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Things to do in Cartagena (Colombia)

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City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour of Cartagena

Book your hop-on hop-off bus tour of Cartagena de Indias and explore local gems like the Torre del Reloj and the Walled City on board a double-decker bus.

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Self-guided e-Scavenger Hunt in Cartagena Colombia

Engage in an entertaining, family-friendly game where participants respond to location-related questions and complete search tasks, all from your smartphone.

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View all activities in Cartagena (Colombia)

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Excursions & Tours

Cartagena City Tour

Street Food Tour

Emerald Tour

Walking Tour of the Walled City

Mangroves Tour

Cartagena On Your Own

Cartagena From The Walls

Colombian Cooking Class

Private Personalized Luxe Cartagena Sightseeing

San Pedro Claver Sanctuary with San Felipe de Barajas Fort

Private Cartagena Highlights

Private Emerald Tour

Private Walking Tour of the Walled City

Cartagena, colombia excursions.

Cartagena is a modern port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. At its core is the walled Old Town, with 16th-century plazas, cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings. With a tropical climate, the city is a popular beach destination. Reachable by boat are the nearby shores of Isla de Bar and Islas del Rosario, known for their coral reefs and scuba diving.

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The port city of Cartagena Colombia sits on the Caribbean Sea very close to where Central America joins South America. It has become a popular cruise ship stop, especially for Panama Canal crossings. The hotel and resort industry has also grown in the past few years. With a rich history dating back to 4000BC, the city offers great options for sightseeing and cultural highlights excursions and shore excursions in Cartagena, Colombia.

Top 9 Cartagena Excursions

• Private City Sightseeing ($89.99)
• City Highlights ($84.99)
• Private Volcano & Mud Bath ($104.99)
• Fishing & Cooking ($104.99)
• Private Mangrove Forest Exploration ($99.99)
• Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing ($18.99)
• Discover SCUBA Diving for Beginners ($121.99)
• 2-Tank SCUBA Dive ($114.99)
• Private Cartagena 2 Tank SCUBA ($579.99)

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• Round-trip transportation from your Cartagena cruise ship terminal!
• Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured private excursion transportation!
• English, Spanish, and French-speaking certified private sightseeing shore excursion guide!
• Fun, safe exploration of Cartagena with an English-speaking shore excursion guide!
• See the best highlights and sights including Cerro de la Popa, San Felipe Fort, Getsemani area, Gold Museum, and more!

• Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation!
• English-speaking certified guide!
• Entrance fees to Popa Monastery and Saint Pedro Claver Church!
• Cold bottled water!
• Guests also spot St Phillipe Fort, Main Plaza, and Emerald Museum!

• Round-trip transportation from your Cartagena cruise ship area!
• Private English-speaking certified guide!
• Bottled water!
• Entrance fee to Volcano Totumo!
• See the famous volcanic mud bath of Totumo Volcano!
• Visit Los Cocos Lagoon!
• Informative talk about volcanoes!

• Private round-trip transportation from your Cartagena cruise ship terminal!
• Private English-speaking certified shore excursion guide!
• All necessary fishing instructions and gear are included!
• Small groups only!
• Unique local cultural immersion experience!

• Round-trip transportation from your Cartagena cruise terminal area!
• Private English-speaking certified guide and captain!
• Complimentary coconut water or bottled water!
• Visit the bird park in the lagoon and mangrove ecosystems!
• Information on mangrove ecosystems (flora and fauna)!
• Visit the "Laguna de La Virgen" (panoramic)!
• Visit the "Laguna de Juan Polo" and "Fisherman Island" (panoramic)!
• Ride through the natural mangrove tunnels (Tunnels of Love, Happiness, and Remembrance)!
• Visit the local fishing village!

• Round-trip route with on/off privileges in Cartagena!
• Easy to use sightseeing map with all hop-on and hop-off locations!
• Multi-lingual audio narration on the bus - available in 6 languages!
• A total of 14 Bus stops at the must-see sites!
• 90-minute walking excursion!
• Option to stay on the bus for the circuit!
• Escape the cruise ship shore excursion crowds and enjoy the unique sights of Cartagena!

