Visiting Casa en el Agua in Colombia: A One of a Kind Hostel Experience
Have you heard of Casa en el Agua? It’s a hostel that sits in the middle of the Caribbean Sea about two hours from Cartagena, Colombia in the San Bernardo Islands. It has become legendary due to its unique positioning surrounded by crystal clear water.
It could even be said that no backpacking trip in Colombia is complete without visiting Casa en el Agua. However, it sells out fast, so make sure to make reservations ahead of time!
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Booking Your Trip to Casa en el Agua in Colombia
Reservations for Casa en el Agua open just a couple of months in advance. If you know your trip plans, book it as far ahead as possible. It has very limited rooms, beds, and hammocks, and the more popular it becomes, the harder it is to get a reservation!
Accommodation Options at the Hostel
When I first visited Casa en el Agua in 2018, you had to book your rooms and meals separately. However, when I returned in 2022, the hostel had made a few renovations and changes. Now, all accommodation options include 3 meals and a tour of the day to Islote Island. This of course increases the price of the accommodations, but it also is an “all inclusive” price, except for of course alcohol and extra activities.
At La Casa en el Agua, Colombia you’ll find three types of accommodations.
- Private Rooms
Opt for a private room with a view of the ocean for the best experience!
7 private rooms starting at 380.000 COP
- Dorm Room with Bunk Beds
Choose a dorm bed for an inexpensive option with a real bed!
6 beds available at 240.000 COP
- Hammocks
Stay in a hammock on the outside of the upper balcony for great ocean views and a breeze!
4 hammocks available at 190.000 COP
Learn more about each of these options by visiting the Casa en el Agua website.
Eating and Drinking at Casa en el Agua
Once you step off the boat to Casa en el Agua, chances are good you’ll head straight to the bar for an ice cold drink in the clear waters surrounding the house.ย What could be a better welcome?
That’s right, the Casa en el Agua hostel has its own kitchen and bar to keep you well fed and hydrated. If you’re a big eater like me, you can also take snacks (and alcohol despite them saying you cannot) as to minimize your expenses at the hostel.
They claim no outside alcohol is allowed, but really they just want people to share what they bring. There was never an acknowledgement of anyone bringing food or drink despite my first stay coinciding with one of the best prepared Irish groups I have ever met.ย (No worries, they shared out of the kindness of their Irish hearts.)ย Do note that you will not have access to a refrigerator. (Yay, warm beer?)
Meals at Casa en el Agua
Meals are served three times per day and are now included in the cost of accommodations. As you are on an island, you will likely be served seafood for most meals. If you do not like seafood, they do offer a vegetarian option for each meal.
There is also the option to splurge on fancier dinner options. These include lobster, crab, and ceviches. You’ll have to pay for these in cash at checkout, so take extra cash with you! Lobster runs around 80.000 COP.
The Bar at Casa en el Agua
Casa en el Agua Colombia is known as a bit of a party place. As such, there is a bar onsite serving up cold drinks all day. They even have “happy hour” pricing with 2 for 1 drinks most of the day, either at 30.000 or 40.000 COP per pair of drinks. You also have nice cold beers as a less expensive option, starting around 6.000 COP.
Additionally, free coffee and drinking water are available around the clock. That being said, on my trip in 2022, many people came down ill from the provided drinking water. I recommend packing your own water or taking a Life Straw, iodine pills, or some other way to sanitize your drinking water.
Available Activities at Casa en el Agua
La Casa en el Agua offers a number of activities – both tours and rentable gear. If you are visiting Casa en el Agua for just a few days, you won’t run out of things to do.
- Visit Islote, the most densely populated island on earth: Included in your accommodation price
- Witness the water sparkle during a night Plankton Tour: 40.000 COP – 100% worth it!
- Day trip to Tintipan or Mucura Beach: 25.000 COP
- Check out the marine life with a 3 hr Snorkel Tour: 30.000 COP
- Tour 3 islands: 50.000 COP
Or you can rent a sup board, kayak, snorkel, wakeboard, disc-go, or subwing.
How to Get to Casa en el Agua
Getting to Casa en el Agua is actually pretty easy. Everyday there is a 9:00am “fast” boat that takes the 2 hour journey out to Casa en el Agua from the Muelle de la Bodeguita gate – right outside the Old Town center of Cartagena. It costs 100.000 COP one-way. You can reserve the boat ahead of time online.
The boat back is at 12:00pm from Casa en el Agua, meaning you’ll arrive back in Cartagena around 2:00pm.ย This ticket also costs 100.000 COP.ย Remember to book your ticket ahead of time or to take enough cash with you to purchase the ticket for return.
It’s worth noting that the boats claim you can only take a small bag with you, but no one enforces these rules, so you can take your whole bag if needed. Particularly if you are hopping to a few of the San Bernardo Islands while you’re out there!
There is also a slower route to get to Casa en el Agua, but this one takes 5+ hours and is still 85.000 COP, leaving at 8:30am everyday from Tolu. I highly recommend taking the fast boat to Casa en el Agua!
Packing for Casa en el Agua
At the Casa, you’re going to be surrounded by water day in and day out.ย As such, your packing list can be pretty brief – particularly if you are coming and going from Cartagena.ย You can leave your big bag in Cartagena and only take a smaller day pack for your trip if you wish.
- Passport
- Swimsuit
- Towel: Recommend a quick drying towel
- Sleeping clothes
- Day clothes
- Sunglasses
- Lots of sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Headlamp
- Camera & water camera, like a GoPro
- External battery pack to charge your phone or camera
- Lock for your bag or the small locker they provide
- Plenty of money (There is no ATM available, and everything is paid for in cash.)
