Bar· Barú· Other Caribbean

Cholón Weekend Party Boats (Barú)

10° 9.8′ N · 75° 39.9′ W

On weekends Cholón turns into Cartagena's floating party: day boats stern-to along the mangroves, music, floating vendors selling fried fish, lobster and cocktails, and swimmers everywhere.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

OSM position ('Bahía de Cholón'). El Universal (Dec 2019): more than 100 boats each weekend, over 50 overcharging citations, 94 boat pilots sanctioned after accidents including a fatality; five authorities share jurisdiction (District Interior Secretariat, Ministry of Tourism, Parques Nacionales, DIMAR, Port Captain). DIMAR's 2020 rules cap music at 50 dB and ban swimming outside the swimmers' zone. Agree prices before ordering from vendors. If you're on your own keel, anchor clear of the party boats and keep a sharp lookout for swimmers when moving.

Best for

Seeing Cartagena's party culture (or knowing when to avoid it)

Season

Weekends and holidays

Nearby