Top Things to do in Cartagena
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10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Cartagena That You Shouldn't Miss
Cartagena, a gorgeous fishing village on Colombia's Caribbean coast, has excellent beaches, a historic old town (that's entirely walkable) and beautiful colonial architecture. It's also one of the safest places in the country, so it's no wonder it's a popular port of call for cruise ships. Need a break from exploring the cobblestone streets? Stop at an outdoor cafe for excellent pastries and people-watching.
Restaurants in Cartagena
1. Cartagena Treasure Hunt Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Keep your little treasures safe and sound and away from the hand-held devices with a unique and fun way to explore Cartagena's rich cultural heritage.
Inclusions: Visits to key landmarks in Historic Centre, Juice and a snack, A horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic centre, Pirate Costumes, Treasure (sweets), Bucketloads of fun with the city's friendliest guide
Exclusions: Drinks, Sunscreen
Reviewed By MiisJess
I am inexcusably late with this review! My husband and I took a private tour of Getsemaní in February 2019, and Ronald was the best guide we could have asked for. Our tour was entertaining and educational, and perfectly paced. We got lots of information and tons of photo ops, we got to play dominoes, and Ronald showed us tons of spots we never would have found on our own. And as an added bonus, he even spotted a sloth up in one of the trees for us at the end of the tour! We had a great time, and will definitely do another tour when we return to Cartagena.
2. Accessible sightseeing tour of Cartagena
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Enjoy this accessible sightseeing tour specially designed for people with mobility restrictions. Walking activity is moderated.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified
Reviewed By ingvardrago
Great service. Good communication. On time even with very last minute changes. Very reasonably priced. Ended up using them several times during the trip. Cannot ask for much more than that!
3. The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: Resistance and Glory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Relive the incredible battle of Vernón, in this experiential tour of the San Felipe Castle, formerly called Fort of San Lázaro, by the hand of Carlos Desnaux, the military engineer who worked with the famous" Anka Motz ", Admiral Blas of Lezo.
Inclusions: All chapters with offline use, maps and tips to explore Cartagena
Exclusions: Snacks, Smartphone and headsets
Reviewed By Davidthetraveler123
This was a very nice experience, the background music was nice, the description of the events seems very well informed and the speaker speech it's easy to understand and fun to listen. I have been to the castle before but this time I felt I was with a private tour guide and I was able to take my own time without feeling rushed.
4. Pirate Tales Tour: To the conquest of the treasure of Cartagena
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Legendary pirate Black Bart hasn’t looted or pillaged in over 200 years so he’s pretty anxious for an adventure. That’s good news for you. Join him on an unforgettable walk as he relives his glory days. Cartagena has as much, if not more pirate history, than any city on the planet. Bart Black knows it all. He won’t make you loot, but we know he’ll make you laugh.
Inclusions: All chapters with offline use, maps and tips to explore Cartagena
Exclusions: Snacks, Smartphone and headsets
Reviewed By Davidthetraveler123
This was a very nice experience, the background music was nice, the description of the events seems very well informed and the speaker speech it's easy to understand and fun to listen. I have been to the castle before but this time I felt I was with a private tour guide and I was able to take my own time without feeling rushed.
5. The Rise of the Wall City. Cartagena Sensorial Audiowalk Part 1
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Actors perform directly to your headset together with 3D Sound effects. Don Antonio de Arévalo, one of the greatest military engineers rebuilders of the Fortifications of Cartagena de Indias, will guide you through this Soundwalk, which will explain the details and stories of the walls with pride and ownership in this first route, which runs from the Bastion of San Pedro to the Bastion of Santa Catalina and the Espigon of the Tenaza.