• Convenient meeting location near your Cartagena cruise ship terminal!
• Boat ride to SCUBA dive excursion sites!
• PADI-certified, English-speaking discover SCUBA dive excursion master and dive center!
• All necessary SCUBA diving equipment!
• 2 SCUBA dives!
• Drinks and snacks are included between dives!
• No SCUBA diving or snorkeling experience is necessary!

• 2-tank scuba dives for certified divers by boat!
• English-speaking, PADI-certified dive shore excursion master!
• Complete dive shore excursion equipment including wetsuits!
• Drinks and snacks are included such as fruit, cookies, cold bottled water, iced tea, and more!
• Best price guarantee!

• Private 2-tank scuba dives for certified divers by boat!

11 Best Cartagena Tours and Excursions to Consider Adding to Your Visit

• Post author: Adam McConnaughhay
• Post published: April 2, 2024

To do tours or not to do tours in Cartagena, Colombia?

That’s a question I know I find myself asking a lot when visiting a new place.

On the one hand, I really like going at my own pace and feeling like I’m not just seeing the “tourist trap” sites.

On the other hand, I’ve done some awesome tours and excursions in Cartagena, not to mention elsewhere, that I got a lot out of.

In those cases, not only did I get to see places or things I might not have otherwise, but I also got great insight about the history or culture or just fun tidbits.

I can also often get a lot more into a day with organized tours and experiences than if I am just exploring on my own, a key advantage if you have limited time.

So, even if you’re more of a DIY type of traveler like me and want to do more than the average whistle stop tour that everyone else does, you can still get a lot out of doing some tours in Cartagena. And, well, yes, sometimes the typical tourists tours are popular for a reason and are even worth doing!

There are a lot of fun things to do in Cartagena , including a lot you can do on your own, but there is also a lot to be gained by doing some Cartagena excursions or guided experiences.

Even after living in Cartagena for 11 years, there were still times I learned something new on a Cartagena tour. There is a good reason after all that Cartagena is considered one of the best places to travel in South America !

I’ve got a whole list of more than 75 things to do in Cartagena I put together myself, a lot of them geared towards exploring on your own.

However, there are some things that are really only recommendable to do with an organized Cartagena excursion as well as some things that can be done on their own but really are better to do with a tour.

Many of them are especially great choices for those with limited time, those who like to learn a bit more, and those who want access to some places outside the city that are hard to do on your own.

So read on to learn my picks for the 11 best tours in Cartagena, Colombia you could consider adding on to your itinerary for your visit.

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I am a member of Amazon Associates, LLC and other affiliate programs and earn from qualifying purchases made after clicking those links. There is never any additional cost to you. To learn more please consult our Disclosure Policy.

* Want to take the hassle of out planning your trip?

Let the experts at our partner BnB Colombia Tours help you! Check out their predesigned packages or fill out this form and they will work with you to design a truly unforgettable, custom made trip. Especially nice, nearly all their tours are private with great, bilingual guides. Packages start at $250 USD a day per person.

And if you’re more interested in just doing a few day tours like those on this list, I’m happy to say BnB Colombia also offers Cartagena Explorer readers a 20% discount on all their day tours. Click here to see all their tours in Cartagena (plus other places in Colombia) and use the discount code ExploreColombia20 for your exclusive discount off the listed prices!

Best Tours in Cartagena, Colombia Quick Tips

I’ll be going into more detail about each of these tours and excursions in Cartagena below as well as go over some different options for doing them.

However, if you want a quick guide, here is a quick summary of the 11 Cartagena, Colombia tours I’ll be discussing in more detail below:

