Bahía de Cholón is what Cartagena does when it wants to party on the water. Tucked into the south end of Isla Barú, this protected bay fills on weekends with boats rafted side by side, floating bars you swim up to, canoes paddling over with cold beer and fresh ceviche, and water clear enough to make the whole scene glow. It is less a beach than a happening, and it is one of the most fun days out you can have near the city, if you know what you are walking into.
- It is a boat scene, not a beach. There is little or no sand to lounge on. The day happens on and around boats anchored in the bay, so you are in and out of the water.
- Weekends are the show; weekdays are calm. Saturdays and Sundays bring the rafted-up party of locals and visitors. Midweek the bay is quiet and you may have it nearly to yourself.
- Bring cash and a dry bag. Floating bars and canoe vendors take cash, drinks are priced for a captive market, and you want phones and valuables sealed and dry.
- Sun and hydration. There is no shade out on the water. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and drinking water are non-negotiable.
"¿Cuánto por el ceviche y por la cerveza? Antes de servir, por favor."
"How much for the ceviche and the beer? Before you serve it, please."
What Cholon is
Cholón is a sheltered, shallow bay ringed by mangroves and a few private homes on the quieter side of Barú. The water is calmer and clearer than the open coast, which is why boats gather here. The signature experience is the floating bar: a platform or moored boat in the middle of the bay where you order from the water. Around it, small canoes work the crowd selling ceviche, oysters, fruit, and drinks. It has long been the weekend playground of well-off Cartageneros, and that crowd sets the tone, sociable, sun-soaked, and a little bit of a scene.
The scene
On a busy Saturday, expect music, anchored boats tied together, people wading between them, and a steady traffic of vendor canoes. It is lively and can get rowdy, in a good-natured way. If your idea of paradise is silence, come on a weekday or choose the quieter Rosario island hotels instead. If your idea of a great day is floating in clear water with a drink and good energy around you, Cholón on a weekend is hard to beat.
Getting there
Cholón is reached by boat, usually from Muelle de la Bodeguita, and is most fun on a private or small-group charter so you have your own base for the day. Many trips combine Cholón with Playa Blanca or the Rosario Islands, since they are all on the same stretch south of the city. The ride is roughly 45 minutes to an hour.
What it costs
A shared small-group day to Cholón runs roughly COP 150,000 to 250,000 per person (USD 38 to 63). A private boat for a group of six to eight, the nicer way to do it, starts higher but splits well across the group. Food and drinks on the bay are extra and not cheap, so carry cash. For an easy, English-friendly booking that pairs Cholón with Playa Blanca, this full-day Barú and islands trip on Viator is a straightforward option.
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A note on the bay
Cholón's popularity is also its pressure. On the busiest days the anchoring, fuel, and trash take a toll on a small, shallow ecosystem. Do the simple things: take everything out that you bring in, do not stand on or touch coral, choose operators who handle waste responsibly, and skip single-use plastic where you can. The bay is beautiful because it is alive; keeping it that way is on everyone who visits.
Related guides on this site
Playa Blanca - the white-sand beach next door on Barú.
Where to stay on the Rosario Islands - the calmer island option.
Best beaches in and near Cartagena - the full ranking.
Day trips from Cartagena - everything within reach of the city.
All prices in COP with USD conversions at approximately 4,000:1 - confirm the current rate when you travel. Boat prices and conditions vary with day, weather, and group size, so verify before booking. Last review: May 2026.