Colombia · MANGROVE TOURS
Good mangrove tours fill up weeks ahead; the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Explore Cartagena’s La Boquilla mangroves by boat, learn local fishing, meet the community, and enjoy music, nature, and round-trip transport.
“Kind people are making the trip. It’s genuine and authentic. Everyone should like it.”
Review of Barú’s full-day beach, mangrove, snorkeling, sunset, and bioluminescent plankton tour from Cartagena, including value and practical tips.
“Lo que mas me gustó fue el club de playa freedom, la atención que te brindan, principalmente la señora. Luego el almuerzo delicioso que sirven, el paseo de snorkel y mapaches, noctilucas. Lo único que no me gustó fue el traslado, principalmente el de ida, la guía no nos explicaba nada y nos decía tienen otro tour, nos trato de mala gana, hasta que tomamos el barco y nos atendió otro personal. Ademas la guía que nos llevaba y manejaba el transporte recién se comunico conmigo el día de la actividad a las 5 de la mañana, cuando le escribí el día antes, me exigió puntualidad y ella llegó tarde.…”
Review of Cartagena’s Baru snorkeling and mangrove tour, with Playa Blanca, island lunch, transport details, guide notes, and honest tips.
“We booked the tour and the night before we heard from the company verifying pickup location and time. The person who contacted me didn’t speak English and when she found out I did, then I got another message from Ruben, who spoke very good English. He communicated back and forth even the day of the tour to make sure things were going well. He told us that he had explained everything to our tour guide and so we were confident that where she pointed to us to go, it was the right thing. We didn’t have much trouble until the end of the day trying to find our bus again.…”
San Andrés island tour review covering Johnny Cay, Haynes Cay Aquarium, mangroves, costs, boat logistics, safety, and who should book.
“Nice island with a blue and green sea around it in 7 diferent colours. Good food and drinks. Take snorkel equipment with you. Dont fotget sunscreen.”
Review of Cartagena’s Barú beach, mangroves, mask snorkeling, and bioluminescent plankton tour, with honest tips on value, timing, and safety.
“More organization and clear direction is needed. Aside from telling me where to meet, tell me who to meet and in what mode of transportation. Aside from almost being overcharged / robbed by hustlers for two drinks, a whopping $116 US! The trip was as lovely as all the good people that stepped in to help and make the experience a good one; it was a decent time that could have been a lot better. You all have some kinks to work out.”
Review of Barú’s mangroves, snorkeling, and Playa Blanca beach day from Cartagena, with honest advice on transport, lunch, safety, and value.
“It was unfortunately not worth the money for what we paid. Tour bus was 45 min late to pickup, the beach club we went to had vendors coming in every 3-5 minutes to heckle us, not relaxing and not private. There was no snorkeling activity as the waves were too big that day, no equipment given. And heads up the waves are choppy so take Dramamine if you're easy sick cuz there were 3 people throwing up in the short ride. We got taken to a small island that was littered with garbage everywhere. Guide was nice in the first tour but we got put on a Spanish only one…”
Review of Cartagena's mangrove, fishing, beach lunch, and Afro-Colombian culture tour, with practical advice on value, timing, guides, and comfort.
“The guides were really engaged and enthusiastic. Generally, everyone was extremely lovely and hospitable. And ever since Guardians of the Galaxy, I wanted to see a friendly racoon; I can check this of my list now. We were the first ones to be picked up. we spent about 1 hour and 20 minutes in a very uncomfortable bus until we reached the starting point of the tour, which was not very far from our accomodation.”
Review of Cartagena’s private Rosario Islands and Barú day trip, with mangroves, snorkeling, local meals, village visits, and practical advice.
“Absolute 100% must do! The only thing better than visiting one of the most beautiful places in the world is the experience of learning the culture first hand. This tour offers it all. Valentina was amazing, as was the entire on and offshore crew. The BEST! Trip hack, visit the Baru Yellow House before departing to the islands. Honest, pure, love…”
Review of Cartagena’s private La Boquilla mangrove sail, with an English guide, birds, crabs, canoe tunnels, pricing, pickup, and booking advice.
“L’activité a été annulée sans possibilité de remboursement.”
Review of San Andrés’ $30 cays and mangroves tour, with Johnny Cay, Rose Cay aquarium, Old Point, costs, tips, and drawbacks.
“Really enjoyed this trip to the Acuario and Johnny Cay, I felt very well looked after and would recommend this tour. The guide was informative as well as a lot of fun. Both places are absolutely stunning, well worth a visit!”
Paddle Cartagena’s mangrove tunnels with La Boquilla fishermen, learn local conservation stories, and enjoy hotel pickup in a small group.
“It was a very unique and rich experience. The river was peaceful and the fishing was fun. The guides were friendly and warm.”
Explore La Boquilla’s mangroves, try traditional net fishing, enjoy Afro-Caribbean seafood, and learn about Cartagena’s Black heritage.
“We loved the fishing trip into the mangroves and the chance to have a go at casting the nets. Harder than it looks but great fun. The drive through La Boquilla was an eye opener as to the way of life but interesting none the less. Lunch was OK but we would have happily missed that and headed home after the mangrove trip. Overall a good half day trip.”
Explore Cartagena’s mangroves by canoe, learn local fishing, meet an Afro-Colombian community, and enjoy a lively two-hour nature tour.
“This tour was something else, in a crazy positive way. To begin with, our guide Shay was absolutely authentic in so many ways. Her professional english, kindness, knowledge about the tour (since she’s a local from the same area), her way of making this tour intimate and memorable was spot on. Shay guided us through the whole tour, it started from when we were picked up explaining the background story, the canoe ride through the jungle, fishing with a local and visiting a local island for some latino and Colombian music. Shay made us connect with nature and elevated the whole experience to an unforgettable one. Thank you again and…”
Glide through Cartagena’s La Boquilla mangroves by canoe, spotting birds, crabs and local life on a calm, private nature tour.
“Buenísima!!!! El único detalle fue el traslado hasta el lugar del tour..... deficiente, enviaron un Chevrolet Spark para 4 personas.... en este sentido no pueden justificarse por el precio, porque lo establecen ellos. De todos modos la experiencia en el manglar es imperdible gracias a la gentileza y dedicación del guía.”
Explore La Boquilla’s mangroves, fishing traditions, beach, local culture, and Colombian lunch on a friendly four-hour Cartagena tour.
“They must see experience. From start to finish we felt so taken care of and the ambiance was amazing. So past our expectations, we started off with a canoe ride around the mangrove, followed by crab fishing, and flounder fishing then we were brought to fisherman’s Island, where we learned how to dance play the drums and see the local animals and ended with a lovely lunch. Our tour guide Jamie was incredible and her uncle was very welcoming. Would recommend to anyone in Cartagena!!”
From island boats to coffee fincas, and the best of each.
