Aura Hotel Barú

We loved the pool, and the beach is just as good. Kayaks and paddle boards are free to use, so you can get out and enjoy the area. The place is clean and comfortable, and the staff are really friendly and attentive. There were also very few day visitors compared with other resorts, so it didn’t feel crowded with people. Such a relaxing place.

The setting is amazing, with a breathtaking view, and the whole team made us feel at home. Lordy at reception kept everything organized and was there whenever we needed help or had a question, day or evening. Manuel and Kevin made the atmosphere feel like family, and Omar regularly checked that we were happy with the service. Everyone was personable and professional, and went out of their way to make our stay memorable. I’ll definitely come back and recommend this beautiful place.

We always make time for lunch here when we rent a private boat from Boats4U on trips from Cartagena Bolívar Colombia, cruising the Caribbean islands, beaches, and floating bars. The service is attentive without hovering, and the food is beautifully prepared and presented. Andes, our guide, recommended the shrimp and black-eyed pea rice for $87,000 Colombian pesos, or $23.50 USD. The coconut-seasoned apastelado rice, a local risotto, came with cilantro, chives, shrimp, white clams, and black-eyed peas. Outstanding. My son said his handmade-looking, moist cheeseburger was the best he’d ever had. My wife’s whole fresh red snapper was fried perfectly and came with coconut rice, crispy patacones, and salad. I tried it, and it was delicious. My daughter had the fried catch of the day, sea bass, for about $25 USD, with patacón, coconut rice, and salad. That was delicious too, including the fried plantain. We finished with a variety of non-alcoholic tropical mocktails.

The pool and sunbeds make for a really pleasant area, and the beach is okay. The hotel itself is nice to stay at, but a few things could be better. It’d be great to have a kettle, coffee and tea, and a working hairdryer in every room. A little shop would help with personal care items, cigarettes, swimwear, and other basics. The bar closes early, and there’s nothing open nearby, so a special event on weekends would be nice. Orders can take a while, but we are in a country called “tranquillo” 😅. Staff are kind, though a bit more professionalism would help. The food and cocktail menus are very good. Special thanks to Richard, he’d make a great entertainment manager.