• Tour to the Rosario Islands – This is an absolute must do Cartagena excursion. The top ways to do it are in a private boat rental , a catamaran boat tour , or a day trip to our favorite place in the islands .
• Cartagena City Tour – Your standard city tour of Cartagena hits all the highlights, including the historic Castillo San Felipe and the Walled City.
• Walking Tour of the Walled City – Take a walking tour of Cartagena’s historic center to learn even more details on the historic charm of the Walled City.
• Walking Tour of Getsemaní – A great way to learn more about the history and see the cool street art of this historic district considered the cradle of Cartagenero culture is to go on a Getsemaní walking tour or Getsemaní graffiti tour .
• Bike Tour of Cartagena – A unique way to do a city tour of Cartagena is a bike tour .
• Sunset on the Bay – A great way to end the day with terrific views is a sunset cruise on a catamaran .
• Tour the Bazurto Market – A unique look into the less touristy side of Cartagena is a tour to the bustling Bazurto Market . Best part is it includes food!
• Do a Cooking Class – A neat way to learn more about the culture and culinary traditions of Cartagena is doing a cooking lesson . Plus, you get more food!
• Take a Dip in a Mud Volcano – Cartagena’s oddest attraction is taking a dip in the mud volcano , which can be combined to include a bonus trip to a pink sea nearby.
• Take a Day Trip to Palenque – Another chance to see the less touristy side of Colombia and learn about this unique historic community .
• Take a Ride on the Hop on and Hop Off Bus – A surprisingly good value and way to see lots easily is buying a ticket for the Hop On Hop Off Cartagena .

Got your Cartagena hotel reservations yet? If not, be sure to check out my guide to the best areas to stay or see the best luxury hotels , best beach hotels , best boutique hotels , or best hostels .

In Depth Look at the Best Excursions in Cartagena, Colombia

Ok, let’s dive into each of these top tours in Cartagena de Indias in more detail.

For each, I’ll run down what to expect, why you should consider doing it as a guided experience, and some options for booking it. While I’ll try to mention it below where I link to them, please keep in mind that any of the tours offered by my partner BnB Colombia can be booked with a 20% discount with the code ExploreColombia20.

1. Rosario Islands – The One Cartagena Excursion You Can’t Miss

A visit to the Rosario Islands is an absolute must in Cartagena!

Yes, there are beaches in Cartagena proper, but they tend to be crowded and have lots of vendors. They also aren’t nearly as pretty as the islands! Playa Blanca is another popular choice, but in my opinion, it’s become way too crowded in recent years too.

So, it’s well worth spending the little bit extra to go out to the islands!

Since they are roughly an hour boat ride away, even if you are a DIYer and don’t like doing organized tours, you will need to do something organized to the islands, whether it be a day pass at a resort or a ticket for a tour or excursion.

Undoubtedly the coolest way to do a Cartagena island tour is via private boat . Having dance parties at party spot Cholón , stopping for snorkeling at the reef or site of a submerged plane, and checking out secluded beaches are the advantages of doing a private Cartagena boat tour.

While more affordable than you might think, it is of course, most cost effective if you are traveling with or can put together a group.

If you can’t manage to swing the private boat, there are some other great options for Cartagena tours to the islands.

However, a word of warning: Be wary of cheap tours to the Cartagena islands sold by street vendors.

They are notorious for packing lots of people on tiny boats and having lots of upsells along the way like paying for chairs at the beach or paying extra to enter the oceanarium. Be sure you have clear what your tour will and will not include. Unless you really want to see the oceanarium, I’d avoid booking one that stops there.

My second choice for a Cartagena islands tour is to do the day trip on the Bonavida Catamaran . It’s a great boat and it includes lunch and snorkeling gear.

It’s without a doubt the best choice for a shared boat tour in Cartagena.

For those who want a proper beach, a day trip to IslaBela is also great. If you book at that link use the code ExploreColombia20 for a 20% discount! You can get the same discount on this day pass at a nicer place in the islands too.

By the way,if you have the time, say more than 4 nights total in Cartagena, I’d also encourage spending the night here or at one of the other resorts in the Rosario Islands .

Some other possible fun ways to do the islands are with a multi-island boat tour or on a shared party boat with open bar to Cholón . A day pass at Bora Bora beach club is another popular option for those looking for a bit more party vibes.

You can see even more options for Cartagena island excursions at my guide to the best Rosario Islands day trips and learn more about doing a day trip versus spending the night in my complete guide to the Rosario Islands .

2. Cartagena City Tour

Well, what would a list of the best tours in Cartagena be without your classic Cartagena city tour!

