How to get from Cartagena to Isla Grande (and back)

Why visit Isla Grande?

Isla Grande is the most beautiful of the Rosario Islands, an archipelago 34 km off of Cartagena’s coast. It’s a popular destination for day trips, but we highly recommend spending at least two nights to get a proper chance of exploring the island.

Offering white sand beaches and turquoise waters, visiting Isla Grande will take you to the ultimate beach paradise in Colombia. It’s a laidback island where you can really get away from the world, just lay on a hammock and let the soft waves calm your mind.

PRO TIP: The number of accommodations in Isla Grande is very limited. There are a few amazing places to stay in Isla Grande, but be sure to book early as they get fully booked quickly.

Heads up about return ticket to Cartagena

For your return journey from Isla Grande to Cartagena, it’s best to buy a return ticket before going to Isla Grande because there is no main port on this island. The pickup points are usually agreed upon beforehand between the boatmen and the passengers.

The ferry tickets from Isla Grande to Cartagena cost the same as the tickets from Cartagena to Isla Grande. Travel time is around 1 hour, unless you take one of the speedboats that make a 2-hour stopover at Playa Blanca on Baru Island.

TIP: After you visit Isla Grande, we highly recommend exploring Tayrona National Park. You can travel straight from Cartagena to Tayrona by minivan or bus, without having to stay in Santa Marta.

There are 3 ways to travel the 34 kilometre (21 miles) distance from Cartagena to Isla Grande. You can choose between the Speedboat ferry, Speedboat ferry (the way back) and day trip. The journey takes 45 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by speedboat ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by speedboat ferry with tickets starting at 69,000 COP ($18.10).

Getting from Cartagena to Isla Grande is easy, but the experience can vary depending on which operator you choose. Some of them are Mary Cartagena Travel, Opitours, Cartagena y algo +, Juan Ballena and CTG Tours.

Ferry rates start from 69,000 COP ($18.10). But note that you also need to pay a mandatory port tax of 29,000 COP ($7.70) per person when departing from Cartagena.

Travel time is around 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, excluding any extra stops. The same boats are also often used to transport passengers to other islands such as Baru or Cholon, so there can be an extra stop without any prior notice.

Most boats operating from Cartagena to Isla Grande only depart when they have enough passengers. This means that ferry departures can sometimes be delayed by up to 1 hour.

Departure and arrival ports

All boats from Cartagena to Isla Grande depart from Muelle La Bodeguita, right outside the old city’s walls.

Drop off for CTG Tours is Sol y Papaya Restobar on the north coast. As for the other ferries, you can be dropped off at any hotel on Isla Grande.

Speedboat ferry rates from Isla Grande to Cartagena start from 69,000 COP ($18.10) when you book online through BookAway. You can also buy through your hotel, but usually for a higher price.

Keep in mind that, unlike the journey from Cartagena, there is no additional port fee when coming from Isla Grande.

Departure and arrival ports

There’s no main port on Isla Grande, so most ferry operators will pick you up directly from your hotel or a nearby beach.

All boats depart from Isla Grande in the early afternoon to arrive in Cartagena before its port closes at 19:00. You’ll arrive at the same port where the trip started (Muelle La Bodeguita).

Some speedboats make a 2-hour stop at Playa Blanca, where you can have a few hours more by the beach. It’s best to check with your operator in advance to see if they go direct or include the stopover.

The direct ferry ride takes about 45 minutes to an hour. If there are stopovers along the way, expect the journey to stretch to around 3.5 hours.

If you only have one day to spare, you can also book a day trip from Cartagena to Isla Grande. Many tour operators and hotels offer group day trip options known as ‘pasadía,’ which includes the use of hotel facilities, lunch and some pre-arranged activities at an extra cost.

Day trip prices start from 150,000 COP ($39.50) per person. You can book this directly at the port.

PRO TIP: When choosing which day trip package to book, bear in mind that generally, the lower the price, the lower the quality of the trip. This also usually includes a larger group. Rates for a decent quality pasadía from Cartagena to Isla Grande start from 250,000 COP ($66) per person.

Most day passes include lunch and the use of hotel facilities. On a budget? You can choose not to include meals in your tour package and save some money by eating at local restaurants on the island.

Day Trip from Cartagena to Rosario Islands

Looking to explore not just Isla Grande but also other destinations in the Rosario Islands?

GetYourGuide offers day trip packages that include return speedboat transfers, snorkelling gear, lunch and drinks. Rates start from 251,000 COP ($66) for the 7-hour tour.

Book a Day Trip with GetYourGuide

Cartagena to Isla Grande by Private Boat

Another option is to rent a private speedboat or yacht for up to 10 people, with prices starting from 3,115,000 COP ($820) when you book one online beforehand through Viator.

This is something to consider when you’re travelling in a larger group, if you want to sail around the islands at your own pace, or if you just want some privacy.

You should also be able to book a private boat with one of the tour companies in Cartagena. Rates start from about 2,400,000 COP ($635) a day.