Last confrontation with Caribbean has to happen here and now. So I’m taking my bum to Playa Blanca, the clearest beach around Cartagena. There is a shuttle from Mamallenas hostel for C$30,000 ($13) one way but here I’ll introduce you to my savy-saver option. All summed up should cost you around C$12,000 ($5) or less one way, depending on your bargaining skills.
First, you should take a public bus to Pasacaballos, which stops at city centre on av Luis Carlos (near La India Catalina) and Mercado Bazuro near Caribe Plaza. Bus costs C$1,900 ($0.80) and will take about 45min to get to connecting point. Once you arrive to Pasacaballos, you will be greeted by local moto drivers, this is your time to shine on bargaining. I brought it down to C$8,000 ($3), but make sure they take you where you want and not a mile less.
For the return journey, just retrace your steps, or try to get into one of booked tour buses. There is a big parking lot next to the beach, be brave and walk around asking if any of them go to Cartagena. Drivers usually take one or two extra people to the front seats just to make extra cash directly into their pocket, again- bargain, I came back for C$12,000 ($5) directly to Cartagena.
If you decide to stay overnight in Playa Blanca, it’s easy to rent a room, tent or hammock. All huts overlook the beach and range from C$30,000 to C$120,000. A few decent restaurants and many cocktail shacks, selling Pina Coladas and Coco Locos made using coconuts and pineapples instead of the plastic. Bargain 2 for 1 deals, they sometimes give in;) And don’t be fooled by happy hours in the bars, cocktails are awful, half a cup drink, half a cup ice and no taste at all. Waste of money…
Try coco locos on the beach
My advice is to walk a little bit away from crowds, as there is a LOT of people during the day! And remember gringos main rule- use suncream, or you’ll end up like other cheese skinned personas, with bright pink skin and tired faces. I’ve spent there one night as later on Aloe Vera and zircon was calling me back in Cartagena:) If I only listened to my own advices…
That’s what I mean by crowded
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