Note that private rooms do have locks and all hammocks and bunk beds offer small lockers for your valuables.
Other Things to Know When Visiting Casa en el Agua
As you are visiting an floating hostel in Colombia, there are a few things to keep in mind…
You Influence the Experience
Your experience at the hostel Casa en el Agua will largely be based on the other people at the hostel. There is a finite group to interact with, and they can make or break your time there. Be kind. Be social. Enjoy.
Sleep is Not Guaranteed
If the group at the hostel is a party crowd, it is quite possible the music will not die down until early morning (4-5am). So, if you are not a heavy sleeper, sleep is not guaranteed. Pack ear plugs.
The Toilet is Lacking
The bathroom is kind of gross. Never in my many years of traveling have I encountered a toilet that has 2 different holes for #1 and #2. Additionally, it is kind of a like a latrine or port-a-potty which over time can smell. From what I could see, they only cleaned it in the morning… consider yourself warned.
The Joy of Bucket Showers
You can use 1 bucket of fresh water to “shower”. It is delivered every afternoon from a nearby island. If it has not rained recently, there may not be shower water, or if you wait until later in the evening, there may also be a lack of water to “shower” in. But, good news, you’re surrounded by beautiful salt water to jump in at any time.
Electricity is Limited
They have electricity and a charging station for phones.ย That being said, take a headlamp or flashlight of some kind as at night you may want it for the bathroom or even to climb the stairs.
Amazingly, during my 2018 trip, they were able to rig up a tv to watch the World Cup games, but this is not the norm!
Wi-fi… Are you kidding?
There is no wifi. I do hope this does not come as a shock to you…. It’s time to socialize with other people. Although, admittedly, my phone did still have service here.
The Staff Varies
Casa en el Agua is run mostly through other travelers who opt to stay at the hostel for a month or two at a time. As such, the staff and their attentiveness and expertise will vary. Often times, one of the biggest complaints about staying at Casa en el Agua is actually the employees. They become tight-knit and don’t always mingle well with the guests. Fortunately, the hostel itself is set up to be a vary social atmosphere.
Take Security into Consideration
While you are on a small island with only the other guests, please do keep an eye on your belongings by using a locker for your valuables. Many reviews I read prior to going in 2018 commented on things going missing, and while I was there may people lost items – sometimes because they blew over the side into the water! Whether it’s your sunglasses or your charging cord for your phone, don’t be too careless about leaving things lying around.
How many days should you spend at Casa en el Agua?
Most people stay at Casa en el Agua for 1 – 2 days. However, many people who leave after one day found it’s not quite long enough to truly relax. There were some people who were there for 3 – 4 days, and they seemed happy with their decision. So it’s very much a personal decision as to how long to stay at La Casa en el Agua.
If you love the sun and water, you could easily entertain yourself for a few days with some of the offered activities. Just pack lots of sunscreen!
Visit Other Awesome Island Destinations
And there you have it – everything you need to make visiting Casa en el Agua Colombia a memorable experience! I’ve personally enjoyed both of my stays in 2018 and 2022, and may go back for a third or fourth time.
Leave me a comment if you have additional questions or if you’ve been to Casa en el Agua, and tell me what you thought of it!
Explore the Other San Bernardo Islands
While visiting Casa en el Agua in the San Bernardo Islands of Colombia, you can easily visit and stay on the other San Bernardo Islands. Simply grab a boat from your hotel or hostel and head on to your next destination for cheap (or even free!).
- Isla Mucura of the San Bernardo Islands: Stay on the palm fringed Isla Mucura at one of its amazing hotels: Mucura Club Hotel, Hotel Isla Mucura, or Dahlandia.
- Isla Tintipan of the San Bernardo Islands: Spend time on the lovely Tintipan Island at one of it’s fabulous accommodations: Hotel Puntanorte, Casa Tinti Hotel Boutique, Sal Si Puedes, Hotel Tintipan, Tintipan Ashram Hostel & Glamping, Isla Roots Hostel, Mi Refugio Tintipan, El Embrujo Tintipan, or Santa Lova.
- Isla Palma of the San Bernardo Islands: Experience one of the lesser known San Bernardo Islands with a stay at Hotel Isla Palma Reserva Natural or Mistica Island Hostel on Isla Palma.
- Isla Islote of the San Bernardo Islands: Get to know the people of Colombia by spending the night on the most densely populated island in the world at the Santa Cruz del Islote Hostel.
Check Out the Rosario Islands
Another great option from Casa en el Agua is to head back to Cartagena and check out the Rosario Islands. This island chain is a little closer to Cartagena and therefore easy to visit on a day trip or to stay overnight. It does get a bit more crowded than the San Bernardo Islands, but the islands are just as beautiful!
- Sail to Isla Grande and Isla Bela via catamaran to see the best of the Rosario Islands in just a day.
- Rent a private boat to explore the Rosario Islands and all that they have to offer!
- Stay overnight on one of the many Rosario Islands for a bit of luxury and beautiful beaches!
Experience More Amazing Island Destinations around the World
Looking for more island experiences? I’ve got you covered! Check out some of these other incredible island experiences around the world:
- The fabulous, untouched paradise of the San Blas Islands of Panama
- The thriving culture of Puerto Rico
- The famous Greek island of Santorini
- The stunning Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands in Fiji
- The pristine ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao in the Caribbean
- The remote islands of the Philippines
- The once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Galapagos Islands
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