What to expect when visiting 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 pick-up 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 vice versa tickets. Travel time is around 1 hour unless you take a Delfines Tour speedboat. Delfines Tour makes a 2-hour stopover at Playa Blanca on Baru Island.
TIP: After your visit to Isla Grande, we highly recommend visiting Tayrona National Park. You can travel straight from Cartagena to Tayrona by minivan or bus, without having to stay in Santa Marta.
3 ways to get from Cartagena to Isla Grande
There are three ways to travel the distance of 34 km (21 miles) from Cartagena to Isla Grande: by speedboat ferry (45 minutes-1h), speedboat ferry (the way back) (45 minutes-4h) and day trip (8.5 hours). The journey takes between 45 minutes - 8h30m and the quickest way is by speedboat ferry. The lowest priced tickets start from 67,230 COP ($16.50) for the speedboat ferry.Where to stay in Isla Grande?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Isla Grande at the bottom of this page.
Cartagena to Isla Grande by Speedboat Ferry
You can choose from a few tour operators for the Cartagena to Isla Grande route. Some of them are Mary Cartagena Travel, Delfines Tours, CTG Tours, and Juan Ballena.
Ferry rates start from 67,230 COP ($16.50). But note that you also need to pay a mandatory port tax of 20,000 COP ($5.00) per person when departing from Cartagena.
Travel time is 45 minutes to 1 hour, 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.
Also, be aware that 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 port
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.
Ferry schedule from Cartagena to Isla Grande
There is also an option to arrange the service by yourself with vendors at the port. But we recommend booking online beforehand for fixed prices — because you might still need to negotiate for cheaper rates at the port.
IMPORTANT: All ferries from Cartagena to Isla Grande operate only in the morning. There are no ferry departures allowed beyond 09:30. Cartagena’s port authority is pretty strict on this rule so make sure to arrive at the pier no later than 09:00.
Cartagena to Isla Grande by Speedboat Ferry (the way back)
Speedboat ferry rates from Isla Grande to Cartagena start from 67,230 COP ($16.50) 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 port
There is no main port at Isla Grande. Mary Cartagena, Delfines Tours and Juan Ballena pick up passengers directly from their hotels. CTG Tours departs from Sol y Papaya Restobar, which is also its drop-off point on the way to the island.
All boats depart from Isla Grande in the early afternoon to arrive in Cartagena before its port closes at 16:00. The ride to Cartagena takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour and ferries arrive at the same port where the trip started (Muelle La Bodeguita).
Ferry schedule from Isla Grande to Cartagena (the way back)
Extra stop at Baru Island
Do you have time for a side trip on your way back to Cartagena? If you book a return ticket with Delfines Tours, your boat will make a 2-hour layover in Playa Blanca on Baru Island.
We think this is a great opportunity for a short visit and to have lunch there if you’re not planning on visiting Baru separately.
Total travel time from Isla Grande to Cartagena via Delfines Tours is around 4 hours.
Cartagena to Isla Grande by Day Trip
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 100,000 COP ($25.00) per person. You can also 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 200,000 COP ($50.00) per person.
Most day passes already 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 330,000 COP ($83.00) for the 10-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 2,392,519 COP ($600.00) 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 2,400,000 COP ($605.00) a day.
Our favourite places to stay in Isla Grande
Day trips from Cartagena to Isla Grande are a popular choice for tourists, but if you want to experience the island at its best, we recommend staying on Isla Grande for at least two days,
If you decide to do so, it’s wise to book your accommodation in advance. It’s an island after all, which means that accommodation options are limited.
Accommodation prices tend to be higher in Isla Grande than on the mainland. Expect a bit less luxury compared to what you will get in other destinations in Colombia.
But hey, who needs the fanciest hotel on the island? You’ll want to be enjoying the white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters most of the time anyway!
Now let’s hope one of these gems is still available:
Hotel Coralina Island - Treating Yourself
If you’re looking to go all out and treat yourself, then Hotel Coralina is the place to do that. Whilst not actually on Isla Grande, you’ll find Hotel Coralina on the nearby Isla Marina. Only a 10-minute boat ride away, this can easily be arranged through the hotel.
