Full-Day Rosario Islands Including Barú, Cholon and Playa Blanca

When making online rsvp, website was confusing as it brought 3 options of packages after i had already selected Rosario Islands for $95 USA dollars. These 3 options were not explained with full disclosure what each entailed. I inadvertently hit Rosario Islands & Plankton but couldn't undo as rsvp confirmation immediately got sent to me indicating that I could not cancel and get money return bcz it was too close to the 24 hrs for cancellation period. I contacted Viatou via customer service chat to explain but Miriam said I had to deal directly with Viator as She worked for Backpackers tour co and she was just a middle person privider. She at that moment explained what the 3 options entailed. Since I couldn't get returned money for difference between Rosario Island, and plankton, my sons and I decided to wait for Plankton tour at 6:15 p.m -- The young man David Santiago from Backpackers who managed Rosario Island tour in boat was great..he had a great personality but the island hoping was rather short. Snorkling was 30 mins only and they put u back in boat. Cholon was a nasty beach which did not seem in good sanitary condition especially during Covid.. they put us under a shack with multitude of ppl. The local ppl were cleaning out the fish they caught in same water, so they took fish guts and dumped in water where we were all standing ...nasty.. So basically it was 5 hrs paid to sit on Beach and get sun. We waited then 3 hrs to get picked up by another company on a boat, which ended up a local guy in a beat up canoe looking thing with mortor.boat drove 25 mins away to a lagoon , the man who was not a pleasant man as he hardly said anything and seemed to be in hurry, only showed my sons that if they got in waster and shook water, that you then can see light-ilumination caused by Plankton.. well that was 5 mins exactly and he said we had to go back...needless to say he did not speak any English. So another 25 minutes of riding back in canoo/balsa and that was it. So for the additional $115 us dollars for 3 ppl to do plankton, was the biggest rip off there is . Then he drove us to hotel in his own private car and drove recklessly at 110 kilometers per hr in the mountain passing cars on left side while on curve... once at city of cartagena, he did not stop at 5 red lights..he didn't know where hotel was in downtown my sin had to google it and showed him . So for Rosario Island, Playa Blanca, Baru I would give Bagpackers a 3 star. For Plankton part of it a Zero star. In addition lunch served was poor. The appetizer was not given at Plankton tour.

Amazing Day, so much fin and so much to see. Only downfall is the boat is a little difficult to get in and out of but the crew do help you

What a great experience, they texted us the night before letting us know what time they’ll be at the hotel and picked us up within 10 minutes of that time. At that point it was off to the dock where our tour guide David Santiago really made us feel safe and ready for the trip. He even helped us get away from some very aggressive vendors at 7:30 am. After that you get on the boat and head to the snorkeling portion where he shows you where all the best views are and shows some inter testing points along the way. After you head to the private island for a snack and some beach time. After that you head to a more party island where you get a private water bungalow to relax and get a few drinks. The last stop of playa Blanca was where you had a big delicious lunch and some more beach time. Once it’s time to head back you’ll be so tired all you’ll want is a shower and bed so definitely a day well spent! Just be aware, the boat rides are rough because the waters are rough but it felt like a cool roller coaster to be honest! Great time and David was amazing!

Horrible Horrible experience! First they said they we’re going to pick us up at 6am and they got here at 7am! The boat that we were supposed to get in wasn’t what they promised! I thought it was going to be a decent sport boat and it ended up being a small wooden boat! We had to leave because it wasn’t what we wanted! We call and ask for a change of tour and they said no! I lost my money and the whole day! Please don’t go to this tour! It’s not what you expect!!!

We loved this trip during our time in Cartagena. They called the day prior to let us know the pickup time and were timely the day of. Great way to see rural areas outside the city on hour bus ride to playa banca. This isn’t a luxury trip (no running water where you stop for lunch), but it’s tons of fun. Would definitely recommend.

I loved the tour. We had ample time at each stop to really enjoy ourselves. The VIP boat is very comfortable and the sites we visited were definitely worth it. Santiago our guide, was fantastic keeping us entertained with interesting facts and lovely music as well as guiding us during the snorkelling. Highlight of my stay in Cartagena

This is a very good tour. The Islands are beautiful, a must see for anyone who visits Cartagena. Jesus Herazo was our tour guide, he was very knowledgeable, professional, and attentive always asking everyone if we were OK or if we needed something. I would recommend this tour 100%.

If you want to visit the Islands choose a different company. Its a really poor experience overall esspecially for the price you're paying. Tour guide was rude and the places we stopped at which hosted us were not good. The islands are worth visiting except for Cholon, I would describe Cholon as tacky, tacky and tacky. Avoid Cholon and find a diifferent tour company.

Guide was not friendly at all.... He arrived very late to Pick up us and at the end he tried to be more friendly by giving us some entrance to a night club... But they were fake... Very little time in cholon and a long time un Baru that is a huge difference on views and environment... Baru is actually kind of ugly... We supposed to go to an island to get fresh ceviche that was included and we never went... It was overpriced of what is offer.... Also it starts to early and ends very early as well...

Jesus was awesome! John Wayne was also great and the boat crew! I think pargo option should be included on trip, it was delicious. All was great except for Cholon, I would have rather stayed on first island longer than go to Cholon. It wasn't enjoyable bc it was crowded, not really a place to put your stuff, forced to be in the water. Overall the day excursion was enjoyable!