Another reason to love Colombia is its beaches. With thousands of kilometers of coastline in the Pacific and the Carribean, you can enjoy the white sand and turquoise blue waters of beaches without leaving Colombia. Here are some of the beaches near Medellin that tourists and expats highly recommend.
Note: Latam and Viva Air Colombia are among the airlines that offer the most affordable flights in Colombia.
Playa Blanca in Isla Baru
This beach is only a 45-minute boat ride from Cartagena. It’s a beautiful beach with pristine waters. Many restaurants and activities are available on the island. Just be careful when dealing with locals trying to volunteer as your guide or sell you stuff. Some are honest, but some might be trying to get your gringo money.
If you’re up for a road trip, the drive to Cartagena from Medellin can take up 13 to 15 hours, depending on your breaks. The flight from Medellin to Cartagena takes about an hour. It can range from 60 to 170 USD, depending on the airline, the day you’re traveling, and the season.
La Playa Blanca’s pristine waters and white sand is a must-visit in Colombia. Image Source: Koen Dirckx
Capurgana
If you enjoy beaches that are not crowded, you’ll enjoy this hidden gem that is Capurgana. Its waters are pristine and mostly untouched. Apart from the beach, you can also go on a hike to see the El Cielo Waterfall or walk to the Panaman border.
The flight from Medellin (Olaya Herrera Airport) to Acandi only takes an hour. San German offers flights for around 330,000 COP every Mondays and Fridays. You can also take the night bus from Medellin to Necocli which costs around 70,000 COP and takes around 9 to 10 hours. From either Necocli or Acandi, you can take a boat or a horse as they do not allow motor vehicles in this town. Isn’t that such a unique experience?
The secluded Capurgana is perfect for those who don’t like crowded beaches. Image Source: https://sanblasadventures.com/
Las Islas del Rosario (Rosario Islands)
About 100 km from Cartagena is the Rosario Islands. A 1-hour boat ride from Cartagena will take you to the Rosario Islands’ stunning beaches that will be refreshing after touring Cartagena. There, you can also watch dolphins at the Oceanarium, go scuba diving, and kayak by the mangroves, to name a few. This island also has many restaurants and boatmen that offer fresh seafood that’s a must-try!
If you’re up for a road trip, the drive to Cartagena from Medellin can take up 13 to 15 hours, depending on your breaks. The flight from Medellin to Cartagena takes about an hour. It can range from 60 to 170 USD, depending on the airline, the day you’re traveling, and the season.
These are some of our favorites among the stunning beaches near Medellin. Which one are you planning on visiting? Share your questions and experience in the comments!
