Cartagena: Full Day Guided Tour to Cholon Island

Bring your swimwear, and leave quiet beaches behind. This six-hour boat trip from Cartagena combines a look at the Rosario Islands, a short swim stop, and four hours at Cholon Island, the area’s famous floating party spot. I like the lively boat atmosphere and the chance to swim in the Rosario archipelago before lunch, which includes a typical meal and two complimentary national beers.

I also like that guides such as Randy, Adriano, and Jace have earned praise for keeping the mood high and helping with translations or purchases. The main drawback is the rough timing: lunch may not arrive until mid-afternoon, while food, drinks, hookah, bathrooms, and other services on Cholon can cost far more than expected.

Cholon Island at a glance

• A party on the water: Cholon is built around music, boats, swimming, dancing, and socializing rather than quiet island relaxation.
• Two water stops: You first pass the Rosario Islands, then stop at a place called Poolita for about 30 minutes of swimming.
• Lunch comes late: The included meal may arrive around 1:45 or 2:30 p.m., so eat breakfast and bring snacks.
• Boat comfort varies: The ride back can be very bumpy, especially at the front of the boat, and some people report limited seating.
• Island prices are high: Bring Colombian pesos, ask prices before ordering, and expect extra charges for many purchases.
• Best for adults who want music: Drinking, smoking, vendors, and standing for long periods make this a poor fit for young children or a calm beach day.

What kind of day is this?

This is not a quiet island cruise. It is a social boat outing aimed at adults who want loud music, drinks, swimming, and a party setting. The boat ride itself is part of the entertainment, with music playing during the journey and a chance to meet other people heading to the same place.

Cholon is famous for its floating party scene. You may get off the boat directly into the water, gather around high tables set in the sea, and spend much of the afternoon standing, swimming, or moving between boats. Some people love that loose, energetic setup. Others find the lack of chairs and personal space tiring.

The tour is priced at $110 per person. That is reasonable if you value boat transportation, a guided group outing, lunch, the Rosario Islands stop, and two beers. It is less attractive if you expect a polished beach club, a full meal served promptly, or drinks included throughout the day.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 198 reviews, with 96 percent recommending it. Those numbers reflect strong enthusiasm, but the lower ratings point to the same concerns again and again: late departures, expensive extras, aggressive sales pitches, poor seating, and a rough return ride.

Meeting in Cartagena’s old city

The day begins at Babylon restaurante bar at Dg. 35 #34-41 in El Centro. Everyone checks in there before being taken to the marina for the boat. The listed meeting time is early, and the planned outing runs for about six hours.

Give yourself extra patience at this first stage. Some outings have started late, and one account describes a delay of about 30 minutes. Another describes time spent at a coffee or breakfast stop before the boat left. The supplied schedule says the group meets at Babylon and then transfers to the marina, but the real morning may not feel as quick as the simple itinerary suggests.

That matters because lunch can be late. If you begin around 8:30 a.m. and do not eat until close to 2 p.m., you will spend several hours in the sun, on the water, and possibly drinking before a proper meal. I would eat breakfast before arriving and pack snacks, since snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, and breakfast are not included.

The maximum group size is 100 people. That is a large group for a boat-based outing, and it helps explain why the experience can feel social and noisy rather than personal. If you want a guide focused only on your group, a private boat would likely suit you better, though that is a different type of trip.

Seeing the Rosario Islands from the boat

The first island portion is a panoramic look at the Rosario Islands archipelago. The group is told that the archipelago includes 28 islands, with many privately owned and some public.

This is mainly a scenic boat passage, not a long guided island visit. You get a sense of the spread of the islands from the water, but do not expect a detailed cultural or historical talk. One positive account specifically wished for more information about the islands, so I would treat this part as a visual introduction rather than a formal sightseeing stop.

The value here is simple. You are not going straight from Cartagena to a single party location. You get a look at the wider island area first, which gives the day more variety. The drawback is that the stop is only about 30 minutes, and the boat may not provide the sort of calm viewing platform you would want for careful photography.

