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Colombia🇨🇴 | beachesPlaya UvaFried-fish shacks, working fishing boats, easy swimming, low-key evenings | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Playa Uva
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

“Pescado frito, arroz de coco, patacones,” the woman at the shack told me, pointing her spatula at the only three things on the menu, and she was right to keep it that short. That is Playa Uva: a small, unpolished stretch of Colombia’s Caribbean coast where lunch is whatever the boats brought in. Crowds stay thin outside holiday weekends, but the sand is not postcard-white and the shoreline is not spotless, so skip it if you want resort polish. Few foreign backpackers come, and there is little nightlife and almost no organized diving. Go for the unhurried swimming, the fishing boats, and food that costs less than in the big beach towns. A first day here could be a morning swim, a long fish lunch, and a slow walk along the waterline.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Colombia Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #99 beach in ColombiaWhy visitors keep coming back

Playa Uva appeals to backpackers who want a coastal pause without the scene of Tolú or Santa Marta. Its main draw is the local fish-and-coconut-rice lunch served at family-run beachfront kitchens, where you eat for far less than at tourist-oriented restaurants and talk with the people cooking. The second reason is the quiet water on weekdays. With few people around you can swim without dodging boats or vendors, read in the shade, and sleep without bass thumping through the wall. Third, it works as a breather between longer hauls on Colombia’s Caribbean side. You can drop your pack for a night or two, wash off the road, and still keep moving along the coast. Bring cash, since small places like this rarely take cards, and expect to pay in Colombian pesos.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Playa Uva

  1. Swimming off the main shoreline: This is the reason to come. On quiet days the water is calm enough to float for an hour without watching for waves, which suits first-time travelers and anyone recovering from overland buses.
  2. Fried fish lunch at a beachfront kitchen: Order the whole fried fish with coconut rice and patacones. It is the signature Caribbean plate, and here it comes from the catch of the day, eaten at a plastic table a few steps from the sand.
  3. Watching the fishing boats: Small wooden boats come and go along the shore, and locals sort nets and gear on the sand. Walk over and ask what is running. People here are happy to talk, and you will learn more than from any sign.
  4. Shoreline walk at sunset: The beach is open and uncrowded enough for a long, easy stroll as the sky changes color.
… read more 👉
  1. Swimming off the main shoreline: This is the reason to come. On quiet days the water is calm enough to float for an hour without watching for waves, which suits first-time travelers and anyone recovering from overland buses.
  2. Fried fish lunch at a beachfront kitchen: Order the whole fried fish with coconut rice and patacones. It is the signature Caribbean plate, and here it comes from the catch of the day, eaten at a plastic table a few steps from the sand.
  3. Watching the fishing boats: Small wooden boats come and go along the shore, and locals sort nets and gear on the sand. Walk over and ask what is running. People here are happy to talk, and you will learn more than from any sign.
  4. Shoreline walk at sunset: The beach is open and uncrowded enough for a long, easy stroll as the sky changes color. Bring sandals you do not mind getting wet, and carry out anything you bring in.
  5. Evening on the sand: There is no club scene. Nights here mean a cold drink, a hammock or a plastic chair, and conversation with the family running your lodging. It suits travelers who want to sleep early and wake up to the sea.
A half day covers everything here, though an overnight stay lets you see both the morning boats and the evening light.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Playa Uva

One-day tour to Playa Blanca by land Popular sector

One-day tour to Playa Blanca by land Popular sector

3.0(2) 6h
From €45
per personViator
Diving in Rosario Islands Cartagena

Diving in Rosario Islands Cartagena

0.0(0) 8h
From €115
per personViator
5. Transportation to AVIARIO and PLAYA BLANCA Private

5. Transportation to AVIARIO and PLAYA BLANCA Private

0.0(0) 4h
From €281
per personViator
Rafael Nunez Airport Transfer to Cartagena Hotels

Rafael Nunez Airport Transfer to Cartagena Hotels

0.0(0)
From €11
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (December to March): Playa Uva is at its most reliable here, with sunny days, steady breezes and calm water. Highs run 31 to 34°C (88 to 93°F), nights hover around 24°C (75°F), and daylight lasts roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours.
  • Holiday Peaks (late December to mid-January, Semana Santa): Colombian families fill the Gulf of Morrosquillo coast, and beds cost 30 to 60 percent more with two-night minimums.
  • Wet Season (April to November): Afternoon downpours and thunderstorms roll in, with the heaviest rain in September and October. Temperatures stay at 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F), humidity is thick, and the water gets cloudier.
  • Mid-Year Lull (June to August): Colombian school holidays bring a small bump in visitors, but weekdays stay quiet and bargaining on rooms works.
Book a weekday arrival outside … read more 👉
  • Dry Season (December to March): Playa Uva is at its most reliable here, with sunny days, steady breezes and calm water. Highs run 31 to 34°C (88 to 93°F), nights hover around 24°C (75°F), and daylight lasts roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours.
  • Holiday Peaks (late December to mid-January, Semana Santa): Colombian families fill the Gulf of Morrosquillo coast, and beds cost 30 to 60 percent more with two-night minimums.
  • Wet Season (April to November): Afternoon downpours and thunderstorms roll in, with the heaviest rain in September and October. Temperatures stay at 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F), humidity is thick, and the water gets cloudier.
  • Mid-Year Lull (June to August): Colombian school holidays bring a small bump in visitors, but weekdays stay quiet and bargaining on rooms works.
Book a weekday arrival outside the holiday peaks and you will pay near the lowest rates.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutColombia Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

