Open Bar Sunset Cruise in Catamaran or Speedboat (Best Deal)

Cartagena’s skyline takes on a new look from the water, especially as the afternoon light fades behind the old city. I like the two-hour sunset timing and the chance to meet other people over rum, aguardiente, music, and open-bar service for only $20.

I also like having a real choice between a lively speedboat and a more relaxed catamaran. The catch is that the dock can be confusing, the boats are smaller than some people expect, and the party atmosphere depends heavily on which boat and group you join.

Key points to know before booking

• Two boat styles: Pick the speedboat for a compact party setting, or the catamaran for a broader mix of ages and a light snack.
• Open bar included: The speedboat offers rum, aguardiente, mixers, and permission to bring your own drinks. The catamaran includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Historic-center departure: Meet at Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo at 4:30 pm, then return to the same point.
• Arrive early: The waterfront has many boats and vendors, so arriving about 10 minutes early gives you time to find the right departure area.
• Catamaran tax extra: The catamaran requires a 16,000 COP port tax. The speedboat has no port fee.
• After party is optional: You can buy an after party in person, but men need pants and closed-toe shoes to attend.

Choosing between the speedboat and catamaran

The most important decision comes before you pay: choose the correct boat. The tickets are not interchangeable, and the two versions promise different moods.

The speedboat option is aimed at younger people and anyone who wants music, drinks, dancing, and quick social contact. It is a small boat rather than a large, two-level party vessel. That makes the experience feel close-knit, but it also means limited room to move and less separation from the people around you.

The open bar includes classic Colombian spirits such as rum and aguardiente, with mixers. You may also bring your own drinks. Music and dancing are part of the appeal, and the ride can work well as a way to meet people before a night out in Cartagena.

The catamaran option is the safer pick for mixed groups, couples, and families. It includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks plus a light snack. You still get music, conversation, and sunset views, but the tone is intended to suit more kinds of passengers.

The catamaran also comes with a mandatory 16,000 COP port tax, which is not included in the advertised $20 price. That is not a huge extra cost, but you should include it when comparing the two choices.

Meeting at Sibarita del Mar at 4:30 pm

The meeting point is Sibarita del Mar, on Avenida Blas de Lezo in Cartagena’s Centro Historico. The activity ends back at this same meeting point after about two hours.

This is the part of the outing where a little care pays off. The dock can have many boats, vendors, and people trying to direct passengers toward different activities. Some passengers have had trouble finding the correct boat, while others received a WhatsApp message close to departure with updated meeting instructions.

I would arrive roughly 10 minutes early. Read the voucher carefully, keep the meeting details easy to access on your phone, and ask specifically for the Coco Cartagena departure if you are unsure. Do not assume every boat or salesperson at the dock is connected with this cruise.

The mobile ticket is useful, but it does not remove the need to check the exact instructions. The activity provider says the meeting point appears on the voucher, so you should not wait for a personal reminder before heading to the dock.

What the two-hour ride is actually like

Once you are aboard, the basic plan is simple: cruise along Cartagena’s waterfront, look back at the old city and skyline, listen to music, and make your way through the open bar.

The sunset is the main visual event. From the water, Cartagena’s buildings and waterfront appear as one broad view rather than a street-by-street scene. Bring your phone or camera, but keep a firm grip on it. The boats are moving, and the speedboat in particular is not designed as a calm viewing platform.

The cruise is social by nature. You may spend much of the ride talking with people you have just met, dancing, or finding a good angle for photographs. The experience does not promise a guided historical tour, so you should not book it expecting detailed commentary about Cartagena’s monuments.

Music is a major part of the speedboat mood. Latin beats help create a party feel, though the quality of the night depends on the group aboard. One boat might feel lively and friendly, while another may have a quieter mix of people.

The ride lasts about two hours, which is a good length for a sunset outing. It gives you enough time to enjoy the views without using the whole evening. You return to the starting point, making it easy to continue into dinner or nightlife afterward.

The speedboat: best for a compact party

The speedboat is the more specific product of the two. Choose it because you want a smaller, social boat with music and alcohol, not because you expect a floating nightclub.

You may find the speedboat a good fit if you are traveling alone, with friends, or with a group that wants to meet other young people. The close seating puts people in contact quickly. The speedboat can also feel more energetic than a larger vessel because the music, drinks, and conversations all happen in one compact space.

The tradeoff is comfort. A small boat has less room, fewer places to step away, and no promise of a bathroom. Some people have described the vessel as an ordinary motorboat rather than a grand party boat. That criticism points to a real expectation issue: the word open bar does not mean a luxury cruise, and the speedboat is not a double-decker vessel.

The drink service may also feel informal. The included alcohol consists of rum and aguardiente with mixers, rather than a full cocktail menu. If you expect an endless selection of prepared drinks, you may be disappointed. If you are happy with simple spirits, beer or water arrangements, music, and company, the offer is more straightforward.

The staff and music have earned strong praise, but English may not be used consistently. Spanish is the main language reported aboard, so basic Spanish can make the evening easier. You do not need fluent Spanish to enjoy the ride, but do not book this as an English-language guided excursion.

The catamaran: the more flexible choice

The catamaran is the better choice if your group includes different ages or different ideas of fun. It offers a full bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, plus a light snack, so people who do not drink alcohol still have something included.

I would choose it for a family group, a couple wanting more room, or anyone who wants the sunset first and the party second. The catamaran still gives you a chance to mingle with local people and other visitors, but it is not framed as a younger crowd speedboat event.

