Playa Blanca on Isla Barú is, by a clear margin, the best beach within easy reach of Cartagena — white sand, clear turquoise water, and fringing palms of the type that most people imagine when they think of a Caribbean beach. It is reachable by boat from the Muelle Turistico (usually combined with an Islas del Rosario day trip) or by road via the bridge to Isla Barú.
The quality of the beach has made it one of Colombia's most popular day trip destinations, which means it is now very busy on weekends and holidays. Vendors are aggressive. The overnight crowd is thinner, and staying at one of the simple guesthouses on the island gives you access to the beach at dawn and dusk when it's at its most beautiful. The boat journey from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes.