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Home / Beaches / Playa Bocagrande

Playa Bocagrande

Пляж Бокагранде
Colombia · Beach · Cartagena
moderate
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for families with children thanks to gentle entry and calm water. Suitable for lovers of urban beach holidays. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.

Best month

January

Water
+28.0°C
Length
360 m
The city beach of Cartagena, located in the Bocagrande area. It features grey volcanic sand and calm water, popular for swimming and walks.
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 city beach of Cartagena, located in the Bocagrande area. It features grey volcanic sand and calm water, popular for swimming and walks.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Urban beach with well-developed infrastructure
  • Gentle water entry, safe for children
  • Lifeguards and first aid station
  • Well-developed infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, shops
  • Sunbed and umbrella rental
  • New inclusive zones with ramps and amphibious chairs
  • Scenic bay views

Cons

  • Very crowded in high season
  • Paid sunbed and umbrella rental
  • Noisy due to traffic and vendors
  • Water can be murky
  • Limited natural shade
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children thanks to gentle entry and calm water. Suitable for lovers of urban beach holidays. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Bocagrande Beach is Cartagena-s main urban beach, which has recently been modernised with the creation of inclusive zones, including amphibious chairs for people with limited mobility. It is the first beach in Cartagena with such facilities.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
grey
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
50 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
360 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
grey
Water Clarity
moderate
Underwater Visibility
3.0 m
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.4 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
moderate
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
caution
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
2.0 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
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
Travel insurance
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Flight compensation
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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
Yes
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
30 pcs
Best restaurants

Restaurants in Bocagrande

Caribbean

Numerous restaurants and cafes with seafood and local cuisine along the promenade

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
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
No
Natural Shade
none
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
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.
Local Rules
Swim only 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
Flights
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Local car rental
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Cartagena Old Town

Historic centre with colonial architecture, a UNESCO site

Castillo San Felipe

Historic fortress on a hill with panoramic views

Maritime Museum

Museum with exhibits on Cartagena-s maritime history

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Bocagrande: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — grey, clarity moderate, 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 Bocagrande: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.4 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa Bocagrande: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 50 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 Bocagrande: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — grey. Texture — fine. Beach length — 360 metres.
Playa Bocagrande: 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 Bocagrande: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as moderate. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Bocagrande: 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 Bocagrande: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, kids playground, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Bocagrande: 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 Bocagrande: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Restaurants in Bocagrande. Cuisines available: Caribbean. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Bocagrande: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Headwear, Cash for sunbed rental.
Playa Bocagrande: when is the best time to swim?
The best time to swim is morning, when the water is calmer and there are fewer people.
Playa Bocagrande: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swim only in designated areas. Keep the beach clean. Do not leave valuables unattended.
Playa Bocagrande: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children thanks to gentle entry and calm water. Suitable for lovers of urban beach holidays. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.
Playa Bocagrande: what makes this beach unique?
Bocagrande Beach is Cartagena-s main urban beach, which has recently been modernised with the creation of inclusive zones, including amphibious chairs for people with limited mobility. It is the first beach in Cartagena with such facilities.
Playa Bocagrande: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Urban beach with well-developed infrastructure, Gentle water entry, safe for children, Lifeguards and first aid station, Well-developed infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, shops, Sunbed and umbrella rental, New inclusive zones with ramps and amphibious chairs, Scenic bay views. Cons: Very crowded in high season, Paid sunbed and umbrella rental, Noisy due to traffic and vendors, Water can be murky, Limited natural shade.
Playa Bocagrande: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Cartagena Old Town, Castillo San Felipe, Maritime Museum. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Bocagrande: 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.