How to rent your private boat in Cartagena

5 mistakes to avoid when renting a boat

If you’re aware of these mistakes, you’ll avoid 95% of the problems.

MISTAKE 1: People don’t look enough online first

There are probably one hundred boat agencies in Cartagena. Between street vendors, hotel flyers, and the famous “my cousin knows a guy,” you won’t have trouble finding a private boat. But finding a good boat at a good price—that’s a different story.

This is where doing your online research really pays off (like reading Tomplanmytrip 😉). Pretty quickly, you’ll realize that most of these agencies are just middlemen for other middlemen, which drives up the prices.

Another crucial point: the quality of the captains and the condition of the boats. And that’s something you won’t know until the last minute when it’s too late to switch. Trust me, if the captain’s not nice, good luck enjoying your day without considering a mutiny.

That’s why we took the lead in finding the right boat expert. Let me introduce Aymeric.

Based in Cartagena, he started by buying his own boat, which helped him connect with the best boat owners and captains. Today, he runs his own agency with a selection of trusted boats and captains. Since he deals directly with the owners, his prices are unbeatable.

TOM’S TIP

At Tomplanmytrip, our mission is to help our readers connect for free with our favorite local agencies. A fantastic trip guaranteed 🙂 Learn more about Aymeric and how to contact him here.

Mistake 2: People don’t have a plan for the day

Okay, so you’re finally on your beautiful boat with a friendly crew that won’t toss you to the sharks once you hit those turquoise waters. Now what?

If you haven’t done any research on where you want to go, let me tell you—the captains will decide for you. And surprise: some love taking you to spots where their buddies run expensive joints with commissions involved. If you hear “Playa Azul,” start prepping for mutiny.

So, how do you avoid these traps? A little planning goes a long way!

And the best tip: ask our expert directly. Whether you’re looking to party or just chill at a quiet beach club, he’ll give you the best recommendations and make sure the captain sticks to the plan. No nasty surprises.

And if you want to change your mind once you’re at sea? No problem, you’re the boss. You call the shots on the final itinerary.

ADRIEN’S TIP

With our approach, you can chat with an expert first and only book if you’re satisfied with his offer. Learn more about Aymeric and how to contact him here.

MISTAKE 3: communication issues

Communication in Colombia, especially on the Caribbean coast, is a whole adventure.

Forget about emails—here, it’s WhatsApp or nothing. But even then, things can get tricky. Some agencies only speak Spanish, and others only speak Costeño (the local dialect of the coast). It’s a type of Spanish where half the words disappear. Personally, it took me about five years to even start understanding what they were saying.

Luckily, our expert speaks French, English, and Spanish. So, no worries there. Plus, he’s even reachable when you’re out on the islands (thank you, not-so-bad cell service!). Feel free also to use Google Translate with the captains.

TOM’S TIP

Our service is 100% free, and with our experience in Colombian tourism, we ensure the price is fair for our readers. Everything is transparent, and you’ll pay the local rate. Here’s how to reach this expert.

MISTAKE 4: People don’t combine a boat trip with a stay on the Rosario island

Here’s an incredible yet little-known tip to really make the most of your stay in Cartagena!

To get to your hotel on the Rosario Islands, you usually have to take the hotel’s boat (if they have one). The issue? It usually leaves around 8:30 a.m. and is almost never included in the room price.

But if you want to add a touch of jet-set flair to your adventure, here’s the plan:

Rent a private boat for the day. You’ll be able to explore the Rosario Islands at your own pace and then ask the captain to drop you off directly at your hotel around 3 p.m.

This way, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the paradise islands and your accommodation without worrying about the return boat. And the next day, you can head back leisurely on the hotel’s boat around 3 p.m.

It’s our boat expert‘s favorite combo.

MISTAKE 5: People are scammed in Isla Cholon

Ah, Cholon… the idea of dancing on a yacht, surrounded by turquoise water, sipping cocktails with bronzed bodies to the sound of reggaeton—it’s a dream for many (though let’s be honest, the reality can be a bit different).

Everyone’s drinking, no one’s really paying attention too much, and by the end of the day, you often end up with a hefty bill (cash only, of course), as if you’d partied in Ibiza. The result? You head back to Cartagena, feeling a little frustrated.

To avoid that, here are my tips:

• Always ask for the prices upfront, ask again, and pay directly.
• If the price seems outrageous, don’t let them take advantage. Our expert provides a cooler with ice, so bring your own drinks.
• To avoid lunch surprises, opt for a beach club on Isla Grande. The prices are fixed, no scams, and you can even pay by card if needed. Plus, our expert knows the best spots there. 😉