A 45-minute boat ride from Cartagena will bring you to the best island retreat in this area of the Caribbean. This one is the largest of the Rosario Islands, and is also the only one that is home to a full time native population. Tours usually don’t ply to the island as most of it is private property. And yet it is still a delight to walk around the island town, known as Orica. The ambience is very laid back, the locals are fun, and they have employed unusual tricks to minimise waste. Swimming at Laguna Encantada at night will create a bioluminescent effect. Snorkelling in the warm waters will reveal some beautiful coral reefs. Walking through the vegetation of the island is quite an adventure. Or you can skip all that and just laze at the Cocoterra Beach, where you arrive and depart the island.

•  Bring your mosquitoe repellant.

• Boats to Isla Grande can cost between COP 60000- COP 90000.

• Take a boat from Cartagena’s La Bodeguita pier.

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