Cartagena City Tours

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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.

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8 hrs

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.

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2 hrs

Meals included

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.

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2 hrs 30 mins

Guided tour

Meals included

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.

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Free cancellation

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7 hrs

Guided tour

Transfers available

Pickup available

City Tours

San Basilio de Palenque Guided Tour

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5 hrs

City Tours

From Cartagena: San Basilio de Palenque Guided Day Trip with Hotel Transfers

Inclusions #

Roundtrip transportation from and to hotel
Local Palenque bilingual speaking tour guide
Tour in Palenque town
Optional African drum dance show
Typical local lunch [as per option selected]

Exclusions #

Extra drinks, food, or souvenirs
Tickets or entrances
Exclusive tour guide (this is a shared tour)

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Free cancellation

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7 hrs

Guided tour

Transfers available

Pickup available

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.

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Free cancellation

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2 hrs

Meals included

City Tours

Cartagena Walking Tour: Walled City and Getsemaní

Inclusions #

Shared daily walking tour
Bilingual-speaking tour guide
Accurate knowledge of Cartagena's historic center
Sightseeing in the Walled City district
Sightseeing in the Getsemaní district
Local recommendations for lunch and souvenirs

Exclusions #

Drinks, food, or souvenirs
Transportation to and from your hotel
Transportation on the tour (walking tour with resting stops)
Tickets or entrances
Exclusive tour guide (shared tour experience)

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Check availability

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

2 hrs 30 mins

Guided tour

Meals included

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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?

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, and deliberately louder.

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.

Your Cartagena Tours explained

Tour	Duration	Inclusions	Transport	Best For	Price
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

Explore more along the way

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

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.

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

Traditional street performer with tourists in Cartagena's historic center.

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.

Guide narrating history beside colonial buildings in Cartagena's walled city.

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.

Tourists swimming in clear water during Superman boat tour in Mallorca.

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.

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.

Cartagena City Tours

5 Rosario Islands Beaches Day Experience

Catamaran Sunset Open Bar Tour in Cartagena

Cartagena's Great Center Tour: Walled Old City & Getsemani

San Basilio de Palenque - First Free Town Day Tour

San Basilio de Palenque Guided Tour

From Cartagena: San Basilio de Palenque Guided Day Trip with Hotel Transfers

Sunset & Night Boat Party at Cartagena's Bay

Cartagena Walking Tour: Walled City and Getsemaní

How Headout makes choosing experiences effortless

We curate the best ways to experience

We partner with the best

All the best options, in one place

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Cartagena city tours at a glance