Tolu is a small Colombian beach town that gets very few visitors
year round but fills up with Colombian vacationers during local
holidays. However the town has yet to be discovered by foreigners
and this adds somewhat to its charm. Accommodation is plentiful
and cheap (outside holiday periods). There are several discos with
a very unique local character and many restaurants specializing in
sea-food and guys selling shrimp cocktails along the boulevard. Its
a great place to chill out for a few days. There are islands to visit
and a few mud volcanos in the area. Its a good stopoff on the way
to Medellin from Cartagena or on the way to Mompos from
Cartagena.
year round but fills up with Colombian vacationers during local
holidays. However the town has yet to be discovered by foreigners
and this adds somewhat to its charm. Accommodation is plentiful
and cheap (outside holiday periods). There are several discos with
a very unique local character and many restaurants specializing in
sea-food and guys selling shrimp cocktails along the boulevard. Its
a great place to chill out for a few days. There are islands to visit
and a few mud volcanos in the area. Its a good stopoff on the way
to Medellin from Cartagena or on the way to Mompos from
Cartagena.
For a thousand or two pesos you can just about go anywhere in Tolu on
one of these (above left) ecologically friendly cycle-taxis. They are the
pride of there owners and manyare decked out with car stereo systems.
At night on the weekends its often a competition who can play theres the
loudest.
one of these (above left) ecologically friendly cycle-taxis. They are the
pride of there owners and manyare decked out with car stereo systems.
At night on the weekends its often a competition who can play theres the
loudest.
Perhaps it is best to sign up with a tour, they leave most days (always on the weekends) at 8.30am.The tour will visit several islands and cost 40.000
pesos or more. You should be back by 4pm. There are also options to stay on the islands. They range from slinging a hammock up somewhere to
$100 a night exclusive cabanas on private islands. Perhaps one of the most interesting islands is Islote, where 1500 people are crowded onto the
smallest of islands. It has no beaches, just people everywhere. Lots of women and loads of kids. No need to guess to work out what these guys do
all day!
pesos or more. You should be back by 4pm. There are also options to stay on the islands. They range from slinging a hammock up somewhere to
$100 a night exclusive cabanas on private islands. Perhaps one of the most interesting islands is Islote, where 1500 people are crowded onto the
smallest of islands. It has no beaches, just people everywhere. Lots of women and loads of kids. No need to guess to work out what these guys do
all day!
As i said Tolu is pretty easy to get to. Three hours west of Cartagena there are several buses a day or more. Also you can get a taxi colectivo from
the Cartagena bus station for a little more money. From Tolu there are also up to a dozen or so direct buses a day to Medellin. You should not pay
more than 60.000 pesos for this trip. It takes ten hours and goes through Monteria. From Tolu it is one hour south to Sincelejo. From there you can
go to Magangue and Mompox. To get to Arboletes from Tolu take the bus to Monteria(2 hours) then take a bus north to Arboletes.
the Cartagena bus station for a little more money. From Tolu there are also up to a dozen or so direct buses a day to Medellin. You should not pay
more than 60.000 pesos for this trip. It takes ten hours and goes through Monteria. From Tolu it is one hour south to Sincelejo. From there you can
go to Magangue and Mompox. To get to Arboletes from Tolu take the bus to Monteria(2 hours) then take a bus north to Arboletes.
Tolu
Club Nautico/Mar Adentro-a very cheap clean good option is this place right opposite a litle beach on the shorefront and only three blocks from
the central plaza. Bedrooms come with television and bathroom and cost only 12,000 pesos out of tourist high season. A bargain! They can also
arrange tours to the islands. Direction : Av La Playa No. 11-36 Tel (5) 2885481
El Turista-this place is even cheaper than its nextdoor neighbour (the Club Nautico) above. You may be able to get a room out of peak season for
only 8,000 pesos.
Villa Babilla (best option)- German/ Colombian option only two blocks from the beach. Very well organized and the best place to go for information
on the many things to do in and around Tolu.
Isla Mucura-This island can be reached from Tolu. On the island there is an option to stay at some cabanas run by a family. They will also cook for
you and you have a nice little place right on the beach on a gorgeous island. The cabanas are called Dalandia and cost around 15,000 pesos a
night. Club 100 is another option on Isla Mucura. Again ask Laffi at the hostel he will help you out.
Club Nautico/Mar Adentro-a very cheap clean good option is this place right opposite a litle beach on the shorefront and only three blocks from
the central plaza. Bedrooms come with television and bathroom and cost only 12,000 pesos out of tourist high season. A bargain! They can also
arrange tours to the islands. Direction : Av La Playa No. 11-36 Tel (5) 2885481
El Turista-this place is even cheaper than its nextdoor neighbour (the Club Nautico) above. You may be able to get a room out of peak season for
only 8,000 pesos.
Villa Babilla (best option)- German/ Colombian option only two blocks from the beach. Very well organized and the best place to go for information
on the many things to do in and around Tolu.
Isla Mucura-This island can be reached from Tolu. On the island there is an option to stay at some cabanas run by a family. They will also cook for
you and you have a nice little place right on the beach on a gorgeous island. The cabanas are called Dalandia and cost around 15,000 pesos a
night. Club 100 is another option on Isla Mucura. Again ask Laffi at the hostel he will help you out.
Where to stay
Getting there and away
| Tolu & las islas de San Bernado |
Perhaps the best thing about Tolu is its proximity to the Islas de San Bernado. Similar to the Islas de Rosario off Cartagena these islands get very
very few foreigners. There are several islands of interest. Most trips to the islands go on weekends when there are more Colombian tourists
very few foreigners. There are several islands of interest. Most trips to the islands go on weekends when there are more Colombian tourists
