Hotel Isla Del Pirata

Perfect location. Island is surrounded by pristine waters. The compound needs some massive renovation/investments to go back to its former glory. The bungalows are super basic. The food is fine, breakfast is on the small side and extremely basic. The staff is super friendly. You need to be super chill and easy going to pick that location.

We stayed one night here just to have experienced this kind of tourism. Islas del Rosario are heavily recommended while staying in Cartagena, and they promise a bounty island feeling. That must have been the case probably 20 odd years ago. Today, unfortunately it is almost becoming a tourist trap. It starts with the boat trip. In the morning all the tourists gather at the docks and are loaded like cattle. After an hour you arrive at the destination, being one of the islands, and the the tourist trap starts, everything is expensive, which is logic as all goods need to be shipped, expensive in the sense that it is reaching western European prices. So, take that into account when going here. Concerning the price for the boat trip don't fall in the trap of ordering it together with the hotel booking. Instead go to the docks and haggle a price there. This island for example is asking 180k per person. I bought it at the dock for 80k + the mandatory harbour tax of 23k. All the above is my take on generally going to Islas del Rosario. Now my view on staying at Isla del Pirata. Approaching this island gives indeed that bounty island feeling, getting on the jetty seeing the crisp white sand, huts with thatched roofs, azur water. Yes, it ticks all those boxes! Then you arrive around 10:30 at the reception where they speak a little English, just enough to understand that we have to wait for the room until 3pm. Not really a problem as you come here to enjoy the sun, swim and relax. At this time of year there are plenty of sunbeds available, even with shade. At 14:30 we were shown the hut. We booked a standard, but got a Jr suite instead, an upgrade. Gracias! We took a shower to rinse of the salt, only cold water, you don't need or want hot water here ;) At first sight the hut looked marvelous, another box ticked! However, a closer look showed that it is worn, not very clean and moist, normal with this humidity. The fans do a good job though to cool you down. As it is only this hotel in this small island you need to have lunch, diner and breakfast here. Breakfast is included, but limited: fruit, white toast bread, not toasted, and eggs your style. We had club sandwich for lunch which is ok. For diner we had fish of the day, but doubt if they were fresh. We spend 400k on food and drinks, the stay: 300k, boat return 364k for 2 persons. Only 3 stars because the accommodation needs an overhaul.