NENA BEACH - PLAYA BLANCA - BARU
OK first, have you already read what we say about the different island options here? Then have you read what we say about Playa Blanca here? Yes? Great, we can continue.
Nena Beach Club is currently one of the most stylish ways to enjoy the white sand, blue water Playa Blanca beach, located on Isla Baru. Previously Playa Blanca visitors had to contend with a more rustic experience that included beach touts, plastic chairs, basic bathrooms and cash-only payment options (and to be honest, most didn't mind), but Nena Beach Club is something of a game-changer. It brings fashion, style and taste to what I have previously declared to be my favourite beach, and we are certainly grateful.
Nena Beach Day Pass costs 185,000 pesos pp and includes:
Doesn't include:
How it works:
Day pass with transport via land
Meet Juan Valdez, Centro de Convenciones, Getsemani
Departure/Return times 2 options:
depart 7am, return 3pm
depart 9.30am return 5.30pm
Nena Beach arrange private transport via air-conditioned van which meets guests at the Juan Valdez Cafe located in the Centro de Convenciones in Getsemani/Centro. This is a pretty easy walk from anywhere in Centro or Getsemani (about 8 minutes walk from the famous clock tower).
You need to be there by 8.50am. These guys are always punctual! So please allow enough time to arrive, or arrive early and grab a coffee and use the wifi. Because Nena have been burnt a few times by people booking their transport, and then cancelling, they will require a deposit of 50,000 pesos to be paid upon booking.
CAREFUL - There are 2 Juan Valdez Cafés in Getsemani.. make sure you are at the right one by first following directions to Centro de Convenciones Getsemani.. and then walking through to the Juan Valdez.
NOTE: If you are having trouble finding the driver or are running late, please contact Nena Beach to let them know on
+57 310 508 9543
The drive to Playa Blanca is about 50 minutes.
There will be a beach bed waiting for you along with a welcome cocktail. You can let the team know what time you want to have lunch and which option you will choose (there are 3 options included, but if you want to order something else or more that's fine, you just pay the difference. A round of golden fried patacones might be a good pre-snack lunch option, for example.
Other options
Day pass without transport 140,000 pesos pp
There might be many reasons you prefer to arrive via your own transport. You like to sleep in and want to take your own taxi. You have your own boat and prefer to boat yourself. You'd like to stay later on Playa Blanca and want to enjoy the sunset and maybe take a phosphorescent plankton snorkel. Whatever.
Although Playa Blanca is technically located on an island (Barú), there is now a bridge that enables you to access it via land.
Make your own way there.
If you take Taxi or shuttle bus or hitch a ride with another boat, of have your own car etc you can opt just to pay the day entry price.
All these options include:
Alcoholic Caribbean Cocktail on arrival
Beach Bed
Lunch (choice of 3 options, vegetarians catered for)
Colombian Coffee
Personalised Customer Service
Changerooms and freshwater showers
Restaurant only
We can make a booking for you at the restaurant and you just pay what you consume. This option doesn't include a sun lounge and it isn't a set priced lunch.. but this could be a good option on a private boat day, or if you make your own way to Playa Blanca and are looking for a good restaurant and bar. If this is the case, it's best to let us make the reservation to ensure there is space. Just let us know!
Stay the night
Since COVID lockdowns and restrictions, Nena have been permitted to re-open cautiously. Of their 13 rooms, they have only made available 8, in efforts to keep things quiet and small.
Options include:
Second floor queen room 265,000 pesos (garden view)
First floor queen room 235,000 pesos (no sea view)
Second floor queen room sea view 400,000 pesos
King suite sea view 450,000 pesos
Glamping sea view (with aircon) 400,000 pesos
Shared dorm 75,000 pesos pp
All rooms include breakfast and are based on twin-share.
Transport service: 45,000 pesos pp each way shared or 140,000 pesos per couple private with hotel/airport pickup
At night the Nena restaurant and bar is closed, but there a numerous other restaurants and bars operating in close proximity.
You should know: Playa Blanca is still a public beach and Nena Beach can't really control their neighbours nor the volume they may want to play their music at. Weekends will always be more crazy and crowded, but for the most part Nena Beach is a much more chill option. Also, if you arrive by land, you will still have to walk to Nena Beach Club through the mild chaos that is the space between the carpark and the beach. At least it will mean you will appreciate the relative sanctuary of calm and cleanliness when you arrive at Nena Beach Club. Also consider Banana Beach which is at a more quieter end of Playa Blanca.
Also, if you plan on getting a massage or any other service, we would recommend you ask one of the team members from Nena Beach to negotiate the price on your behalf first!
Children?
Children are permitted but charged at the same adult price.
Book:
Let us know which day, which option, where you are staying, how many people and what name we should put your booking under. A number that we can reach you on if there are any issues finding you would also be appreciated. email info@cartagenaconnections.com or use the contact form below.
