If you are looking to relax and disconnect in Latin America, Hotel Las Islas in Barú may be the place for you. Among the eco-chic and luxurious mangroves and bungalows, it is becoming one of the most recommended hotels in the world. With only 1 year and 8 months since it opened, they have managed to give their guests a truly unique experience.
Transfer
Arriving at the Cartagena de Indias airport in Colombia there are 2 transfer possibilities. The first, the fastest and most convenient one, is the transfer by car from the airport to the hotel, which takes about 1.5-2 hours. The second is by sea, from Cartagena to Barú. We did not choose this option because getting on a car to go to the marina and then getting on a boat seemed more of a hassle. Both transfer options are planned by the hotel but are not included in the stay.
About the hotel
The hotel is refined luxury with rustic touches. It is positioned between the sea and the mangroves, something truly unforgettable and incomparable. Just imagine waking up to the sound of the birds turning to one side and seeing the sea, and turning to the other side and seeing the green of the mangroves above your bungalow. Even if it is an environmentally friendly hotel, it does have amenities that make you feel at home, such as air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
It has 2 types of rooms, bungalows on the sea level and tree top bungalows. In the bungalows above sea level you have the option of a jacuzzi, swimming pool with salt water from the sea or with access to the sea. Since we went with Alessia, we chose the bungalow on the sea level with a natural pool.
Another thing that makes this hotel a unique experience is that it has its own private island called Isleta where you can go to spend the day and go snorkeling and kayaking. The island is only 5-10 minutes by boat from the hotel. They also have endless activities such as paddle boarding and scuba diving.
Food
As for food, the hotel has 3 restaurants, one for breakfast, one for lunch and one for dinner. It is not possible to leave the hotel to eat since it is completely isolated.
The food is extremely fresh, and I probably ate the best fried snapper I have ever eaten in my life. The ceviche, the scallops, the fish fillet, all were delicious and more delicious even if you accompanied them with patacones (I was on vacation so I was allowed). If you have any food restrictions, they are very good at accommodating them without problem, they had gluten-free and dairy-free options, as well as options for children.
I must also say that the service was impeccable, always attentive. 89% of hotel workers are from the island of Barú.
Children
I would not say that it is a “kid friendly” hotel, since there are railings and cliffs everywhere and it gave me a little panic, it is more like a hotel to be on honeymoon mode. If you go with children you have to be ultra careful. Anyways, I have to say that they were attentive to all our requests. The car that picked us up had a car seat for Alessia, the crib they provided us with was a real and super comfortable crib, not a playpen, the restaurants have high chairs for children, they are flexible in preparing any food for children you want, and the workers were extremely attentive and friendly with Alessia.
I hope you guys enjoyed this blogpost and that one day you visit this gem in Colombia.
With love,
Nati
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