Inclusions: All chapters with offline use, maps and tips to explore Cartagena
Exclusions: Snacks, Smartphone and headsets
Reviewed By Arnold Ernesto G
It was a marvelous experience. A friend found the app and believe me, we traveled in time. I learned they have it in other cities
6. Historic Segway Tour 10:00am
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
The Historic Segway Tour is a comprehensive tour of 90 minutes, that offers our guests the experience of stepping back into colonial times, and submerge themselves in Cartagena´s rich history. Several stops along the way will bring the colony back to life, aided by expert commentary of our guides.
Inclusions: Segway
Exclusions:
7. GOD 2- MILITARY HISTORY OF CARTAGENA Shore excursions
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
On this tour, an expert guide will take you to back in time to the city beginnings. The first encounters between the invading Spanish and the indigenous calamari natives. The attacks perpetrated by different pirates, privateers (corsairs), buccaneers and philibusters throughout the colonial period. We also explain how independence wars prompted Colombia to start building its military force that later became known as Fuerzas Armadas de Colombia, the national army. We will visit: Naval Museum, San Felipe fortress (castle), Las bóvedas. In each one of them, we also touch on the recent history of Cartagena as part of Colombia conflicts with guerrilla groups, drug trafficking (Medellin and Cali Cartels), Paramilitary groups, constitutional amendments, Extradition in Colombia, Narco guerrilla as well as Colombia´s peace talks and agreements.
Inclusions: Bottled water, A bottle of water or a cold beer.You can choose betwen this options !, Air-conditioned vehicle, • Visit to the San Felipe fortress(castle) , • Refreshments, • Visit at Las Bóvedas , • Visit to the Naval museum, • Visit to San Pedro Claver monastery and church, • Time for shopping
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Boris P
I re-learned my city thanks to Cartagena Destiny Tours. As a native Cartagenero, I was able to return to my birthplace after 20 plus years. I contacted Cartagena Destiny Tours a week before my trip. Tour representative Sandra was able to complete a trip package for me quickly, and best of all, personalized every selection. My package included a personal guided city tour, a party bus (a.k.a Chivas), couples massage at one of Cartagena's most luxurious hotels, and a romantic horse carriage ride with dinner at Hotel Movich. Besides vacation, I wanted to propose to my girlfriend. With Sandra's assistance, my vacation plans happen with little to no hesitation or worries. To begin, Sandra took a personal approach towards my goals since she knew about my proposal. I want to give a personal thanks to Sandra and her professional staff for making my dream a reality. Sandra kept me up to date and on schedule. Sandra gave me daily reminders on event times and who was greeting me. Additionally, Sandra took extra steps to ensure that my fiancé and I were safe at all times by providing us with tips and locations to refrain from visiting. Personal guided city tour. Our tour guide was Ender. Ender knew so much history of Cartagena that I felt like I was back in school. We visited la Popa, the San Felipe Fort, a walk through the colonial streets, and scenic city views with Ender. Ender spoke English well, and we understood every word without question. If you are booking a personal guide through the city and would like to learn Cartagena's rich history, I recommend Ender to guide you. Party bus (a.k.a. Chivas). There is no party like a Chivas' party! Cartagena is well known about their Chivas and what they do. However, due to COVID, the Chivas atmosphere changed, and the shared drinking stopped. You will have to get your bottle before going into the Chivas or wait until they get to a local liquor spot where you can get your own. The people running the Chivas were accommodating and knew how to run the crowd. We danced, drank, ate, and even took a few pictures on their many stops throughout the city. Couples' massage. Well… I must say, my fiancé and I were delighted in many ways. The massage happened at Casa San Agustin, Aurum Spa. The welcoming service was incredible, and it was like you were pampered every step of the way. My fiancé had a medium touch massage, while I had a deep tissue massage. Our welcoming agent was Ligia. Ligia made us feel like we were in a world designed for my fiancé and me. Ligia constantly offered us water or asked us if we needed anything. My fiancé got a massage from Jesti, which she said that she felt like she was in a cloud after Jesti was done. My masseuse was Arelis. She did an excellent job with the deep tissue. I