Which speedboat to Playa Blanca and Barú is worth booking?
5 min read
For most travellers, the Playa Blanca speedboat with lunch is the practical choice: €47.97 per person plus a dock tax of COP 29,000 at the pier (subject to change, according to its page), 6 hours and 3.4 from 10 reviews. For a group of up to six wanting its own boat, choose the private Rosario Islands and Barú speedboat, from €322.45 per group and rated 4.2 from 37 reviews. The Mambo Beach speedboat costs €89.57 and has no reviews yet, so it needs to win on the beach-club setting itself.
All three go by speedboat from Cartagena instead of by road, but they buy different things: a simple six-hour beach outing, control of a private boat, or admission to a named beach base.
Speedboat options compared
| Tour | Duration | From | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private speedboat to Rosario Islands and Barú | 8 am–5 pm | €322.45 per group | 4.2 (37) | Groups of up to six wanting flexibility |
| Playa Blanca speedboat with lunch | 6 hours | €47.97 per person | 3.4 (10) | Couples and small groups on a budget |
| Mambo Beach day trip by speedboat | 7 hours | €89.57 per person | No reviews | Travellers choosing a named beach club |
The straightforward lunch trip
The six-hour option is the easiest purchase to understand: transport by speedboat, Playa Blanca and a typical lunch; drinks, the dock tax and hotel pickup cost extra. It leaves less room for island hopping than the private boat, yet that is an advantage if the point is to swim and sit on the beach rather than keep boarding. Its 3.4 from 10 reviews is thin evidence, so read recent comments about organisation before paying.
See prices and dates for the Playa Blanca speedboat with lunch
The private boat
The private speedboat promises several beaches and islands plus snorkelling, with the boat reserved for your party. The boat is yours from 8 am to 5 pm, leaving from the Club Náutico in Manga, and the crew speaks only Spanish. Fuel is listed as included; for food and drinks the description points you to the marina shop and a nearby supermarket to stock the cooler, so check on the booking page whether lunch, snorkelling gear and any entrance fees are covered before comparing its group price with individual tickets.
Check availability for the private Rosario Islands and Barú speedboat
It is poor value for two people, but a full group can reasonably pay for privacy and control. Its 37 reviews provide better evidence than either shared alternative here.
The Mambo Beach option
This 7-hour trip is explicitly about reaching Mambo Beach and spending a relaxed day there. It costs €89.57 against €47.97 for the lunch trip, but includes a welcome drink, sun loungers and a choice of three lunches or a COP 30,000 voucher at the club; whether the port tax is covered, check on the booking page, and there are no reviews yet to show how the transfer and beach access work in practice. Its page rules out pregnant women, wheelchair users, people prone to seasickness, babies under one and people over 95. Choose it only because you want that base, not because “speedboat” sounds like an upgrade.
See the Mambo Beach speedboat day
Our recommendation
Book the Playa Blanca speedboat with lunch for the clearest value. Move to the private speedboat only when your group will use the extra freedom and the operator confirms what is included.
