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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
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.
You can choose the standard day tour for beach-hopping and snorkeling, or the extended evening variant to swim with glowing bioluminescent plankton after sunset.
No. The national port tax must be paid in cash at the pier before departure. Oceanarium admission is also paid separately at the venue.
The basic option includes round-trip transport and the guided cultural tour. The upgraded option adds a traditional Afro-Colombian community lunch.
Choose the Catamaran for a relaxed, scenic cruise with an open bar. Choose the Sports Boat for a high-energy party with an onboard entertainer and club drop-off.
Both cruises return to the pier and include a 50% discount on Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl. The boat party also includes direct entry to a top nightclub.
What to expect on your Cartagena city tour
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Departure and getting there
Day trips to Rosario Islands and Palenque include hotel pickup from Bocagrande, Castillogrande, Laguito, and the Walled City. Boat tours meet at La Bodeguita Pier or Los Pegasos Pier. The walking tour meets in the city centre. Arrive 10 minutes early regardless of tour type.
Journey to the experience
Rosario islands is a 45 to 60-minute speedboat ride southwest through the Caribbean. The sea can get choppy later in the day, so departure before 9am gives calmer water. Palenque is a 90-minute road trip through Bolívar's interior, with context from your guide on the way.
On-Site experience
Rosario islands gives you snorkeling, beach time across five different stops, and a lunch break on one of the islands. Palenque is a guided community walk with stops for music, medicine, and a traditional lunch. The walking tour runs both the Old City's plazas and towers and the street art and murals of Getsemaní without rushing either.
Sunset and evening options
The catamaran tour is the slower, more romantic evening option, whereas the night boat party is the one that ends at a nightclub. Both last 2 hours on the water. Both include an open bar. The difference is the boat, the energy, and what happens after.
Return
Day trips return to your hotel or the original pickup point. Boat tours return to the pier. The night party boat drops guests at a Cartagena nightclub for those who want to continue.
Highlights of Cartagena
El Totumo Mud Volcano
45 minutes from Cartagena, a small volcanic crater filled with warm mineral mud where visitors float and soak. Often added as a half-day extension to Palenque tours or as a standalone afternoon trip.
Time required: 2 to 3 hours
Vibe: Quirky & relaxing
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
The largest Spanish fortification in the Americas, within walking distance of Getsemaní. A natural follow-on from the Walled City walking tour for anyone who wants the military history context.
Time required: 1 to 2 hours
Vibe: Historic & majestic
La Boquilla mangrove canoe tour
Just 15 minutes north of the Walled City, you trade the colonial streets for a traditional wooden canoe navigated by a local fisherman. You glide through natural tunnels of mangrove forests, spot native bird species, and can even try your hand at traditional net fishing.
Time required: 2 to 3 hours
Vibe: Eco-adventure & peaceful
Day tours (Rosario Islands, Palenque): Daily from 8am.
Walking tour: Two timed slots at 9am or 4pm.
Sunset boat tour: Available only at 5pm daily.
Night boat party: Multiple departure times available from 5pm.
Best season: December to April. Dry, sunny, and the sea is at its calmest for island excursions. December and January see the highest visitor numbers. February and March are the sweet spot: dry, fewer crowds, good sea conditions.
Avoid: September and October. The wettest months. Island boat tours can be cancelled due to rough sea conditions. Some Palenque roads become difficult after heavy rain.
La Bodeguita Pier (Gate 4): Main departure point for the Catamaran Sunset Tour and Rosario Island departures. Located in Cartagena's port area, 10 to 15 minutes from Bocagrande by taxi.
Los Pegasos Pier: Departure for the Night Boat Party. Also in Cartagena's port area, close to La Bodeguita.
Hotel to/fro transfers: Palenque tour includes hotel transfers for which you must make your reservation no later than 6pm (18h) the day before the date of your tour.
Walking tour meeting point: Find the point at Botero’s Sculpture “Gertrudiz” at Santo Domingo Square with red umbrellas.