felt it the next day, but that's what deep massages are for. BONUS TIP: Go to the bar ALMA! Get the Monkey 47 drink! Also, you may want to try the Ceviche Eljach. Best Ceviche you will ever eat! Romantic horse carriage ride with dinner at Hotel Movich. Best scenic view of Cartagena at night! After dinner is when I proposed to my girlfriend (now fiancé). Our horse carriage picked us up from Casa San Agustin, took us through a scenic city view with a small tour, and stopped at the Hotel Movich for our rooftop dinner. The food was great! You would have a few options to select from, but well worth it! Being that I was proposing at dinner, Sandra gave me professional photographer information to record the magical night. Photographer Alvaro Delgado took some magnificent photos and recorded the proposal. I highly recommend hiring Mr. Delgado if you have a special occasion. BONUS HELP FROM SANDRA: I asked much from Sandra. I asked Sandra if she knew someone that could do the makeup and hair for my girlfriend before our romantic horse carriage ride. Sandra quickly found two professionals that tended to my girlfriend immediately after the spa. I cannot complain about the service. Thanks to Cartagena Destiny Tours, Sandra, and the great city of Cartagena, my fiancé and I had the best experience and vacation that we could ever imagine. Looking forward to the wedding and I will call Cartagena Destiny Tours again.
8. Walking Tour in the City of Columbia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Visit the historic center of Cartagena and understand the fascinating history of the city with a private tour of the city designed for tourists who want to see as much of the city as possible.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Local guide, Entrance to the Castle, Entrance to Hill of the stern, Air-conditioned transport
Exclusions: Lunch, Services not specified in the plan
Reviewed By luvbk11221
My friends and I did the real cartagena tour with Marlon. He was so friendly, funny and made us feel very comfortable. He gave us the real information on how people live and showed us all areas of Cartagena. He is very knowledgeable and full of facts. We didn't take a boring history tour, he showed us how everyday people live.
9. Gabriel García Márquez Literature Tour in Cartagena De Indias
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 23 reviews
Visiting the imaginary places invented by Gabriel García Márquez, as well as the real scenarios of novels like 'Love in the times of cholera', it will be possible to see now thanks to this tour, Let's know Cartagena through the life and work of the most important writer born in Colombia, the Magical Realism Nobel-Prize. This wonderful tour is done only in the afternoon starting at 3 pm. Meeting point in the old city; at the reception of The Navy Museum.
Inclusions: Gratuities, Bottled water, Beverages, All activities, Professional guide, Private tour
Exclusions: Excess luggage charges (where applicable), Airport/Departure Tax
Reviewed By meems0465
Duran took us on a walking tour around Cartagena and was excellent! We learned so much from him! He knows everything about the history and the city! He also took us to the monastery for a amazing views and even more knowledge. He is knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and just absolutely delightful! Highly recommend to anyone who really wants to gain a complete knowledge of the area! We feel so lucky we found Duran!
10. Walking Tour Cartagena Old City including Gold Museum and Plaza de Bolivar
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 15 reviews
Discover Cartagena's rich history and beautiful colonial architecture on a guided walking tour of the city's traditional historic center. Visit the Zenú Gold Museum, an original collection of ancient Indian artifacts that explain the history of the region. Learn about Cartagena's culture and interesting architecture from your expert guide, and visit such beautiful sites as Plaza de Bolivar, Cartagena Cathedral, Plaza de San Pedro Claver and San Pedro Church.
Inclusions: Bilingual English-Spanish speaking guide, Entry tickets to attractions mentioned
Exclusions: Optional tips and gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off (unless this option is chosen)., Unspecified food or beverage, Personal expenses
Reviewed By Mels_Trips2
The tour guide spoke with us via the app and in English. They replied back quickly and even sent us a map of where they would be located at the airport. We received details about the vehicle and license plate! The driver even made one stop for us on the way. Defiantly book them! We booked private transportation for 4 people! It was perfect. The vehicle was cool and clean.
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