Rating7.1
Rating6.4
Rating8.0Above Average
Based on 1.8k reviews
Pristine Beaches & Pools
Guests consistently laud the stunning white sand beaches and the multiple, clean pools, providing ample relaxation and recreation options.
Impeccable Cleanliness
The resort receives widespread praise for the cleanliness of its rooms, facilities, and overall grounds, contributing to a comfortable stay.
Friendly & Attentive Staff
Many visitors highlight the warm, welcoming, and helpful nature of the staff, enhancing the overall guest experience.
Varied Buffet Dining
The main buffet offers a good variety of constantly changing options for all meals, satisfying many guests' culinary preferences.
Relaxing Natural Ambiance
The resort's tropical setting, with exotic lagoons and natural wildlife, creates a serene and ideal atmosphere for disconnecting and unwinding.
Dining & Drink Quality
While the buffet is good, à la carte restaurants can be average, and cocktails are often described as premixed and underwhelming.
Reservation Challenges
Guests frequently report difficulties in securing reservations for à la carte restaurants, often requiring early morning queuing.
Inconsistent Service & Wi-Fi
Some staff provide inconsistent information or lack training in problem-solving, and Wi-Fi can be spotty or paid for, impacting convenience.
Access & Mobility
The final stretch of road to the resort is unpaved and bumpy, and the resort's multi-level design lacks elevators, posing challenges for guests with mobility issues.
Limited Evening Entertainment
After dinner, the resort reportedly offers few organized activities, and pools/beach close early, leading to a quieter evening experience.
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Hall of Fame
Certified Excellence (5 consecutive years)
TripAdvisor
Certificate of Excellence
TripAdvisor
Eco-Certified Property
Various
SGS Hospitality Experience
SGS
Decameron Barú opened in 2010 on the Barú peninsula — a protected strip of land south of Cartagena connected to the mainland by a causeway and reached via a final segment of unpaved road. The resort's cliffside position means rooms are spread across different elevations, many with sea or lagoon views, and the property integrates with the mangrove and coastal ecosystem rather than sitting on a flat beach lot. That integration is the appeal and the inconvenience: the property is visually interesting, but there are no elevators, and the terrain requires climbing stairs between areas.
The access road is unpaved for the final stretch — bumpy, dusty in dry season, and requires 75–90 minutes from Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena. This is not a subtle issue; guests who prioritize easy logistics should know it going in. The trade-off is genuine seclusion: Barú is not overdeveloped, and the beaches — Playa Blanca and the private Playa Puntilla — are among the most consistently praised on Colombia's Caribbean coast.
The all-inclusive format covers all buffet and à la carte meals (three specialty restaurants for dinner), standard domestic and some imported alcohol, non-motorized water sports, daily activities, gym access, and nightly entertainment. The buffet (Portonao) receives consistently good reviews; the à la carte restaurants are mixed — the seafood venue is the most praised of the three. Cocktails are frequently described as premixed and watered-down — guests who care about drink quality should manage expectations specifically on this point.
The upgrade path is the All Inclusive Plus tier: it adds Wi-Fi (not included in standard), premium beverages, a private restaurant for breakfast and lunch, exclusive pool and lounge access, and priority reservations at the à la carte venues. If Wi-Fi matters for your stay, the All Inclusive Plus package is effectively required since standard room Wi-Fi is not included.
Practically: 366 rooms across three categories (Standard 323 sq ft, Standard Plus 441 sq ft, Ocean Front Plus 344 sq ft). No elevators, multiple staircases, cliffside terrain. Water shoes recommended for ocean entry in some areas due to rocky approaches.