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

Sunset looks better from the water. I like the Cartagena skyline views and the low $20 price, which makes this a lively way to start an evening without spending much. I also like the choice between a fast party boat and a steadier catamaran. The main catch is that the two options feel quite different, and the meeting point can be confusing.

The speedboat suits younger groups who want Latin music, rum, aguardiente, and a social crowd. The catamaran is the calmer pick, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks plus a light snack. Read the ticket carefully, arrive early, and do not expect a large two-deck party boat or a polished nightclub at sea.

Key points to know before you go

• Two boats, two different moods: The speedboat is built for a smaller, louder party setting, while the catamaran works better for families and mixed-age groups.
• The open bar is not identical: Speedboat drinks include Colombian spirits and mixers, with permission to bring your own drinks. The catamaran includes a fuller selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Sunset is the main event: The roughly two-hour outing gives you Cartagena skyline views, music, photos, and time to meet people.
• The dock takes patience: The start is at Sibarita del Mar in Centro Historico, and the area can have many boats and vendors. Arriving 10 minutes early is wise.
• The catamaran costs extra at the port: A mandatory 16,000 COP port tax is not included with that ticket. The speedboat has no port fee listed.
• The after-party is optional: You can buy it in person, but men need pants and closed-toe shoes if they plan to attend.

Choosing between the speedboat and catamaran

The biggest decision happens before you reach the dock. Speedboat and catamaran tickets are not interchangeable, so choosing the wrong one can spoil the evening before it starts.

The speedboat option is aimed at younger people and party fans. Expect a motorized boat, Latin music, Colombian rum and aguardiente, mixers, dancing, pictures, and socializing. You may also bring your own drinks. This is the option for you if the point is to meet people and get the night moving quickly.

Do not picture a broad floating club with several decks. The speedboat is described as a smaller boat, and several low ratings came from people expecting something much larger. The boat itself is part of the appeal for some people, since it keeps the group close together. It is also the source of the main complaint: space, comfort, and the quality of the party depend heavily on who is aboard.

The catamaran option is a safer choice for a mixed group. It is intended for families as well as adults, and it includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks plus a light snack. The wider boat shape should feel less like a compact party vessel, though the information provided does not promise a huge upper deck, private seating, or a bathroom.

You will pay a mandatory 16,000 COP port tax for the catamaran. That extra charge is not included in the advertised $20 price, so add it to your budget. The speedboat has no port fee listed.

Starting at Sibarita del Mar in Centro Historico

The meeting point is Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in Cartagena’s Centro Historico. The scheduled start is 4:30 pm, and the trip returns to the same meeting point after about two hours.

This sounds simple on paper, but the waterfront can be hectic. Several boats may be loading nearby, vendors may be trying to sell drinks or other items, and not every boat is immediately obvious. I would arrive at least 10 minutes early and keep your mobile ticket open. One person described needing to look around the boat ramps to find the correct boat, so a last-minute arrival is a poor plan.

Read your voucher closely before leaving your hotel. At least one disappointed customer missed the experience after not finding the pickup information. The operator’s response was that the meeting point was printed on the voucher. That is not a reason to be casual about the instructions.

A later WhatsApp message may also be part of the process. One account described receiving a message shortly before departure with directions involving the Pegasus statues. Since the supplied information gives Sibarita del Mar as the official start, use the location printed on your own confirmation and contact the provider if the directions conflict.

Two hours of skyline, music, and sunset

Once the boat leaves, the outing is straightforward. You spend about two hours on the water, looking back toward Cartagena, listening to music, having drinks, and taking pictures. The sunset is the star attraction, especially when the evening light catches the old city skyline.

The route details are limited, so you should not book this expecting a guided history lesson or a series of named stops. The only listed stop is Centro Historico, which functions as the departure and return point. This is a scenic cruise with a social side, not a sightseeing tour packed with monuments.

On the speedboat, the mood can become a moving pre-party. Music and dancing are central, and the close quarters make it easy to meet people. Some passengers described excellent music, friendly staff, and a fun start to the night. Others found the group too crowded or the organization too loose. That split tells you something important: the cruise is partly shaped by the people on your boat.

If you want quiet viewing, the speedboat may not suit you. If you want to make new friends, it may be exactly right. The catamaran gives you a better chance of balancing conversation, scenery, drinks, and family time, though the music and crowd will still affect the mood.

What the open bar really includes

The phrase open bar needs a close look here. On the speedboat, the stated drinks are classic Colombian spirits such as rum and aguardiente, with mixers included. You can also bring your own drinks. That does not mean an unlimited cocktail menu, a staffed bar with every brand, or a premium drinks service.

The catamaran promises a full open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, along with a light snack. This is the more complete food-and-drink package, especially if you want something beyond spirits and mixers.

The supplied accounts include sharp disagreement about how drinks were handled on some speedboat departures. A few people felt that the service was disorganized and that they received a single beer rather than the open-bar experience they expected. The operator disputed those complaints and said the boat was a normal-sized speedboat, not the large vessel some passengers wanted.

