From Cartagena, you can take a boat to the islas rosarios. These are a group of small islands about a 2 hour boat ride from Cartagena. The cost of the boat ride is about 12 dollars. I bought a package from a local travel agent in Cartagena and reserved a place at Hotel Isla del Pirate. This is a very small island and the only thing on this island is the hotel. Actually it has an open reception area and restaurant. The cost is 70 dollars a night and that is for two and includes all meals. The rooms are small native huts with electricity, showers and fans. There are not tvs or phones. I stayed there for two nights. These islands are beautiful!!!!! The area is peaceful and the weather was great. During the day, I hired a local man with a boat and he carried us to all the islands. We spent most of the day on a private island with no development and a beautiful beach. We enjoyed it so much that we returned the second day. The cost of the boat was only 10 dollars for a half day. The next day, I decided to go snorkling and was not disappointed. There is a coral reef nearby and the tropical fish are astounding. This trip was fantastic. I enjoyed Cartagena a lot and will cover it in a different page. However, for peace, beauty and nature.....you cannot beat this place. The cost is cheap too.