Isla Mucura: Why Visit This Island And How To Get There
Editeur
Update
Isla Múcura is one of the most well-known islands in the San Bernardo archipelago, located off the coast of Cartagena de Indias. This paradisiacal coral island is largely privatized and is the only island in the archipelago with a village, except for Santa Cruz del Islote.
After my last visit to Isla Múcura, I noticed many changes. Here’s my analysis to help you decide whether to go.
Edit 06/2024: We completely revised this article.
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KEY INFORMATION ABOUT ISLA MUCURA, COLOMBIA
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General overview
A small paradise that’s a bit less intimate.
Isla Múcura is located in the western part of the San Bernardo archipelago in the Gulf of Morrosquillo on the western Caribbean coast.
It is administered by Cartagena de Indias in the Bolívar department (2h30 by boat). Flat and smaller (1 km long by 500 m wide) than its neighbor Tintipan, Múcura Island is about 40 minutes by boat from Rincón del Mar, the nearest mainland locality, and 1 hour from Tolú.
Isla Múcura has been part of the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park since 1977.
People come to Isla Múcura to relax with family or friends in a well-equipped and friendly hotel or for a romantic and luxurious getaway in a more intimate, secluded part of the island.
The day will pass gently between lounging and chatting on the beautiful beach of your hotel, sipping cocktails, and swimming in turquoise waters.
If you feel like being active, go for a snorkeling trip on the coral reef or swim among the bioluminescent plankton.
You can also have a drink on the public beach or watch the fishermen return to the village. If you’re curious, you can explore the surrounding islands or the mangrove of Isla Tintipan.
Isla Múcura is a great alternative to the Rosario archipelago if you want an experience on a less well-known Caribbean paradise island.
It’s hot year-round on Isla Múcura. The average annual temperature is 28°C, rarely dropping below 20°C, though evenings can be cool due to sea breezes. The hottest months are from late January to mid-April, and the rainy season extends from May to November, but it is not very pronounced.
From a climate perspective, you can visit all year, although the sea is rougher in the afternoons between December and April.
I recommend avoiding the high season because, although still relatively unknown, Isla Múcura sees a significant increase in visitors from mid-December to mid-January, during Holy Week, and during the June school holidays. Also, avoid weekends and the many public holidays, as it gets quite crowded.
You’re in a little paradise at the end of the world, so take it easy. To fully enjoy the ambiance of Isla Múcura, I recommend staying at least 2 nights.
You can also visit Múcura Island by taking a day trip from Rincón del Mar, especially if you’re on a tight budget—but personally, I didn’t enjoy it as much.
© Tomplanmytrip
things to do in Isla Múcura
Here, you just go with the flow.
Isla Múcura is largely private, but in the southern part of the island, you can take the path that goes from the village to the only public beach on Isla Múcura.
After experiencing the village atmosphere, walk to the public beach where you can eat at one of its restaurants.
In the village, you can also grab a bite for lunch at a low cost.
This tiny artificial islet is the most densely populated island in the world, with an area of 0.12 km² and over 1200 inhabitants. Imagine a maze of very narrow, colorful streets bustling with life and filled with kids running after a ball.
Don’t take a tour to get here; it’s not worth it. Ask your hotel or a fisherman to take you there by boat. You’ll have an enjoyable time observing the daily life of the residents.
Isla Tintipan boasts the most beautiful beaches in the San Bernardo archipelago. With its white sand and turquoise waters, the public beach on the north coast of the island is absolutely stunning. It’s here you’ll find the island’s only two beach bars and restaurants.
Ask your hotel to take you there by boat (a 10-minute ride). After being dropped off at the dock, walk up the beach to find a quieter spot.
By late morning, tour boats drop off tourists and private boats arrive, each with their own music. I advise against visiting on weekends or public holidays.
Most hostels and hotels on the island offer snorkeling excursions to the coral reefs around Isla Palma and Isla Maravilla.
Some establishments like Punta Faro or Hotel Isla Múcura organize scuba diving trips to beautiful spots. There are several options depending on the diver’s level, including certification sessions. If you’re a novice, you can also try an introductory dive.
You can also borrow a paddleboard or kayak from the hotel and explore along the beach or venture into the mangrove around Isla Tintipan.
If you’re a bit of a sailor and feel like sailing, Punta Faro can provide small catamarans. Hotel Isla Múcura also offers trips on small sailboats.
For a bit of magic and a few thrills, at nightfall, your hotel boat can take you to the mangrove where you can swim among the bioluminescent phytoplankton. Don’t forget your mask. The phenomenon is even more astonishing on moonless nights.