The port tax is the main practical drawback. You must pay 16,000 COP separately, so the true cost is slightly above the headline price. That fee applies to the catamaran only. The speedboat does not require a port fee.

The catamaran may also feel less intense. If your main goal is dancing and a tightly packed social scene, the speedboat is the clearer match. If your group wants a shared boat ride with drinks, a snack, and a wider comfort range, the catamaran makes more sense.

Sunset views, music, and the social factor

The best part of this outing is the combination of timing and setting. Cartagena’s old city is enjoyable on foot, but seeing it from offshore changes the pace. You get a broad view of the skyline while the heat of the day begins to ease.

I especially like this as a final-night activity. It gives you one last look at Cartagena from a different angle and leaves the rest of the evening open. You return to the same dock, so you are not committed to a long transfer across town after the boat ride.

The social element is just as important as the scenery. People often book this for a drink, music, and conversation rather than for a formal sightseeing lesson. A solo woman may appreciate the organized setting and the chance to join a group without arranging a private night out.

Still, the party is not guaranteed to feel the same on every departure. The boat, music, and bar are only part of the formula. The mix of people affects the mood. A group of enthusiastic dancers creates a different ride from a boat with families or quiet couples.

The optional after party can extend the night, but it is not included in the $20 price and must be purchased in person. Men should wear pants and closed-toe shoes if they want the option of attending. If you plan to decide later, dress for that requirement from the start.

How the $20 price measures up

At $20 per person, this is an inexpensive way to put a boat ride, sunset views, and drinks into one evening. The value is strongest if you select the right boat and treat the activity as a casual social cruise rather than a polished luxury charter.

The speedboat gives you open-bar access to rum, aguardiente, and mixers with no port fee. That is a good deal for a short party ride, especially if you would otherwise pay for drinks and a separate sunset activity.

The catamaran costs slightly more in practice because of the 16,000 COP port tax. Even so, the included non-alcoholic drinks and light snack add value for a group with mixed drinking habits.

The low price also explains some of the rough edges. You are not paying for a private guide, a large deck, hotel pickup, or a formal narrated tour. You are paying for shared transportation on the water, drinks, music, and the chance to socialize.

Common disappointments and how to avoid them

The most serious complaints focus on expectations. Some people arrived expecting a large party boat, rooftop bar, tequila shot, or a more formal host-led event. Those are not part of the stated experience.

You should also understand that the speedboat is a smaller vessel. If you want open deck space and a large dance floor, select a different kind of cruise. If you want a compact boat where people sit close together and music plays, this format is more suitable.

Meeting-point confusion is another concern. Cartagena’s dock can be hectic, and the correct boat may not be obvious at first glance. Arrive early, follow the voucher, and do not accept directions from random sellers without checking the activity name.

The language issue is worth noting. Spanish may be the only language used by staff on your boat. That is manageable for a party ride, but it can make check-in and drink service less clear if you speak no Spanish.

A few practical habits will improve the evening:

• Arrive about 10 minutes before 4:30 pm.
• Keep your mobile ticket and meeting details open.
• Wear comfortable clothing suitable for a moving boat.
• Bring tip money if you want to tip the staff.
• Do not count on a large vessel or a bathroom.
• Wear pants and closed-toe shoes if you may attend the after party.
• Check that you selected speedboat or catamaran before confirming.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend the speedboat to solo people, friends, and younger couples who want music, simple drinks, and a social start to the night. It is also a good low-cost choice if you understand that the boat is compact and the party mood depends on the group.

I would recommend the catamaran to families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who wants alcoholic and non-alcoholic options with a light snack. The extra port tax is reasonable if the broader comfort level matters to you.

I would not choose this experience if you want a quiet, narrated tour, a luxury vessel, guaranteed English service, or a large nightclub-style boat. I would also skip it if an unclear dock meeting would cause stress, unless you are willing to arrive early and follow the instructions closely.

The activity is generally open to most people, with a maximum of 50 passengers. Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Cartagena sunset cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, social sunset ride and you are comfortable with a shared boat, simple spirits, music, and some dockside confusion. The skyline views, two-hour length, and low price make it an appealing way to start your evening.

Choose the catamaran for flexibility and the speedboat for party energy. Read the boat description closely, arrive early, and keep your expectations tied to a small-group cruise rather than a floating superclub.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. That gives you some protection, but you should still confirm your plans before the cutoff.

FAQ

How much does the cruise cost?

The advertised price is $20 per person. The catamaran also requires a 16,000 COP port tax, which is not included.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

What time does it start?

The scheduled start time is 4:30 pm.

Where do I meet the boat?

You meet at Sibarita del Mar, Av. Blas de Lezo, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias.

Where does the activity end?

The cruise ends back at the original meeting point.

Can I choose between a speedboat and catamaran?

Yes. You can choose either the speedboat or catamaran when booking, but the tickets are not interchangeable.

What drinks are included on the speedboat?

The speedboat includes an open bar with Colombian spirits such as rum and aguardiente, along with mixers. You may also bring your own drinks.

What is included on the catamaran?

The catamaran includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages plus a light snack.

Is the after party included?

No. The after party is optional and available for purchase in person.

What should men wear for the after party?

Men should wear pants and closed-toe shoes if they plan to attend the optional after party.

Is there a cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can receive a different date or a full refund.