Hotel Isla Lizamar

This hotel is part of one of the tours they offer at the marina in Cartagena. Isla Lizamar is one of the Rosario Islands. The package we purchased included spending the entire day at this hotel with lunch included. The hotel has a pool, small spa, beach wear shop, restrooms, lounge beach chairs, lounge beds, kayaks, hammocks, flamingos, ducks, peacocks, a small slide that leads to the ocean (however the water they pour on the slide is not strong enough for children to slide). The included lunch buffet was OK but fish and patacones were too salty in my opinion. The staff was very friendly. The entire hotel needs a “face lift”. It needs to be painted again entirely. The ping pong table and paddles are falling apart. The flamingos look pretty but they have them in an enclosure and they smell horrible. The ducks keep getting inside the pool to swim. The flies come all at once during lunch time!! Overall it was OK but nothing to rave about.

Other reviewers are right, this is a nightmare excursion. 1. no beach, 2, the ride back to cartagena was like a death ride, people were literally playing as our boat smacked the water at high speed 3. the pool had some kind of disgusting substance in it 4. I was awakened by staff demanding a tip for the snorkling excursion which was literally the WORST snorkeling experience in my life. 5. The water was way too rough for snorkeling and there were no ladders to get back in the boat, and you were only given a mask, no snorkle, but you had to swim for your life out there. We had a couple senior citizens in our group who almost drowned. The whole thing just really really sucks.

Absolutely worst experience. Rip Off. There was construction going on. Small contrived cement environment with nothing to do. Kids pool was dirty. Main pool was nice. No beach. Food included was mediocre. Staff constantly hustling to sell you stuff. Total waste of a day. Totally overpriced for what you get. We were so bored we asked to see the real island which was interesting. However very poor and dirty. Be prepared for a very rough ride back. The sea is rough in the afternoon. We were drenched within minutes. We travelled at high speed; assume it’s to stay above the waves. About 40 minutes of constant soaking by sea water. If you don’t like boats don’t go to Rosario. Find another company. This one is truly awful. We liked the guide in charge. Very professional