Cholón, Cartagena: Colombia's most famous floating beach party, with floating bars, music and drinks. Private boat (10 pax) costs from $680 USD total — from $68/person. Calmer on weekdays. Avoid Semana Santa entirely. Last verified April 2026.
Cholón is the one spot in Cartagena where boats anchor in shallow turquoise water, music plays from every direction, and the entire Caribbean becomes a floating party. It's not a beach — it's an experience. And a private boat charter from Cartagena gives you your own departure time and itinerary.
This guide gives you the costs, departure logistics, and what to expect at Cholón.
⚡ Cholón Quick Facts — 2026
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Isla Cholón, between Cartagena & Rosario Islands, Caribbean Sea |
| Departure Point | Varies by boat; confirmed on WhatsApp |
| Private Boat (10 pax) | From $680 USD total / from $68 per person |
| Best Days | Weekdays (calmer than weekends) |
| Best Months | December–April (dry season, clearest water) |
| Avoid | Semana Santa (Holy Week) — maximum crowds, prices spike |
| Captain Included? | Yes, always with Nauty 360 |
What Actually Happens at Cholón
Isla Cholón is a small island in the Rosario Islands archipelago Cartagena de Indias. There's no ferry, no public boat, and no way to drive there. Every person at Cholón arrived by private boat or tour.
The setup is simple: boats anchor in shallow water close to shore. Guests jump off and stand in the Caribbean with a drink in hand while music plays from boat speakers and vendors paddle between boats in wooden canoes. On weekdays it is calmer, with more space to swim.
There is a small beach with a few vendor stands selling fried fish, coconut rice, and cold beer. Most people, however, spend the majority of time in the water — not on land.
How to Get to Cholón from Cartagena
Depending on the boat, departures are from different marinas in Cartagena. We confirm your exact meeting point on WhatsApp. The departure pier is well-marked.
Departure Timing That Changes Your Experience
With a private boat you control the order of the day. The Full Day departs at 9 AM and runs 8 hours; the usual order is Rosario, Cholón, then Playa Blanca, and it can be changed if you ask.
What Cholón Is Actually Like (Before You're Standing in the Water)
The first thing you notice arriving at Cholón is sound — music from six directions at once: reggaeton, vallenato, Afrobeats, and sometimes a live DJ on the biggest party boat. The water is shallow enough to stand, warm enough to stay in for hours, and clear enough to see your feet.
The second thing you notice are the vendors. They come in small wooden boats and on surfboards. They're selling fried fish, shrimp, coconut water, bracelets, massages, and rides on inflatable swans. They are persistent but not threatening. A polite "no, gracias" works. A private captain will handle the most aggressive ones on your behalf, which is one of the practical reasons that having your own crew matters.
What's Actually on the Island
There is a small land area with basic restaurants serving fried fish and rice. There are basic bathroom facilities but no showers. Most people don't go to the beach — they stay in the water by the boat. If you want a meal included and guaranteed, arrange it on your private boat before departure.
When to Go and When to Stay Home
| Period | Crowd Level | Water Conditions | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| December–March (Dry Season) | High on weekends, manageable weekdays | Excellent visibility | ✅ Best overall window |
| June–August | High season (Colombian school holidays) | Trade winds pick up | ✅ Good, go on weekdays |
| April–May | Moderate | Occasional rain | ⚠️ Check forecast before booking |
| Semana Santa (Holy Week) | Extreme — dangerously overcrowded | Variable | ❌ Avoid entirely |
| September–October | Low (off-season) | Some operators pause | ⚠️ Not recommended |
The weekday advantage is real and underestimated. On a weekday you will find more space; on a weekend, more boats and more people. The music gets louder, the water gets murkier, and the vendors multiply. Weekdays are when you actually get the beautiful, calm Caribbean experience the photos promise.
Combining Cholón With Other Stops on the Same Day
The biggest advantage of a private boat is the ability to build a custom itinerary. The usual Full Day order is Rosario, Cholón, then Playa Blanca, and it can be changed if you ask. Common combinations:
- Cholón + Playa Blanca (Barú) — Playa Blanca is whiter, quieter, and better for swimming away from the party scene. Ideal for groups that want both energy and relaxation.
- Cholón + Rosario Islands snorkeling stop — The Rosario Islands National Park has coral reef areas near Cholón. Your captain can anchor over a reef for a snorkel before or after the Cholón stop.
The Full Day runs 8 hours and departs at 9 AM. Cholón is not sold as a separate trip. Ask for an itinerary in writing before departure — the best captains will have a plan and a backup plan based on conditions that day.
🚫 When Cholón Is the Wrong Choice for Your Group
- You want calm and quiet. Cholón is a party scene. On weekends, the bass from surrounding boats is inescapable. If you're looking for a peaceful day in nature, go to Playa Blanca or the Rosario Islands instead.
- Young children are in your group. Standing in open water with moving boats nearby and persistent vendors isn't the right environment for toddlers or young kids. A private snorkeling tour to a protected reef is a better call.
- You're traveling as a couple wanting a romantic day. Cholón is festive and social, not intimate. Book a sunset cruise around Cartagena Bay instead — it's a completely different energy.
- You book without confirming the captain speaks English. We've heard this one repeatedly: guests arrive and the captain speaks no English, communication breaks down, and the itinerary doesn't happen as expected. Always confirm bilingual captain before you pay a deposit.
What to Pack for a Day at Cholón
Most of what you need fits in a dry bag. The essentials: sunscreen (SPF 50+), a change of clothes for the return trip, cash in small bills for vendors, water shoes or flip-flops you don't mind losing, and a waterproof phone case. Leave your good camera on shore — there's no safe place to put it at Cholón and saltwater spray is constant.
On a private boat, Nauty 360 provides a cooler with ice and a dry storage box for valuables. Drinks and snorkel gear are not included, so bring your own food, drinks and gear. The boat has a canopy for shade — the sun at Cholón is intense even on cloudy days.
Ready to Book a Private Boat to Cholón?
Bilingual captain included. Departure from a Cartagena marina that depends on the boat.
Get a Quote on WhatsApp →What we see on every trip
- The sea is calmer for the Rosario Islands from March to November.
- By lancha, the Rosario Islands are about 1 hour from Cartagena.
- Cholón is not the best stop for families with children because there are lots of people and lots of boats. For families, we recommend a beach club on the Rosario Islands.
- The question we hear most before booking: how many people fit on the boat? It depends on the boat. Tell us your group size on WhatsApp and we will recommend the right one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cholón
How much does it cost to get to Cholón by private boat from Cartagena?
A private speedboat for up to 10 people costs from $680 USD for the full boat — roughly from $68 per person at full capacity.
How long is the boat ride from Cartagena to Cholón?
Cholón is a stop on Nauty 360's Full Day charter, which departs at 9 AM and runs 8 hours. By lancha, the Rosario Islands are about 1 hour from Cartagena.
What is the best day to visit Cholón?
Weekdays offer the best Cholón experience: it is calmer, with more space in the water, and vendors are less aggressive. Saturday is the busiest and most festive. Sunday is calmer than Saturday but busier than weekdays. Avoid Semana Santa (Holy Week) — the beach is dangerously overcrowded.
Can you get to Cholón without a private boat?
Yes, shared group tours run by third parties exist. However, you share the boat with strangers, follow a fixed itinerary, and have no control over timing, extra stops, or pace.
Is Cholón safe for American tourists?
Cholón is generally safe. The main inconvenience is persistent vendors who come to your boat by canoe. A private captain handles this far more effectively than the guides on shared tours, who are managing a large group at once. Keep valuables in a locked dry box on the boat — not floating around on deck.