By taxi: Taxis are inexpensive in Cartagena and the fastest way to reach any pier. Agree on the fare before getting in or use InDriver (widely used in Cartagena). Expect COP 8,000 to 15,000 from most Bocagrande hotels to the piers.
Island and boat tours: Swimwear and change of clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, water shoes if you have them, cash for drinks or tips ashore.
Palenque day trip: Light clothing, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent (essential), small amount of cash for any local purchases, camera.
Walking tour: Comfortable footwear, water, light layers for the evening version. The Walled City cobblestones are uneven in places.
All tours: Mosquito repellent is recommended year-round in Cartagena, particularly for evening activities near the bay and mangroves.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, the walled city is 13km of colonial-era fortifications enclosing plazas, churches, and coloured buildings. The walk along the top of the walls at dusk, with the Caribbean on one side and the rooftops on the other, is as good as it sounds.
Covered by:Cartagena Walled Old City & Getsemaní Walking Tour
Rosario islands
Best for: A full beach day off the coast
Distance from Cartagena: ~35km by sea
Getting there: Speedboat from La Bodeguita dock, 45 to 60 minutes each way
Five Caribbean islands, white sand, crystal water, snorkeling on coral reefs, and a fresh fish lunch. This is the day that justifies the journey to Cartagena's coast.
San Basilio de Palenque
Best for: The most culturally meaningful day trip from Cartagena
Distance from Cartagena: ~55km inland
Getting there: Hotel pickup included, ~90-minute drive each way
San Basilio de Palenque was founded in the 17th century by Benkos Biohó, an escaped slave who built the first free African town in the Americas. It's a UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage, a living community where the Palenquero Creole language, ancestral music, and traditional medicine are still practised daily. The tour includes a local guide from the community, a traditional lunch cooked by women of the village, and a drum and dance performance.
Walled City and Getsemaní walking tour
Best for: Arriving visitors who want to understand Cartagena before doing anything else
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Cartagena's UNESCO-listed Walled City and Getsemaní are two completely different places that happen to share a wall. One is colonial grandeur, the other is the neighbourhood that kept the city real. The tour runs with a wireless audio system, so the guide's commentary stays clear even in busy squares. No museum to queue for. No entrance ticket needed. Just the streets, the stories, and someone who knows them.
Catamaran sunset open bar tour
Best for: A relaxed golden-hour experience on the water
Meeting point: La Bodeguita Pier (Gate 4), 10 minutes before departure
Duration: 2 hours on the water
the skyline from the bay at sunset is a completely different city from the one you walk through. The catamaran moves slowly across the water while the walls and colonial towers go warm, then orange, then purple. Open bar throughout. When you're back at dock, you're offered a 50% discount at Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl if the evening is just getting started.
Sunset and night boat party
Best for: Starting the night the right way on the water
Meeting point: Los Pegasos Pier, 10 minutes before your selected time
Duration: 2 hours on board, then drop-off at a nightclub in Cartagena
A sports boat, an open bar with your choice of beverages, an entertainer on board, and two hours watching Cartagena go from sunset to night. When the boat docks, you're taken directly to a nightclub to continue. More energy than the catamaran tour, more social, deliberately louder.
San Martín de Pajarales Oceanarium
An open-sea aquarium built directly into the natural waters of the Caribbean Sea, visited as a quick stop during the Rosario islands experience . It features marine conservation exhibits alongside up-close encounters with nurse sharks, sea turtles, and dolphins.
Time required: 1 hour
Vibe: Educational & Family-Friendly
Note: Oceanarium entry tickets are sold separately at the door and are not included in the standard island-hop experience.
Discover the true heartbeat of Colombia's Caribbean coast | Cartagena
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City Tours
San Basilio de Palenque - First Free Town Day Tour
Gain insight into Afro-Colombian heritage with guided cultural immersion and local storytelling.
Day out: Get around San Basilio de Palenque, Benkos Biohó Plaza, the town's historic streets, and community spaces, with a guided walk and free time before the return to Cartagena.
You'll get: Roundtrip hotel transfers from your Cartagena hotel, bilingual local guide in English and Spanish, and a guided walk through the town.
