Cartagena, Colombia is best known for its walled Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and not as a beach destination, but there are still places to enjoy the sun and sand on the city's Caribbean coastline. Accessibility improvements made to a stretch of beach in the Bocagrande district mean that wheelchair users now have an accessible beach to enjoy.
A Wheelchair Accessible Beach in Bocagrande
The first wheelchair accessible beach in Cartagena is located at Playa 5 in the Bocagrande neighborhood, directly across the street from the Hyatt Regency Cartagena and the ESTELAR Cartagena de Indias Hotel. The access point sits at the intersection of Carrera 1 and Calle 12, where a smooth boardwalk leads from the street toward the beach.
The boardwalk, marked as the "Sendero Peatonal" or Walking Trail, is reserved exclusively for pedestrians and posted regulations ask users to give priority to seniors and people with reduced mobility.
A ramp leads from the boardwalk down to the sand, but it does not extend all the way to the water. A beach mat running from the boardwalk to the water's edge would be a welcome addition, but for now, wheelchair users will need a beach wheelchair to cross the sand and access the Caribbean Sea.
Free WaterWheels Beach Wheelchair
Beach access is possible thanks to the WaterWheels Floating Beach Wheelchair, which is available for use free of charge. To borrow it, simply speak with one of the lifeguards on duty at the Playa 5 lifeguard station. During my visit to the beach, the lifeguards were kind and eager to lend a helping hand.
The WaterWheels chair features large balloon tires that roll easily over soft sand, and flotation armrests that allow users to safely enter the water. It is a manual beach wheelchair, so its utility is limited to travelers who have a companion to push them across the beach and into the surf. If you are traveling with family or friends, it is a fantastic (and free!) way to experience the Caribbean Sea in Cartagena.
Wheelchair Accessible Seating, Shade & Facilities
Located directly next to the Playa 5 lifeguard station, visitors will find an accessible seating area on the boardwalk with chairs and umbrellas. These amenities are available on a first come, first served basis.
The towels and coconut waters in the photo above were catered by an outside vendor for my visit, and are not commonly available there.
Down on the sand, additional chairs and umbrellas can be rented for a fee from beach vendors. Lifeguards are on duty, and police regularly patrol the beach, making this one of the more secure stretches of sand in the city.
A bathroom and shower facility is located at the beach, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The wheelchair accessible stall is small but functional, with a grab bar mounted next to the toilet. Power wheelchair users may have difficulty doing a 360 degree turn inside the bathroom, due to its small size.
Final Thoughts
Wheelchair accessible beaches are a rare sight in South America, so it is both exciting and encouraging to see Cartagena investing in barrier-free beach access for residents and visitors alike. The beach wheelchair, accessible pathways, seating area and adapted restroom are adaptations that I hope to see incorporated at more beaches across Colombia in the future.
