than the places higher up on the list.
SABAI: Charming Boutique Beach Lodge
SABAI Beach Hotel is one of the newer lodge style hotels in Barú. It looks like a former vacation home turned into a hotel, and it is a really lovely property.
It’s also in a neat location, practically at the very end point of the peninsula and surrounded by mangroves for a very private feeling.
With only 4 rooms, it’s a true boutique Barú resort.
I especially love the high, vaulted ceilings with their wooden beams and elegant looking rooms here.
There’s a nice infinity pool on site overlooking the Caribbean too, and I’ve heard some really good reviews from people I trust about SABAI.
Casa Cordoba: Best Value on the Far End of Barú
If you’re looking for a more budget friendly place to stay in Barú, I’d really recommend considering paying a bit more Casa Cordoba over the cheaper options on Playa Blanca.
It is also more of a large house turned lodge, and has a small but nice pool and wonderful reviews.
Accommodations are a bit more rustic compared to the places higher on the list, but they still look plenty nice and comfortable, and there is a nice beach area too.
For some secluded relaxation at prices better than most you’ll find here or in the Rosarios, I think this is a really good value and option for a Barú island hotel.
Playa Manglares: Nice Spot Tucked Away
The Hotel Playa Manglares is a lovely little property that is tucked away amongst the mangroves in the central part of the island. It’s actually located just outside the little town where I lived when I worked as a volunteer teacher back in 2011.
The rooms and all of the property is really gorgeous, and there is a semi-private little beach here too.
It makes for another good option for unplugging for a few days for a true island escape.
Nice Options for Hotels on Barú’s Playa Blanca
Ok, as promised, here are some options on Playa Blanca.
There is one place not quite like the others here that offers a more traditional resort experience, but the rest of the places on Playa Blanca are more like beach shack bungalows.
Some do look a bit nicer in photos and I’m sure are nice, but keep in mind, there’s not a ton of infrastructure out here.
I’d also say, you can generally show up on Playa Blanca and walk the beach to find a place to stay, likely negotiating on price if you speak some Spanish and come prepared for the hustle.
However, the places I’ve included here are all on the higher end scale for Playa Blanca, can all be booked ahead online, and are all well reviewed.
Decameron: A Fine All Inclusive Resort in Barú
The Decameron Barú is the place not like the rest of this list of places to stay on Barú’s Playa Blanca.
It’s actually set off on its own, across a little inlet from Playa Blanca.
It is also an all inclusive resort, including alcoholic drinks.
Now, it’s more Holiday Inn than Four Seasons, and reviews often mention the food is ho hum buffet resort food.
However, it’s a nice property with big pools, including a kids pool, and a nice beach area. Rooms look just fine and comfortable too. If you want an Barú all inclusive, it’s a fine option.
Soy Local Barú Hotel on Playa Blanca: Nicest Hotel on Playa Blanca
Run by the same management that runs the Islawa property on the far end of Barú and a bunch of apartment style hotels around Colombia, Soy Local Barú is located on Playa Blanca.
It’s a nice looking little spot with a balcony overlooking the beach and things like beach beds and a nice sitting area.
Rooms also look pretty well furnished for Playa Blanca, so I think this makes a good choice for something you can book online and know will be pretty comfortable.
Calamarí: Nice Looking Beach Lodge on Playa Blanca
The Calamarí Hotel is one of the larger Barú hotels on Playa Blanca with three stories.
Rooms and furnishings look very nice, probably some of the nicest on the beach, and there is a nice bar and restaurant common area too.
Reviews are also excellent.
So, if you’re looking for a place you can reserve ahead online that is on the nicer side for Playa Blanca, this makes a really good option.
La Cabaña Glamping Geronimo: Glamping on Playa Blanca
The La Cabaña Glamping Geronimo is kind of an interesting concept.
It’s a big two story building that houses a set of glamping domes.
The domes look nice, and there’s a cool little pool and bar area next to where they’re housed.
They also have beach beds set up on a decently sized beach area out front.
Reviews are also really good, so it’s another great option for something that can be booked ahead on Playa Blanca.
Nena Beach Club: Popular Hotel on Playa Blanca
Nena Beach Club was one of the first nicer places I heard of that had a pool and rooms that look a bit more like a traditional hotel on Playa Blanca.
It is popular option for both day passes and overnight stays.
Reviews are a bit mixed, but honestly, the negative comments tend to be complaints about things that are likely to be issues at nearly every place like this out on Playa Blanca due to the lack of infrastructure and environment.
The Wizard: Throwback Budget(ish) Friendly Option You Can Book Online
I doubt The Wizard is the cheapest accommodations you’ll find on Playa Blanca.
However, it’s the cheapest one that has a high volume of positive reviews that you can book ahead online.
As the name implies, there’s a cool vibe and decor here with colorful rooms.
While it may have fewer bells and whistles than the other pricier places on Playa Blanca listed above, the rooms look fine, there are toilets, and it’s a fraction of the price of those nicer places.
If you did want to do an overnight on Playa Blanca and be sure you had a decent place to stay reserved that doesn’t break the bank, this is a really good option.
Bonus Pick: Corona Island
The Isla Corona aka Corona Island is operated by the well known beer brand of the same name.
It’s set on a tiny little island that is sort of halfway between Barú and the main cluster of Rosario Islands, which is why I’m including it as a bonus pick here. It’s also fairly new and doesn’t have a ton of reviews yet.
It’s billed as a private ecohotel and lodge, that I’d imagine also serves icy cold Coronas, and, hopefully, margaritas too.
This island actually used to be called Bendita Beach, and we’ve stopped here several times on private boat rentals around the islands.
It’s a cool space with a neat little beach peninsula that goes out and lets you be surrounded by water on three sides.
There’s neat looking and really well furnished beach bungalow style cabins here, and some cool common areas that offer a nice blend between rustic and luxury, and it’s tucked away on a private island immersed in nature too.
It’s pricey, but definitely seems to be a neat experience, and I hope to see more positive reviews of it.
What Isla Barú Hotel Will You Choose?
Now you’ve got a ton of options for where to stay on Barú, including the top Barú resorts, boutique beach lodges, and even some cheaper options for where to stay in Barú on Playa Blanca.
I hope it helped clarify some of the confusion around the island and helped you choose a great place to stay in Barú if you do go there.
Most importantly, wherever you choose for your Isla Barú accommodations, I hope you have a great time. I’d love to hear about what hotel in Barú you chose and what you thought in the comments below.
And be sure to check out all the content on the site to help you plan your trip to Cartagena!
Cheers and Happy Exploring!
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Want to connect with me and fellow travelers to Cartagena and Colombia?
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Planning a trip to Cartagena?
Be sure to check out the rest of the site to help you plan!
In particular, you might want to check out my complete guide to planning a trip to Cartagena, my guide to the best areas to stay, my list of over 75 things to do, my picks for the best Cartagena tours, the best day trips from Cartagena, my suggested packing list, my guide to the Rosario Islands, and my guide to all the beaches of Cartagena.