Nena Beach Club is currently one of the most stylish ways to enjoy the white sand, blue water Playa Blanca beach, located on Isla Baru. Previously Playa Blanca visitors had to contend with a more rustic experience that included beach touts, plastic chairs, basic bathrooms and cash-only payment options (and to be honest, most didn't mind), but Nena Beach Club is something of a game-changer. It brings fashion, style and taste to what I have previously declared to be my favourite beach, and we are certainly grateful.
Nena Beach Day Pass costs 185,000 pesos pp and includes:
- Transportation via land
- complimentary bottle of water for the journey
- welcome cocktail
- beach bed
- lunch (3 options)
- coffee
- fresh water showers
- towel
- use of bathrooms and private changerooms
- security lockers
- bilingual personnel attending you (subject to rostering!)
- use of paddle and kayak (just submit your identification document for security)
Doesn't include:
- Extra food and drink
- Additional activities you might want to purchase on Playa Blanca (massages, use of jetski etc)
How it works:
Day pass with transport via land
Meet Juan Valdez, Centro de Convenciones, Getsemani
Departure/Return times 2 options:
depart 7am, return 3pm
depart 9.30am return 5.30pm
Nena Beach arrange private transport via air-conditioned van which meets guests at the Juan Valdez Cafe located in the Centro de Convenciones in Getsemani/Centro. This is a pretty easy walk from anywhere in Centro or Getsemani (about 8 minutes walk from the famous clock tower).
You need to be there by 8.50am. These guys are always punctual! So please allow enough time to arrive, or arrive early and grab a coffee and use the wifi. Because Nena have been burnt a few times by people booking their transport, and then cancelling, they will require a deposit of 50,000 pesos to be paid upon booking.
CAREFUL - There are 2 Juan Valdez Cafés in Getsemani.. make sure you are at the right one by first following directions to Centro de Convenciones Getsemani.. and then walking through to the Juan Valdez.
NOTE: If you are having trouble finding the driver or are running late, please contact Nena Beach to let them know on
+57 310 508 9543
The drive to Playa Blanca is about 50 minutes.
There will be a beach bed waiting for you along with a welcome cocktail. You can let the team know what time you want to have lunch and which option you will choose (there are 3 options included, but if you want to order something else or more that's fine, you just pay the difference. A round of golden fried patacones might be a good pre-snack lunch option, for example.
Other options
Day pass without transport 140,000 pesos pp
There might be many reasons you prefer to arrive via your own transport. You like to sleep in and want to take your own taxi. You have your own boat and prefer to boat yourself. You'd like to stay later on Playa Blanca and want to enjoy the sunset and maybe take a phosphorescent plankton snorkel. Whatever.
Although Playa Blanca is technically located on an island (Barú), there is now a bridge that enables you to access it via land.
Make your own way there.
If you take Taxi or shuttle bus or hitch a ride with another boat, of have your own car etc you can opt just to pay the day entry price.
All these options include:
Alcoholic Caribbean Cocktail on arrival
Beach Bed
Lunch (choice of 3 options, vegetarians catered for)
Colombian Coffee
Personalised Customer Service
Changerooms and freshwater showers
Restaurant only
We can make a booking for you at the restaurant and you just pay what you consume. This option doesn't include a sun lounge and it isn't a set priced lunch.. but this could be a good option on a private boat day, or if you make your own way to Playa Blanca and are looking for a good restaurant and bar. If this is the case, it's best to let us make the reservation to ensure there is space. Just let us know!
Stay the night
Since COVID lockdowns and restrictions, Nena have been permitted to re-open cautiously. Of their 13 rooms, they have only made available 8, in efforts to keep things quiet and small.
Options include:
Second floor queen room 265,000 pesos (garden view)
First floor queen room 235,000 pesos (no sea view)
Second floor queen room sea view 400,000 pesos
King suite sea view 450,000 pesos
Glamping sea view (with aircon) 400,000 pesos
Shared dorm 75,000 pesos pp
All rooms include breakfast and are based on twin-share.
Transport service: 45,000 pesos pp each way shared or 140,000 pesos per couple private with hotel/airport pickup
At night the Nena restaurant and bar is closed, but there a numerous other restaurants and bars operating in close proximity.
You should know: Playa Blanca is still a public beach and Nena Beach can't really control their neighbours nor the volume they may want to play their music at. Weekends will always be more crazy and crowded, but for the most part Nena Beach is a much more chill option. Also, if you arrive by land, you will still have to walk to Nena Beach Club through the mild chaos that is the space between the carpark and the beach. At least it will mean you will appreciate the relative sanctuary of calm and cleanliness when you arrive at Nena Beach Club. Also consider Banana Beach which is at a more quieter end of Playa Blanca.
Also, if you plan on getting a massage or any other service, we would recommend you ask one of the team members from Nena Beach to negotiate the price on your behalf first!
Children?
Children are permitted but charged at the same adult price.
Book:
Let us know which day, which option, where you are staying, how many people and what name we should put your booking under. A number that we can reach you on if there are any issues finding you would also be appreciated. email info@cartagenaconnections.com or use the contact form below.