Rincón del Mar is one of the most authentic destinations on the Colombian Caribbean coast, a hidden gem where you’ll find a paradise of stunning natural beauty, with long stretches of white sand beaches and impressive biodiversity reflected in its mangroves, forests, and coral reefs.
In this travel guide, based on our own experience, we’ll show you where Rincón del Mar is located and how to get there from Cartagena de Indias, Bogotá, and Medellín. Plus, we’ll share what to do, the best beachfront hotels, and some helpful tips.
Let’s get started!
Where is Rincón del Mar, Colombia
Rincón del Mar is a small village that belongs to the municipality of San Onofre in the department of Sucre. It is located on the Caribbean coast in northern Colombia, about 120 kilometers from Cartagena de Indias, meaning it’s just a 2-hour drive away.
This coastal town is known for its peaceful beaches and its authentic, laid-back atmosphere. We consider it one of the 10 best places to visit in the Colombian Caribbean due to its tranquil vibe, beautiful beaches, and local community that is mainly dedicated to artisanal fishing and tourism.
Recommended: Top things to do in Cartagena de Indias
How to Get to Rincón del Mar
How to get to Rincón del Mar from Cartagena de Indias: Head to the Cartagena Bus Terminal and take a bus to San Onofre, which takes about 2 hours. Once in San Onofre, you can take a motorcycle taxi that will take you to the beaches of Rincón del Mar in 30 minutes.
To get to Rincón del Mar from Medellín, or Bogotá, you can take a flight to Cartagena, the closest airport to Rincón del Mar, and then continue the trip by road. There are also some bus routes from Medellín or Bogotá to San Onofre, but the overland trip takes between 10 and 15 hours.
If you’re wondering how to get to Rincón del Mar from Coveñas, Tolú, or Montería, the easiest and most affordable way is to take a bus to San Onofre and then continue by motorcycle taxi. It’s also worth mentioning that from Tolú and Coveñas, it’s possible to catch a boat that will take you directly in Rincón del Mar.
✈️ Find cheap flights from Bogotá to Cartagena
✈️ Cheap tickets from Medellín
How to Find Last-Minute Cheap Flights? While it is important to plan your trip in advance, we understand that it’s not always possible. So, if you are looking for affordable tickets to travel soon and save some money, we recommend using Skyscanner.
Skyscanner.com is a tool that allows you to compare flights from different airlines to find the best rates. To use it, click here, enter the departure and destination cities, and the travel date. With this information, it will search for the most affordable options, and you can choose based on price or layovers.
Is it safe to buy flights on Skyscanner? It depends. After selecting a flight, you’ll see a list of links from various airlines and agencies. The safest way is to purchase your tickets through the airline´s link. If you decide to buy from an agency, you should be a bit more cautious.
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Hotels in Rincón del Mar
In Rincón del Mar, you’ll find a variety of accommodations ranging from hostels and native lodges to hotels and cabins. In our opinion, the best of all is Dos Aguas Lodge, a beautiful lodging built with local materials by native artisans, located beachfront between the Caribbean Sea and the mangroves.
At Dos Aguas Lodge, you can relax and have a sustainable travel experience. You’ll be able to explore mangroves, organic farms, and the islands of Múcura and Tintipán. You can also participate in ancestral cooking workshops, turban classes, enjoy yoga lessons, and practice stand-up paddleboarding at sunrise.
Other hotels we recommend in Rincón del Mar, Sucre: Hostel Blue Sea, Hostel Beach House, Mamallena Beachside, Hostal Casa en la Ciénaga, Merakai Hostel, Hotel Casa Sattva, and Eco-Camping Mango Feliz.
Tips for Booking Good, Cheap, and Cheerful Accommodation: If you wait until the last minute, it’s very likely that the best and most economical accommodations will already be booked, and you’ll have to settle for what is available.
Booking.com is our preferred website for booking accommodations without having to pay in advance. If you click here, you can get a discount of 15% or more. After entering your destination and travel date, you can filter by price, location, accommodation type, and read reviews from other travelers.
By frequently booking through Booking.com, you can access exclusive discounts, enjoy free breakfasts, and receive better rooms at no additional cost. This will help you secure more economical rates and additional benefits that will allow you to save on your trip.
Click here to book accommodation with a discount of 15% or more!
Best Things to Do in Rincón del Mar, Colombia
1. Enjoy the Best Beaches of San Onofre
Rincón del Mar is home to some of the best beaches in Colombia. This peaceful white-sand beach has managed to stay away from mass tourism, so along its length, you’ll find quiet spots where you can lay out a towel and enjoy the sun, the gentle waves, and the Caribbean breeze.
