Las Islas is the most romantic resort on Barú, the peninsula south of Cartagena that faces the Rosario Islands. Instead of a block of rooms, it scatters wooden bungalows through the trees and along the waterline. Many sit on stilts among the canopy. Many have their own private pool or jacuzzi. It feels more like a stylish jungle lodge on the Caribbean than a beach hotel.
It suits couples who want privacy, design and calm water without the rustic compromises of the smaller island lodges. The resort has several restaurants, a seafront spa built around thalassotherapy and a private islet called Isleta a few minutes away by boat, with a long strip of white sand.
Las Islas works best as the beach half of a Cartagena trip. Spend three nights in the walled city, then drive or take a boat to Barú for three or four days of swimming, snorkeling and doing very little. Book a bungalow with a private pool if you can, since the sea here is calm but the afternoons are hot. A plunge on your own deck at dusk is hard to beat.
Highlights at a glance
- Treetop bungalows raised among coastal forest
- Many bungalows with private pools or jacuzzis
- Private islet beach on Isleta
- Seafront thalassotherapy spa with Turkish bath
- About an hour from Cartagena
Why Couples Love Las Islas
The architecture sets it apart. Bungalows are built from timber and raised into the trees, connected by walkways, so you hear birds and the sea rather than your neighbors. Interiors are clean and natural, with big windows and decks pointed at the water.
Barú's main beaches can get crowded with day boats from Cartagena. Las Islas sits in a quieter corner of the peninsula. Its own Isleta gives guests more than 300 meters of beach a few minutes away. That matters for a honeymoon. You can spend the morning on near-empty sand, return to your bungalow for a swim in your own pool and eat dinner by the water without ever joining the crowds. Couples also mention the staff, who are warm and quick to arrange boat trips or a private dinner.
Bungalows to Book
The range of bungalows is wide, so choose with care.
- Treetop Bungalows are the entry level, raised among the trees with a deck and views over the forest.
- Grand Treetop Bungalows add space and either a jacuzzi or a private pool and jacuzzi.
- Sea Level Bungalows come with a private pool or with direct access to the sea.
- The Grand Bungalow at sea level has a private pool and more room.
- Casa Navegante, a sailing-themed house with two rooms, a kitchen and a jacuzzi, suits a longer stay or a celebration.
For a honeymoon, a Grand Treetop Bungalow with private pool and jacuzzi gives you the treehouse experience with your own water. If you prefer to step off your deck into the sea, choose a Sea Level Bungalow with sea access. Confirm which features your category includes before you pay.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Las Islas has more dining choice than most Barú hotels. Las Guacas is the main restaurant. Choco and Sabai Sabai, the latter out on Isleta, add variety. Menus lean on Caribbean seafood, coconut and tropical fruit, with plenty of grilled fish, ceviche and coconut rice. Ask about a private dinner on the beach or your deck, which the resort can set up.
Niña Daniela Spa sits right by the sea and focuses on thalassotherapy, using seawater in its treatments. It also has a Turkish bath and a sauna. A couples massage after a morning of snorkeling is an easy win. Drinks are the usual Colombian beach mix of rum, fresh juices and cold Club Colombia beer. Sunset is the time to be at the water with one in hand.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Life here centers on the water. The resort offers snorkeling, diving and boat rides. The coral of the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Park is close by.
- Take a boat to the Rosario Islands for snorkeling over the reef, ideally before the day boats arrive.
- Join a night trip to a bioluminescent plankton lagoon, where the water glows as you swim.
- Kayak through the mangroves for birdlife and calm water.
- Spend a lazy day on Isleta with a book and a cooler.
One of you can dive while the other snorkels or stays in the spa, which keeps both happy. Swim only where the resort says it is safe. Watch for boat traffic away from the designated areas. Reef-safe sunscreen helps protect the coral you came to see.
Getting There
Fly into Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) in Cartagena, which has nonstop flights from several US cities. From there you can reach Barú by road in a little over an hour, now that a bridge links the peninsula to the mainland, or by speedboat from Cartagena's pier. Ask Las Islas to arrange your transfer so you are not negotiating with drivers or boat touts.
Dengue and other mosquito-borne illnesses occur on Colombia's Caribbean coast. Mangrove areas bring insects at dusk. Pack a good repellent and light long sleeves for evenings. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Colombia. Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
Is It Worth It?
Las Islas costs more than the simple island lodges on Isla Grande and is in a similar range to the Sofitel Barú Calablanca. What you get for the money is privacy and design. The treetop bungalows and private pools feel special in a way a standard beach resort room does not.
Couples who want a big pool scene, a wide choice of bars and a long beach right outside the room may prefer the Sofitel. Those who want a barefoot island experience at a lower price can book an eco lodge on Isla Grande, accepting fans and simpler rooms. If what you want is a stylish, quiet base with calm water and good food an hour from Cartagena, Las Islas is the strongest choice in the area.
Good to Know
The weather is hot and humid all year. December to April is the driest and breeziest period and also the busiest, with higher rates around Christmas, New Year and Easter. September to November brings more rain and occasional rough seas.
The resort is spread out with walkways and steps, so ask for a sea-level bungalow if stairs are a problem. Wi-Fi works but can be slower than in the city. Dress is casual and resort-smart in the evenings for both of you. Some outside boat operators on Barú are pushy; book excursions through the resort to avoid surprises. Bring some Colombian pesos for tips and small purchases.
Insider tips
- Book a Grand Treetop Bungalow with private pool and jacuzzi for the full treehouse effect.
- Head to Isleta early in the morning when the sand is emptiest.
- Ask the resort to arrange the plankton lagoon night trip on a moonless evening.
- Let Las Islas handle transfers from Cartagena rather than booking a boat at the pier.
