Playa La Barra is a small fishing village located in Juanchaco, Colombia. This beach town can get very busy during the summer months due to its proximity to Cartagena and more popular beaches like Rosario, which makes it ideal for people who just want somewhere quiet to relax.
There’s a lot to say about Playa La Barra
Playa La Barra is a beach town located in Juanchaco, a sleepy fishing village on Colombia’s northern coast. The town itself is off the beaten path and pretty quiet during the week, but it gets busy during the weekends when people come from nearby cities to relax and party. If you want to get away from it all and experience some of Colombia’s best beaches without being bothered by crowds or loud music, Playa La Barra is your place.
- The beach: The sand here is like sugar—soft and powdery white—and there are no rocks or sea grasses that will scrape your feet as you walk along the shoreline. It’s ideal for walking barefoot or playing sand volleyball with friends (or strangers). There are also some small hills where you can climb up to see a panoramic view of Juanchaco Bay if you want something more than plain old tanning time (though tanning is fun too).
- Activities: You can do a lot more than just sunbathe at this beach! There are plenty of activities available including kayaking through mangrove forests, volley ball tournaments on the sand, swimming in natural pools surrounded by cliffs along the shoreline, going deep sea fishing aboard larger boats that have been converted into private charter boats… there’s even snorkeling opportunities if those sound interesting!
FAQ
What is the best time of year to visit?
The best time to visit Juanchaco is from December through April, when you’re likely to get some sunshine and wind. If you want less sun and more rain, then May through November are better.
How do I get there?
You can fly directly into Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG) or Medellín’s José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), both of which are connected by direct flights from major cities across North America, Europe, and South America. Once in Colombia you’ll need to drive about two hours south of Bogota on Highway No. 1 until you reach the town of Santa Marta—you can take this scenic route with views of both the Caribbean Sea and Lake Maracaibo along the way!
Finally once in Santa Marta it’s roughly one hour further down Highway No. 1 towards Cartagena where Playa La Barra will be on your left-hand side before reaching Cabo de la Vela National Park entrance at Puerto Pabillón which is located approximately 30 km south of Playa La Barra along an unpaved road off highway #1 in Juanchaco village (Google Maps link below).
Pros & Cons of Playa La Barra
Pros:
- The beach is absolutely beautiful. It’s a long, white sand beach with clear water and palm trees all over the place. There are all kinds of different surf, from beginner to advanced.
- There are tons of great restaurants along the beach where you can have lunch or dinner right by the ocean (and watch people surfing).
- La Barra is a small town with lots of great local food, drinks and activities to do at night/in the evening.
Cons:
- La Barra can get pretty busy at times so it can be hard to find a good spot on the beach unless you get there early in the morning or later in the afternoon when most tourists have gone home for lunch/dinner. Also if you’re looking for peace and quiet this might not be ideal as it gets pretty rowdy during high season (Dec-Apr) because there are more tourists around than normal Colombian fishing villages would normally see during those times due to being close proximity between Nueva Gorgona & Malpelo Island which attracts many divers seeking out sunken treasure!
“If you’re looking for a quieter beach experience than Cartagena, Playa La Barra is the spot. Located in Juanchaco, this small fishing village is close enough to Cartagena that anyone can easily make it, but far enough away that you’ll have plenty of room to relax.”
— Rostislav Sikora, Author
La Barra beach
La Barra beach is one of the best places in Juanchaco to go for a swim. The sand is soft and the water is usually warm, with the exception of a few days when it gets very cold—but this rarely happens. There are many different types of fish in the ocean, like sea bass and conchas, which can be caught by hand or spear fishing. You may also see dolphins jumping out of the water occasionally!
The beach also has some great spots for snorkeling where you can see beautiful corals, colorful fish, and sometimes even sharks! The beach’s wide expanse makes it easy to get around without bumping into other people while still keeping your belongings safe from theft while swimming or playing on shore.
