Tintipán and Múcura Island are both located in the San Bernardo archipelago. With neighbor islands like Isla Fuerte and the Rosario islands, Tintipán and Múcura are two secret paradise islands that are not well known by tourists.
Tintipán is the largest island in the San Bernardo archipelago. Unfortunaly, you cannot move as freely as you want. If you want to visit other places around the island, you must take a boat from your accommodation.
While Múcura is one of the smallest islands in the San Bernardo archipelago, you can walk and explore more freely.
In short, both islands are ideal to wind down for a few days and enjoy your offline time from the normal world.
With this blog you can create your itinerary and find the best options to get to Tintipán and Múcura island.
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How to get to Tintipán and Múcura Island?
There are three destinations to choose from if you are traveling to Tintipán and Múcura Island. First you have to travel to Cartagena, Tolú or Ricon del Mar. Most people go to Cartagena because it’s well known. However, if you are coming from Medellin or Bogota by bus, I recommend traveling to Tolú or Ricon del Mar, because it’s a shorter bus drive. At arrival the dock is six blocks away.
Transportation
Firstly, I recommend pre-booking your bus tickets on Busbud and choose a bus that arrives early in the morning (5 AM – 7 AM), because the boats to Tintipán and Múcura Island only leave one time a day and the buses in Colombia always tend to delay. Unfortunately, our bus was supposed to arrive at 7 AM and we arrived at 9:30 AM in Tolú. 30 minutes too late for the boat and had to pay 4x the price each to get to Tintipán.
Secondly, you can also fly to Cartagena or Tolú. In this case it’s cheaper to fly to Cartagena because there are more flights available. Flights to Cartagena are around 30 USD one way and flights to Tolú are around 80 USD one way. You can easily compare flights on Skyscanner or on Google flights.
And finally, from Cartagena, Tolú or Ricon del Mar you can take a boat to get to Tintipán and Múcura Island. Keep in mind that it’s windy season from November to April. The sea can be rough.
The shortest route to Tintipán and Múcura Island is from Ricon del Mar and the longest route is from Cartagena. Tintipán and Múcura are 15 minutes away from each other.
Cartagena
The boat leaves from Cartagena one time a day at 9 AM. It’s recommended to be at the dock at 8 AM. Price is 100.000 COP (22 USD) one way.
You can contact Tranq’It Easy Company (in case you are running late or whatever). +57 301 404 3633
Tolú
The boat leaves from Tolú one time a day at 9 AM. It’s recommended to be at the dock at 8 AM. Price is 50.000 – 80.000 COP (depending on the season).
You can contact the captain Augustin (in case you are running late or whatever). +57 304 6305508
Rincon del Mar
The boat leaves from Ricon del Mar one time between 8 AM and 9 AM. It’s recommended to be at the dock at 8 AM. Price is 60.000 COP (13 USD).
You can contact the captain Ronny (in case you are running late or whatever). +57 321 806 3754.
If you miss the early boat (like we did), you can text the captain. In this case they can bring your privately with a fishermen’s boat. Keep in mind that you will have to pay 200.000 – 400.000 COP (46-94 USD). Which is x4 from the normal price.
However, if you have plenty of time, you can stay an extra night in Cartagena, Tolú or Ricon del Mar. With this in mind, there is not much to do in Tolú and Rincon del Mar. But it might be cheaper to book a hotel for the night, especially if you are traveling by yourself.
Best places to stay on Tintipan and Múcura Island.
All islands in the San Bernardo archipelago are isolated from everything. You need a boat to transfer you from island to island of to the other side of the island. However, not all accommodations offer boats throughout the day. Most of boats only leave in the morning. Depending on your accommodation they will charge you around 20.000/30.000 COP (5 USD) for a round trip.
Furthermore, most accommodations are basic and a little bit more expensive than what you would pay in the bigger cities. The islands are also big on environment, so there are water restrictions throughout the day and no electricity from 6 AM until 6 PM.
All accommodations have meals included or offer meals for an additional cost. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to bring your own food and drinks. Of course, you can bring snacks or whatever, but they can be strict about that.
Finally, don’t forget to bring eco-friendly sunblock and also mosquito repellent. I also recommend bringing long sleeves. The mosquitos will mostly come out as soon as the sun sets.
Tintipán
- Santa Lova Eco Hostel
Santa Lova is a beautiful and affordable hostel. The place offers both dorms and private rooms. The offer activities such as kayak and snorkel, free of charge.
- Tintipan Ashram Hostel & Glamping
Tintipan Ashram is perfect if you want a different experience. They offer tents and double rooms. For all first time glampers: keep in mind that it can get very hot in the morning. The place has nice surroundings where you can hike.
- Casa en el Agua
Casa en el Agua is the most popular place in Tintipán, especially for backpackers. It’s always fully booked. However, in my opinion it’s not a good option for travelers due to the size of the accommodation. You can’t move around as much as you want. The place only offers dorms, but all meals are included.
- Isla Roots
Isla roots is a nice option if you want to meet other travelers. They offer private rooms, dorms and hammocks, but also a lot of activities and massages at an additional charge.
Múcura
- Hotel Isla Mucura
Hotel Isla Múcura is on the most beautiful places to stay and has a beautiful garden and private beach. They offer bungalows, suites and private rooms.
- Mucura Club Hotel
Múcura Club hotel offers private rooms and dorms and also a lot of activities such as kayaking, diving and snorkeling at an additional charge. The place is located on the beach. - Hostel Dahlandia
Dahlandia is probaby your best option on Múcura island. Dahlandia offers cabins and private rooms with all meals included. The place has amazing views and a private beach.
Things to do around Tintipán and Múcura Island
Visiting these beautiful islands is mostly about relaxing, tanning and swimming. But there are a few activities that you can do. You can book all activities through your accommodation. Prices can vary.
- Bioluminescent plankton tour – 60.000 COP (14 USD)
The bioluminescent plankton tours are at night around 7 PM. You visit one of the lagoons in Tintipán where you are surrounded by mangroves. With a local guide you will swim in the middle of the bioluminescent plankton who will explain everything about this phenomenon.
- Snorkel tour – 30.000 COP (7 USD)
There are some beautiful reefs around the San Bernardo archipelago. Most accommodations offer free use of snorkels, but also organize tours to Palma Island and Wonder Island where the reefs supposed to be the best.
- Enjoy the beach – 30.000 COP round trip (14 USD)
Tintipán Island has undoubtedly the most beautiful beach with white sand and turquoise water. I enjoyed this place the most, especially because there are no rocks in the water like Múcura island.
There are a few restaurants on the beach that serve fish, rice, and plantain for lunch. However, they can overcharge you. If you don’t feel like spending too much, there are enough people walking around selling snacks such as empanadas.
- Visit Santa Cruz del Islote – 20.000 COP
Most people just visit Mucúra Island from Tintipán, but in between these islands you can find Santa Cruz del Islote. This island has the highest density in the world. Only 600 people live here. You can visit this island with a local guide who will tell you more about this little gem in the Caribbean.
Tintipán and Múcura Island are without a doubt two gems that many people don’t know yet. The islands are so close to each other, which makes them the perfect getaway to relax. Just don’t expect too much luxury and you will absolutely have the best time.
If you want to know more about Colombia, I’ve wrote a few other blogs that might be interesting to read!
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