Some of the bungalows are actually set on the water. Guests get to enjoy three delicious and free meals a day from the onsite gourmet restaurant. Eat, swim, repeat!
The rooms are large and luxurious, but you’ll probably want to be spending your time on one of the docks overlooking the sea. This place is somewhere that you’ll never forget!
- 3 free meals a day from their gourmet restaurant
- Private beach area
- Large and luxurious beachfront rooms
- Lots of activities available
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Hotel Islabela Isla Del Rosario - Mid Range
You’ll need to book this place at least a month in advance. It’s one of the best places to stay on the entire island. Situated right on its own private beach, you can’t ask for a better location.
The bungalows are luxurious and open up onto the beach. The local staff are just incredible. They will help to organise fun activities through the hotel that will make your stay even more memorable.
- Private beach
- Onsite bar and restaurant
- Beach front bungalows
- Incredible breakfast included
Double rooms cost between $40-$80 per night
Eco-Hotel Mar Adentro - Mid Range
While not directly on the beach, Mar Adentro fully encapsulates the beach vibes. Here you’ll be staying in beach-style huts, each with its own patio.
Only a 5-minute walk from the beach, you can experience true tranquillity without anyone else around. Apart from the staff of course, who are incredibly helpful and friendly.
- Beach-style huts
- 5 minutes from the beach
- Onsite restaurant and terrace
- Great breakfast included
Double rooms cost between $40-$80 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Cartagena to Isla Grande
What is the distance from Cartagena to Isla Grande?
The distance from Cartagena to Isla Grande is 34 km (21 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Cartagena to Isla Grande?
The fastest way to get from Cartagena to Isla Grande is by speedboat ferry and takes 45 minutes-1h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Cartagena to Isla Grande?
The cheapest way to get from Cartagena to Isla Grande is by speedboat ferry with ticket costs starting from 67,230 COP ($16.50).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Cartagena to Isla Grande. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Hola, estuve buscando en google más información sobre el Hotel Isla Coralina pero resulta que no parece estar en Isla Grande sino en una isla llamada Coralina. Me puede confirmar la ubicación, por favor? Gracias
Hi Sara, Hotel Carolina Island is located in Isla Marina. This island is also part of the Islas del Rosario archipelago and is just 10 minutes away from Isla Grande by boat. You can arrange the boat ride with the hotel.
PD: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para que sea útil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.
Bonjour
Pourriez vous me dire comment pouvoir traverser de Isla Marina (où je loge) à Isla Grande ? La traversée est elle longue ? Y a t il souvent des bateaux qui font cette traversée ? Merci
Hola Perdrizet, desde Isla Marina son solo 10 minutos en bote para llegar a Isla Grande. El Hotel Islabela confirmó que el barco se puede reservar a través de su hotel y suponemos que cualquier hotel de la isla puede reservar este barco para usted. ¡Disfruta tu viaje!
Great information! Due to some timing issues, we would like to leave the island at about noon. Can you provide information or a recommendation on who we could hire for the boat ride back? There are 3 of us. We’re looking to leave on October 20th. Thinking of staying at hotel Cocoliso.
Hey Susan! Among the ferry operators on BookAway, Delfines Tours has the earliest departure time from Isla Grande at 12:00, but it makes a 2-hour side trip to Playa Blanca. The next ferry departures are at 14:00 and go straight to Cartagena, which takes about 1 hour.
Hotel Cocoliso looks like a good place to stay, but you might also want to check out Hotel Coralina Island and Hotel Islabela Isla Del Rosario, two fantastic accommodations we recommended in our guide with best places to stay in Colombia.
Hope this is helpful and have a wonderful trip ahead Susan!
This is great info. I needed to know where the ferries leave from so I can go to my airbnb on Isla grande. Now I’m all set !!!
Thank you so much for leaving a comment Anne. I’m glad it was helpful and have an amazing trip!