Open bar at Rosario Islands: Bela Beach all-inclusive beach day
Trade the crowded beach scene for a smoother Rosario Islands day pass with boat transfer, beach club access, and flexible plan options. Bela Beach is a strong fit for couples, friends, and social travelers who want music, comfort, lunch options, kayak access, and a lively-but-balanced island atmosphere from Cartagena.
A Social Rosario Islands Beach Club Day Pass with Open Bar and Lunch Options
Bela Beach is designed for travelers who want more energy than a quiet eco-hotel, but less intensity than a full party beach. You can enjoy comfortable sunbeds, music by the sea, beach club facilities, and a social atmosphere inside the Rosario Islands National Natural Park.
This curated day pass lets you choose between a light transport-and-access option, a traditional plan with lunch and Oceanarium transfer, or a more complete open bar experience, depending on how much you want included before arriving on the island.
What's included?
Bela Light Plan: Transport and Beach Club Access
- Round-trip shared speedboat transportation from Cartagena to Bela Beach.
- Access to beach club facilities and designated common lounge areas.
- Kayak access, subject to availability, beach club operation, and real-time sea conditions.
Traditional Day Pass: Lunch, Welcome Drink and Oceanarium Transfer
- Round-trip shared speedboat transportation from Cartagena to Bela Beach.
- Non-alcoholic welcome drink served upon arrival.
- Traditional island lunch with a choice of fish, grilled chicken, or vegetable pasta, served according to the beach club’s daily operation.
- Access to standard beach club facilities and shared relaxation spaces.
- Boat transfer to San Martín de Pajarales Oceanarium, subject to availability, sea conditions, and same-day operation.
Premium Open Bar Plan: All-Inclusive Beach Club Day
- Round-trip shared speedboat transportation from Cartagena to Bela Beach.
- Beach club access with use of designated facilities, sunbeds, and shaded lounge areas, subject to availability.
- Unlimited open bar during the day pass schedule, according to the beverages included in the Premium Open Bar Plan.
- Included cocktails may feature Piña Colada, Coco Loco, Mojito, Gin and Tonic, Daiquiri, and selected beers, subject to the beach club’s daily bar operation.
- Island lunch with multiple menu options, including traditional Caribbean-style dishes and vegetarian alternatives.
- Kayak session access, subject to availability, sea conditions, and beach club safety guidelines.
- Music, social beach club atmosphere, and bilingual host support during the experience.
Not included:
- Mandatory dock tax, National Natural Park fee, and navigation insurance, payable in cash at the pier before boarding.
- Hotel pickup or ground drop-off in Cartagena.
- Oceanarium admission ticket; the Traditional Day Pass includes the boat transfer only, not the entrance fee.
- Lunch, drinks, towels, Oceanarium transfer, or open bar services for Bela Light guests, unless added or purchased separately.
- Snorkeling excursions, optional massages, tips, personal expenses, or extra orders at the bar.
Schedule
- 08:00 AM – Meeting and check-in: Presentación en el Muelle de la Bodeguita para registro, validación de reserva y pago en efectivo de la tasa portuaria. The exact gate and meeting instructions are sent by email after booking confirmation.
- 08:15 AM – 08:30 AM – Boat departure: Board the shared speedboat for the ride from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands, subject to same-day maritime and port conditions.
- 09:15 AM – Arrival at Bela Beach: Check in with the beach club team and settle into the areas included in your selected plan.
- 10:00 AM – Beach club time: Enjoy music, sunbeds or lounge areas, beach access, kayak access when available, and the social atmosphere of Bela Beach.
- 12:00 PM – 01:30 PM – Lunch service: Lunch is served according to your selected plan and the beach club’s daily operation.
- 02:30 PM – 03:00 PM – Standard island departure: Salida estándar desde la isla hacia Cartagena. Board the return boat according to the authorized maritime schedule.
- 04:00 PM – Approximate arrival in Cartagena: Llegada aproximada al Muelle de la Bodeguita. Disembark at the main tourist pier in Cartagena.
Maritime schedules for Rosario Islands day trips are authorized and regulated by DIMAR, the Colombian Maritime Authority. The standard island departure is usually between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM, with approximate arrival in Cartagena around 4:00 PM. Timing may change without prior notice due to wind, waves, port operations, or safety instructions issued on the day of travel.
Important Information
- Mandatory pier and park fees: The dock tax, National Natural Park fee, and navigation insurance are not included in the booking rate and must be paid in cash before boarding at Muelle de la Bodeguita. Current fee details can be reviewed on the Cartagena port fee and National Park fee page.
