Cartagena: Party Boat to Cholon Beach with 2 Drinks & Lunch

Sun, water, and music make this a lively Cartagena escape. I like the long stay at Cholon Beach, where you get about five hours for swimming, relaxing, and partying, and I like that lunch, port fees, pool access, and two drinks are included. The catch is that this may feel more like a boat trip to a party beach than a nonstop party boat, and one review found little staff interaction and no room to stand and dance.

This is a good fit if you want a social day on the islands without renting a private yacht. The timing also earns praise: Angelika gave special credit to host Melanie and the well-paced stop at a beautiful blue lagoon, while another booking found the day unhurried. Bring extra drinks and snacks, since prices at Cholon can climb quickly.

Key points before you book

• Cholon is the main event: You get roughly five hours at one of Colombia’s best-known party beaches, with music, boats, yachts, and water views.
• Lunch includes a real choice: Pick chicken, fish, or a vegetarian meal, with 30 minutes set aside to eat.
• The boat atmosphere varies: Good music is likely, but you may not be able to stand and dance, and staff interaction can be limited.
• Bring your own supplies: Extra drinks and snacks are allowed, and buying them on the island costs more.
• Pickup depends on your hotel: Some hotels in El Laguito and Bocagrande offer pickup, while other passengers meet at Cartagena’s Clock Tower at 8:00 am.
• The return is not hotel-to-hotel: You finish at Muelle de la Bodeguita, only a short walk from the morning meeting area.

Cholon is a beach party, not a quiet island day

Cholon has a very specific personality. This is not the place I would choose for silent sand, a long beach walk, or a calm day with a book. It is known for music, drinks, visiting boats, and a party crowd gathered in and around the water.

Yachts and smaller boats arrive ready to socialize. The appeal is less about exploring an island on foot and more about being part of a floating beach scene. You can expect sun, sea air, music, and a steady flow of people enjoying the water.

That energy is the reason to book this excursion. It is also the reason to skip it if you want peace and quiet. The word party in the title matters, but set your expectations carefully. A March 2024 booking found a good playlist but said the boat did not allow people to stand and dance. Staff interaction was also described as limited.

So I would think of the outbound ride as the start of the social day, not necessarily a full nightclub on water. Once you reach Cholon, the setting itself provides much of the entertainment.

What the $129 price really covers

At $129 per person, this is not a bargain beach transfer. You are paying for a full-day package that includes transportation, port taxes and fees, entry to the Cholon beach pool, lunch, and two drinks.

The price makes more sense if you planned to pay separately for a boat ride, island access, lunch, and a party setting. Renting a private yacht or boat would usually cost far more for one person, and this experience gives you a shared way to reach Cholon without arranging every piece yourself.

Still, the value depends on how much you use the included time. If you want several hours at Cholon, eat the included meal, use the pool entrance, and enjoy the boat ride, the package is easier to justify. If you mainly want a short swim and a quiet lunch, the cost may feel high.

The two drinks are a small but useful inclusion, though there is an important limitation. One person found that the drinks were local options and could not be chosen freely. If you have a particular cocktail in mind, do not assume it is included. Extra drinks and food from the restaurant menu cost more.

Starting the morning in El Laguito or Bocagrande

Pickup begins around 7:30 am at some hotels in El Laguito and Bocagrande. The exact hotel coverage matters, so check your accommodation before departure rather than assuming a hotel pickup.

If your hotel is not covered, you need to reach the Clock Tower meeting point by 8:00 am. The Clock Tower is a practical central meeting place, but give yourself enough time to arrive with water, sunscreen, and anything else you want for the day.

The first transfer by bus or coach takes about 20 minutes. This part is functional rather than scenic, but it gets the group organized before the island portion begins.

There is also about 20 minutes of free time in Cartagena listed before the Cholon visit. Treat this as a short pause in the morning schedule, not as an opportunity for sightseeing. The real focus is the water and the beach party.

The ride out to Cholon

The trip includes a speedboat segment of about 45 minutes. That is a meaningful part of the experience, because you are not simply being driven to a beach by road. The ride gives the day its sense of escape from central Cartagena.

You will want to protect your phone and other valuables from spray, especially if the water is active. The supplied details do not promise waterproof storage, so a simple dry bag is sensible. This is also a good time to keep your hat secure and apply sunscreen before reaching Cholon.

The boat atmosphere can depend on the day, the group, and the crew. One highly positive booking described a full day of fun, cocktails, music, and meeting enjoyable people. Another gave the music credit but felt the boat did not deliver the dancing experience expected from the phrase party boat.

I would book this for the combination of boat ride and Cholon rather than for a guaranteed dance floor. That distinction will save you from expecting a floating club with nonstop entertainment.

Five hours around Cholon Beach

The schedule gives you about three hours of guided time at Cholon, followed by a 30-minute lunch, then another two hours of guided time. In practical terms, you get a long stay rather than a quick photo stop.

That generous block is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Richard, booking in April 2025, found the day full and relaxed, with plenty of time to stay at Cholon and unwind without feeling hurried. Angelika also praised the pacing and the stop at a blue lagoon.

A long stop gives you room to choose your own rhythm. You can join the music and social scene, spend time in the water, relax with a drink, or use the pool access included in the price. The word guided appears in the schedule, but the supplied details do not explain a formal walking tour or a set of beach activities. I would not expect a detailed cultural program.

