The Rosario Islands are a beautiful archipelago off the coast of Cartagena. The islands are very popular to explore as a day trip from Cartagena, and I highly recommend a visit. When we were there in January, we took a day trip to the Rosario Islands and loved the relaxing vibe and fewer vendors trying to sell you their goods. However, if I could do it all again, and I will one day 😀, I would spend a few nights on the islands. In combination with advice from my friend and local travel guide expert to Cartagena, my own experience and researching multiple reviews from other travelers online, I have come up with a list of the best Rosario Islands hotels with a few bonus choices on the nearby Barú peninsula. 

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Day Trip To The Rosario Islands

Recommendations For Rosario Islands Hotels For Day Trips

If you only have one short day to visit the Rosario Islands, I would still say go for it! Here are my  suggestions for booking a day trip at one of the hotel resorts: 

Mangata –  A day trip to Mangata is 380,000 COP per person or about $90 dollars. It includes transportation to the hotel, a welcome drink, a restaurant with air conditioning and 8 options for lunch with kid-friendly options on the list, kayaking, sun beds, hammocks, and towels. 

Islabela –  A day trip to Islabela costs 310,000 COP ($74) for ages 10 and up. Kids that are between 3 and 9 are 240,000 COP ($57). It includes transportation, a welcome cocktail, a typical lunch, facilities (sun beds, tables, bathrooms…), kayaks, and a transfer to the Oceanarium. 

Isla Del Sol – The price of a day trip to Isla Del Sol varies by age. 10 and older are 340,000 COP ($81), 4-9 year olds are 230,000 COP ($55), 2-3 year olds are 150,000 ($36). The rate includes transportation costs, welcome fruit, a typical lunch, a typical dessert, sun loungers, private beach, pool with sea water, and transportation to the aquarium (entrance fee is not included). Other additional activities you can book for an additional charge include diving, snorkeling, massages, and ecological walks. 

Isla Del Encanto – The last option for a day trip to the Rosario Islands is Isla Del Encanto. Ages 10 and up are 288,000 COP ($69). If you have younger children under 10, they are free with a paying adult. Additional children ages 5-9 cost 144,000 COP ($34) and ages 2-4 cost 96,000 COP ($23). This price includes pick up from your hotel, boat transportation, a lunch buffet, facilities including sunbeds, pool, private beach, and kayaks. Additional activities are offered at an additional cost like a spa and snorkeling. 

Isla Del Encanto is where we chose to go for our day trip. It was the most affordable and it had a pool that we knew the kids would love. Read more about our day trip experience to the Rosario Islands here.

Where To Stay In The Rosario Islands 

If you have the time to spend a night or three in the Rosario Islands, I would do it! Here are my recommendations for the best hotels in the Rosario Islands. 

Rosario Islands With Kids – Where To Stay With Kids

Rosario Island Hotels On Isla Grande

Isla Grande is the largest island in the Rosario Islands and is home to many hotels. Here are the top picks of Rosario Islands hotels on this large island to stay with kids. 

$$ Hotel Isla Del Sol

Pros

Hotel Isla Del Sol has everything a family desires for a hotel on a tropical island. The rooms are clean and beautifully decorated. They are also set up so well for a family. They even have rooms that fit 5 people, so if you have 3 kids, that is ideal! These rooms also have air conditioning which helps you sleep well at night. The calm beach is located in a cove of crystal clear water. There is a relaxing pool, and even a small playground. Activities that can be arranged with the hotel include, tank diving, snorkeling, ecological hikes and mangrove tours, an Oceanarium visit and relaxing massages. 

Cons

Isla Del Sol is also a popular day trip location, so it can get busy during the height of the day. 

$$ Mangata Beach

Pros

Mangata Beach is one of the most beautiful resorts on Isla Grande. They have a large family room with 4 beds, deck and air conditioning. The price includes an American breakfast. The hotel offers various activities to choose from including a tour of the Rosario Islands, snorkeling, kayak, and paddle boarding. 

Cons 

One downside is that it is a popular resort for day trippers, so between 10am and 3pm it can get very busy. The mornings and late afternoons and evenings are very relaxing with only the hotel guests. 

$ Hotel Las Casitas De Mar Adentro

Pros

Hotel Las Casitas De Mar Adentro is an eco-friendly hotel that is built with sustainable materials and designed to bring in natural light and ventilation. The restaurant uses seasonal ingredients that are either grown at their facilities or purchased from local farmers and fishermen and breakfast is included. It is a very economical choice as well! The experiences the hotel offers are scuba diving, snorkeling, massages, tour of the mangroves, visit to the Oceanarium, an island day tour, and a romantic dinner. 

Cons

Not located directly on the water, but only a short 300 meter walk from the water. The bungalows are a bit small and will only fit families with one child or you can reserve more than one bungalow. 

Isleta Bolivar – Rosario Islet

$$-$$$ Hotel Islabela 

Pros 

Hotel Islabela is a beautiful hotel located on the small isle of Bolivar. It is one of the hotels recommended by our local travel guide expert, Anita!

Read more of Anita’s Cartagena recommendations here.

