My Travel Guide to Rincon del Mar – The Best Beach Town in Colombia!

This is your best travel guide to Rincon del Mar – the hidden paradise beach town on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. A complete list of all the best things to do in Rincon del Mar, that is if you will want to do anything at all!

Rincon del Mar is the best beach destination in Colombia. Period.

I could finish this post here and let you go and find out for yourself. But I won’t because maybe you want to hear more. So let me tell you.

Imagine a perfect beach where no one is trying to sell you a thing! White sand and blue sea where you can walk for hours along the shore, swim all day, and eat as much seafood as your stomach can handle. Imagine a small town on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, where life is slow, and it feels like time stopped a long time ago. You can swim with fluorescent plankton at night and watch fisherman fixing their boats just before the sunset. Oh, and every single sunset is breathtaking.

Imagine a beach hostel with beds on a rooftop where you fall asleep to the sound of the waves, and after you wake up, you can walk into the sea without putting your shoes on. In fact, you won’t need your shoes most of the time.

If you visit Rincon del Mar, you won’t have to imagine it any longer – you will stay in a paradise that not too many tourists and backpackers know about. Yet.

I almost didn’t go to Rincon.

The journey seemed long, a place out of the way, and I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it. In hindsight, if I decided not to go, I would strip myself of one of the best memories I have from Colombia!

I couldn’t leave this place. I extended my stay and If I didn’t have my next leg of the journey booked already I would extend once more. Rincon del Mar stole my heart and made me believe that paradise on Earth exists.

But let’s start from the beginning …

Here is your perfect travel guide to Rincon del Mar.

Is Rincon del Mar, Colombia worth visiting?

Visiting places like Rincon del Mar is a quintessence of what backpacking is for me.

First, you need to find out about its existence. Rincon del Mar hasn’t made it to Lonely Planet yet. It is also more known among foreign travelers than the Colombians. The majority of Colombians I spoke to, didn’t know much place.

I was told that ten years ago, Rincon del Mar wasn’t even on a map, so the population of this small fishing village is only getting used to the new touristy reality. You won’t find hoards of vendors on the beach. The streets of Rincon del Mar are full of locals going about their lives and the weekend street party is very much how it has always been.

But don’t be fooled. There are many fantastic beach hostels and accommodations available, as well as tons of activities in Rincon del Mar. That is if you want to do anything apart from lazing in the hammock and eating fish all day long.

If you are looking for a hidden paradise on Colombia’s Caribbean coast where life goes slowly, fish is freshly caught each morning, the beaches are dreamy and the sea is filled with fluorescent plankton lighting up at night, where you can easily forget that you are a ”tourist” – Rincon del Mar is so worth visiting!

How to get to Rincon del Mar?

Rincon del Mar is not easy to get to. But isn’t it true about many other hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path pieces of paradise? Trust me, you will not regret getting to San Onofre ( a town that no one talks about) and then venturing on the bumpy moto-taxi ride.

Although it’s not the easiest to get to Rincón del Mar, it is definitely worth it. And the travelers you will meet there will match the vibe of the place. You have to have an adventurous and curious heart to get to Rincon. It will be so worth it!

• How to get to Rincon del Mar from Cartagena

There are a couple of ways to get to Rincon del Mar from Cartagena.

You can book direct transport with GottoGO (The same company as GuateGo in Guatemala which I used often) which will take you from Cartagena Terminal de Autobuses to San Onofre for around $13. Alternatively, you can book private transport with them which will literally drop you at your hotel in Rincon. If you are traveling in a small group or as a couple this might be the best option.

You can also get the bus to San Onofre from the bus terminal in Cartagena. The bus journey takes around two hours. The ticket price for a Unitransco coach is 30, 000 COP one way. This is how I traveled to Rincon and I recommend it if only for the adventurous feel of it.

Once you arrive in San Onofre, you will have the option to take a taxi for 30, 000 COP or a moto-taxi for 10 to 15.000 COP (depending on your negotiation skills).

You will not have to look for those opportunities as there will be a bunch of drivers waiting right in front of the bus stop.

If you think your luggage might be a problem and a cheaper moto-taxi isn’t an option, don’t worry. I went on a moto-taxi with my 55-litre Osprey and a day bag. It is a 30-minute bumpy ride, yet it isn’t half as bad as some travelers describe it. It was quite fun, actually. The taxi will drop you right in front of your hotel in Rincon.

• How to get to Rincon del Mar From Medellin 

There is a direct night bus from Medellin North Terminal to San Onofre. It takes around 11 hours to get from Medellin to San Onofre, and the ticket as of summer 2023 costs between 176, 000 and 176 COP with the Rápido Ochoa or Expreso Brasilia company. As of this year, they also run daily routes but I believe for this length the overnight bus is the best option.

The last bus from Medellin to San Onofre leaves at 10.45 pm, which in my opinion is a good time. Once you arrive in San Onofre, take a moto-taxi to Rincon as per above. 

