Departing from the beach behind the Nuevo Hospital de Bocagrande (no port tax applies here), you kick off your shoes and board a small boat for a short crossing with to Tierra Bomba island, arriving at The Pink Mango within about 10 minutes.

On arrival, choose your spot at the original beach shack right on the water’s edge, in the garden, or by the pool - all with open sea views. We’re laid back, but the team is highly professional. Expect afro-Caribbean music (a DJ on Saturdays), ice-cold drinks and food that genuinely surprises.

The kitchen is led by chef Pedro Mosqueda, trained in Michelin-starred kitchens in New York. Together with Portia Hart, founder of Blue Apple Beach, this is a passion project built around delivering excellent quality at fair prices, in a setting that feels real, relaxed and unpretentious. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance, ideal for boozy brunches and barefoot beach parties or mellow, lazy naps in the shade.

What makes The Pink Mango special is its authenticity. There is nothing else like it in Cartagena. It has the soul of a traditional beach shack, paired with top-level food, great cocktails and a natural, low-key commitment to sustainability. Being so close to the city gives the day an easy, flexible rhythm, while the wide, living beach and constant flow of locals make it a perfect place to sit back and watch the world go by.

Boats depart at 9.30am and 10.30am, with return at 4.00pm. For groups of 4 or more, a private boat can be arranged at no extra cost.