How Headout makes choosing experiences effortless

We curate the best ways to experience

We research and organise all unique experiences - from tickets to tours to special combos - so you get all the choices without the clutter.

We partner with the best

Every supplier is vetted for quality, reliability, and value so you only get top rated experiences. No surprises, no disappointments.

All the best options, in one place

Each experience is thoughtfully organised to give you maximum availability, great value and an easy way to choose.

Book with complete peace of mind

Free cancellations, Flexible payments, and 24/7 support - thoughtfully designed for flexibility, assurance, and total peace of mind.

1/4

Slide 1 of 4
We curate the best ways to experience
We partner with the best
All the best options, in one place
Book with complete peace of mind
Prefer everything handled?

Our city tours and cruises come with transport, local guides, and key inclusions sorted. Skip the guesswork on what boat to take, which neighbourhood to start in, or where to find a taxi back from the islands. Just show up.

Cartagena city tours at a glance

Cartagena sits on Colombia's Caribbean coast and rewards almost every kind of travel day: an offshore island escape, a living UNESCO village an hour from the city, an evening on the bay watching the old walls turn gold. These five experiences cover the full range, from a full-day boat ride to a two-hour sunset party.

  • On-site visit duration: 2 hours (sunset cruises) to full day (Rosario Islands, Palenque)
  • Best season: December to April (dry season, calmer sea, clearest water)
  • Meeting/departure points: La Bodeguita Pier, Los Pegasos Pier, or your hotel (Bocagrande, Castillogrande, Walled City)
  • Key experiences covered: Rosario Islands snorkeling, Palenque cultural immersion, Old City walking tour, bay sunset cruise, night boat party

Which Cartagena city tour is right for you?

Your Cartagena Tours explained

TourDurationInclusionsTransportBest ForPrice

5 Rosario Islands Day

Full day (~8 hrs)

5 island stops, snorkeling equipment, lunch

Speedboat from La Bodeguita

Beach day, snorkeling, island-hopping

Entry from $106

San Basilio de Palenque

Full day (~6 to 8 hrs)

Hotel pickup, local guide, traditional lunch, drum and dance show

Shared transport from hotel

Afro-Colombian culture, UNESCO heritage

Entry from $27

Walled Old City & Getsemaní Walking Tour

~2 to 3 hrs

Guide with wireless audio system

Self-directed/walking

First-time visitors, city orientation

Entry from $15

Catamaran Sunset Open Bar

2 hours

Open bar, catamaran cruise on the bay, pub crawl discount voucher

Catamaran from La Bodeguita Pier

Couples, relaxed evening

Entry from $63

Sunset & Night Boat Party

2 hours + nightclub

Open bar, entertainer on board, nightclub drop-off

Sports boat from Los Pegasos Pier

Night owls, groups, party crowd

Entry from $37
The Palenque tour is not a typical sightseeing day out.

It is a living community with 300 years of history, a Creole language that exists nowhere else on earth, and women who still sell fruit in hand-embroidered dresses as Palenqueras have always done. Local guides from the village make the difference here. The historical detail in those conversations is not findable elsewhere.

Explore more along the way

Helpful tips for your Cartagena visit

  • Booking: Book Rosario Islands and Palenque tours at least a day ahead. Both have group size limits and popular departure slots fill quickly during December to March.
  • Punctuality: Arrive at the pier 10 minutes early for boat departures. Speedboats leave on time and late arrivals miss the boat, literally.
  • Currency: Cash is useful for tips, port tax, nearby add-on attractions, local purchases in Palenque, and drinks not covered by the open bar on the sunset tours. ATMs in Bocagrande and the Walled City work reliably. Bring Colombian pesos rather than relying on USD everywhere.
  • Preparation: The sea between Cartagena and the Rosario Islands can get rough in the afternoon. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before the speedboat leg and request a seat near the middle of the boat.
  • Seasonality: December, January, and Semana Santa (Holy Week before Easter) are the busiest periods. Sunset boat tours can fill up days in advance during those windows.
  • Impact: The Palenque tour is genuinely a community visit, not a museum. Tipping your local guide and buying directly from community vendors when you have the chance supports the people whose story you've come to hear.

Plan your visit to Cartagena

Frequently asked questions about Cartagena city tours

Yes. Island, Palenque, and sunset boat tours have strict capacities and fill up days in advance, especially from December to March and during Holy Week.