It’s a perfect beach.
La Barra is a small beach town that sits between the two larger cities of Trujillo and Chiclayo, Peru. The water is warm and clear, while the sand is soft and white. The beach stretches for miles along the Pacific coast, making it perfect for swimming or lounging in the shade. You can find plenty of places to sit under trees along with hammocks scattered throughout the area where you can keep an eye on your belongings while taking in all this natural beauty.
The best part about La Barra? It’s completely free!
Now that’s something we can all appreciate every once in a while!
There are a lot of fun activities to do besides tanning.
There are a lot of fun activities to do besides tanning. It’s possible to go horseback riding, kayaking, and volleyball on the beach. You can also play basketball, soccer (a game called fútbol), frisbee, beach volleyball and soccer.
While there are plenty of places to eat in La Barra, it’s also a great place to bring your own picnic lunch. There is an abundance of fruit stands where you can pick up some fresh mangoes or bananas, as well as ice cream vendors and restaurants with amazing food! The prices here are quite reasonable compared to other beach towns in Peru, making La Barra a great place for budget travelers.
If you want to do something a little more relaxing, there are several activities that are good for that too. You can go swimming in the ocean, and if you have a boogie board or other type of floating device, you can use it to ride waves. If you don’t have one of those things, no problem! You can just float on your back and look up at the clouds or play with your friends in the water.
The town is off the beaten path so you can’t get bothered by the crowds, which is great.
Playa La Barra is a great place to go off the beaten path. If you want to get away from the crowds, this is it. It’s not too far from the city of Tumaco but it still feels like you’re in a remote part of Colombia. You can rest easy knowing that you won’t have any problems finding cheap and interesting places to stay at night, which means that your wallet won’t be taking as much of a hit as it would if you were staying in other parts of Colombia like Cartagena or Santa Marta.
One thing I really liked about Playa La Barra was its relaxed feel; there aren’t many tourists here so it’s easy to find yourself immersed in local culture without having anyone around who isn’t local. This makes it an ideal place for an adventure because who knows what kind of crazy stories might come out when locals meet foreigners? My favorite story involved catching fish with my bare hands (no joke!) and then making them into fish tacos! Very close it Nuquí beach
Playa La Barra has several restaurants and bars. Most of them are open in the evening, but there are a few that stay open throughout the day. The food is delicious, and you can enjoy your meal with a glass of wine or beer.
The nightlife is also very lively at Playa La Barra, especially when there’s live music on stage!
You can find accommodations for low prices if you’re coming alone.
If you’re traveling solo, it’s easy to find a place to stay in Playa La Barra. In fact, the town has many options for people coming alone, with prices starting at $20 per night. If you’re looking for something close to town center, try Hostal La Casa de Don David or Hostal El Encanto de la Sierra. For those who want beach access or a more rugged setting, consider staying at one of the hostels farther down the road (El Oasis del Pacífico or Manolin).
The beach is very clean, and there are lots of activities you can do while you’re here. You can go jet skiing, snorkeling or scuba diving, take a boat ride to Isla de la Plata, Playa El Almejal or just relax on the beach! There’s also an outdoor pool with a swim-up bar if you want something more relaxing than the oceanIf you’re traveling with friends or a partner, there are plenty of options as well. Try Hostal Casa Rasta or Hostal El Encanto de la Sierra; both have rooms that can accommodate up to four people. If you’re looking for something right on the water, try Playa La Barra Hotel or Villa Vieja Hotel & Spa. Or you can check Google review
Conclusion
Overall, the experience at Playa La Barra was amazing. While there are a few drawbacks to the town of Juanchaco, the beaches and lifestyle make up for them. It’s perfect for families or friends who want to enjoy an adventure together while still relaxing in paradise. I would highly recommend going on vacation here if you’re looking for something off-the-beaten path but still accessible by plane or bus transportation from anywhere else in Colombia!
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