San Basilio de Palenque: Walk the town's streets with a local Palenquero guide, covering Benkos Biohó Plaza, the Palenquero language, African hairstyle traditions, and the music that shaped Colombian culture.
Upgrades: Add a traditional lunch at a local Palenque restaurant with your choice of meat, chicken, or vegetarian.
You can cancel these tickets up to 10 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Free cancellation
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
Book now, pay later
7 hrs
Guided tour
Transfers available
Pickup available
City Tours
Cartagena's Great Center Tour: Walled Old City & Getsemani
Unpack the city's layered history through vivid stories that reveal powerful social contrasts.
Day out: Walk around Clock Tower, Santo Domingo Square, the city walls, Inquisition Palace, San Pedro Claver, Camellón de los Mártires bridge, Plaza de la Trinidad, Getsemaní street art, and San Jose Bastion for about 8km with a guide.
You'll get: English-speaking guide, wireless audio system, partner discounts with your wristband, and local tips for lunch, coffee, and souvenirs.
Walled City: Walk from Santo Domingo Square through the historic center, covering the Clock Tower, Inquisition Palace, San Pedro Claver, and views from the city walls.
Getsemaní: Cross into Getsemaní via the Camellón de los Mártires to explore the neighborhood's independence history, street murals, and community life.
You can cancel these tickets up to 6 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Free cancellation
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
Book now, pay later
2 hrs 30 mins
Guided tour
Meals included
City Tours
Catamaran Sunset Open Bar Tour in Cartagena
Unwind at golden hour with skyline views on Cartagena Bay with open bar and snacks on a smooth harbor sail.
Starting point: Board at La Bodeguita Dock, Cartagena
Everything you get: Settle onto a spacious catamaran as the sun goes down and glide along Cartagena's waterfront, taking in wide skyline views. Enjoy an open bar on selected drinks and typical mini snacks to keep you going while you relax and soak it all in.
Sights covered: Cartagena's skyline shifts from golden to illuminated sights including the Walled City, colonial churches, and modern towers visible from the bay.
Why choose this: After docking, guests receive 50% off Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl to continue the evening onshore.
You can cancel these tickets up to 10 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Free cancellation
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
Book now, pay later
2 hrs
City Tours
Sunset & Night Boat Party at Cartagena's Bay
Kick off your evening with a 2 hour coastal cruise, open bar and later join Cartagena Best Pub Crawl with a 50% discount!
Starting point: Los Pegasos Pier
Everything you get: Enjoy a sports boat ride along Cartagena's coast with music, entertainer and an English speaking assistant. Sip your favourite beverages from the open bar, get a free Cartagena tour map, a 50 percent discount on Cartagena Best Pub Crawl to experience a lively evening cruise.
Sights covered: Cartagena's bay, coastal skyline and shimmering city lights across the water; on later departures, the Walled City and colonial buildings light up after dark.
Why choose this: Build an easy evening on the water that carries into the city. After docking, guests receive 50% off Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl.
You can cancel these tickets up to 18 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Free cancellation
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
Book now, pay later
2 hrs
City Tours
5 Rosario Islands Beaches Day Experience
Five islands, snorkeling, party and lunch packed into one full Caribbean day.
Full day out to: Isla Grande for snorkeling, Encantada Beach for lunch, Cholón for the party swim, Mambo Beach Club, Barú's Playa Blanca, and a scenic pass by Bocachica Fort on a sport boat.
You'll get: Free shots & a bottle of water from departure, COP $30,000 lunch voucher, bilingual guide on board, equipment for snorkeling, and accident insurance.
Isla Grande: Snorkel above coral reefs in clear shallow water. Skip it and visit the Oceanarium nearby instead, at an extra cost.
Cholón: Float in the bay as music plays from every boat around you, then wind down at Mambo Beach Club and Playa Blanca before heading back.
Upgrades: Add the plankton swim to stay on the water after dark and witness water that glows vivid blue around you as night falls.