Keep your phone and camera protected. You will be around salt water, spray, and wet passengers, and the boat may be moving quickly. A waterproof pouch is a smart addition, especially since you may get off directly into the water later.

Poolita: a short swim before Cholon

The boat then stops at Poolita, described as a place in the Rosario Islands where you can bathe before continuing to Cholon. You have about 30 minutes here.

This is a useful break from sitting on the boat. You can swim, cool off, and get into the water before arriving at the main party stop. People who enjoy the tour often point to swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing as some of the best parts of the day.

Still, do not expect a long snorkel session or a fully equipped beach stop. The schedule gives you only half an hour, and the purpose is a quick swim. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and water shoes. Towels are not included, and water shoes can protect your feet when entering the water or moving around the island’s wet areas.

Water conditions can change. One particularly negative account described dirty water and trash around Cholon, while other accounts describe enjoyable swimming. That difference is important: water quality and the feel of the site may vary by location, tide, weather, and crowd conditions. Keep your expectations flexible rather than picturing a spotless private beach.

Four hours at Cholon, Cartagena’s party island

Cholon is the center of the day. The listed stay is about four hours, and the setting is designed for music, drinks, dancing, swimming, and social contact.

You may hear crossover music, though the music mix can depend heavily on the boat and the DJ. One person expected a broader selection and found reggaeton playing almost the entire time. If music matters greatly to you, know that the sound and playlist are not fully under your control.

The mood can be excellent with the right group. Several guides received warm praise for keeping the energy up, translating, helping with transactions, and watching out for people. Randy was singled out for checking purchases and helping people avoid being overcharged. Adriano was praised for being attentive and helping with translation in another outing. These individual guides can make a real difference.

The physical setup is less polished. High tables may be placed in the water, but chairs may not be available. You could spend much of the four-hour stop standing, wading, or sitting on a boat cooler. That may be fine for an active party crowd, but it is hard on anyone who needs regular seating.

The included lunch is supposed to be a typical meal, and fish is one dish praised in a positive account. Yet the timing is a serious issue. Meals have arrived as late as 1:45 or 2:30 p.m., close to the end of the outing. In one case, the fish arrived cold and had to be remade. I would treat lunch as welcome food, not as a dependable early meal.

Two national beers are included as complimentary alcoholic beverages. Beyond that, you pay for your own drinks. Bottled water is not included, so bring your own if permitted by the operator, or budget for buying it. Most important, ask the price before ordering anything.

Island prices can be startling. Reported examples include $77 for one drink, $278 for a round of shots, fries, and cocktails, and hundreds of dollars for hookah rentals. Those figures may not apply to every vendor, but they show why you should never order from a recommendation without confirming the cost.

Bring Colombian pesos. Cash in pesos makes small purchases easier, and credit card payments may include an extra 15 percent fee. Prices may be negotiable, but negotiation is not a substitute for agreeing on the amount first.

Sales pressure is another part of the scene. Vendors may offer drinks, food, excursions, hookah, souvenirs, and other services. Some people found that a firm no ended the conversation. Others felt they were approached constantly. Keep your answer short, protect your belongings, and do not leave your phone, hat, wallet, or bag unattended on the boat or at a table.

You may also pay to use the restroom. It is a small cost, but one worth knowing before you arrive. Pack only what you need, and use a waterproof bag for valuables.

The return boat ride to Cartagena

The listed return takes about 30 minutes, ending at the Pegasus Pier near the Clock Tower, but several accounts describe a much longer and rougher ride. The boat can pound into waves and feel like a roller coaster, especially from the front.

If you are prone to motion sickness or dislike fast boats, sit toward the back if the crew allows it. Hold onto the boat, follow safety instructions, and ask clearly for a life jacket if you need one. One account raised serious concerns about weak communication and limited assistance when getting on and off the boat, so do not assume every instruction will be repeated in English.