This is a great way to see the highlights and main historic sites of the city and learn a lot about Cartagena’s history in a day or half day, depending on which of the tours of Cartagena, Colombia you pick.

I often recommend doing this your first day as it can be a great introduction to getting around and give you some valuable background and insight into the city’s culture and history.

There are, of course, different variations of this tour, so be sure to find out what is and is not included on any city tour of Cartagena you book.

Typically, they will include a visit to the Castillo San Felipe Fort , the convent atop the hill known as La Popa, and a walking portion of the Walled City.

Some may include stops like the San Pedro Claver Church , the Palacio de la Inquisición Cartagena history and Inquisition Museum, or the Cartagena Gold Museum , although I’d try to maximize your time with a guide and do those things on your own later. Oh, and if you like museums, the Cartagena Naval Museum is my favorite for learning more about the city’s history.

You can book a private city tour with our partners BnB Colombia Tours (be sure to use the discount code ExploreColombia20 for a 20% discount!) or book one via GetYourGuide or via Viator .

I like the idea of doing this private so you aren’t stuck with a big group which either always seem to move too slow or too fast. You can go at your own pace, get the photos you want, not wait for the photos you don’t want, and get to ask your guide all the questions you have!

There is also this shared tour that includes some street food tastings, about as good of an added bonus as there is, if you’re looking to save some pesos on a shared tour though.

3. Walking Tours of Cartagena’s Historic Areas

Perhaps you’d like to get the benefit of a guided tour in the historic city but explore the fort and other sites on your own?

If so, you might want to opt for a Cartagena walking tour of the historic districts rather than the full city tour. You can get 20% off a private walking tours in Cartagena with the code ExporeColombia20.

That tour not only includes a longer walking tour in Cartagena’s Walled City but also a tour of the adjacent district of Getsemaní, home of the colonial era artisan class and considered to be the birthplace of Cartagena’s culture (and the next place on this list, so you can’t beat the value!).

You can also book a shared walking tour via GetYourGuide or a private walking tour via Viator .

There are also some free walking tours of Cartagena. Just keep in mind though advertised as “free,” the expectation is that you do pay something at the end. I believe they do give you a suggested price. It’s an interesting business model, and we’ve enjoyed free walking tours before.

4. Tour of Getsemaní

As mentioned above, Getsemaní was the home of the colonial artisan class, many of them former slaves. In fact, the area remained a largely working class neighborhood into the opening years of the 21st century.

While there are still some long time resident holdouts, it’s now also home to lots of trendy bars, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and hostels. It’s still managed to keep a local vibe that isn’t quite as evident in the Walled City though.

By the way, do feel free to check out my guide to the Cartagena nightlife . You’ll see plenty of places from Getsemaní mentioned there!

It’s a great place to learn more about the history of the city, especially Cartagena’s independence , as the support of the artisan class for independence was crucial.

There is also some terrific graffiti and street art.

Not to mention, there are lots of neat photo ops with colorful umbrellas, flags, or both over several streets.

In short, whether you decide to explore here on a tour or on your own, it’s a can’t miss area of Cartagena.

While Getsemaní can be explored on your own, there’s some good benefits of doing it with a tour. Much like the Walled City, you’ll get lots more valuable insight on the area’s and the city’s history, like for example the role played by mulatto leader Pedro Romero in independence.

A guide will also make sure to point out all the best street art and photo ops.

Once again, you can book a private walking tour of the Walled City and Getsemaní together or just a private walking tour of Getsemaní via our partners BnB Colombia and get 20% off with ExploreColombia20 discount code.

Another fun option would be this unique tour that focuses on the graffiti . There is also this neat tour that includes rum tastings . Drinking rum and talking history, what could be more fun! (Yes, I was a history major and I also like rum).

5. Bike Tour of Cartagena

If you’d like to do a guided experience to Cartagena’s historic highlights that isn’t quite your typical Cartagena walking tour, consider doing a bike tour!

Keep in mind Cartagena gets really hot, and you’ll definitely want to do this earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon.

It’s a neat way to do a Cartagena tour while also being active. In fat, this would be one of my top recommendations for excursions in Cartagena for families.