Hotel Islabela has various activities to choose from including a luminescent plankton tour, snorkeling, massages, kayaking (which is included in the price), and a trip to the Oceanarium. 

Cons

The room set ups aren’t great for larger families. If you have more than one child you will have to book two cabins. It is also a popular location for a day trip to Rosario Island, so expect it to fill up in the late morning and afternoon and empty out around 3:30pm. A positive thing about staying in Islabela, though, is the bungalows are located away from where the day trip visitors spend their time, so you can still get your privacy. 

Barú With Kids – Where To Stay On The Barú Peninsula

Barú is technically a peninsula near the Rosario Islands and not a part of the archipelago. It was cut off from the mainland by a canal and so many refer to it as an island. So you might also hear Barú Island. I have included a few options on the peninsula that could be excellent alternatives. Barú is an equally beautiful area to enjoy the beaches near Cartagena, but some areas can be very crowded, especially near Playa Blanca. I have chosen less busy areas of Barú for my hotel selections. 

$$ Hotel Playa Manglares Isla Barú

Pros

This beautiful beachfront hotel is a convenient option for families looking for an authentic off-the-beaten-path getaway on Barú. You can reach Hotel Playa Manglares by car, which makes it easy to get to. They have many room options for families to choose from which are all spacious and aesthetically pleasing. It has a private beach and is located near the Aviary. It is also close to the Rosario Islands, so you can easily take a boat trip to visit them as well. The hotel offers an airport shuttle and free parking. It is also located in one of the quietest areas of Barú away from the busy Playa Blanca area. 

Cons

Not many water activities directly at the hotel like kayaks or paddle boards. 

$ Carey Beach Barú

Pros

Carey Beach is on the southern tip of Barú and directly on a private white sand beach. The location of the hotel is such that it feels as if you are in the Rosario Islands. The rooms have all been recently updated and have air conditioning. The price is also very affordable!

Cons 

There is a limited amount of activities directly at the hotel like kayaks or paddle boards. There is also no hot water for your shower, but it is hot in Cartagena, so a refreshing cold shower should feel good! 

$$$$ Sofitel Barú Calablanca 

Pros

Another hotel recommended by our amazing local travel guide is Sofitel Barú Calablanca. This immaculate hotel is comfortable and the pool is to die for! In addition, they have evening entertainment, a kids’ club, air conditioning, a turkish bath, watersports with a private beach and so much more. 

Cons

The only con I see is the price, but if you value a luxury hotel, this is a great option. 

$$$ Aura Hotel Barú

Pros

Their superior bungalow room is perfect for a family traveling to Barú. Aura Hotel Barú offers two private beaches with fun water activities like SUPs and kayaks. Snorkeling tours can be arranged, and you can even fish off the dock. They are currently in the process of building a pool, which will add even more to the hotel. You can access the Aura Hotel by boat or by car and there is free parking available. 

Cons

It can be a bit busy with day trippers! 

Rosario Islands Hotels: All-Inclusive Resorts 

$$$ Isla Del Encanto

Pros

Isla Del Encanto is one of the only resorts in the Rosario Islands that is the closest to all-inclusive you will find in the Rosario Islands. It is really just full board where they include 3 meals a day that are accompanied by a soda. Transportation to and from Cartagena is also included.

In my opinion it is pretty nice to have full-board when visiting. Most Rosario Islands hotels have a restaurant that you need to eat at because there are no other options, but the price can vary greatly. With full board you know exactly how much food costs will be upon arrival.

Isla del Encanto has kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and a private pool area for hotel guests that includes a wonderful splash park pool for younger kids! 

Cons

Isla Del Encanto is a popular location for day trip goers (This was where we visited!) but one great thing I noticed is that there are separate areas for day trip visitors and hotel guests. This makes it less overwhelming for hotel guests at Isla Del Encanto, but if you want to party with the day trip visitors, you can do that too!  

The Rosario Islands Colombia Questions Answered

How Do I Get To The Rosario Islands? 

The Rosario Islands can only be reached by boat. The islands are about an hour away from Cartagena and leave daily from there. You can also rent a private boat and drive it out to the islands.  Many of the Rosario Islands hotels have boats that leave at certain times of the day from the hotel and return at specific hours from Cartagena. I would recommend contacting the hotel that you book to see if they have a boat and if not, what they recommend. 

Is It Worth Going To The Rosario Islands?

The short answer is yes! Here’s why. The Rosario Islands offer a beautiful peaceful escape from the busy Cartagena life. You can relax on the beach, enjoy the crystal clear water, a fruity cocktail and the tasty food at the resorts. Another advantage of going to a private beach on the Rosario Islands is that you won’t be harassed by the vendors that are constantly selling their goods on the public beaches in Bocagrande or on Playa Blanca in Baru. It makes for a much more relaxing beach outing. 

Can You Go To The Rosario Islands Without A Tour?

Yes, you can go to the Rosario Islands without a tour. The best way to do this is to rent a private boat. The price of the boat will depend on the size of the boat you rent. Most include a captain and gasoline. Island hop with the knowledge of the captain and go where you want at your own pace! 

How Many Rosario Islands Are There?

There are 27 small islands that make up the archipelago of the Rosario Islands.