Additionally, on the beach at Rincón del Mar, you’ll find small local bars and restaurants where you can enjoy cocktails, and dishes made with regional ingredients. We recommend trying the cocadas and fried fish, which are specialties of the authentic Caribbean cuisine.
Remember, if you’re looking for a beachfront hotel in Rincón del Mar, you can stay at Dos Aguas Lodge. Its location is excellent because, in addition to being literally on the beach, the mangroves are behind it, along with a yoga area perfect for greeting the sun at dawn.
Click here to find your ideal accommodation!
Recommended: Playa Blanca Day Trip from Cartagena
Travel Tip: If you want to explore Cartagena’s historic center but aren’t sure where to start, you can join this free, tip-based tour that runs daily. It lasts 2.5 hours and includes a guided walk through the most fascinating plazas, streets, and sights of the Walled City.
Booking the free walking tour in Cartagena is super easy! Just click this link, choose the date and time that works for you, and indicate how many people are coming along. The free tour is available every day at 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Secure your spot for the free tour in Cartagena today!
2. Learn to Dive in Rincón del Mar
Now that you know how to get to Rincón del Mar, it’s time to mention that this destination is also an excellent place to learn how to dive. Just off its coast is the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park, which houses various marine trails where you can admire the beauty of one of the Caribbean’s most important coral reefs.
If you are already a certified diver, Rincón del Mar offers dive centers where you can plan and carry out your next dives. You will have the support and expertise of professional divers who will guide you and provide the necessary equipment to explore the fascinating marine life of the San Bernardo Archipelago.
Tip: If you’re planning to travel to Colombia from abroad, with this Holafly eSIM, you’ll have unlimited data and keep your number for calls and WhatsApp without worrying about expensive roaming fees. Also, remember to get international medical insurance.
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Black Friday: Get your travel insurance here with 15% OFF!
Tip: Save time and money by booking on platforms like GuruWalk, Civitatis, or Denomades. We recommend these sites because, in addition to being secure, they allow you to compare prices, read reviews from other travelers, learn about the itineraries in detail, and know exactly what each tour includes.
GuruWalk: Exclusively for free walking tours worldwide. Civitatis: Offers a wide variety of tours, guided visits, and excursions in hundreds of destinations. Denomades: Specializes in nature and adventure activities in Latin America.
On these platforms, you can book at very competitive prices, sometimes even better than at the destination! Plus, they offer a great variety of payment methods and, in many cases, have flexible cancellation policies that allow you to get a refund up to 24 hours before the activity starts.
Discover your next free tour on GuruWalk
Check out available activities on Civitatis
Book the best tours in Latin America on Denomades
3. Visit Isla Múcura and Tintipán
If your main goal for your vacation in Rincón del Mar is to enjoy paradise-like beaches and the authentic Caribbean vibe, you’ll be delighted to know that from this charming town you can take a boat to the Rosario Islands, specifically to Isla Múcura and Tintipán.
In our opinion, Múcura and Tintipán are among the most beautiful islands in Colombia. Along with offering white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters perfect for relaxation, they provide a wide range of activities such as kayaking, diving, and observing bioluminescent plankton.
Moreover, on the way to Múcura and Tintipán, most public boats make a stop at Santa Cruz del Islote, considered the most densely populated island in the world. This gives you the opportunity to visit a very peculiar island and learn more about the lifestyle of its inhabitants.
If you wish to spend the night on any of these islands, here are some recommended accommodations: On Isla Múcura: Hotel Isla Mucura, Múcura Club Hotel, and Dahlandia. On Tintipán: Santa Lova Eco-hostel, Hotel Puntanorte, Sal Si Puedes, El Cocotal, El Embrujo, Medusa Hostel, and Casa Tinti.
Don’t miss out—book your room today!
Recommended: 5-Stop Rosario Islands Tour with Lunch & Entries
How to book the catamaran tour of the Rosario Islands? It’s very easy and safe! You just need to click on this link to see the tour price, what’s included, and the details of the experience. Then, choose your desired date, the number of passengers, and confirm availability before paying online.
The catamaran tour of the Rosario Islands starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends around 5:00 p.m. The tour includes a welcome drink made with fresh fruit, beverages such as juices, lemonade, and mineral water, a mid-morning snack, lunch, snorkeling equipment rental, and entrance to the national park.
See the tour price and details now
4. Navigate through the mangroves of Rincón del Mar
One of the best things to do in Rincón del Mar is to take a canoe ride through the mangrove channels that stretch along the town’s marsh. During this tour, you’ll have the chance to spot various species of birds and mollusks, as well as walk through the tropical dry forest in search of sloths.