If you are considering the return the same way, it is not as convenient. The last bus from San Onofre to Medellin leaves at 4 pm, which would make you arrive in Medellin at 3 am. 

I was considering taking the bus from San Onofre to Medellin, yet the time of arrival didn’t suit me well, and the cost of the ticket didn’t seem to justify the hassle of sitting on the bus for possibly 12 hours and arriving in the city at 3 am. Instead, I took a bus to Cartagena, and from there, I took a plane to Medellin the first thing the following morning. 

• How to get to Rincon del Mar From Bogota 

The best way to get to Rincon del Mar from Bogota is by first flying to Cartagena (Or Barranquilla). From Cartagena, you will be able to take a bus to San Onofre and then a taxi to Rincon. See the above ‘How to get to Rincon from Cartagena.’

If you considering taking a bus from Bogota to San Onofre, you would have first to take a 13-hour bus ride to Sincelejo and then change for a bus to San Onofre. I seriously cannot justify nor recommend this kind of journey.

Where to stay in Rincon del Mar?

There are quite a few great accommodation options in Rincon del Mar no matter your budget or travel style. I stayed in a fantastic Hostel Beach House, and I loved it. Its massive dorm room is located on the top floor terrace and offers spectacular views of the ocean. Beds are comfortable and equipped with mosquito nets, premises are clean, and well looked after. The kitchen was one of the best-equipped kitchens, and we cooked a lot. And the best part is that the hostel is located right on the beach. I highly recommend it.

Another popular choice for travelers to Rincon is Dos Aquas Lodge. It became very trendy due to its eco and sustainable approach to tourism, and I must admit it looked amazing. Yet it was fully booked, so if this would be your choice of lodging – book well in advance.

Other accomodation options in Rincon del Mar:

Mamallena Beachside is also one of the very popular hostels in Rincon and if you are looking for a true eco-camping experience you should definitely consider Mango Feliz Rincon del Mar. It is an awesome sustainable accommodation that gives back to the community. 

Incredible things to do in Rincon del Mar

Although it is perfectly acceptable to visit Rincon del Mar and just do nothing at all, here is a list of a few things you might want to do in Rincon.

Discover the Town of Rincon del Mar …

The charm of Rincon del Mar is not immediately obvious. As you arrive in town after the moto-taxi ride you will most likely find yourself in the central part consisting of the main road (dirt/sand road, in fact), where all the hostels and shops are located. Right behind it, you will find a neverending stretch of glorious beaches – this is where your discovery will start. But undoubtedly, it will not end here.

There are actually two parts of the Rincon del Mar.

First, you will discover the central part of the town. As you walk along the dirt road, you will pass numerous hostels and lodges, little village shops, kids playing on the street, men playing dominoes and cards, and people going about their slow village lives.

As you continue walking, you will come across a cute little bridge. After crossing it, you will find a surprisingly tranquil, very well-kept beach where the sand is even whiter, the sea calmer, and slightly more upmarket establishments are located. This is the ‘posh’ part of Rincon del Mar. 

… And Its Never-Ending Beaches

The true attraction of Rincon del Mar is the existence of those two sides of the town enveloped by the most glorious beaches like a perfectly wrapped gift.  But wait for it …

As you cross the bridge to the ”cooler” part of the town and continue walking you will find yourself on a pretty empty stretch of the beach. The further you go, the more beautiful and more tranquil the scenery and beach will become. When I found myself there for the first time, the words that came from my mouth were: ‘I found it! I found my perfect piece of paradise!’

If you think this is the only surprise – you are mistaken.

Take a walk to the other side of the town. As you pass the main street’s hustle and bustle, continue walking by the beach where all the camping sites are located and all the lovely cabanas and fincas for rent. This beach goes forever and offers an unspoiled swim and a fantastic sunset walk.

Join the weekend party

Make sure to plan you visit to Rincon del Mar so you are there over the weekend.

Although the town gets rather quiet at night, comes the weekend, you will be able to join a very authentic Colombian street party.

You have to check it out – you won’t be able to find many parties like this, even during your Colombian travels. I will not say more – I will let you discover for yourself. 

The party is going on in the main part of the town right on the main road. Follow the sound of the music!

You can also get a cocktail or beer on the beach and just chill in the hammock and admire the perfect starry sky – there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Swim with Bioluminescent Plankton

An evening boat trip to swim with bioluminescent plankton is one of the most popular things to do in Rincon del Mar. And it is a truly magical experience.

The boat will pick you up right before sunset, and you will make your way to the island located roughly 15 minutes away from Rincon.

While you watch the sunset, the boat will go into the mangroves of the island and search for plankton. When it gets dark, you can jump into the water and have this unforgettable experience, because the movement triggers a chemical reaction that makes the algae glow.

The trip will cost you 50, 000 COP, and any of the hotels will be able to arrange it for you.

A budget tip: On some nights the water in Rincon del Mar would glow as well. Not as much as in other places the tour takes you to, but still. You can test it by just going into the sea and waffling the water. I bet it will glow a little! So if taking a boat trip is not something you want to spend money on, you can have a little taster right in Rincon.