The return can be one of the best or worst parts of the day. People who enjoy speed and choppy water may find it exciting. Others describe it as frightening and uncomfortable. Weather plays a major role, and the tour requires good weather to operate.

The official end point is listed as Sibarita del Mar on Av. Blas de Lezo, at the Pegasus Pier near the Clock Tower monument. Some people have found that they still needed to arrange their own transportation afterward. Plan your next step instead of assuming a hotel drop-off.

What the $110 price really covers

The $110 fee covers the guided group trip, transportation to the marina, the boat, the Rosario Islands and Poolita stops, lunch, and two national beers. It does not cover towels, snacks, breakfast, bottled water, coffee, tea, or the many optional purchases at Cholon.

For a first visit, the price can make sense. You get an easy way to reach a difficult-to-organize island party, plus a guide and a built-in social scene. You also avoid arranging a private boat, marina transfer, and island itinerary on your own.

The value drops if your group spends heavily at the island. A few drinks, food orders, hookah, vendor services, card fees, and tips can quickly cost more than the tour itself. I would set a spending limit before leaving Cartagena and carry enough pesos for planned purchases, but not so much cash that losing it would ruin your day.

This is not a good value for a peaceful beach break. A beach club may offer better seating, a clearer food schedule, and more predictable pricing. Cholon’s value comes from its party atmosphere and boat-based social experience.

Who should book this Cholon tour?

I would recommend it to adults who enjoy loud music, swimming, meeting new people, and an unstructured day on the water. It works especially well for friends who can create their own fun and do not need every minute managed.

I would think twice if you have a flight, dinner reservation, or other time-sensitive plans. The day can run later than expected, and return timing may stretch with delays or rough water. I would also avoid it if you need comfortable seating, quiet surroundings, or a calm family activity.

The tour is not recommended for children under 18. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the swimming access, wet exits, standing, group size, alcohol, and boat motion may be demanding.

The strongest guides seem to be attentive and practical. If you can request a guide, names such as Randy, Adriano, Jace, or Mel appear connected with particularly positive experiences, though a specific guide cannot be guaranteed.

What to pack for the six-hour outing

Keep your day simple. I would bring:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Water shoes
• Snacks and bottled water
• Colombian pesos
• Waterproof pouch for your phone and wallet
• Minimal valuables
• Any motion sickness item you normally use

Do not count on lunch arriving early. Do not assume your credit card will be the cheapest way to pay. Do not leave personal items loose on a boat, especially during swimming stops.

Cancellation and weather rules

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Confirmation is provided when you book.

Should you book the Cholon Island party boat?

Book this tour if you want a loud, social, adult day on the water and can handle high extra costs, late lunch, vendors, and a bumpy boat ride. The Rosario Islands views, Poolita swim, lively guides, and Cholon party scene can make a memorable day.

Skip it if you want a quiet beach, firm schedules, comfortable chairs, or transparent all-in pricing. If you do book, eat breakfast, carry snacks and pesos, confirm every price, protect your belongings, and leave room in your schedule after the listed return time. That preparation will not change Cholon, but it can make the difference between a fun day and an expensive headache.

FAQ

How long does the Cholon Island tour last?

The tour is advertised at approximately six hours. The listed schedule runs from the morning meeting point to a return at about 3:00 p.m., but delays or a longer stay can make the day run later.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at Babylon restaurante bar Cartagena at Dg. 35 #34-41 in El Centro, Cartagena de Indias. From there, passengers are taken to the marina for the boat.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at the Pegasus Pier near the Clock Tower monument in Cartagena’s old city. The end location is also listed near Sibarita del Mar on Av. Blas de Lezo.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. The meal may be served late in the day, so breakfast and snacks are recommended.

Are drinks included?

Two complimentary national beers are included. Bottled water, additional alcoholic drinks, coffee, and tea are not included.

Are towels provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel. Water shoes and a waterproof bag are also useful for the swimming stops and wet boat transfers.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The activity is not recommended for children under 18. It includes alcohol, loud music, swimming, standing, and a boat ride that can become rough.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience begins.