My advice is simple: treat the speedboat as a casual drinks-and-music outing, not a luxury bar cruise. If you need a broad selection, non-alcoholic choices, and a snack, choose the catamaran. If you are comfortable with rum, aguardiente, mixers, and a more informal setup, the speedboat offers strong value at this price.

Drink sensibly. The boat is moving, the space is limited, and the evening includes dancing. Bring tip money if you want to thank the crew, as one useful account suggested.

How the music and crowd shape the night

This experience works best when you see it as a social event rather than a formal boat tour. The music is Latin, the staff provide entertainment, and the main activity is mixing with other people while the city slips past.

Several high ratings praised the atmosphere, the music, the sunset, and the chance to meet new people. One person called it a memorable night of dancing and drinks. Another said it was a good option for a solo woman looking for a comfortable place to have a drink and socialize.

Language may affect your experience. One account said only Spanish was spoken on a particular boat. That does not mean every staff member will speak only Spanish, but you should be prepared for limited English communication. A few basic Spanish phrases, plus a clear understanding of the meeting instructions, would help.

The party atmosphere is not guaranteed to be identical on every departure. One boat may have a younger group ready to dance, while another may include families and people who mainly want to watch the sunset. If you are booking with friends, the speedboat is more likely to match a lively night out. If you are bringing children or want a gentler outing, choose the catamaran.

The optional after-party needs planning

After the cruise, you can buy an optional after-party tour in person. It is not included in the $20 ticket, and the information does not state its price.

Dress matters if you plan to attend. Men must wear pants and closed-toe shoes. That is an easy detail to miss, especially if you board in beach clothes, so pack suitable clothing or wear it from the start.

Keep your expectations modest. The after-party is an add-on, not the main cruise, and one person found the nightclub too quiet because the timing was early. If you want a busy club, the result may depend on the night and the hour.

Another useful warning: the experience described here does not include a rooftop bar or a guaranteed tequila shot. Those details appeared in complaints from people who may have confused this outing with another activity. Do not book this cruise expecting either one.

Is $20 a good value in Cartagena?

At $20 per person, this is inexpensive for a two-hour sunset outing with an open bar. The value is strongest on the speedboat if you want music, drinks, city views, and a quick way to meet people before dinner or nightlife.

The catamaran costs a little more in practice because of the 16,000 COP port tax. Even so, the included snack and non-alcoholic drinks may make it the better deal for families or anyone who does not want a spirits-focused bar.

The price does not buy luxury. You are paying for a short social cruise, not a private charter, gourmet meal, expert city commentary, or guaranteed premium service. The experience earns its value from the setting and the atmosphere. On a good departure, the sunset and friendly group make the low price feel excellent. On a poorly organized departure, the same price will not make up for confusion at the dock or unmet expectations about the boat.

It is usually booked about 11 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve before arrival if your schedule is tight, particularly for a preferred date. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so keep it accessible on your phone.

What to bring and what to expect

Wear comfortable clothes that can handle wind, spray, music, and movement. If you might attend the after-party, men should start with pants and closed-toe shoes. Bring tip money, your phone for photos, and enough planning time to locate the correct boat.

You should also be realistic about facilities. No bathroom is promised, and the operator specifically stated that the experience does not include one. Use facilities before boarding.

The activity accepts most people and has a maximum group size of 50. That does not tell you the exact size of each boat, but it confirms that this is a shared experience rather than a private ride. The speedboat can feel close and energetic. The catamaran is the more sensible choice if personal space matters.

Bad weather can cancel the cruise. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. For normal cancellations, you receive a full refund only if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 4:30 pm start. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not refunded.

Who should book this sunset cruise?

I would choose the speedboat if I wanted a cheap, social start to the evening and did not mind a basic boat, Spanish-language interaction, or a drinks service centered on spirits and mixers. It is a good match for friends, solo adults, and anyone who values music over comfort.

I would choose the catamaran for families, mixed-age groups, or anyone wanting alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks plus a light snack. The added port tax is worth considering, but the package better fits a wider range of people.

I would skip both options if you want a quiet, polished sunset sail, a detailed guided tour, a large party vessel, or guaranteed nightclub energy after the cruise. The speedboat in particular needs the right expectations.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want sunset views, music, drinks, and social energy for around $20. The highest praise goes to the sunset, the friendly atmosphere, the Latin music, and the chance to meet people. Those are the reasons to go.

Choose your boat carefully, arrive early at Sibarita del Mar, read every meeting instruction, and remember that the speedboat is not a two-deck club. With that clear picture, the cruise can be a fun and affordable way to begin a Cartagena night. If you need more comfort and a broader drinks selection, pay the catamaran port tax and choose that option instead.

FAQ

How long does the sunset cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in Centro Historico, Cartagena de Indias.

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 4:30 pm.

Is the port tax included?

The mandatory 16,000 COP port tax is not included with the catamaran ticket. No port fee is listed for the speedboat.

Can I switch between the speedboat and catamaran?

No. The speedboat and catamaran tickets are not interchangeable, so select the correct option when booking.

What drinks are included?

The speedboat includes Colombian spirits such as rum and aguardiente, with mixers, and you may bring your own drinks. The catamaran includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages plus a light snack.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.