Family-friendly resort in Isla Baru.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(64 discussions)
Decameron Barú has one genuine and powerful selling point: Playa Blanca. The beach at Isla Barú is legitimately considered one of the best on Colombia's Caribbean coast, with white sand and clear water that earns the superlatives in promotional materials rather than contradicting them. The tropical forest setting surrounding the resort, the adjacency to snorkeling just offshore, and the sense of genuine remoteness from Cartagena's urban bustle give the property a character that most Caribbean all-inclusives in Cancun or Punta Cana simply cannot offer. Travelers who arrive knowing they're coming for the beach and the natural setting, and calibrate their dining and entertainment expectations accordingly, tend to leave with a positive overall impression.
The operational reality requires more direct acknowledgment than most resort summaries typically provide. The check-in payment disputes are documented in enough detail - including specific dollar amounts and descriptions of being denied property access - to represent a pattern rather than isolated incidents. Travelers booking this property should confirm in writing exactly what is included in their rate, have documentation of full payment accessible, and budget for potential on-arrival costs that may not appear in their original booking confirmation. The dining experience has structural issues: animals roaming restaurant areas, limited variety, and an evening schedule that closes pools and eliminates activities by 7pm, leaving guests in a rural location with nothing to do after dinner across multiple nights.
Decameron Barú suits travelers who are drawn to the Colombian Caribbean specifically, who understand that Colombia's all-inclusive infrastructure is not equivalent to Mexico or Dominican Republic standards, and who are visiting primarily for Playa Blanca's natural beauty rather than resort amenity depth. Budget travelers coming from Cartagena who want a dedicated beach experience separate from the colonial city will find the price-to-beach ratio compelling if they arrive with calibrated expectations. Travelers expecting Cancun-style operational efficiency, consistent food quality, or evening entertainment will find the property falls short on multiple counts.
Pros
- +Location on Isla Barú adjacent to Playa Blanca gives guests access to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Colombian Caribbean - the beach's white sand and clear water are genuinely exceptional and widely considered among the best on Colombia's coast
- +Surrounded by tropical forest on a peninsula that feels genuinely remote and disconnected from urban tourism infrastructure - the setting delivers a natural Caribbean immersion that resort-heavy destinations like Cancun and Punta Cana cannot replicate
- +Snorkeling directly off the end of Playa Blanca is accessible without excursion fees - coral and marine life just offshore makes in-water activity available without paying for day trips
- +366 rooms with oceanfront Deluxe Plus options available - guests who book the oceanfront category get direct sea views that validate the remote location setting
- +Multiple pools on property give guests pool options beyond the beach, with a setting that integrates the tropical forest surroundings in a way that feels distinctly Colombian rather than generic resort design
- +Strong value proposition for travelers coming from Cartagena who want a dedicated beach resort stay separate from the city experience - the pricing is lower than comparable Caribbean destinations in Mexico or Dominican Republic
- +Playa Puntilla beach access in addition to main beach gives guests two distinct beach environments within the resort's footprint
- +Staff hospitality earns warm mentions in positive reviews - individual staff interactions are praised for genuine friendliness in a way that feels regionally authentic rather than scripted
Cons
- −Check-in payment disputes are the most alarming complaint category - multiple guests report being required to pay significant additional charges at arrival despite prepaid bookings, with some guests describing being denied access until paying thousands of dollars not reflected in their reservation
- −Dining animals on property including street dogs, cats, and other animals freely roaming restaurant areas have been reported, with management described as unresponsive to guest concerns about this hygiene situation
- −Food quality across both buffet and specialty restaurants is described as mediocre, with limited variety, poor wine selection, and average preparation quality that doesn't match the premium pricing of the all-inclusive rate
- −No activities after 7pm and pool closure in the evening leaves guests with nothing to do after dinner - for a week-long stay, multiple dead evenings become a significant experience gap
- −The 75-minute journey from Cartagena to the resort via a combination of boat and road creates a logistical complexity that some travelers find more exhausting than the remote island promise justifies
- −Beach water entry is very rocky at the main swimming sections, requiring water shoes for comfortable access - this practical issue diminishes the 'beautiful beach' promise for guests who arrive without appropriate footwear
- −No tropical fruit variety in the dining despite being in Colombia, which has extraordinary fruit diversity - guests specifically note this as a missed opportunity that exposes limited kitchen sourcing ambitions
- −Property is isolated enough that leaving for restaurants, activities, or independent exploration is logistically difficult, making any food or entertainment dissatisfaction particularly hard to escape during the stay
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“Big beautiful resort. The facilities are well laid out at this spectacular location. We selected superior accommodations and it was well worth it. Specialty restaurants every night. The food at the buffet and the restaurants were excellent and we ar...”
“The Spa personnel were great. The buffet manager Ever was outstanding. He help make our stay a pleasure and mi wife enjoyed her birthday at the resort. The food is great great view from the hotel, great food at the buffet and specialty restaurants an...”