Pao Pao Beach Club Cartagena – Rosario Islands Day Pass
- Full day (7:30 AM – 4 PM)
- Ages 12+
- Speedboat from La Bodeguita
- Lunch & snorkel included
Pao Pao Beach Club Cartagena is the Rosario Islands day pass for travelers who want sun, clear water and a bit of nature without the full party volume. The mood stays relaxed around the pool and the sun loungers, yet the day includes more activity than most clubs, with a guided snorkel and a boat outing to see the frigate birds that nest in the islands.
Pao Pao is open to guests aged 12 and over, which makes it a good match for couples, groups of friends and families traveling with teenagers. There is one plan, so booking is simple: you pick your date and the rest of the day is already arranged, from the speedboat ride to lunch.
How a day at Pao Pao Beach Club Cartagena works
You meet around 7:30 AM at Gate 3 of the La Bodeguita tourist dock on Avenida Blas de Lezo, in front of the Clock Tower. Before boarding, you pay the port tax and the mandatory maritime insurance in cash, in Colombian pesos, at the dock. These charges are set by the authorities and are not part of the booking. The speedboat leaves at about 8:00 AM, depending on weather and Port Authority clearance.
A welcome cocktail is waiting when you arrive. Claim your sun lounger with umbrella, swim in the calm water or cool off in the pool, then join the guided snorkel over the reef. Later in the day a short trip takes you to see the frigate birds. Lunch has real variety, with fried fish, grilled chicken, seafood pasta, a vegetarian dish or the house Pao Pao paella. The boat heads back to Cartagena at around 3:00 PM.
Why travelers choose Pao Pao
The main reason is balance. Pao Pao feels social and lively without the loud music of the big party clubs, and the snorkeling and wildlife are built into the day rather than sold as add-ons. The pool is a nice break from salt water, and the lunch menu is one of the most varied you will find among Rosario Islands beach clubs.
If you are curious about the Oceanarium, the transfer there is included. The entrance ticket is paid separately, so bring a little extra cash if you plan to go.
Optional upgrades and extras
If your group wants more space or shade, the club rents premium spots such as front-row loungers, Balinese beds and pergolas for an extra charge. À-la-carte food and drinks beyond the included lunch are paid on site, and hotel transfers to the dock are not included, though we can arrange a private transfer on request.
Pack a swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and your passport or a copy, and keep cash handy for the dock fees and anything you order at the club. Departure and return times can shift with the weather, so we confirm the details before your trip.
Planning more of the archipelago? Read our Rosario Islands travel guide, see the 3 Island Tour that includes a stop at Pao Pao, or look at Dharma Beach Club for another relaxed 12+ option. Still deciding? Compare all Rosario Islands day passes and find the right fit. Pao Pao Beach Club Cartagena is the easy choice when you want a calm island day with a little adventure built in.
What's included
- Round-trip speedboat
- Welcome cocktail
- Sun lounger with umbrella
- Lunch (fried fish, grilled chicken, seafood pasta, Pao Pao paella or vegetarian)
- Pool access
- Guided snorkel
- Frigate-bird tour
- Transfer to the Oceanarium (entrance not included)
Not included
- Port tax and insurance (paid in cash at the dock)
- Oceanarium entrance
- À-la-carte food and drinks
- Premium spaces (beds, pergolas)
- Hotel transfer to the dock
How the day goes
- 1Check in at La BodeguitaAround 7:30 AM at Gate 3; pay port tax and insurance in cash.
- 2Speedboat to the islandsDeparture around 8:00 AM, subject to weather and Port Authority clearance.
- 3Welcome cocktail and loungerSettle into your sun lounger with umbrella, swim or use the pool.
- 4Guided snorkel and frigate birdsSnorkel the reef with a guide, then visit the frigate-bird colony.
- 5Lunch at the clubChoose fried fish, grilled chicken, seafood pasta, paella or vegetarian.
- 6Return to CartagenaBoat back around 3:00 PM, depending on sea conditions.
Meeting point
La Bodeguita tourist dock, Gate 3 (Av. Blas de Lezo, in front of the Clock Tower), Cartagena.
- Check-in
- 7:30 AM
- Boat departs
- 8:00 AM
- Return
- 3:00 PM
Paid in cash at the dock (per person)
- Port tax (National Parks & dock)$31.500 COP
- Mandatory maritime insurance$8.800 COP
Times depend on weather and Port Authority clearance and can change on the day. Fees are set by the authorities, paid in cash (COP) at the dock and may change without notice.
What to bring
Bring a swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, your passport or a copy, and cash in Colombian pesos for the port tax, insurance and any extras.
Frequently asked questions
Can children join the Pao Pao day pass?
Pao Pao is for guests aged 12 and over, so it works for couples, friends and families with teenagers.
What do I pay at the dock?
The port tax and the mandatory maritime insurance are set by the authorities and paid in cash in Colombian pesos at the dock. The amounts are listed under Meeting point and schedule.
Is transportation from my hotel included?
The boat leaves from the dock shown under Meeting point. Hotel transfers to the dock are not included, but we can arrange a private transfer if you ask us on WhatsApp.
Is the Oceanarium included?
The boat transfer to the Oceanarium is included, but the entrance ticket is paid separately.
Can I upgrade to a Balinese bed or pergola?
Yes. The club rents premium spaces such as front-row loungers, Balinese beds and pergolas for an extra charge, paid on site.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The Port Authority can close the port in bad weather. If your trip is cancelled for weather, we move your date or refund you.