You can book a private bike tour with our partners at BnB Colombia (use the ExploreColombia20 discount code) or a shared one via GetYourGuide .

It is also possible to rent bikes hourly if you’d prefer to do this on your own or you would prefer to do one of the walking tours and just enjoy cruising.

6. Sunset on the Bay

Outside the more traditional Cartagena city tours and Cartagena walking tours noted above and doing a trip to the islands, this would be my top choice for a fun excursion in Cartagena you should absolutely consider doing.

There’s nothing quite like a beautiful sunset over the Caribbean.

While Cartagena has some great sunset spots , doing a sunset cruise on the bay is also a lot of fun. This is one of those things that we would do periodically and always enjoyed time and time again while living in Cartagena.

In addition to getting a great view of the sun setting over the ocean, you also get a unique perspective of the city, which is particularly pretty lit up once it gets dark on the return trip.

My top choice for a sunset cruise is on the Bona Vida Catamaran . Susana and I have done this and agree it’s the coolest boat ( see our review here ). It includes a couple drinks and snacks.

For those looking to do a bit more imbibing, there is also an open bar sunset cruise on the Sibarita . We’ve also done that one on the smaller Sibarita Express boat and enjoyed it a lot ( see our review here ). Sibarita also has a dinner cruise that looks like it would be a lot of fun.

Finally, the pirate boat also offers a sunset cruise with an open bar that looks like it would be good fun! I’m hoping to do it on our next return visit, and pretty much all I’ve heard about it has been positive.

Or for something unique and active, you could do a kayak tour at sunset .

7. Tour to Cartagena’s Bazurto Market

If you’ve seen the Anthony Bourdain episode where he visits Cartagena, you got to see him head to the hectic Bazurto Market of Cartagena to get fresh ingredients with one of the chefs he visits. While there he marvels at the fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish and even has a fresh lunch from a small food stall.

After Bourdain’s visit, a place that does not look like your typical tourist attraction became one. Recreating his experience is what these tours attempt to do.

I’ll never forget walking by the market nearly every weekend to catch the bus back out to Barú where I worked as a volunteer teacher my first year in Colombia in 2011. It was definitely dodgy and even walking along the edge was a bit of an assault on your senses.

While Susana would occasionally go and buy fresh shrimp or lobster at the market, I mostly just avoided it during my time in Cartagena.

Honestly, I never would have expected it to become a tourist attraction, much less one of the top tours in Cartagena.

But, well, here we are.

Tours to the market are quite common now, and given its location away from the tourist areas and the fact that parts can still be a bit dodgy, I would not recommend going here except with a tour.

However, if you do go with a tour, you should feel safe doing so. It is a neat experience to see all the fresh fruits and vegetables, not to mention the fish mongers, and you can really get some very delicious fresh cooked meals.

I would give the caveat that even though it’s become a common tourist stop, it is still definitely not exactly your yuppie, granola mom’s idea of a farmers’ market. It’s the city market for the city, one that draws more of Cartagena’s underprivileged than its well off, and it is still very much an assault on the senses (especially if it’s rained!).

It’s a very neat way to see the less touristy side of the city and have a unique experience, but if you have a sensitive nose, have a weak stomach, or are a hygiene freak, it’s probably best avoided.

There are a few variations of the Cartagena Bazurto Market tour, but usually they include fruit tasting and a fresh lunch prepared with fish and/or shellfish caught that morning (I’m sure all can arrange a non seafood and vegetarian friendly option too).

You can book a private a tour to the market with out partners BnB, or for a better value book a half day experience that includes a walking tour of Getsemaní and the tour to the market (use discount code ExploreColombia20 for 20% off on either!). You can also book a tour to just the market on GetYourGuide .

8. Do a Cooking Class

If the Cartagena market tour interested you, you might also enjoy a cooking class.

I guess this isn’t a Cartagena tour or excursion per se, but it’s a neat and organized experience that is a bit different and allows for some hands on fun and learning.

Plus, the best part is you get to eat what you make!

The best cooking class in Cartagena is at Cafe Lunático. You can book a spot via GetYourGuide or via Viator .