During this ride, you will be accompanied by guides from environmental associations committed to preserving the natural surroundings. Over the years, these community associations have played a crucial role in cleaning up the marsh and have found ecotourism to be a powerful conservation tool.
Tips for wildlife watching: The ideal times for spotting are dawn and dusk, as animals are more active during those hours. Wear colors that blend with the environment, keep quiet, and avoid feeding the animals to not alter their behavior. Also, make sure to bring the right equipment, such as binoculars and a camera.
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✈️ Find flights to Cartagena de Indias
Are you planning to travel abroad? When planning an international trip, we tend to focus on choosing destinations, accommodations, and tours, but we forget that we can get sick, have an accident, be robbed, or need to return home earlier than expected due to a family member’s hospitalization.
If you want to travel with peace of mind and avoid worrying about excessive medical expenses or unexpected logistical issues, it’s essential to purchase international travel insurance. Moreover, in many Latin American and European countries, having travel insurance is mandatory to enter.
With this international insurance, you’ll have extensive coverage and 24/7 assistance via phone, email, or WhatsApp. To purchase the insurance, click here, choose the start date of your trip and its duration. The insurance is valid for any destination and can be purchased up to 72 hours before the departure date.
Black Friday: Click here to purchase the insurance and get a 15% OFF!
5. Enjoy the best sunsets and sunrises in the Colombian Caribbean
It would be impossible to conclude this list of activities in Rincón del Mar without mentioning one of our favorite pastimes: witnessing the sunset. The beaches of this destination are perfect for this, as you can enjoy the sunset while sitting on the sand, lounging in a hammock, or walking barefoot.
Additionally, if you feel a special connection with the sun, we recommend spending the night at Dos Aguas Lodge. Wake up early and head to the hotel’s lookout point to enjoy the sunrise while practicing yoga. Watching how the first rays of sunlight awaken the fauna of the mangrove is truly a magical experience.
What is the best time to travel to Rincón del Mar? Any time of year is perfect to visit Rincón del Mar! However, keep in mind that October is generally the rainiest month. If you plan to travel during weekends, New Year’s, or Holy Week, it is highly recommended to book your accommodation in advance.
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Tips for Visiting Rincón del Mar in Colombia
Keep in mind that the climate in Rincón del Mar, like most of the Colombian Caribbean coast, is warm and tropical year-round, with high humidity and temperatures ranging between 25°C and 30°C. During your trip, remember to bring sunscreen and dry bags to protect your gear from water and humidity.
Rincón del Mar is an authentic place that needs your support to maintain its essence and survive the negative impacts of mass tourism. It is important to be aware of potential abuses and thoughtless practices that can arise from the tourism industry and to act responsibly during your visit.
So during your stay, it is crucial to reduce water consumption, as it is a scarce resource. Additionally, try to generate as little waste as possible. Embracing the local culture and supporting the local economy is essential. In this way, both the environment and the community will benefit from your visit.
Other travel guides that may be very helpful to you:
Tayrona National Park: Hotels, Beaches, and Entrances
Things to Do in Santa Marta, Colombia: Best Places to Visit
Caño Cristales: Where is it and how to get there
Some travel packages that may interest you:
Recommended tour: Ciudad Perdida from Santa Marta - 4 days / 3 nights
This 4-day trip to Ciudad Perdida includes 4x4 transportation from Santa Marta. We can pick you up in the historic center, El Rodadero, Taganga, or downtown Minca, and drop you off at the entrance of Tayrona on the way back.
The tour also includes accommodation in local campesino and indigenous camps, all meals, hydration, a bilingual guide (English and Spanish), a guided tour, entrance fees, and medical assistance insurance.
Guaranteed departures every day!
Discounted price per person: $1,800,000 COP
Sale valid for travel until December 31, 2024. After that, the regular rate will be $2,150,000 COP.
Recommended Tour: La Guajira, Cabo de la Vela, and Punta Gallinas - 3 days / 2 nights
On this tour, you will visit Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas, have time to swim at the beaches of Mayapo, Punta Arcoiris, and Pilón de Azúcar, explore the Taroa dunes desert, the lighthouses, and enjoy the viewpoints of Bahía Honda and Bahía Portete.
The trip starts in the city of Riohacha at 8 a.m. and the package includes transportation in a 4x4 vehicle, accommodation in a typical ranchería, full meals, activities, and travel insurance.
Trip available every day from Riohacha!
Price per person from: $832,000 COP
We hope you enjoyed this travel guide! If you found our information helpful, consider supporting our work by booking accommodations, tours, and services we recommend, or directly through the following affiliate links:
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Civitatis.com: Guided tours and excursions
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Bookaway.com: Bus, ferry, and train tickets
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