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Home / Beaches / Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca

Пляж Бланка
Colombia · Beach · Cartagena
high
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for families with children thanks to gentle entry and shallows. Suitable for lovers of beach holidays with well-developed infrastructure. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.

Best month

January

Water
+28.0°C
Length
1 000 m
The most famous beach in Cartagena, located on the Barú peninsula. It features white sand and turquoise water, popular for swimming, snorkelling and family holidays.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
The most famous beach in Cartagena, located on the Barú peninsula. It features white sand and turquoise water, popular for swimming, snorkelling and family holidays.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • White sand, soft as talc
  • Crystal-clear turquoise water
  • Well-developed infrastructure: restaurants, bars, cafes
  • Sunbed and umbrella rental
  • Excellent snorkelling conditions
  • Beautiful sunsets
  • Accessible by boat (45 minutes from Cartagena)

Cons

  • Very crowded in high season
  • Pushy vendors on the beach
  • Paid sunbed and umbrella rental
  • Water can be murky after rain
  • Limited natural shade
  • Litter in some places
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children thanks to gentle entry and shallows. Suitable for lovers of beach holidays with well-developed infrastructure. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Playa Blanca is located in a protected area and is known for its sand, which locals describe as "soft as talc". It is one of the most photographed spots on Colombia-s Caribbean coast.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
powdery
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
30 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
1 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Underwater Visibility
10.0 m
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December
Season end
April
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
moderate
Water Quality
Water purity rating
good
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
caution
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
35.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
Caution is recommended. Theft of personal belongings is possible. Do not leave valuables unattended.
Dangerous creatures
jellyfish (seasonal)
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
20 pcs
Best restaurants

Beach Restaurants

Caribbean

Numerous restaurants and cafes with seafood and local cuisine right on the sand

Nearby cuisines

Caribbean

Local cuisine with seafood and coconut

Must try: Fresh fish, coconut rice, ceviche
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
vibrant
Crowd Level
overcrowded
Silence Level
noisy
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Headwear Cash for sunbed rental
Best Time to Swim
The best time to swim is morning, when the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets.
Local Rules
Swimming is recommended in designated areas. Keep the beach clean. Do not leave valuables unattended.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Barú Island

Scenic island with beaches and mangroves

Oceanarium

Marine aquarium with tropical fish 10 minutes by boat

Playa Tranquila

Neighbouring beach with a quieter atmosphere

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Blanca: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +28.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Blanca: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa Blanca: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 30 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa Blanca: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — powdery. Beach length — 1 000 metres.
Playa Blanca: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December. It ends in April. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Blanca: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as good. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Blanca: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: jellyfish (seasonal). We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa Blanca: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Blanca: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Playa Blanca: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Beach Restaurants. Cuisines available: Caribbean. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Blanca: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Headwear, Cash for sunbed rental.
Playa Blanca: when is the best time to swim?
The best time to swim is morning, when the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets.
Playa Blanca: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming is recommended in designated areas. Keep the beach clean. Do not leave valuables unattended.
Playa Blanca: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Blanca: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children thanks to gentle entry and shallows. Suitable for lovers of beach holidays with well-developed infrastructure. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.
Playa Blanca: what makes this beach unique?
Playa Blanca is located in a protected area and is known for its sand, which locals describe as "soft as talc". It is one of the most photographed spots on Colombia-s Caribbean coast.
Playa Blanca: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: White sand, soft as talc, Crystal-clear turquoise water, Well-developed infrastructure: restaurants, bars, cafes, Sunbed and umbrella rental, Excellent snorkelling conditions, Beautiful sunsets, Accessible by boat (45 minutes from Cartagena). Cons: Very crowded in high season, Pushy vendors on the beach, Paid sunbed and umbrella rental, Water can be murky after rain, Limited natural shade, Litter in some places.
Playa Blanca: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Barú Island, Oceanarium, Playa Tranquila. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Blanca: how do I get to the city of Cartagena?
The beach is located near the city of Cartagena. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Cartagena.

City

Cartagena

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.