Decameron Baru

We loved this resort and felt very safe. The beach was beautiful, the rooms were nice and big and the food was amazing. It was super hot at all times during our stay. We spent most of the time in the ocean or the pool. We went twice across to the island and walked up and down Playa Blanca which was beautiful and a nice long walk. We went on two excursions and really enjoyed ourselves. We did the city tour of Cartagena and the bio-luminescent swim at night. We also enjoyed the nightly show. [Details]

Overall it was a great vacation but if they want a higher percentage of North Americans they need some more staff to speak English. I was very relaxed on this trip and just let things be and did not expect much so it was great. Service is not to a North American standards but that did not impact the trip as time was not an issue.To book the 3 restaurants was a real waste as you have to do this every morning at 7am-8am. If you have higher expectations and want amazing food and a vacation experience this is not for you, this is more of a quite de-stress in bed by 10 vacation as they have nothing around and is very isolated. Hotter than Cuba, way better than Jamaica, and nicer people than the DR, St Lucia/Aruba was more upscale and so is the price. BTW great shopping in the city vs all the others above. Would I go back to Columbia ..Yes [Details]

This is the second Decameron resort I have been to after the one in El Salvador, so I was expecting the same experience. The one in El Salvador was excellent and this one in Colombia was too with a few exceptions.

Arrival was good. We were met at the airport by reps who had packages for us. Each had forms to fill for the front desk and wrist bands. Also included were tags for our luggage. The luggage would be taken to our rooms so we did not have to do it ourselves.

The bus ride was about 90 minutes and included a trip across a canal on a barge. Some of the roads are through Cartagena and traffic wasn't bad. The road to the resort off the main road was not paved so it was a bit bumpy but not bad.

Once we arrived we were serenaded and given a fresh fruit drink. After giving the front desk our completed forms we were given our room keys, yes keys and not key cards, and a map of the resort.

The room was in Block 2 and was supposed to be an ocean view room, which it was mostly, except it was more of a pool view. The room was clean and cool as the A/C did not require a keycard to be inserted in order for it to run. The safe was an extra charge, US$21 for a week. The beds were very comfortable but the pillows were too soft for my liking. The bathroom is an open concept. There is no door to the bathroom, only a door to the toilet and the shower, no tub. The shower was nice and large with a rain shower head that worked great. There was fridge too and two 1 L water bottles, which are refreshed everyday, but no soft drinks.

The beach area is excellent. There is also another beach area just across a small river, takes a 10 second boat ride, which is a bit more secluded and has a small restaurant for snacks. Just a bit further down is a public beach which is even more beautiful but has a lot of vendors.

We didn't participate in the activities, but did see some at the main pool. Most people were older and seemed content to just relax by the pool.

The food was excellent but became repetitive. It would have been nice to have a lot more local dishes instead of the usual french fries and fried food. One disappointment was that the ice cream bar was only available twice in the week we were there.

The staff were very good there. English was not widely spoken or understood by the staff but you could manage to get by. The grounds were maintained everyday and nightly the pools were cleaned and power washed. Some nights it seemed there were not enough staff in the buffet restaurants as the tables were not cleaned for a while. We had to wait some nights waiting for a table to be cleaned or for cutlery.

As the resort is in a remote area there is not much to do right outside. Tours were available which we did. One to the Rosario Islands and another to Cartagena.

There is no free internet access, only paid wifi access and only in the lobby area. It was spotty at times but reasonable. People were Skyping with no problems.

The gift shop is overpriced as with most resorts and has very limited items.

The front desk will only exchange money, they will not give you change such as giving you smaller US bills for large US bills. One way to get around this is to ask the bartenders. They were always willing to give you their $1 bills in exchange for larger bills.

The resort is large and has lots of steps as it is built into the side of a cliff. There are no elevators so it may be a problem for people with small children or have difficulty walking long distances.

Overall I was pleased with the resort. It was not up to the standards of the Decameron in El Salvador but I was not disappointed. [Details]

My husband and I had a last minute chance to go away without our 5 year old. We read the reviews on the Decameron and decided to pass on the usual Mexico, DR, Cuba etc choices. So thrilled we did. Flight great, hotel clean and beautiful. Food perfectly good everyday. Options at hotel for activities, lounging, abundance of places to lounge (pools, beaches, peacful boardwalk in front of building #1), meals were perfect. I speak enough Spanish to get by on the basics which did help a lot at this property. There wasn't a ton of great English which was wonderful for us, maybe not if you require flunet people around all the time. ANother nice surprise (without meaning to offend anyone) was the week was spent surrounded my a small number of Canadians and the rest were local latin travellers. No Americans, Europeans or otherwise. Day trip to Cartegena was pricey but worth it for the one day ($180 CDN each). There were activities for kids but all in spanish so no English Kids Club. We paid bit extra for ocean view and loved waking up looking out our balocony from building six's top floor. We loved it! [Details]

