The 10 best hotels in Archipelago of San Bernardo, Colombia
Discover the best hotels in Archipelago of San Bernardo, Cartagena District, Bolivar Department including Dahlandia - Isla Mucura, Hotel Isla Mucura, Hotel Puntanorte, Casa Tinti Hotel Boutique, Tintipan Ashram Hostel & Glamping, Punta Faro, Mistica Island Hostel, Quinta del Mar Tintipan, Quinta del Mar Sunset, Hotel Isla Palma.
1. Dahlandia - Isla Mucura
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 19 reviews
Dahlandia is a place in Mucura Island. Here you can enjoy the sea, Caribbean food and beautiful sunsets. We offer tours to the coral reefs, to Santa Cruz del Islote (local fishing community) and visit the luminescent plankton at night in Tintipán Island. We have a little bar in the beach where beer and cocktails are sold
Asked for more money
Reviewed By Anders BI booked a night with them online and did my travel plans accordingly. Later they come back to tell me that they want more money - and that if I did not accept, they would cancel my reservation. Very unprofessional.
2. Hotel Isla Mucura
Overall Ratings
4 based on 132 reviews
Eco Hotel resort on the most beautiful island Colombia has to offer. Private bungalows in front of the beach as well as kiosks in the air give Hotel Isla Mucura a sense of magic in paradise
Amazing service set in paradise
Reviewed By Vipulan TWhat a pleasant surprise to see that the hotel has been upgraded since the website photos were done. An amazing island and great accommodation. AC rooms with outside showers. There was lots of space and it wasn't crowded. The beach was small but lovely, with white sand and turquoise sea (with patches of sea grass). The layout of beach beds and seats has been well thought out. There is even a large outdoor games area with a big Jenga, table tennis, connect 4, bean bag game (no idea what that us called!). The snorkeling is not great to be honest. The coral is non existent, and personally wouldn't do the snorkel trip. Kayaking around Island was fun though. We are vegetarian, and this was the only negative. Breakfast was good, but there were no vegetarian options for other meals (apart from eggs). In fact we are plant based back home, but you can forget avoiding dairy here!! The most enjoyable part of the stay were ALL THE STAFF!!! What a happy bunch they all are!!! They really made us all welcome, and for us, excellent service is the most important aspect of a resort. Thank you all so much.
3. Hotel Puntanorte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
It is a wonderful place and green, with the best meal of the archipelago of San Bernardo, a place to rest and enjoy the most beautiful marine landscapes! Do not miss it!
Wonderful spot!
Reviewed By E6678FUmichaelgWe spent 3 nights here and thoroughly enjoyed it. Suitable for families, my daughter is 2yrs old and she loved swimming in the sea and playing in the sand. Dago and the rest of the staff couldn't have been nicer, and the food was excellent. The rooms are exposed to the elements, that is to say you will sleep to the sound of the waves, which I liked, but one day we had strong winds which you feel in the room too. That said, if you like a little adventure you'll find it a memorable experience. The beach is private to the hotel and there are no day visitors, it is small, but even with the hotel fully booked, it won't be crowded. You can't walk the rest of the island, there are mangroves beyond the hotel, but no path through them. So if you want a few lazy days, watching the sunset, this is the place :)
4. Casa Tinti Hotel Boutique
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
CasaTinti is a comfortable five-room boutique hotel located at the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Park, specifically in Tintipan Island, 1 hour away on boat from Cartagena. An ideal place to rest where you can have personalized attention. All the spaces have direct access to the beach. All rooms have air conditioning and large windows to the outside. We have a Colombian food menu!
Fabulous
Reviewed By WanderlustValeryAna Maria and Juan are welcoming and great hosts, and so are the staff, especially quiet but efficient Sneider. The location, spitting distance to the sea, can’t be beat. You have a perfect Caribbean turquoise, white fine sand beach at your doorstep. We chose the room at the back because, although you do not get a view of the ocean from the room, you get great privacy. We were made to feel at home and we very much liked it. The only thing we did not like are the tiny sand flies in the morning. We got bitten all over and are still suffering from the bites. I wish we had been warned so we could have taken precautions. Bring strong repellent. Casa Tinti is not a cheap option but considering the remoteness of Tintipan and the difficulty of acquiring basics like fresh water (imported from Cartagena) and simple products like food, it is understandably expensive to run such a place.
5. Tintipan Ashram Hostel & Glamping
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Super buen lugar!
Reviewed By Nicolaze_88Super lugar y muy simpáticos los del staff. No son nada complicados y David es una nota!! La comida es super buena y tiene buen tamaño. No olvidar que es una isla y todo hay que Visitar en lancha y es hermoso. Los turs que proponen son muy buenos y a buen precio. Yo se los recomiendo.
6. Punta Faro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 754 reviews
Located in Mucura Island, Hotel Punta Faro is a dream oasis of white sands and warm sea breezes, where you will find the perfect escape to your routine, due to its unique and exclusive style. You'll find as well the best of Caribbean gastronomy and beautiful landscapes that will make your stay an unforgettable experience.
Great spot to disconnect
Reviewed By Nicola COverall Hotel Punta Faro was a great spot to disconnect from Cartagena's busy streets and activities and truly enjoyed my stay: - The hotel is very relaxing, well kept and the right size to feel spacious and cozy at the same time - The beach and nearby snorkeling spots are truly pristine and well protected, unlike most of the spots in Cartagena or Rosario islands which have been literally devastated by mass tourism. - I would strongly suggest to stay in a sea view room: they will provide you with a significantly different experience from the Garden ones ( stayed in Room 38 and 35 which were both great - quite 35 better than 38). - The boat trip from Cartagena is quite long (2hrs) it is important to be aware of that. ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: - Food: the all food and beverage experience definitely needs to be revised. It is not bad per se but it feels quite amateurish and with too many heavy recipes for a tropical weather (hot soups, Chicken with Cream, etc). - Service: I understand and appreciate that they want to support local communities but most of the waiters seemed put there randomly without proper training. On average they were very slow, without any proactive attitude.