You can cancel these tickets up to 10 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Free cancellation
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
Book now, pay later
8 hrs
Guided tour
Meals included
Gain insight into Afro-Colombian heritage with guided cultural immersion and local storytelling.
Day out: Get around San Basilio de Palenque, Benkos Biohó Plaza, the town's historic streets, and community spaces, with a guided walk and free time before the return to Cartagena.
You'll get: Roundtrip hotel transfers from your Cartagena hotel, bilingual local guide in English and Spanish, and a guided walk through the town.
San Basilio de Palenque: Walk the town's streets with a local Palenquero guide, covering Benkos Biohó Plaza, the Palenquero language, African hairstyle traditions, and the music that shaped Colombian culture.
Upgrades: Add a traditional lunch at a local Palenque restaurant with your choice of meat, chicken, or vegetarian.
Inclusions
#
Round-trip hotel transfers from Cartagena
Local English-speaking Palenque guide
Guided walk through Palenque town
Traditional lunch (as per option selected)
Optional African drum show (available at destination)
Exclusions
#
Extra drinks and souvenirs
Private guide service (this is a shared tour)
What to bring
Clothing: Wear comfortable clothes suitable for warm weather.
Footwear: Wear comfortable walking shoes for the 5km walking involved.
Sun protection: Apply sunblock and consider a hat, as the tour involves sun exposure.
Mosquito repellent: Bring mosquito repellent, especially if you visit in the rainy season from March to June.
Drinks: Bring your own drinks, as additional beverages are not included.
Accessibility
Wheelchair access: The experience is wheelchair accessible.
Additional information
Walking distance: The tour involves approximately 5 km of walking in and around Palenque town.
Traveler suitability: The tour suits most travelers but includes sun exposure and possible mosquitoes from March to June.
Guide type: The tour uses a shared local Palenque English-speaking guide, not an exclusive guide.
You can cancel these tickets up to 10 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Unpack the city's layered history through vivid stories that reveal powerful social contrasts.
Day out: Walk around Clock Tower, Santo Domingo Square, the city walls, Inquisition Palace, San Pedro Claver, Camellón de los Mártires bridge, Plaza de la Trinidad, Getsemaní street art, and San Jose Bastion for about 8km with a guide.
You'll get: English-speaking guide, wireless audio system, partner discounts with your wristband, and local tips for lunch, coffee, and souvenirs.
Walled City: Walk from Santo Domingo Square through the historic center, covering the Clock Tower, Inquisition Palace, San Pedro Claver, and views from the city walls.
Getsemaní: Cross into Getsemaní via the Camellón de los Mártires to explore the neighborhood's independence history, street murals, and community life.
Inclusions
#
English-speaking guide
Walled City & Getsemaní sightseeing
Accurate and objective knowledge of the great center of Cartagena
Discounts & benefits at local partner businesses
Wireless audio system
Local recommendations for lunch, coffee, souvenirs, and more.
Exclusions
#
Hotel pickup or drop-off
Transportation on the tour
Drinks, food & souvenirs
Private or exclusive guide
What to bring
Water: Bring water as you will walk approximately 8km with stops throughout the tour.
Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes suitable for 8km of walking on uneven streets.
What's not allowed
Recording: Video and audio recording are not permitted during the tour.
Additional information
Audio system: Arrive 5 minutes before your slot at Santo Domingo Square to collect your wireless audio system.
Belongings: Keep your belongings secure as some areas on the route can be crowded.
Age restriction: This tour is not suitable for children under 6 or guests over 65.
You can cancel these tickets up to 6 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Unwind at golden hour with skyline views on Cartagena Bay with open bar and snacks on a smooth harbor sail.
Starting point: Board at La Bodeguita Dock, Cartagena
Everything you get: Settle onto a spacious catamaran as the sun goes down and glide along Cartagena's waterfront, taking in wide skyline views. Enjoy an open bar on selected drinks and typical mini snacks to keep you going while you relax and soak it all in.
Sights covered: Cartagena's skyline shifts from golden to illuminated sights including the Walled City, colonial churches, and modern towers visible from the bay.
