Bocagrande Beaches, Cartagena: Guide and How to Get There

Q: How much does a tent cost in Bocagrande?

The price depends on the season and the vendor. Always agree on the price before using tents, chairs, or services on the beach.

Q: How far is Bocagrande from the centre?

About 10 minutes by taxi from the Walled City.

Q: How to get to Bocagrande by bus?

Travel with Marsol to their office in Cartagena (from Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Tayrona Park, or Palomino) and take a taxi to Bocagrande.

Q: Bocagrande or Playa Blanca?

Bocagrande is convenient and in the city; Playa Blanca, in Barú, has whiter sand and clearer water, but requires a trip.

Q: When is the best time to go to Bocagrande?

Weekdays and early mornings are less crowded. The high season is from December to January and during Easter Week.

Bocagrande is the peninsula of hotels and urban beaches in Cartagena, about 10 minutes from the Walled City. Its beaches, protected by breakwaters, have calm waters ideal for swimming and watching the sunset. Arrive in Cartagena by bus with Marsol.

Bocagrande in Summary

The essentials for planning your bus trip with Marsol to Cartagena.

$40,000

Ticket from Barranquilla (COP)

2 h 30 min

By bus from Barranquilla

29

Daily departures from Marsol to this destination

View Schedules and Tickets

Why Travel with Marsol

Official Tickets

Direct purchase on the Marsol site, without intermediaries.

Multiple Departures Daily

Check the schedules for each route and choose the one that suits you best.

Marsol Offices in Each City

Departures and arrivals for these routes are at Transportes Marsol offices.

Book Online

Choose your departure and book in a few steps from any device.

How to Get to Bocagrande by Bus

Daily buses from Transportes Marsol. Schedules and prices may change; confirm them when booking. The bus arrives in Cartagena; from there, proceed to Bocagrande as explained below.

From	Departures Daily	Duration	Price From
Barranquilla	14	2 h 30 min	$40.000
Santa Marta	11	5 h	$100.000
Parque Tayrona (El Zaino)	2	6 h	$130.000
Palomino	2	7 h	$150.000

Arrival and Getting Around

Where the Marsol bus drops you off and how to continue your journey.

Arrival by Bus: Cartagena

Transportes Marsol Office
Carrera 2A 43-111, Cartagena, Bolívar

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How to Get to Bocagrande

From the Marsol office in Cartagena, Bocagrande is a few minutes away by taxi. From the Walled City, you can go by taxi or walk along the seafront.

View Bocagrande in Google Maps

What to Do in Bocagrande

Bocagrande Beaches: sand and calm waters between breakwaters, with tents and chairs for rent
El Laguito and Castillogrande: quieter areas at the tip of the peninsula
Avenida San Martín: restaurants, shopping centres, and nightlife
Sunset: one of the best spots in the city to watch the sun set over the Caribbean
Rosario Islands: boats depart from La Bodeguita Pier, in the centre

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Sunset in Bocagrande: Pedro Szekely (CC BY 2.0); Beaches between breakwaters: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan (CC BY-SA 2.0); Rosario Islands: P R (CC BY 2.0).

Sunset in Bocagrande

The buildings of Bocagrande facing the Caribbean at dusk, one of the most photographed landscapes in Cartagena.

Playa de Bocagrande con los edificios al fondo

Beaches between Breakwaters

The breakwaters divide the beach into calm water sections, comfortable for swimming.

Aguas cristalinas en las Islas del Rosario

Rosario Islands

Archipelago of crystal-clear waters an hour by boat from Cartagena, ideal for a day at the beach.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bocagrande

Answers to the most common questions before travelling.

Can you swim at Bocagrande beaches?

Yes. The breakwaters create calm water sections. Respect the lifeguard flags and avoid swimming far from the shore.

How much does a tent cost in Bocagrande?

How far is Bocagrande from the centre?

How to get to Bocagrande by bus?

Bocagrande or Playa Blanca?

When is the best time to go to Bocagrande?

Travel to Bocagrande with Marsol

Official tickets, purchased online, from $40,000 COP. Seats are limited in high season: book in advance.

Buy Tickets

Bocagrande Beaches, Cartagena: Guide and How to Get There