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 the most stylish way 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 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 210,000 pesos pp and includes:
return transport via the Nena Beach speedboat
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
Doesn't include:
marine taxes -- at the moment these aren't being sought, but if the local authority decide to start charging them, the tax is 17,500 pesos pp)
Extra food and drink
Additional activities you might want to purchase on Playa Blanca (massages, use of jetski etc)
How it works:
Arrive at the dock between 8.30am -8.45am
The provisional departure point is the Regatta dock in Manga. Tell your taxi driver "Muelle Regatta en Manga." You can locate the Edifico Regatta (a big apartment building right in front of the dock) on google maps or Waze. Departure point can change subject to conditions and permissions, so we will confirm if it is any different at the time of booking.
Be sure to leave your accommodation with plenty of time to arrive punctually. Out of courtesy to the other passengers, the boat will not wait past 9am for stragglers.
NOTE: If you are having trouble finding the dock or are running late, or want to cancel last minute please contact Nena Beach to let them know on +57 310 508 9543
Once all boarded, enjoy the (approximately) 45 minute boat ride directly to Nena Beach, Playa Blanca, Baru Island.
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.
The departure time is between 3.30pm and 4pm.
Other options
Day pass without transport 170,000 pesos pp
There might be many reasons you prefer to arrive via your own transport. You slept in and want to take your own taxi. You don't do well with small boats and bumpy rides and prefer to take the shuttle bus. 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. Going via land means you get to avoid paying the marine tax (currently 18,500 pesos pp) and also avoid when the Cartagena seas turn rough and the tiny boats that are used feel less than secure. If this is you, we would recommend
Transport with Mama Llena shuttle:
Price: 50,000 pesos pp (plus day pass 170,000 so total 220,000 pesos pp)
This is the best option for people who are staying the night in Playa Blanca, people who want to return at 8.30pm after doing the night glowing plankton tour, people who don't like boat travel. For this option you will need to make the booking with us, and then make your own way to Mama Llena hostel located on Calle Media Luna. You will pay them directly for the shuttle. The ride is about 50 minutes. The shuttle will leave you at the car park for Playa Blanca, then you will need to walk down the stairs and turn right once you get to the beach. You will walk until you find Nena Beach which you will recognise immediately from the above photos (and because it doesn't look like anything else on the stretch).
Land transport departs Cartagena at 8.30am and 12 noon (let us know your preference); It returns 3pm and 8.30pm (or 10.30am the next day)
BONUS: If you choose to go back at the 8.30pm option, you will have time to do the Night Plankton tour where you can see the phosphorescent plankton. There is visibility all nights, but best visibility when there is less moon because the moonlight detracts)
Let us know if you also want us to book in a Plankton Tour for you.
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!
PRICES:
Day pass including Nena Beach boat: 210,000 pesos pp
Day pass not including transport: 170,000 pesos (+ 17,500 pesos marine tax pp)
Restaurant booking only: pay what you consume
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?
If you are arriving by the Nena Beach boat, unfortunately the price is the same for children as it is for adults. If you arrange your own transport, the day pass without transport is 140,000 pesos per child (4-10 years)
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 the most stylish way 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 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 210,000 pesos pp and includes:
return transport via the Nena Beach speedboat
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
Doesn't include:
marine taxes -- at the moment these aren't being sought, but if the local authority decide to start charging them, the tax is 17,500 pesos pp)
Extra food and drink
Additional activities you might want to purchase on Playa Blanca (massages, use of jetski etc)
How it works:
Arrive at the dock between 8.30am -8.45am
The provisional departure point is the Regatta dock in Manga. Tell your taxi driver "Muelle Regatta en Manga." You can locate the Edifico Regatta (a big apartment building right in front of the dock) on google maps or Waze. Departure point can change subject to conditions and permissions, so we will confirm if it is any different at the time of booking.
Be sure to leave your accommodation with plenty of time to arrive punctually. Out of courtesy to the other passengers, the boat will not wait past 9am for stragglers.
NOTE: If you are having trouble finding the dock or are running late, or want to cancel last minute please contact Nena Beach to let them know on +57 310 508 9543
Once all boarded, enjoy the (approximately) 45 minute boat ride directly to Nena Beach, Playa Blanca, Baru Island.
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.
The departure time is between 3.30pm and 4pm.
Other options
Day pass without transport 170,000 pesos pp
There might be many reasons you prefer to arrive via your own transport. You slept in and want to take your own taxi. You don't do well with small boats and bumpy rides and prefer to take the shuttle bus. 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. Going via land means you get to avoid paying the marine tax (currently 18,500 pesos pp) and also avoid when the Cartagena seas turn rough and the tiny boats that are used feel less than secure. If this is you, we would recommend
Transport with Mama Llena shuttle:
Price: 50,000 pesos pp (plus day pass 170,000 so total 220,000 pesos pp)
This is the best option for people who are staying the night in Playa Blanca, people who want to return at 8.30pm after doing the night glowing plankton tour, people who don't like boat travel. For this option you will need to make the booking with us, and then make your own way to Mama Llena hostel located on Calle Media Luna. You will pay them directly for the shuttle. The ride is about 50 minutes. The shuttle will leave you at the car park for Playa Blanca, then you will need to walk down the stairs and turn right once you get to the beach. You will walk until you find Nena Beach which you will recognise immediately from the above photos (and because it doesn't look like anything else on the stretch).
Land transport departs Cartagena at 8.30am and 12 noon (let us know your preference); It returns 3pm and 8.30pm (or 10.30am the next day)
BONUS: If you choose to go back at the 8.30pm option, you will have time to do the Night Plankton tour where you can see the phosphorescent plankton. There is visibility all nights, but best visibility when there is less moon because the moonlight detracts)
Let us know if you also want us to book in a Plankton Tour for you.
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!
PRICES:
Day pass including Nena Beach boat: 210,000 pesos pp
Day pass not including transport: 170,000 pesos (+ 17,500 pesos marine tax pp)
Restaurant booking only: pay what you consume
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?
If you are arriving by the Nena Beach boat, unfortunately the price is the same for children as it is for adults. If you arrange your own transport, the day pass without transport is 140,000 pesos per child (4-10 years)
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.