The best base for backpackers near Playa Uva is the village of Coveñas, with the quieter beach strip of Punta Bolívar as a second option.
Playa Uva itself is a stretch of shoreline with a handful of simple beachfront posadas and a few restaurants, so it suits a night or two of quiet more than a social scene. Expect basic fan or air-conditioned rooms from US$15 to 35 per person, higher on holidays.
Coveñas town, roughly a 10 to 20 minute mototaxi or taxi ride away (US$2 to 5), has the widest choice. Budget guesthouses and hostel-style places cluster around the main beachfront and the center, along … read more 👉
The best base for backpackers near Playa Uva is the village of Coveñas, with the quieter beach strip of Punta Bolívar as a second option.
Playa Uva itself is a stretch of shoreline with a handful of simple beachfront posadas and a few restaurants, so it suits a night or two of quiet more than a social scene. Expect basic fan or air-conditioned rooms from US$15 to 35 per person, higher on holidays.
Coveñas town, roughly a 10 to 20 minute mototaxi or taxi ride away (US$2 to 5), has the widest choice. Budget guesthouses and hostel-style places cluster around the main beachfront and the center, along with supermarkets, ATMs, cheap set lunches for US$3 to 5 and the minibus connections to Tolú and Sincelejo. This is where you will meet other travelers.
Tolú, about 30 to 45 minutes away by colectivo, is the livelier alternative, with a malecón, more nightlife and a larger pool of budget beds. It works well if you want evenings out and plan to visit Playa Uva as a day.
Best hostels in Colombia


Best quality hotels in Colombia

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Playa Uva is a calm, gently shelving Caribbean beach in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, and most visitors swim here without incident. Waves are small, though winds in the dry season can bring short chop and the occasional current along the shore, so stay within the zone where locals swim and avoid it when the sea turns rough. The water is shallow and often cloudy, so shuffle your feet to avoid stingrays.
The sun is the real issue. Midday is intense, and shade is limited, so bring reflective cover, reef-safe sunscreen and plenty of water. Afternoon storms in the wet season can arrive quickly, and lightning is a reason to leave the water.
Petty theft happens on busy beaches, so keep valuables at your lodging and take only cash for the day. Vendors are persistent but polite, and a friendly no is enough.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Most travelers reach Playa Uva from Coveñas, about 10 to 20 minutes away by taxi or mototaxi for US$2 to 5. Coveñas is reached by bus from Sincelejo (roughly 1.5 to 2 hours) or from Montería and Cartagena, which is about 3.5 to 4.5 hours by bus for US$10 to 20. From Tolú, colectivos and taxis cover the distance in roughly 30 to 45 minutes.
Swimming is the main draw at Playa Uva, with warm, shallow, usually gentle water that suits relaxed dips. Surfing is not realistic because the gulf produces very small waves. Snorkeling is poor from the beach because of low visibility, so book a boat trip from Tolú or Coveñas to the San Bernardo Islands, which costs about US$25 to 45.
Yes, Playa Uva has no entrance fee, and the sand is open to the public all day. You will pay only for extras such as loungers, umbrellas and drinks at beachfront restaurants, with chair or shade rentals typically costing US$2 to 5. Getting there by taxi or mototaxi adds US$2 to 5 each way from Coveñas.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Colombian beaches near Playa Uva

Explore more nearby:

  • Playa Blanca—Powder-white sand, knee-deep shallows, thatched huts, Barú day boats| 35 km away
  • Isla Fuerte—Car-free island, reef snorkeling, grilled snapper, boat access| 87 km away
  • Cabo San Juan—Boulder-ringed bay, rock hammock hut, Tayrona jungle trail, calm swimming| 238 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Playa Uva suits travelers who prefer a plate of fried fish and a quiet swim to a party scene, and anyone needing a calm break on the Caribbean route. If you crave nightlife, dive shops, or polished beach clubs, skip it. I would bring small bills and arrive hungry.

✈️ When did I visit Colombia?
Did a good 3-week trip around Colombia in August 2014.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Colombia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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