Visitors come to Baru Island from Cartagena primarily for the beaches, which are lined with bars and seafood restaurants. The destination is also popular for its water sports, including jet skiing and snorkeling. The island is also the gateway to the Rosario Islands, a cluster of islands renowned for their colorful corals and a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Travelers can visit Baru Island on a day trip from Cartagena; guided tours often include transportation and a Colombian lunch. Another popular way to experience Baru is on a day of island hopping, which might also include stops at Cholón and some of the Rosario Islands.
Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as shade can be hard to come by on the beach.
Pack a swimsuit and a towel if you want to get into the water.
Consider staying the night on the island to see it at its quietest, after the day trippers have left.
Plan to spend a full day on Baru Island; guided excursions typically last upwards of six hours.
Baru Island is connected by road to Cartagena, so it’s possible to get to the island by taxi, bus, or ferry. If you’re planning to spend the day here, a guided excursion with roundtrip transportation is a convenient option.
Since the island is a popular destination for day trippers, it’s a good idea to get an early start so you can stake out a spot on the beach before it gets busy. The weather is best between January and March, when the island is warm but not too humid or rainy.
Baru Island is home to one of Cartagena’s hidden gems, the National Aviary of Colombia (Aviario Nacional). Colombia has more bird species than just about any other country in the world, and you can see many of them at this sanctuary, which boasts 22 exhibits covering three different ecosystems: tropical rainforests, coasts, and deserts. Nearly 200 species are represented. Arrive right when the sanctuary opens to see the birds at their most active.