We had a great time. My husband was very hesitant about going and wasn't sure if it's safe to travel to Colombia, but he was very impressed and loved the experience. We want to tell all our families about this great resort. The people and staff are wonderful.It's a spectacular resort and very clean and well maintained. [Details]

We traveled to this resort for a week (march 15-22/ 13) with friends and absolutley loved the hotel and area. The 90 minute bus ride is worth every minute as you are at one of the most beautiful beach areas in Colombia (look up Playa Blanca- Baru). The grounds were beautful and well maintained- very lush vegetation for such a young resort. The staff at the resort were all very helpful, open and friendly, and always had a smile ready for you when you approached them. The food provided at the buffet was plentiful, hot and tasty. The a la cartes were just okay. Overall, the resort was " beyond expectations" and I would love to return there someday. A word of warning for those less mobile- the resort is built into the side of a cliff and therefore a lot of different levels (many stairs/ ramps)and no elevators. [Details]

We had a great vacation lots of variety of where to spend your day whether at a quiet pool, beach or cliffside. The weather was great, I never felt unsafe. The staff was friendly even when the english hadn't been developed as they have only been open 3 years. The countryside off site is not lush going to the resort and there is lots of garbage on the roadside. We have been many places, I really relaxed here. It isn't that big so the kids on the plane all met up with others as we were all going to the same place. They could take off and fine as we all kept an eye out for them. [Details]

This is an amazing place. Lots of variety of food. Corn and cheese balls for breakfast are delicious. We dont usually eat pasta on vacation, but the pasta hear is absolutely delicious. The food changes everyday and is always good. The water is extremely warm and crystal clear. It is very calm and there are many fish, bring a snorkel! The entertainment is great, there is always something to do whether you enjoy dancing or playing volleyball. The drinks are good quality. The bear is amazing and ice cold. They have very good scotch. Brands like jonny Walker Red Label, and Ballentine. The rooms are very spacious and clean. The resort is in fantastic condition. It is only 2 and a half years old. If you have visited the Royal Decameron in Panama or El Salvador you should definitely come here as the resort is similar definetely even higher quality but the biggest plus is the water. [Details]

We got very good value for the money with this vacation. However we prefer adults only resorts and this resort is mostly for families. [Details]

Great beaches with crystal water, you can even feed fishes. The food is great, very tasty and with very interesting variety. The staff is very kind and helpful. For us it is more that a 5 stars hotel. I highly recommend the spa, you can have a massage with a breath taking view to the sea. This is our second time there and we are sure there will be more. [Details]

The resort is only in its 2nd year.
We met Canadians who were on there 2nd trip there.I have travelled to all resorts in C/A and carribean (except Niaguara next trip)This I can say is the best. It is a resort for all types, especially families.Half of the resort residents are people from other C/A and S/A countries. I would recommend people give it a try. I will go back to this resort again and soon. Kevin Toronto. [Details]

Overall the hotel is quite nice. Extremely clean. Rooms are big . Always places in the shade by the pools . Food was very good for an all inclusive - they were always changing it up .
The only bad thing was the 40-45 minute ride on a dirt road filled with pot holes to get there - but the bus drivers are excellent drivers. [Details]

My Husband and i would definetely go back there!!! Hot everyday!! Food and service exquisite!! Breathtaking views!Snorkelling at your fingertips!!Quiet secluded island! Well planned excursions! Cant wait for next year!! [Details]

if you like low quality food and drink and rude staff this place is for you.we found a spot downtown for $40 a night and thats when our trip started.reminded me of a cattle feedlot for the poor! [Details]

So ive been to cuba and columbia was just soo beautiful. The water was clear, the beach was really soft and nice, and the heat, what can i say about the heat, it was sooo warm! Such a nice resort and there were lizards everywhere. I was definatly sad to be leaving. The people were amazig, the service was even better. But they did not speak any english so it was a bit hard to comunicate, but other than that it was fine. The food was good, i didnt get sick like last time i went on a vacation so that was good. I did enjoy our room view of the ocean aswell. The rooms were very clean and the AC definatly was working! Overall it was a great resort and had a wonderful time :) [Details]

This resort was amazing, totally worth the price, the bus ride and the plane ride. If you are looking for a nice vacation, this is the place to go! [Details]

Very nice hotel, for the price you can't go wrong. [Details]

Great place to go, clean and friendly. stayed only one week but if I could would of stayed another in a heart beat. would highly recommend to any one. Phill Montreal Canada [Details]