{"id":7048000,"date":"2026-08-26T00:53:32","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T00:53:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/reefs-escobar-myths-what-to-know\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T00:53:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T00:53:32","slug":"reefs-escobar-myths-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7048000","title":{"rendered":"Reefs, Escobar Myths & What to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"


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As our boat rocked its way into a small snorkelling bay on Isla Grande, \u2018La Playita\u2019<\/em>, Pablo Escobar\u2019s alleged Caribbean hideaway, came into view from behind towering palms. I hadn\u2019t come to The Rosario Islands for its infamous and contested connection to Colombia\u2019s most controversial figure (in fact, I hadn\u2019t heard anything about it) \u2013 but our guide was certainly keen to show it off.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While she told stories of sunken smuggler planes and secluded narco<\/em> empires surrounded by nothing but coral reefs, blue sky and even bluer waters \u2013 I started to see why these islands on the edge of the world were claiming a legendary stake in Colombia\u2019s contemporary history.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t question her tales and returned to my accommodation with an appreciation for The Rosario\u2019s mysterious, but slightly dubious, secret.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Las Islas <\/em>del Rosarios <\/em>are a protected national coral reef park, made up of 27 individual islets, sitting just an hour off the coast of Cartagena<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to live in the Caribbean\u201d (pxhidalgo\/iStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They are a truly tropical escape and during my time in the city, I spent four days on the islands <\/em>snorkelling, partying and learning about the (uncertain) local history and indigenous island communities.<\/p>\n

The Rosarios are a getaway for both Colombian tourists and international travellers alike, and if you\u2019ve stayed in Cartagena, you\u2019ve definitely been offered a day trip or boat tour. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning a Colombian adventure<\/a> or a Cartagena city break, and aren\u2019t sure whether to visit The Rosario Islands, what to do there, or whether they are just a day trip or worthy of a longer stay \u2013 look no further than this destination guide.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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(Hector Pertuz \/ iStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Islands outline & map\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Officially known as the \u2018The Natural Coral National Park of the Rosarios & San Bernardo Islands\u2019<\/em> \u2013 some of the Rosario islands aren\u2019t really islands at all. In fact, Isla Bar\u00fa<\/strong><\/a>, famous for the crystal waters and white sand of its Playa Blanca <\/em>beach, is a peninsula connected to mainland Colombia via a bridge.\u00a0This is one spot you can reach either by boat or by bus from Cartagena.<\/p>\n

Most day trips, and the majority of resorts and hostels, surround Isla Grande<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 an hour by boat from Cartagena and the hub of tourist activity.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

There is also the party island of Chol\u00f3n<\/strong><\/a> to the east and the San Bernardo islands<\/strong><\/a>, including Tintipan, to the south (see map below)<\/p>\n

I might be biased after<\/strong> spending my days on Isla Grande<\/strong>, but this central island is perhaps the best Rosario basecamp for activity access, getting a real feel for the island\u2019s Caribbean flavour and has (slightly) more infrastructure than neighbouring islets.\u00a0<\/p>\n