I was invited to be a guest for the day on a boat trip to the Islas del Rosario, about an hour’s speedboat ride from Cartagena. There are many boat trips to the islands provided by different companies. This particular one runs out two of Cartagena’s poshest hotels: the Sofitel Santa Clara Cartagena and the boutique Hotel Bovedas de Santa Clara.
It was a lovely day at their island Hotel San Pedro de Majagua.
Three caveats:
- If you are looking for an amazingly swanky island getaway, this is not it.
- If you are looking for an expansive, white sand beach, this is not it either.
- If you are looking for tons of sun, this is not the place. The beach faces north. There were enough chairs for everyone, but certainly not enough sun. The way the beach is situated, only a handful of lounge chairs received full sun for the day. My chair remained in the shade the entire time and there was really no where else to move it except into the water.
What Majagua offers is a relaxing getaway on Isla Grande, the largest island of the Islas Del Rosario. The day trip includes a shuttle to the marina, the hour-long speedboat ride to the island, a tasty fresh-juice welcome drink, lounge chairs with towels, a tasty ceviche snack (shrimp or similar marinated in lime juice, onions and herbs), a lunch of fresh seafood, beef or chicken, and a day of relaxation on the beach. You can also add on extras for a fee like an excursion to the aquarium, kayaking, or snorkeling. There are two beaches to choose from, each with chairs, cushions, and a bar.
For me, the best part was connecting with some new friends: I met and hung out with a nice mother/daughter duo from Sydney, Australia. And I interviewed a very friendly and well-spoken woman and her son from Medellin. Later I met her husband and other daughter. And, in true ‘the-world-is-full-of-nice-people’ fashion, they invited me to meet up with them when I arrived in Medellin confirming my favorite part of travel – meeting and getting to know locals.
For a better feel for the place, take a look at this short video guide to Majagua:
If you are interested in the day trip, contact the hotel. Or better yet, maybe you really want to get away from it all and stay a couple nights on the island itself. There is not much else to do there, but if it’s true peace and quiet (besides the tourists lounging in the shade) you are after, this is the place.
Info:
Hotel Bovedas de Santa ClaraCartagena de Indias, Colombia
www.bovedasdesantaclara.com/en/index.php Hotel San Pedro de Majagua
Islas Del Rosario, Colombia
www.hotelmajagua.com
Photo Essay: Faces of Egypt
For this Irish-American whose skin complexion is white than the butt of Casper the Friendly Ghost, a beach without direct sunlight is a heavenly thought. When I go in the water, the only thing missing from my everyday wear is the tie. Long sleeves and multi-layers of sun block. On my bald dome, a kerchief making it appear as though I’m from the most gentile “gang” on Earth. Can’t take much sun, but to be close to it without getting burned sounds lovely to me.
It was amazing reading your column i didn't actually think that mum and I would get a shout out but thank you so much for keeping us entertained and sharing lunch with us, not to mention the now famous "I'm having a good time".
@Savannah @Jackie – Thanks! It was so wonderful meeting you both! 🙂 Thanks for being a part of my little production. Sorry to say i just couldn’t use that line since i started laughing right after it! 🙂 xx
Maybe there’s a song in that Savannah….just need to think Peas! We had a brilliant time with Lisa swapping travel stories by the beach. And we loved Cartagena – especially the walled city where we were lucky enough to stay.
Great video, Lisa, it made me want to be there right now!