Finally, if fishing is your thing, you can join a fisherman to make some catches with a rudimentary fishing rod or, if you’re good at freediving, get in the water to watch him skillfully handle the harpoon.
Do you have little aches and pains from your hectic daily routine?
Take advantage of your stay on your dream island to pamper yourself at your hotel’s wellness center or relax at the spa.
And even if you feel fine, a little massage always does wonders, believe me!
© Tomplanmytrip
where to stay in Isla Múcura
The best hotels of Isla Mucura.
It’s the largest hotel on the island. Located on the north coast, Hotel Isla Múcura offers various bamboo cabins with palm roofs, accommodating 2 to 6 people, spread out over a vast and beautiful seaside property. They are spacious, nicely decorated, and all have air conditioning. Some have access to a small pool.
The hotel’s private beach isn’t very large but is well-appointed and shaded, making it pleasant. There’s a relaxation area with hammocks and swings. A snack bar open during the day serves beers, cocktails, and snacks.
The dining options at Hotel Isla Múcura aren’t its strong suit, and prices, especially for breakfast, are rather high.
Various activities organized by the hotel staff make it a perfect place for lively family or friends’ vacations. However, there can be noise, and on some evenings, you may find the music too loud.
For a more intimate atmosphere, the idyllic setting of Hotel Punta Faro, located at the northwest end of Isla Múcura, is the perfect place.
The hotel’s boat can pick you up from Tolu or Cartagena.
The place is peaceful, the staff is very competent and attentive. The rooms are superb, air-conditioned, built with traditional materials, comfortable, and tastefully decorated.
The beach is lovely; you can nap or read on one of the many sun loungers and in the evening, admire the sunset while enjoying a happy hour cocktail.
If you feel like being active, you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from offered by the hotel.
There is only a full board option, and you must stay at least two nights. The prices are not cheap, but the food is divine. If your budget allows, Punta Faro is the perfect place to celebrate a special event or spend your honeymoon.
That’s where you’ll find the most economical accommodations.
Personally, I don’t like the atmosphere of the village, so I recommend you choose the hotel located on the public beach instead. You can find them on Google Maps.
how to get to isla mucura
and getting around the archipelago.
You can reach Isla Múcura from Cartagena (a 2.5-hour boat ride) through the agency Tranq It Easy. They have an excellent website, and it’s very straightforward.
Every day at 9 AM (check the agency’s website for details), boats depart from La Bodeguita port. You can choose the hotel where you want to go. The return to Cartagena is scheduled daily around 11 AM.
The luggage allowance is limited to 8 kg per person.
Depending on where you’re staying (Hotel Isla Múcura or Punta Faro), they have their own boat to take you there.
From Rincón del Mar, it’s a bit less organized, but the travel is much shorter (only 40 minutes by boat). The easiest way is to book a day trip (you can ask for the contact at Hotel Dos Aguas) and tell the captain to drop you off at the hotel of your choice.
For the return trip, ask the hotel to arrange a fishing boat for you, or stay in touch with the tourism agency that brought you to Isla Múcura.
There is a trail that crosses the island to reach the public beach. You can take it from any hotel where you are staying.
If you intend to leave your hotel, depending on its location on the island, you will most often take a boat, whether it’s to explore other islands in the archipelago like Tintipan or Santa Cruz del Islote, or to visit the village in the southern part of the island.
© Tomplanmytrip
IS ISLA MUCURA SAFE?
I have always felt completely safe on this little piece of land lost in the Caribbean Sea.
© Tomplanmytrip
MY LAST TIPS
A few things to know before you decide to head to Isla Múcura.
There are no ATMs on the entire San Bernardo Archipelago. Bring enough cash to avoid the rare occasions when you might be able to pay by card to avoid fees, and to cover any extras even if you’ve chosen full board.
Isla Múcura is 80% private property. I advise you to choose your hotel carefully according to the atmosphere you’re looking for, as you’ll spend a significant part of your time there.
Don’t forget you’re in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, so water supply can sometimes be a bit tricky. Don’t complain if you have to wait a bit before showering after coming back from the beach. The water is obviously not drinkable; you can only consume bottled mineral water.
There can also be power outages.
I find Isla Tintipan more charming because there are smaller hotels that suit the romantic atmosphere of the island.
However, if you’re looking for larger, more luxurious accommodations, you’ll be happy staying on Isla Múcura.
© Tomplanmytrip
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