Las Islas

The wildlife was one of my favorite parts of our four nights at Las Islas. We loved seeing all the birds and animals around the resort, especially the tiny monkey on the private island, Isleta, that we befriended. We also appreciated the hotel’s efforts to be more sustainable. Our treetop bungalow was spacious and clean, with a large roof deck and jacuzzi, plus seating and hammocks on the ground level. Some of the other bungalows have private pools. The staff were exceptionally friendly, and several remembered our names and food preferences soon after we arrived. There was plenty to do, from water sports and excursions to cooking classes. We tried the telescope for stargazing and took the bioluminescent snorkel tour. There are several pools and lounging spots, lots of grounds to explore on foot or by bike, golf cart rides for anyone who prefers not to walk, and a fitness center open 24/7. The food was excellent too. The complimentary breakfast buffet had a huge selection, and lunch and dinner menus covered local and international dishes. Everything we tried was delicious, and there was plenty more we wanted to order. We also liked that dinner was served late, so we could make the most of our days. We were very happy with our visit and would highly recommend Las Islas for a beautiful mix of adventure and relaxation.

The people here were so friendly and always ready to chat or help. I left feeling relaxed and would definitely come back. We took one of the boats to the private island on our last day, which was really easy, and spent most of the day there. Our bungalow was huge, with a sunny deck, loungers looking out over the jungle and our own clean, easy-to-use jacuzzi. They left bicycles at the cabin so we could ride around the resort, though we could also call for a golf cart. We had a lovely lunch and fresh drinks at a restaurant overlooking the blue turquoise water. The sand was light and the beach very clean, so it was a great day. At the clubhouse we had dinner and watched the stars through a telescope, which I’d never done before. The pumpkin ravioli was delicious, and you have to try the lavacake. Breakfast exceeded what I expected, with a fresh waffle maker, exotic fruits, an omelet station, salmon, Italian cold cuts, lots of French cheeses, and my favorite, the fried Colombian yucatan snacks. There was so much I wanted to try.

We had a wonderful stay at Las Islas Baru over Christmas 2025 and would definitely consider coming back. The rooms were spacious and clean, the beaches were clean, and the snorkeling and other activities were world class and fun. The resort is spread out, but the bicycle rides between different areas were well organized. Staff were extraordinarily friendly. The restaurants had a good range of tasty food, and breakfast stood out for its fruit and local dishes. A few things could be better. Hotel transportation to and from Cartagena was ridiculously expensive by any measure. It was genuinely cheaper to arrange an Uber or private driver in the same kind of car, for less than half what Las Islas quoted, even before tax. As a non-Spanish speaker, I also struggled with many interactions, especially bookings, food orders and arranging outings, despite how friendly and forthcoming the staff were. Room service and restaurant waits felt very long, and the organization could have run more smoothly even with plenty of staff. Still, it was an incredible experience and a must try in Colombia.

If you’re looking to get away from the rat race and, cheesy as it sounds, become one with nature, this is a great place. It’s peaceful, with ocean sounds, birdsong and a beautiful view when you wake up. The resort is large, with several restaurants and an island you can reach by boat that feels like a little excursion. You can walk around or call for a golf cart, shout-out to Ricardo. If iguanas or monkeys make you nervous, I’d suggest the cart. An iguana dropped from the branches above me during a walk, and my soul nearly left my body. I arrived late at night and ordered room service. It came pretty quickly. The burger patty could’ve used more seasoning, but I liked the salty, crisp fries. The dinner I had at Las Guacas more than made up for the burger, with really flavorful food and large portions. I’m an English speaker, and most staff spoke Spanish, but they were still warm and helpful. We were a few minutes late for breakfast and they still accommodated us, which showed flexibility and understanding. The dining area is surrounded by the sea, and birds often stop by. I’d recommend this hotel to people who want some alone time or to couples.