All the other tourist had to leave in groups. Plus, I got to take pics and converse with the boat driver and guide because we were by ourselves. All the cheap tourist were packed in the same boats like sardines so they can pay $15. I rented my own boat for $30 and got a guide/guardian/servant for the entire day for 90,000 pesos ($30). From there you have to take a boat (10 minutes) to Playa Crystal just ten minutes Northeast of the beach we parked at. We were ominous of what would happen, so, we rented a car, bought a mask and snorkel from the local store and had our own romantic drive to the Beach near Neguanje. I stayed as far away from them as possible. They had to stop every time someone wanted a picture or to pee. All the tourist packed on the tour buses looked miserable. You can stop along the road and take pictures. When you arrive, first, you pay about $30 each and they let you drive 10 km through the mountains until you arrive at the beach shore. Going to Crystal Beach in Neguanje on a tour bus is for cheap losers. We rented our own car in Cartagena and drove to Santa Marta. This beach is ten times better than Playa Cabo San Juan where all the mosquitoes and backpackers go. The only good think of this trip on the boat was that after we survive to this close to dead experience I was definitely cured of my fear of high and vertigo disorder, I am not scared anymore of flying □ cheaper that therapist. My boyfriend hit his back with the boat several times, and a person of the group cutted his leg with the oxidated anchor. My body was all uncontrollable shaking, people around was either crying, vomiting, shouting or praying but nothing like enjoying it. All my lifetime past through my mind, I definetly was ready to die. I have to say that, IT IS NOT save at all, that boat was not even for passengers it was more for fishing, so nothing to hold when the 7 meters waves hit and make the boat jump and crash the ocean, the water was coming inside making even more difficult, that plus the strong smell of gas because the 6 containers of about 25 litres of fuel in the middle of the people. As soon as you get behind the hill on the boat, the waves are becoming huge and dangerous, that plus the high speed of the boat. The beauty & enjoyment of this beach is not worth The effort it takes to reach it.Īt first in the bay was very quite and relaxing, we could even enjoy the views, definetly nice town. Everyone raved about this particular beach but having been to many other beaches, it is just OK. It is a popular beach so it can get crowded easily. It gets deep very quickly and there was a light chop & strong current. The sand is NOT white, which is what they claim. It is not a beach for children or persons who cannot swim. Playa Cristal itself is OK not as nice a beach as locals want you to believe. I suggest you instead go to Neguanje by land and take a short 5 min launch to Playa Cristal. It was so dangerous & horrifying that as soon as we arrived, we found an alternative form of transportation back to Santa Marta. Imagine the most horrifying ride at an amusement park this one is worse. The seats were bench style with nothing to hold on to. The ride was unbearably rough & the splashing water hit so hard it hurt everything was soaked. 99% of the artious crossing is on open seas with high waves, some up to 2-3 meters high. We were given raggedy life vest (likely never tested for bouyancy). Each uncovered launch is packed with 15 persons each. The crossing takes 45 minutes & it is horrifying. According to locals, there have been drowning accidents. It is DANGEROUS & a horrifying experience. This type of transportation would NEVER be considered safe in Europe or the U.S. If you want to visit Playa Cristal DO NOT take the rickety launch from Taganga. A trip by boat from Taganga should be illegal! Worst experience of my life!!! When we finally arrived at playa crystal i told the captain that it was irresponsible of him to take us out with such rough seas and he just laughed and replied by saying that the sea was not rough, that this was a totally normal condition! I wonder how many have not made it to playa crystal and have landed up drowning in the sea. The waves got so high and everyone was just screaming and panicking on the boat but the captain did not bother about us at all.He just went on faster and faster and most of us on the boat thought that it was game over and that we would die. The boat is a small fishing boat with a captain who does not seem to care at all about safety or about the lives of others. Here is why:ĭo not get disillusioned by the calm bay of Taganga because as soon as the boat goes around the corner the sea becomes wild and rough and the waves can reach up to 5 meters. To all fellow travelers this is a warning to all planing to take a boat ride to playa ease do not under any circumstances take the boat, please go buy bus.
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