- Plan differences: Bela Light, Traditional Day Pass, and Premium Open Bar include different food, beverage, activity, and service levels. Bela Light is best for travelers who mainly want transportation, beach club access, and kayak access when available. Traditional Day Pass adds lunch, a non-alcoholic welcome drink, and Oceanarium transfer. Premium Open Bar is the most complete option for travelers who want lunch, cocktails, music, and a more social beach club experience.
- Open bar conditions: Open bar applies only to the Premium Open Bar Plan and only during the day pass schedule. Included beverages depend on the beach club’s daily bar operation and may vary based on availability.
- Oceanarium transfer: The Traditional Day Pass includes boat transfer to San Martín de Pajarales Oceanarium when available, but does not include the admission ticket. Entrance must be paid directly at the Oceanarium if guests choose to enter.
- Atmosphere: Bela Beach has an upbeat social setting with music and beach club energy. It is popular with adults, couples, and groups of friends. Travelers looking for a silent, kid-focused island day may prefer a calmer hotel-style property.
- Family fit: Families can visit, but Bela Beach is not primarily designed as a children-focused experience. The open bar option, music, and social atmosphere make it a better fit for adults, couples, and social travelers.
- Optional activities: Kayaks, snorkeling, Oceanarium transfers, massages, and other add-ons are subject to availability, weather, sea conditions, beach club programming, and direct payment when not included in the selected plan.
- Health and boarding restrictions: This speedboat trip crosses open sea and is not recommended for pregnant travelers, guests with serious back or neck conditions, people with limited mobility, intoxicated travelers, or anyone unable to safely board a shared speedboat from the pier or shoreline.
- Weather and maritime safety: From December to March, stronger trade winds are common around Cartagena and the Rosario Islands. Boat routes, boarding points, travel times, and return schedules are governed by DIMAR regulations and may change without prior notice if the captain, port authorities, or maritime conditions require adjustments for safety.
- Natural island conditions: The Rosario Islands are a natural marine environment, so water clarity, currents, beach conditions, and the presence of seaweed or marine life can vary from day to day. Photos and videos may not reflect the exact conditions on your travel date.
- Cancellation policy: Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled activity start time, unless a different condition is shown during checkout or applies to a special rate.
FAQ
How does the open bar at Bela Beach work?
The open bar is included only with the Premium Open Bar Plan and runs during the day pass schedule. Guests can order included beverages such as Piña Coladas, Mojitos, Coco Locos, Gin and Tonics, Daiquiris, and selected beers directly from the bar according to the beach club’s daily drink list and service conditions.
What is the difference between Bela Light, Traditional Day Pass, and Premium Open Bar?
Bela Light includes shared boat transportation, beach club access, and kayak access when available. Traditional Day Pass adds a non-alcoholic welcome drink, lunch, and boat transfer to the Oceanarium. Premium Open Bar adds lunch, included cocktails, music, and a more complete beach club experience.
What is the overall vibe at Bela Beach?
Bela Beach is social and relaxed, with beach club energy, music, and a lively atmosphere. It is a strong fit for couples and groups who want a fun island day without the extreme intensity of a full party beach.
Is the Bela Beach day pass a good option for couples?
Yes. Bela Beach works well for couples who want a Rosario Islands day pass that combines beach club comfort, an optional open bar plan, lunch options, music, and a more social atmosphere than a secluded eco-hotel.
Can guests visit the Oceanarium from Bela Beach?
Yes. The Traditional Day Pass includes boat transfer to San Martín de Pajarales Oceanarium when available. The official admission fee is not included and must be paid directly at the Oceanarium entrance. This transfer is subject to same-day maritime conditions.
Is Bela Beach family-friendly or suitable for children?
Families are welcome to visit, but Bela Beach is primarily curated for adults, couples, and social groups because of its open bar option, music, and social setting. For a very quiet, kid-focused beach day, a calmer hotel-style island property may be a better choice.
What items should guests bring to the beach club?
Bring high-protection sunscreen, swimwear, a personal beach towel if not included in your selected plan, cash for the mandatory pier fees, and a dry change of clothes for the return speedboat crossing to Cartagena.
What time does the boat return from Bela Beach to Cartagena?
The return boat usually departs from the island between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM, reaching Muelle de la Bodeguita in Cartagena at approximately 4:00 PM. This schedule is regulated by DIMAR and may change according to maritime logistics and safety conditions.
What happens if there are strong winds or rough sea conditions?
Passenger safety comes first. DIMAR, port authorities, or the captain may adjust departure times, delay boarding, modify the route, or require an earlier return depending on wind and wave conditions.