Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 203 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca worth booking?
Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca is a 7-hour experience in Cartagena, Colombia, from $80 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 203 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (203)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $80 per person
Get ready for an unforgettable experience on the Island of Barú, Playa Blanca and the National Aviary. This tour is perfect for those who want to experience the wonders of Colombia's wildlife and nature. During your visit to the National Aviary, you will have the opportunity to see many colorful parrots, peacocks, flamingos, and other species that live in their natural habitat. Afterwards, you will go to Playa Blanca to relax and enjoy the turquoise blue sea and the beautiful views. This excursion is ideal for those who want to get to know the fauna and nature of Colombia without having to travel too far from Cartagena. So don't wait any longer, reserve your place today!
What you get
About this experience
Get ready for an unforgettable experience on the Island of Barú, Playa Blanca and the National Aviary. This tour is perfect for those who want to experience the wonders of Colombia's wildlife and nature. During your visit to the National Aviary, you will have the opportunity to see many colorful parrots, peacocks, flamingos, and other species that live in their natural habitat. Afterwards, you will go to Playa Blanca to relax and enjoy the turquoise blue sea and the beautiful views. This excursion is ideal for those who want to get to know the fauna and nature of Colombia without having to travel too far from Cartagena. So don't wait any longer, reserve your place today!
What's included
Included
- Snacks
- Travel insurance
- Bilingual guide
- Entrance to the national aviary
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- On-board WiFi
- Balinese beds
- Towels
- access to showers. *Additional cost
What you'll see and do
Cartagena District
1. We begin with the pick up at your hotel, hostel, accommodation or whatever your location is between 6:00 am and 7:30 am in an air-conditioned transport; we will pick up other travelers as well. You must be patient because traffic is sometime a problem. We will enjoy a panoramic tour of approximately 45 minutes through the beautiful city of Cartagena until we reach the Barú Peninsula. 2. We will pass through the Baru bridge without stopping where we will find the Corles del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park. The Barú Peninsula (sometimes called Isla de Barú or simply Barú), is separated from the territory by the Canal del Dique. Until 2014 the only way to cross it was by raft, or its variants. It was in that year when the so-called "Baru Bridge" was inaugurated. (Barú is an artificial island that was formed almost 100 years ago by the construction of the Canal del Dique. The three towns on the island are Ararca, Santa Ana and Barú).
60 minutes here
Playa Blanca
We arrive at Playa Blanca, famous for its white beaches and turquoise waters. It is the only public beach in the Corales del Rosario National Natural Park, once in Barú, we will walk about 5 minutes until we reach the Beach Club, where you can spend time in a sun lounger or chair, you can explore the beautiful crystal clear waters. Lunch is a voucher of $30,000 that you must redeem for the options we have on our menu. You can use huts, sun loungers, the bathroom and the social areas at no additional cost.
60 minutes here
Aviario Nacional de Colombia
We will visit the National Aviary where they will learn about the biology and behavior of some bird species, as well as the importance of the preservation and conservation of Colombian avifauna and nature. We will attend the presentation at 11:30 am where you can enjoy three ecosystem environments and 22 exhibits divided into large immersion aviaries, radial aviaries, estuaries and lakes. There are different landscapes, vegetation and aquatic environments, which allow you to appreciate a great diversity of bird species.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cartagena
At the Bodeguera Dock there will be an employee with his company uniform
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
At the Bodeguera Dock there will be an employee with his company uniform
Options you can book
Full-Day Tour Baru Island - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca
Pickup included
Mambo B + Aviary + Plankton
Plankton: Organism that produces flashes of light and is noticeable at night. Duration: 11 hours: In the morning aviary activity, in the afternoon stay at Mambo Beach and at night the plankton activity until 8pm. A snack before Plankton Round trip by land Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Nexxt Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 203 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Pace and timing
4 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
203 verified traveler reviews for Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Aviary so beautiful
The aviary is a must see. The best in the world. The tour was a value and included lunch. Highly recommend
via Tripadvisor
Book the Aviary separately. That was the only worthy part!
