• Music Cali, this is the world capital of salsa
  • Nature Colombia, the best country in the world for bird watching

There is a paradise just 40 kilometers from Cartagena de Indias, in the Colombian Caribbean, where 27 chiseled islands emerge based on crystal clear turquoise waters and a wild environment. It has its own name: Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo Natural Park, although everyone knows it as Islas del Rosario. The name is due to the fact that, seen from above, the islands seem to draw a rosary of those of yesteryear.

This bucolic archipelago of 120,000 hectares is reached from the La Bodeguita pier of the aforementioned Cartagena, a modest port from where the boats and boats that soon cross the neighborhood of the skyscrapers of the city, the financial and commercial area of Bocagrande, a replica of the famous skyline of Miami.

In the background, Cartagena de Indias from Barú.I. GARCIA

Among the closest is the island of Barú, popular for its immaculate Playa Blanca (the nickname could not be more accurate), dotted with beach bars where you can devour seafood casseroles, fried fish and coconut rice, all accompanied by a Poker, Águila or Club Colombia Dorada, the coveted local beers. The sailor tributes are joined in the background by the omnipresent music of the locals that dot the shore, where at any time of the day or night an improvised party will be mounted (or not) to the rhythm of salsa, merengue, cumbia, vallenato, reggaeton or whatever one asks. The dj accepts all kinds of proposals.

By boat around the islands.I. GARCÍA

It is only a first approach to the Rosario Islands, but there is much more: trails, rainforests, deserted coves, luxury boutique hotels and some of the elegant abodes of the greatest fortunes in the country, such as that of the Santo Domingo family, related to Carolina de Monaco herself, since one of her children (Pierre) married a granddaughter (Tatiana) of billionaire Julio Mario Santo Domingo, now deceased.

Hiking through the vegetation of the islands. SHUTTERSTOCK

Even Pablo Escobar himself built a spectacular mansion with 300 rooms, bathrooms built in solid gold, huge iscina and even heliport! in Isla Grande. It is the largest of the entire archipelago as its name suggests and where they say that the most impressive parties of the patron saint were forged. Those that seemed to have no end and to which internationally renowned artists hired by Medellín arrived to liven up the treats. Of course, the house fell into abandonment over time, becoming the property of the Colombian Government today.

The party island

The next stop is in Cholón, the party island par excellence in the area. For something it is known as the Colombian Ibiza, where music, mojitos and rum jump happily from yacht to yacht. The march is lived in the water under the shade of palm leaf palapas, where the most enjoyable do not stop dancing between daiquiri and daiquiri.

Water Party in Isla Cholón.I. GARCIA

Public and private, there are islands designed to meander between their mangroves and endless beaches by kayaking, windsurfing, cycling, jet skis, hiking or paddle-surfing. Any outdoor sport imaginable can be practiced here. There are also the queens of snorkeling and diving such as Bendita Beach thanks to its very long white sand beaches and its waters full of reefs, puffer fish, urchins, starfish and other aquatic fauna. Not surprisingly, we are facing one of the most important marine ecosystems in the Atlantic.

Paddle-surfing in the Caribbean archipelago. SHUTTERSTOCK

Therefore, another of the jewels of the Rosario is San Martín de Pajarales, which houses an aquarium where you can enjoy dolphin and shark shows, as well as see in situ more than 140 species that are under these waters. Other islands such as the Pelican or the Pirate are home to exclusive ecological resorts where the disconnection between tai chi classes, infinity pools and signature cocktails is more than guaranteed, with 24-hour butler service in some cases. Perfect culmination for a few days in paradise.

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  • Tourism
  • Colombia
  • America

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