Cholon can also feel expensive once you arrive. This is why bringing your own permitted snacks and drinks is practical. You already receive lunch and two drinks, but extra purchases can add up quickly on an island party beach.

The best approach is to bring only what you can manage safely on a boat and confirm what you want to carry before boarding. A small bag, sunscreen, a towel, and extra water are more useful than packing heavily.

Lunch with chicken, fish, or a vegetarian choice

Lunch lasts about 30 minutes. You can choose chicken, fish, or a vegetarian meal, which gives the package broader appeal than a fixed plate.

Thirty minutes is enough for a straightforward meal, but it is not a long restaurant sitting. Keep your meal time in mind if you want to return quickly to the water or music. One booking specifically described the food as good, though the same person felt the overall package was expensive.

The meal is valuable because it removes one decision during a busy beach day. You do not need to search for a restaurant as soon as hunger sets in. It also means you can reserve your extra budget for drinks or snacks if you wish.

Food and beverages beyond the stated inclusions are not covered. Restaurant menu items are also separate, so ask what is included before ordering anything additional.

The return to Muelle de la Bodeguita

After the second Cholon session, the return transfer takes about 45 minutes by speedboat. The tour finishes at Muelle de la Bodeguita around 4:00 pm.

This is an important logistics detail. The vehicle does not take you back to your hotel. Instead, you are left at the pier, a short distance from the Clock Tower meeting area.

That arrangement is manageable if you are staying near central Cartagena, but it can affect your afternoon plans. Do not schedule a hotel rest immediately after the excursion unless you have allowed time to arrange your own onward transport.

The finish also gives you a useful chance to continue into the old center, find a meal, or return to your accommodation independently. Just remember that the final connection is your responsibility.

How the guides and crew affect the day

The experience is offered in English and Spanish, with a live guide. That is useful for an international group and should make the main instructions easier to follow.

Melanie received especially strong praise for her hosting, timing, and handling of the blue lagoon stop. A good host matters on a party excursion because the day has several moving pieces: pickup, boat boarding, beach time, lunch, drinks, and the return to the pier.

At the same time, do not assume every departure will feel identical. One booking described little interaction from the staff. That does not mean the whole day will be poorly managed, but it does suggest that the crew may not constantly lead games, encourage dancing, or organize entertainment.

I would choose this tour for the destination and schedule first, then treat strong hosting as a welcome bonus. If you need a guide who provides continuous narration and structured activities, this may not be the right style.

Who will enjoy this Cholon trip most

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a social island day and are comfortable with music, crowds, and a loose party setting. It also works for people who want the island experience without paying for a private yacht.

The long Cholon stay makes it more suitable for anyone who dislikes rushed excursions. You have time to settle in, eat, swim, and enjoy the setting at your own pace.

It is less suitable for pregnant women, who are specifically excluded from the activity. It may also disappoint you if your main goal is dancing on the boat, quiet beach time, or a carefully planned cultural tour.

Families should think about the party focus before booking. The supplied information does not establish age restrictions, but the music, drinks, and party setting are central to the experience.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Confirm whether your hotel in El Laguito or Bocagrande has pickup. If not, plan to reach the Clock Tower by 8:00 am.
• Bring extra drinks and snacks if allowed by the operator, since purchases at Cholon cost more.
• Pack sunscreen and a secure bag for the speedboat ride.
• Do not count on choosing your two included drinks. A past booking found the options were local drinks selected by the provider.
• Keep the return point in mind. You finish at Muelle de la Bodeguita, not at your hotel.
• Expect music and a party setting, but not necessarily a boat where you can stand and dance.
• Choose your lunch preference, chicken, fish, or vegetarian, when the meal arrangements are made.
• Leave room in your schedule after 4:00 pm for the walk or transport from the pier.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Check the current starting time when booking, since the activity lasts 450 minutes and departure details can vary.

Should you book this Cholon party boat?

Book it if you want a full day built around Cholon, a speedboat ride, included lunch, two drinks, pool access, and a social beach atmosphere. The long stop is the strongest value here, and the timing has worked well for people who prefer not to be rushed.

Skip it if you want a quiet island, a private yacht, a guaranteed dance floor, or a highly interactive guide. At $129, the package earns its price when you use the beach time and included extras, but it can feel costly if the party boat itself is your only goal.

My practical verdict: choose this as a shared Cholon day with party energy, not as a guaranteed floating nightclub. Pack carefully, expect extra island costs, and you will have a clearer idea of what you are buying.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is available from some hotels in El Laguito and Bocagrande. If your hotel is not covered, meet at Cartagena’s Clock Tower at 8:00 am.

What time does the tour return?

The tour returns around 4:00 pm and finishes at Muelle de la Bodeguita.

Does the tour return me to my hotel?

No. Transportation drops you at the pier, a short distance from the Clock Tower meeting point, rather than at your hotel.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours.

How much time do I spend at Cholon?

The schedule provides about three hours at Cholon before lunch and another two hours afterward, with a 30-minute lunch break.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and you can choose chicken, fish, or a vegetarian meal.

Are drinks included?

Two drinks are included. Additional meals and beverages are not included.

Can I bring my own drinks and snacks?

Yes. You can bring your own drinks and snacks, which can help because purchases on the island are more expensive.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. A live guide is available in English and Spanish.

Can pregnant women join the activity?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women.