Why choose this: After docking, guests receive 50% off Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl to continue the evening onshore.
Inclusions
#
Catamaran cruise on Cartagena Bay
Open bar on selected drinks
Bar service on board
Typical mini snacks
Exclusions
#
Port tax
Hotel transfers to/from dock
Extra drinks, food & souvenirs
What to bring
Cash: Bring cash for expenses beyond the open bar on board.
Additional information
Port Tax: A port tax of COP $16,000 per person is not included in your ticket.
You can cancel these tickets up to 10 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Kick off your evening with a 2 hour coastal cruise, open bar and later join Cartagena Best Pub Crawl with a 50% discount!
Starting point: Los Pegasos Pier
Everything you get: Enjoy a sports boat ride along Cartagena's coast with music, entertainer and an English speaking assistant. Sip your favourite beverages from the open bar, get a free Cartagena tour map, a 50 percent discount on Cartagena Best Pub Crawl to experience a lively evening cruise.
Sights covered: Cartagena's bay, coastal skyline and shimmering city lights across the water; on later departures, the Walled City and colonial buildings light up after dark.
Why choose this: Build an easy evening on the water that carries into the city. After docking, guests receive 50% off Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl.
Inclusions
#
2-hour sunset party boat cruise on Cartagena Bay
Shared sports boat with live entertainer and music
Open bar (with selected drinks)
English-speaking assistant
Free Tour Map of Cartagena
50% discount on Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl
Exclusions
#
Hotel pickup or drop-off
Food and snacks on board
Additional information
Meeting point: Meet at Los Pegasos Pier 10 minutes before your selected departure time.
Duration: The boat ride lasts approximately 2 hours from boarding to return.
You can cancel these tickets up to 18 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Five islands, snorkeling, party and lunch packed into one full Caribbean day.
Full day out to: Isla Grande for snorkeling, Encantada Beach for lunch, Cholón for the party swim, Mambo Beach Club, Barú's Playa Blanca, and a scenic pass by Bocachica Fort on a sport boat.
You'll get: Free shots & a bottle of water from departure, COP $30,000 lunch voucher, bilingual guide on board, equipment for snorkeling, and accident insurance.
Isla Grande: Snorkel above coral reefs in clear shallow water. Skip it and visit the Oceanarium nearby instead, at an extra cost.
Cholón: Float in the bay as music plays from every boat around you, then wind down at Mambo Beach Club and Playa Blanca before heading back.
Upgrades: Add the plankton swim to stay on the water after dark and witness water that glows vivid blue around you as night falls.
Inclusions
#
Round-trip on sport boat
Bilingual guide (English & Spanish)
Panoramic view of Bocachica Island
Snorkeling at Isla Grande (equipment provided)
À la carte lunch (COP $30,000 voucher)
Access to Cholón & Barú Island
Exclusive access to Mambo Beach Club
Free shots & a bottle of water from departure
Accident insurance
Bioluminescent plankton activity (as per option selected)
Exclusions
#
Port tax (COP $31,500 per person)
Oceanarium entry at Isla Grande
Lobster & seafood casserole at lunch (additional costs apply)
Towels and beach accessories
Open bar or drinks on boat
What to bring
Cash: Carry enough cash to pay the port tax and any extra food or activities.
Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing suitable for a full day at the beach.
Footwear: Bring beach shoes to move easily on sand and wet surfaces.
Sun protection: Apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
Towels: Pack your own towel, since towels are not included.
Additional information
Operating days: The tour operates daily from Monday to Sunday.
Timings: The experience starts at 8am and you return to Cartagena around 4:30pm, but if you choose the plankton activity, you return around 8pm.
Port tax: Bring cash to pay a port tax of COP $31,500 per person (online payment may not be available)
Group size: For groups larger than 4 people, a private tour is required.
Languages: The tour is conducted in English and Spanish.
Oceanarium visit: An optional visit to the nearby oceanarium at Isla Grande is available at an extra cost (transportation not included)
You can cancel these tickets up to 10 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.