Aviary was good. But the overall experience , esp the guide was poor. Firstly we had to wait in the scorching heat at the aviary for two hours for the theatre show with birds to begin. If the wait time is so long, you need to have some refreshments and atleast fans - this was almost dehydrating. After that the guide that took us from the aviary to the beach was extremely rude. Got extremely uncomfortable. At the place all good food was beyond the budget they had provided - I would recommend have standard food for all but don’t make them pay for it. The wait for food was extremely long and then again said we’d leave at sharp 3 but it got delayed again. Overall it was pretty disorganized , extremely frustrating due to the poor weather related arrangements and boring. I would recommend people who love birds, aviary was amazing but book it separately - not with this experience.
via Tripadvisor
average
I would not honestly recommend booking this excursion as I do not think it was worth it for the price. We were dropped off at the aviary around 9am and were picked up around 12, you can walk through the entire aviary in under an hour so it felt like way too long to be there. However the aviary was really cool, there are tons of birds to look at. The beach we were taken to after was incredibly crowded, filled with garbage and tons of people selling things. The food at the beach club was just average and there was not much variety. Renting a beach bed was very expensive so we just sat at our table all afternoon which was not very comfortable. However our guide Miguel was absolutely wonderful - he was so helpful and kind throughout the day.
via Tripadvisor
Fun Day Trip, But Be Aware of Vendors
I had a great time at the aviary — it was relaxing and a nice way to start the day. Afterward, we were picked up and taken to the beach, where we had lunch and rented a cabana for 135 COP. The only downside was the vendors. They were very persistent and kept approaching us every 10 minutes, which made it difficult to fully relax. Be aware that some of the ladies offering massages may quote a low price at first. We were told it was only 140 COP for a shoulder massage, but the final charge ended up being 500 COP, which was a surprise. Make sure to confirm the full price before agreeing to anything. Also, if you’re buying bracelets, they should only be around 10–20 COP. Don’t overpay and be sure to negotiate. Overall, it was a fun experience, but just come prepared and aware of the extra sales.
Response from the operator: I hope you are well. We appreciate your feedback and are very glad that everything was to your liking with the beach vendors. It's a good thing that we provide information on the way there so you can understand the prices if you wish to purchase something.
via Viator
Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca
We were told pick up was between 7:45-8:00 we did not get picked up until 8:30, I understand things happen that are out of our control but once we arrived to enter the area we were not let in due to the entry being blocked by the locals of that area and had to turn around, this was now around 11:00 am (an entire morning lost at this point). On our way back they offered the option to be dropped off at the pick up location or go to another nearby island. I was with my kids so we chose to just go and not lose any more time. We arrived at the island around 12:45ish since we still had to drop off whoever did not want to go and then left the island at 5:00 pm. Transportation back to the original pick up location was not included so once we made it back to Cartagena we had to get an uber from the beach where we took the speedboat (Not a big deal for us since we chose to get picked up from the meeting location, but maybe if you got picked you up at your hotel which was an option then it would be in my opinion!!) the island we went to had a beautiful view of the city and the beach did have turquoise water but had a lot of trash in the water as well. I am not sure if it was still the same moneys worth as the original plan (as you did not get a refund if you chose to go to the island). Overall we enjoyed the new location to not lose an entire day but was very disappointed as we were excited for the Aviary. Our guide was amazing I will give him that however I am still giving this 2 stars because of everything else.
Response from the operator: Good afternoon, I hope you are well. We appreciate your feedback. Today was somewhat chaotic, we understand, but it was also something beyond our control due to blockades from nearby communities. However, we tried to find solutions for our customers so they could at least have a pleasant day at the beach. After all, we will continue working to provide wonderful experiences in the city.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $80 to $100
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 71
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Nexxt Tours, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.6.
See everything Nexxt Tours runsWhy this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cartagena.
How much does Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca cost?
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Prices start at $80 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cartagena usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cartagena is not rushed.
Is Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 203 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cartagena, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca?
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Around 71 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cartagena can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cartagena and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cartagena within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cartagena?
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On Outty we rank every Cartagena experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena, Cartagena Antigua & Barrio Getsemani group with audio system, Cartagena VIP Boat Tour: Rosario Islands & Snorkel. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cartagena?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca?
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Included: Snacks; Travel insurance; Bilingual guide; Entrance to the national aviary; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Alcoholic beverages; On-board WiFi; Balinese beds; and Towels. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 62 listed pickup locations in and around Cartagena. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca?
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Across 203 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, value for money. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
What booking options are available for Full-Day Tour Isla Baru - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Full-Day Tour Baru Island - National Aviary of Colombia and Playa Blanca, Mambo B + Aviary + Plankton. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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