Isla Tintipán

Where to stay

Tintipán is a small coral island in the San Bernardo Archipelago with no roads or internal districts; all hostels and lodgings cluster along the single beachfront strip where boats dock. Staying here means everything is within a short walk of the water, but there are no shops or restaurants beyond what your hostel provides, so you are entirely dependent on your accommodation for food and supplies.

Getting around

• Most boats to the San Bernardo islands depart from Tolú rather than Cartagena, as Tolú sits closer to the archipelago. Book your transfer through a local agent in Tolú to save time and money compared to the longer, more expensive Cartagena tours.
• Bring enough cash for your entire stay. There are no ATMs on the island, and food and drink prices are significantly higher than on the mainland since everything must be shipped in. Stock up on snacks in Tolú before you depart.
• The island sits inside the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park. Snorkeling and swimming are the main activities, and the coral reefs are best explored with a local guide who knows the safe spots and tide patterns.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest during the rainy season from May to November, when fewer tourists visit the Caribbean coast. Prices peak from December through April, the dry season, and especially around Semana Santa and the December-January holiday period when domestic travelers flood the beach islands.