Day pass or overnight on Isla Múcura: which is right for you?

A few hours of beach and lunch by the sea, or a full night on the island with the sunset included. Choosing between a day pass and an overnight stay on Isla Múcura comes down to how much time you have, where you’re leaving from and what you want to experience.

In this guide we compare both options with hard facts: boat schedules, what each one includes, the costs you need to add up and which kind of traveler each plan suits best.

Day pass or a night on the island: the difference at a glance

	Day pass	Overnight stay
Time on the island	About 5 hours	From midday until the next morning, or longer
Arrival on the island	9:00 a.m.	Around 11:00 a.m. from Cartagena or 1:00 p.m. from Tolú
Return	2:00 p.m. to Cartagena or 2:45 p.m. to Tolú	The next day or at the end of your stay
Food	Premium lunch included	Optional meal plan or à la carte
Sunset and night on the island	No	Yes
Bioluminescent plankton night tour	No	Yes, booked separately
Water activities	Paid separately	Paid separately
Booking	Via WhatsApp	On the hotel’s booking engine

What a day pass on Isla Múcura looks like

The day pass on Isla Múcura is designed for anyone who wants to try the island in a single day. The boat arrives early, you spend the morning and lunch on the hotel’s private beach, and you head back in the early afternoon.

It includes round-trip speedboat transport, an alcohol-free welcome cocktail, lunch, towels and the use of sun loungers, rocking chairs and Balinese beds on the beach. You can also use the social and games areas, and order at Las Palmas Restaurant or Brisas Bar.

Day pass from Cartagena

The Cartagena departure is the earliest: check-in at the dock is at 6:00 a.m. and the boat leaves at 7:00 a.m. You reach the hotel at 9:00 a.m. and the return boat leaves at 2:00 p.m.

This day pass runs with groups of at least 14 people on scheduled dates. If you’re traveling as a couple or a small group, message the hotel to join an existing departure.

Day pass from Tolú

From Tolú the ride is shorter and there’s no group minimum, so you can go alone or as a couple. Check-in at the dock is at 7:45 a.m., the boat leaves at 8:00 a.m. and arrives at the hotel at 9:00 a.m. The return leaves at 2:45 p.m.

If you’re already in the archipelago

If you get there on your own or are staying on a nearby island, there’s a day pass without transport that includes the private beach, lunch, a welcome cocktail, towels and access to the common areas.

What you only experience if you stay the night

A day pass shows you the beach. A night shows you the island. These are the experiences you miss if you head back at 2:00 p.m.:

• Sunset: the sun goes down over the sea, and the best spots to watch it are the shoreline or Brisas Bar.
• The bioluminescent plankton tour: it leaves at night and takes you to water that glows with every movement. Moonless nights put on the best show.
• The starry sky: there’s almost no light pollution on the island.
• A quiet morning: early on, the sea is calmer and the beach is nearly empty. It’s the best time for kayaking or paddleboarding.
• Hotel activities: the gym is open from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and guests can join eco walks, beach volleyball, dance classes, karaoke and bingo. Kids have Múcura Kids.

Staying overnight also gives you time to book experiences that feel rushed on a day pass, such as snorkeling at the Bajo Chara reef or the afternoon sailboat ride.

Day pass

• From Cartagena: COP 420,000 including the round-trip boat.
• From Tolú: COP 310,000 including the round-trip boat.
• Without transport: COP 220,000.
• National Park entry fee: COP 31,500, paid once at the dock.

Overnight stay

• Accommodation: from COP 414,000 per night, depending on the room type and season. Check the rates for each option.
• Boat from Cartagena: COP 320,000 round trip.
• Boat from Tolú: COP 180,000 round trip.
• National Park entry fee: COP 31,500, paid once.
• Food: an optional meal plan at COP 249,000 per person per day with breakfast, lunch and dinner, or à la carte. Children aged 0 to 8 don’t pay for the meal plan if it’s booked together with the stay.

The total changes depending on how many of you travel and where you leave from. A couple leaving from Tolú, for example, pays less for the boat than one leaving from Cartagena, and the difference grows over several nights.

Who each option is for

A day pass suits you if:

• You’re passing through Cartagena or Tolú and only have one free day.
• You want to see the island before deciding whether to come back and stay.
• You’re traveling in a large group and want a beach day with lunch sorted.
• You don’t mind an early start.

Staying overnight suits you if:

• You want the sunset, the night sky or the plankton tour.
• You’re traveling as a couple and want to rest without a boat to catch.
• You’re traveling with kids and would rather not take two boat rides in one day.
• You’re coming from another city: after a flight and a road transfer, heading back the same day is exhausting.

If you choose to stay, our accommodations page shows the hotel’s 13 room types, from garden options for two to villas with a private pool for families.

Frequently asked questions about a day pass or overnight on Isla Múcura

How many hours do you spend on the island with the day pass?

About 5 hours. From Cartagena you arrive at 9:00 a.m. and leave at 2:00 p.m.; from Tolú you arrive at 9:00 a.m. and leave at 2:45 p.m.

Can you do the plankton tour on a day pass?

No. The tour leaves at night and the day pass heads back in the early afternoon. To experience it, you need to stay at least one night on the island.

Is the park fee included in the day pass?

No. The National Park entry fee is COP 31,500 per person and is paid once at the dock, both for the day pass and for an overnight stay.

Choose how to experience Isla Múcura

If you only have one day, the day pass gives you beach, lunch and turquoise water with no hassle. If you can stay, the night gives you what the day pass leaves out: the sunset, the calm of the morning and a sea that glows in the dark.

Message us on WhatsApp to book your day pass, or check availability for your stay on the hotel’s official booking engine.