Go Paddleboarding

The waters around Rincon del Mar are calm and perfect for the paddleboarding experience.

Whether you are a pro or just want to give it a go – you definitely should! It’s great fun! You can find this small shop called Anfibio Sports Adventure on the main road of Rincon del Mar, which also offers bike tours (this also sounds like fun). Who said there is not much to do in Rincon?

Try Scuba Diving

There is an excellent Dive Centre in Rincon, and whether you would like to dip your feet in the activity (no pun intended) or you are a pro diver – you will be in good hands. 

Also, if you are looking to become a certified PADI diver, why not do it in paradise?

Take a Trip to the San Bernando Islands

One of the most popular day excursions from Rincon del Mar is a day trip to the San Barnardo Islands.

San Barnardo Islands are a very popular destination, especially for those staying in Cartagena but can be easily visited and traveled to from Rincon del Mar.

I took the trip but ended up with very mixed feelings about it. Mostly because I am not a ”day tripper” kinda traveler and I always prefer to spend some time in a place and hate tagging along with the crowds.

The boat will cruise around the whole archipelago and first, you will have an option for a short stop at the Santa Cruz del Islote, before getting to Múcura and then and the Tintipan Island.

The Santa Cruz del Islote will be your first stop, and you will be given the option to take a (surprisingly short) tour around one of the most densely populated islands in the world. This artificial island the size of a soccer field is home to a little over 1500 inhabitants.

An Important Note: I do not recommend swimming in the so-called ‘Aquarium’ where harmless sharks and other fish are kept in the caption. Those animals should live in the wild.

Isla Mucura is the smaller of the remaining two on the list, and as much as I loved the beach, the tourist part of it was overwhelming. If you would like to try Ceviche – do it on Mucura, however. It was very fresh and delicious-looking, and it was cheaper as well. I left this experience for Tintipan, and I regretted it. Also, you can stay at Mucura overnight. From my experience once the tours are gone, the experience becomes a lot more tranquil and less touristy. 

The prices on Tintipan Island are extortionate. But the island and the beach are gorgeous! This is definitely the highlight of the whole trip.

I also loved cruising around the smaller island and among the mangroves with small islands hosting colourful hostels.

Isla Palma is one of the best islands on the San Bernando Islands Archipelago, yet we could not visit it during the tour as it is privately owned. You can, however, stay for the night (or more), and the Mistica Hostel is a very popular choice among those who do. You can also book an organized tour to Palma with a pick-up from Cartagena.

There is no doubt that the San Bernando Islands are one of the most beautiful islands in Colombia and the beaches and the boat rise were divine! You will experience turquoise beaches and white sands, see hostels floating on the water, and wild mangroves and visit the most densely populated island in the world.

I must admit, as much as I cannot deny the beauty of those islands and their beaches, I found this tour to be very touristy. If I knew then what I know now, I would skip the tour and book myself a night on one of the islands instead. I would rather stay the night to truly enjoy it, just like I did in Playa Blanca.

Take Dos Aquas’ authentic cultural classes

Dos Aquas is one of the best places to stay in Rincon del Mar but if it’s out of your budget, you can definitely enjoy some of the activities they offer. Their aim was to build a boutique seafront hotel that is rooted in tradition, sustainable, and benefits the local community.

They offer traditional drum classes, cooking classes, dance, and yoga among many more, so be sure to pop in and book yourself one of their great experiences!

How About Just Doing Nothing?

You would think that this thing can get boring. In fact, after four nights in Rincon del Mar, I extended my stay for an additional week. I just couldn’t get enough of waking up in the morning to the sound of the waves and spending my siestas in the hammock reading or just napping.

It was supposed to be my stopover to catch up on this blog and I was meant to get a lot of work done while there. Guess what? I didn’t. Something about Rincon del Mar’s slow pace strips you completely of the guilt of not doing anything. I loved it, and I miss Rincon greatly!

Practical Tips for Visiting Rincon del Mar, Colombia

What can I say? Rincon del Mar is my favorite destination in Colombia. It is a true beach paradise and even if you will have to detour a bit to visit it – I guarantee you will not regret it!

Where to next?

If you follow my Colombia itinerary you are probably heading towards Palomino! Maybe you are wondering if it’s still worth visiting. Then be sure to check out my Palomino post!

Cartagena is one of the must-see places to visit in Colombia and if you visiting for the first time – here is a breakdown of all the best places to stay in Cartagena for first-time travelers.

One of the must-visit places in Colombia is Tayrona National Park! And on the way be sure to stop for a few days in  Santa Marta. And while there you will definitely not wanna miss a trip to magical Minca!

In this post, you will learn how to visit both Punta Gallinas and Cabo de la Vela and why you should actually stay for a couple of days in Riohacha!

Oh and if you are planning on visiting the Colombia coffee region be sure to read my coffee region guide as well as guides to towns like Salento, Jardin, or Filandia.

Happy Colombia travels!

Pati