Things to do on a trip to San Bernardo Island

In the infinite beauty of the Colombian coast, bathed by the sun and the waters of the Caribbean Sea, lies the San Bernardo archipelago, each island more beautiful than the last. Very close to Cartagena, next to the Gulf of Morrosquillo, the islands of San Bernardo rise in splendour as part of the Coral of Rosario and San Bernardo National Park. There are 10 islands: Palma, Tintipán, Múcura, Boquerón, Ceycén, Panda, Cabruna, Mangle, Maravilla and Santa Cruz del Islote. They have been inhabited for little more than a century and today there is much to see and do in the idyllic archipelago of San Bernardo Island.

Getting there from Cartagena takes just under two hours, a journey where you can begin to appreciate the beauty and authenticity of this place. It’s a hard task to choose just one corner of the archipelago to explore: the mangroves of Mangles, the tranquility of Boquerón and Múcura, the golden sand of Tintipán… All the islands hide great beauty and things to do, so read on to find out all about San Bernardo Island.

What are the best places to see in San Bernardo Island?

1. Boquerón Island and Múcura Island

We begin the tour of this fantastic archipelago at the charming Boquerón Island, where we are sure you will experience the purest essence of the Caribbean Sea. This is one of the smallest (if not the smallest) of all the islands, but that’s why it deserves a special mention in this article.

Being one of the closest to the coast of the Gulf of Morrosquillo, you can take a tour of the island yourself and discover the reason behind the island’s curious name. If you can’t wait to get there, here’s a little preview: the edge of the island has a curious shape, similar to the teeth of anchovies (boquerones in Spanish). If you decide to delve into its vegetation, you will find a very unique place in the centre of the small island. It is a freshwater lagoon, surrounded by mangroves, which has a totally unknown origin.

Since you won’t normally be able to stay on Boquerón Island (due to its size, which has meant that no accommodation has been built) our next stop is a much larger island and one of the most famous: Múcura Island. This island has a small village, with tiny houses nestled among palm trees and mangroves, as well as a lively rhythm along its coastline, due to hotel activity. It is one of the best islands to stay on, as there are plenty of hotels to choose from. It is also the perfect place to enjoy activities such as scuba diving, kayaking or something much more mystical and captivating: a night swim to see the mesmerising luminous plankton.

2. Tintipán, a unique island to see in San Bernardo

Often, when we fantasise about the Caribbean sea and its endless beaches from the comfort of our homes, an image comes to mind that may not correspond to reality. This is certainly not the case with Tintipán Island: this island, with its white sands and crystal-clear waters, seems to have been plucked from our collective dreams and carved out of the Caribbean coastline.

The truth is that although it is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, Tintipán will surprise you with the calmness of its shore and charming nature. There are a few hotels, so you can stay here if you wish. If you haven’t had the chance to do so, we recommend stopping for lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the sea: it’s an incredible experience. Before you leave, check out Casa del Agua, a Caribbean-style building surrounded by the island’s crystal-clear waters. It’s accessible, but you’ll need to book in advance.

3. Santa Cruz Islet

The San Bernardo archipelago is full of fantastic islands and idyllic corners that seem to be straight out of a dream. But it also has other enclaves that contrast with what we imagine when we think of the Caribbean islands so often depicted in fiction and social media. Santa Cruz is an island that stands out from the rest, as it was built artificially in the waters of the Gulf of Morrosquillo.

On this islet you will find one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean (in fact, it is said to be the most densely populated island in the world). It is an island where many working families live and commute to Cartagena every day. What’s really special about the island are its winding alleyways with multi-coloured facades, as well as the traditions and friendliness of the people of Santa Cruz.

It is worth mentioning that there is a fee to access the island of around five thousand pesos, but in exchange you will receive a tour of the island by the locals, which is well worth the experience. You’ll be able to get an insight into the people of Santa Cruz, as well as being guided to the island’s main attractions, such as the aquarium and restaurants.

4. Palma Island and Ceycén Island

Putting the finishing touch to our tour of the San Bernardo archipelago, we head for the last two islands, as they are two of our favourites: Palma Island and Ceycén Island. Just a few minutes away from Rincón del Mar, you will find the first one, Isla de Palma, a captivating island that is currently divided into two hotels.

This is not surprising, as Palma is an island with a lot of charm, where animals such as turtles, parrots and flamingos stroll along the impressive white sandy beaches that make up the island. In addition, in Palma you can also find a museum where you can see the remains of ships that populated the Caribbean waters.

Lastly, we come to Ceycén, with an iconic sign of identity that sets it apart from the rest: the lighthouse and the white house that guard the pier on its coast. It is a private island, but you can stay in its hotel, which also has a fantastic spa, as well as a restaurant where you can try the typical seafood delicacies of San Bernardo.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see in the rest of San Bernardo Island?

Of course, we had to mention the other islands that you can see in the archipelago: Maravilla, Panda, Mangles and Cabruna. The truth is that the first one, Maravilla, is practically non-existent today, due to the fact that the water has gradually eaten away at what was once the island. Panda, on the other hand, is an island where the inhabitants have used most of the land to grow local produce. You can visit it, but you can’t stay there.

Mangles (Spanish for mangroves), as its name suggests, is famous for the numerous mangrove swamps that adorn the island, dressing it in reddish, whitish and blackish tones. It is a perfect destination for snorkelling and appreciating the marine flora and fauna. Finally, there is Cabruna Island, where the main attraction is undoubtedly the coral reefs and mangroves where the local wildlife rests.

What to see in San Bernardo Island in 1 day?

Although it is true that the archipelago should be explored over several days, in order to enjoy its tranquillity, its dreamlike landscapes and the uniqueness of its corners, in just one day you can still appreciate its essence. We recommend choosing different islands to add to your itinerary and hire a transport service to make your tour. As we have pointed out, one of our favourite tours consists of Múcura, Tintipán and the Islet of Santa Cruz, an itinerary that different guides will offer you.

Where to stay in San Bernardo Island?

We know that planning everything involved for a trip is tiring. So to make your stay much more pleasant, we have prepared a list of some accommodations for your days in San Bernardo Island:

• Múcura Club Hotel: A charming hotel, right on the beach, which also offers comfortable rooms and excellent cuisine. Prices in August, for a weekend for two people, are around €190.
• Santa Cruz del Islote Hostel: This hostel in Santa Cruz is extremely cosy. Its totally Caribbean design, coupled with the incredible oceanfront views it offers, make it a fantastic option. It costs at around 117€.
• Hotel Puntanorte: Located in Tintipán, this hotel is a real delight. It is located in a perfect area, with a pier in front of the sea and suited for all kinds of water activities. It is around 150€ for a weekend.

What should I consider before travelling to San Bernardo Island?

• The city is safe, but you exercise caution and keep an eye on your belongings.
• The official currency in Colombia is the Colombian peso.
• The official language is Spanish.
• The best time of year to visit Isla San Bernardo is from early June to early September and from late December to mid-January.
• Cash is recommended for small shops.
• Tap water is safe to drink on Isla San Bernardo, but your stomach may not be used to its mineral levels. It is best to drink bottled water.
• Cover yourself for possible medical emergencies: travel with insurance.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to San Bernardo Island?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its useful features.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of every place you’ve visited to the app and recommend to other travellers all the things to do in San Bernardo Island.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to San Bernardo Island