7. Mistica Island Hostel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 194 reviews
A mistical paradise island lost in the Caribbean. Come and live the magic: crystal sea water, white sand beach, wild life animals walking next to you and the amazing flavour of our Caribbean gastronomy. Respect for nature led us to build 3 different "houses" that merge with the exuberant surroundings of the Caribbean, letting those whom rest here live a 360º experience.
One bad apple?
Reviewed By ijmirkThis island is already a destination off the beaten track (less than half a km2 in size!) and the hotel is also not your every day hotel. But you know that when you book it and that's why you book it. However, priding yourself in being laid-back is fine, until 'laid-back' becomes 'lazy.' It seems all the staff that have interaction with the guests - apart from occasionally the person behind the bar - are ex-pats. At least some of them on a scheme that offers work experience abroad on a voluntary base. And when I was there, in one instance that showed. The person did not seem it necessary to make an effort. And when that person at some point becomes a link in a chain of command, things go wrong because this particular employee couldn't care less. The toilet in my cabin (which did not have a toilet seat btw), did not function, I reported it, it went through this person, so nothing happened. And we specifically chose (and paid for) a cabin with private bathroom. On the other hand, the other employees were professional or very nice. So should I let one bad apple justify a bad review? One thing: when you are a small establishment, one bad apple can make a big difference. Maybe there is an issue with motivating the ex-pat staff.
8. Quinta del Mar Tintipan
Overall Ratings
5 based on 64 reviews
A Paradise Cabin by the sea, with four rooms and enough room for up to twenty six guests, air conditioning, swimming pool, a spectacular private beach with a hammock zone, a beach hut and a social area. It is located on Tintipan Island, two hours away from Cartagena de indias and forty minutes away from Tolu. An exotic place of crystal waters perfect for water sports. Your next adventure is waitin
Tranquil but not good value for money
Reviewed By c0c0nut-trav3113r***Gringo review*** The TLDR is that it's a beautiful tranquil secluded place but isn't worth what they're charging due to many shortcomings. Who is it for? Those who don't need many amenities and want a peaceful place to relax, read, swim and not really do anything else. Pros: + Beautiful island perfect for solitude and relaxation + Kayaks and standing boards available to use + Hammocks everywhere. You can lie in the hammock in the hut at the pier and watch the sunset + If you're lucky you can pick some ripe mangos right off the tree + While you don't have any other options, the food they make is very tasty + Parrots! + Friendly and helpful staff. They'll generally try to accommodate whatever you ask for. + Large rooms with comfortable beds and AC Cons: - Very expensive by European standards let alone Colombian ones - No hot water in shower (no showerhead even) - No self serve tea/coffee facilities - No fridge in room - There is nowhere to go on the island (its only private beaches/hotels) and the only way to get to other parts is via boat/kayak. There are no shops or anything so you have to eat your 3 meals at the restaurant and if you're hungry during the night or need a snack at any time you're out of luck (bring your own!) You can however get a few drinks like coke or beer from Juan if you ask. - The private beach is a bit rocky and depending on tides has lots of algae - We weren't given a key to our room so had to just leave it unlocked (nothing to worry about but it was just strange) Other notes: * The staff do not speak any English so if you don't speak Spanish then make sure you brush up on your basics and have Google Translate to hand. * From Cartagena, you're dropped off at a floating hostel called Villa Del Agua and from there need to be taken to the hotel with another boat. *For much cheaper you could go to Hotel Puntanorte, which looked pretty damn good when we kayaked passed it. Or if you're a young backpacker then Casa Del Agua seemed to be the place to be.
9. Quinta del Mar Sunset
Overall Ratings
5 based on 62 reviews
Paradise is here
Reviewed By jdcardenaQuinta del Mar is the closest thing to Paradise, the view, the peace, the nature, the service, the food, the pool, everything was perfect. The staff (Helena, Hugo and Diego) make us feel like home. For a relax weekend, this is a MUST place to go. This is definetly one of my favorites places on earth.
10. Hotel Isla Palma
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
Featuring an exceptional private coral beach area, Hotel Isla Palma Reserve Natural is located in Isla Palma at the archipelago of San Bernardo. Free WiFi service is available. Hotel Isla Palma is an exclusively eco-friendly destination with over 280 solar panels which increase the hotel´s sustainability. The property offers a two bars and a restaurant. Also, a nature reserve area, snorkeling and scuba-diving are available with extra charge. All guest rooms in the hotel are regionally furnished and decorated. All guest rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, air conditioning, fan and a flat-screen TV. Event room is available. The in-house restaurant specializes in Local, Seafood, Caribbean and Latin American cuisine. The property offers a pool-Jacuzzi. Staff speaks English and Spanish.
Racist Management - WILL NOT BE RETURNING
Reviewed By colombianchloeThe Island is absolutely gorgeous, food was fine, rooms were also fine. I can’t complain about the hotel itself and the staff was great. However, the new management is horrendous and flat out racist. I overheard the managers calling the staff ignorant and poor. The staff is underpaid and treated badly and living under poor conditions at the demands of management. I will not be returning and I will advise everyone else to not return until they get managers with common decency.
