ISLETA - ROSARIO ISLANDS
YAY!! We are so excited to now be able to offer a destination in the Islas Rosarios that delivers what we (and you) were looking for!
Isleta is a tiny island off Isla Grande in the Rosario Islands that offers the perfect place to connect to nature and unwind, undisturbed by vendors or loud sound-systems, with well-prepared food and drink and with good service. Basically, this is mostly everything we wrote about Blue Apple, but in the Rosario Islands, which means bluer, more transparent water, and great snorkeling nearby.
A daypass to Isabela costs 150,000 pesos when booked through Cartagena Connections (the price to the public is 160,000 pesos pp)
You will need to be at Puerta 1 (Gate 1) of the Muelle de las Bodeguitas (basically the main dock nearest the Clock Tower) at 8.30am. There you will look for the IslaBela representative. They will be holding a sign and wearing branded Islabela tshirts (see photo above). There will be a bunch of people trying to sell you other options along the way, just tell them "ya tengo" (I already have) and go to the window to pay your marine tax of 16,500 pesos pp. This tax is a compulsory payment made to the marine authority for any visit to the Rosario Islands. In theory the money is used to maintain the natural environment there and to police abidance to safety standards etc.
Once you have your receipt for the tax, the Islabela representative will lead you to the boat or designated waiting area. The boat leaves as soon as all the reserved clients have arrived and the safety inspector has signed off on the departure. Normally 9am. You may share the boat with guests going to other islands, so there may be some other drop-offs on the way, however usually, the Isleta drop-off is first.
The boatride to Isleta takes about 1 hour. Upon arrival you will be greeted by Yan and/or Alison.. the gorgeous Belgian couple who have partnered with the local community of Isleta to create this idyllic destination. From that point on your most difficult decisions will be which lounge chair to sun yourself and what time you'd like to eat.
The daypass includes a welcome cocktail (usually sangria) and a standard lunch option of either griled fish, grilled chicken or the typical fried fish. All come with coconut rice, patacones, salad and a drink of agua e'panela. There's also a vegetarian option of pasta with vegetable sauce. You are also welcome to order any other items from the menu (chalkboard photo in the slideshow above) and pay for what you consume.
Other activities
Snorkelling
You can hire snorkel equipment for 25,000 pesos pp and go explore on your own
OR (and this is definitely recommended) have local Kevin take you on a 40 minute guided tour of the best snorkel locations for 40,000 pesos (including equipment). You will get to see so much more, and you will also be further supporting the local community.
Massage
Support the local community and release stress with a relaxing massage, 50,000 pesos 1/2 hour or 100,000 pesos 1 hour.
Kayak and Stand-up Paddleboards are being sourced as we speak!
It is also possible to arrive and eat lunch or enjoy drinks at Isabela as part of your own private boat tour. Just get us to make the reservation.
Why choose this?
Very private, sand beach, great food, good price, beautiful transparent water, great snorkelling, zero vendors bothering you, great service, beautiful installations, chill music.
Things to know:
The Rosario Islands need to be accessed via open sea, therefore boats leave earlier in the morning and come back earlier in the afternoon than visits to Tierra Bomba and Bocachica.
Isabela, so far, doesn't have it's own boat and they are trying to keep costs down.. so the speedboats they use may make other stops on the way which may contribute to arrival time.
This is not a party place.. their target market is more chill.
Bring your own towels!
As they are coral islands, the sand is also mixed with lots of small sharp coral, so you may want to bring water-shoes, or a pair can be loaned to you.
Make your booking to info@cartagenaconnections.com saying you want Isabela or Isleta option.
Isleta is a tiny island off Isla Grande in the Rosario Islands that offers the perfect place to connect to nature and unwind, undisturbed by vendors or loud sound-systems, with well-prepared food and drink and with good service. Basically, this is mostly everything we wrote about Blue Apple, but in the Rosario Islands, which means bluer, more transparent water, and great snorkeling nearby.
A daypass to Isabela costs 150,000 pesos when booked through Cartagena Connections (the price to the public is 160,000 pesos pp)
You will need to be at Puerta 1 (Gate 1) of the Muelle de las Bodeguitas (basically the main dock nearest the Clock Tower) at 8.30am. There you will look for the IslaBela representative. They will be holding a sign and wearing branded Islabela tshirts (see photo above). There will be a bunch of people trying to sell you other options along the way, just tell them "ya tengo" (I already have) and go to the window to pay your marine tax of 16,500 pesos pp. This tax is a compulsory payment made to the marine authority for any visit to the Rosario Islands. In theory the money is used to maintain the natural environment there and to police abidance to safety standards etc.
Once you have your receipt for the tax, the Islabela representative will lead you to the boat or designated waiting area. The boat leaves as soon as all the reserved clients have arrived and the safety inspector has signed off on the departure. Normally 9am. You may share the boat with guests going to other islands, so there may be some other drop-offs on the way, however usually, the Isleta drop-off is first.
The boatride to Isleta takes about 1 hour. Upon arrival you will be greeted by Yan and/or Alison.. the gorgeous Belgian couple who have partnered with the local community of Isleta to create this idyllic destination. From that point on your most difficult decisions will be which lounge chair to sun yourself and what time you'd like to eat.
The daypass includes a welcome cocktail (usually sangria) and a standard lunch option of either griled fish, grilled chicken or the typical fried fish. All come with coconut rice, patacones, salad and a drink of agua e'panela. There's also a vegetarian option of pasta with vegetable sauce. You are also welcome to order any other items from the menu (chalkboard photo in the slideshow above) and pay for what you consume.
Other activities
Snorkelling
You can hire snorkel equipment for 25,000 pesos pp and go explore on your own
OR (and this is definitely recommended) have local Kevin take you on a 40 minute guided tour of the best snorkel locations for 40,000 pesos (including equipment). You will get to see so much more, and you will also be further supporting the local community.
Massage
Support the local community and release stress with a relaxing massage, 50,000 pesos 1/2 hour or 100,000 pesos 1 hour.
Kayak and Stand-up Paddleboards are being sourced as we speak!
It is also possible to arrive and eat lunch or enjoy drinks at Isabela as part of your own private boat tour. Just get us to make the reservation.
Why choose this?
Very private, sand beach, great food, good price, beautiful transparent water, great snorkelling, zero vendors bothering you, great service, beautiful installations, chill music.
Things to know:
The Rosario Islands need to be accessed via open sea, therefore boats leave earlier in the morning and come back earlier in the afternoon than visits to Tierra Bomba and Bocachica.
Isabela, so far, doesn't have it's own boat and they are trying to keep costs down.. so the speedboats they use may make other stops on the way which may contribute to arrival time.
This is not a party place.. their target market is more chill.
Bring your own towels!
As they are coral islands, the sand is also mixed with lots of small sharp coral, so you may want to bring water-shoes, or a pair can be loaned to you.
Make your booking to info@cartagenaconnections.com saying you want Isabela or Isleta option.