It includes preparation of several dishes, which vary according to the day of the week. It’s a fun way to combine a bit of learning about culture and tradition with one of everyone’s favorite activities on vacation, eating!

If you want to do a Cartagena food tour that doesn’t require you to do any work or head to the hectic market, you could also consider doing a street food tasting tour .

Or for dessert, consider a rum and chocolate tasting (use discount code ExploreColombia20).

And, be sure to check out my guide to the best restaurants to try in Cartagena too!

9. Tour to the Mud Volcano (and Pink Sea depending on season)

The Totumo Mud Volcano is probably Cartagena’s oddest attraction!

My experience is usually this is a love it or hate it kind of experience.

I remember going here during my first year in Cartagena. It was, well unique. Not something I’d repeat to be honest, but it was neat, and is certainly a good story.

Supposedly, the mud is great for your skin too.

While it is possible to do this on your own by hiring a taxi or doing a combination of bus and motorcycle taxi, there are plenty of tours to the Cartagena mud volcano that are reasonably priced, so I’d recommend just doing it that way.

Depending on season, some tours here also include a visit to the Pink Sea of Galerazamba , which is itself a unique attraction. The only issue is the pink effect can be a bit unpredictable, so treat it more as an added bonus.

Our partners BnB Colombia offer both shared and private tours to the mud volcano as well as shared and private tours to the mud volcano and to the mangrove forests north of Cartagena (use that discount code ExploreColombia20 for a 20% discount on any of them).

You can also book this Cartagena tour via GetYourGuide .

Read more about this unique Cartagena attraction at my complete guide to the mud volcano .

10. Do an Excursion from Cartagena to Palenque

The town of San Basilio de Palenque, often just called Palenque, was a colony of runaway slaves.

They were so successful at repelling Spanish attempts to destroy them and at carrying out raids to free other slaves in Cartagena, that the Spanish crown actually negotiated a peace treaty that granted them legal recognition as a free town, the first town of runaway slaves to receive such recognition.

This designation is why it is often called the first free black town in the Americas. While it was the first town of its kind to be recognized by a European colonial power, it was far from the first town of its kind.

In fact, there is a fair amount of myth about Palenque. I did a deep dive researching it for this site and you can read more about Palenque’s history here .

Still, it remains a culturally and historically significant site, and is pretty fascinating. While it used to be quite off the beaten path, it’s really grown as a tourist destination in recent years, and is a common excursion from Cartagena today. In fact, after the islands, I’d say it’s one of the very best day trips from Cartagena .

Located in the Montes de María region that was site to some of the worst violence of Colombia’s internal conflict, it’s a neat and largely community driven type of tourism that highlights Colombia’s under-recognized Afro-Colombian cultural traditions. It also offers a glimpse of the neglected state of much of rural Colombia.

I remember finding our visit here fascinating.

Many of the town’s colonial era residents kept alive their West African traditions, including traditional belief systems and language. In fact, the language that is still spoken by many of the town’s elders is the only known Spanish-African blended creole language, sort of akin to a Spanish patois.

I thought the most interesting thing was their unique justice system. For minor offenses, village elders decide the punishment rather than the normal legal system.

You can book a private tour with BnB Colombia (one final time, use that discount code ExploreColombia20!). You can also book a private tour via Viator .

You can read more about Palenque and why it’s worth visiting in my complete guide to San Basilio de Palenque .

11. See Lots at Your Own Pace on the Hop On Hop Off Bus

I know, I know, your first reaction here is probably similar to mine: this looks and sounds like the ultimate in tourist trap cheese.

However, the Cartagena Hop On Hop Off Bus is actually not a bad value, especially because the ticket is good for 2 days.

It has stops at a lot of Cartagena’s top attractions, including the Castillo San Felipe, and can be a much cheaper way to get to these sites than doing individual taxis.

If you want to see the main sites in Cartagena without necessarily doing a full guided experience with a guide but just get easy transportation there, it’s a decent option.

For that reason, I’m ending this list of the best Cartagena tours with it.

Some More Honorable Mentions for Tours in Cartagena

Here are handful more Cartagena tours I considered for this list that may make for some more fun ways to explore the city:

• Salsa Lessons – book this private lesson to get ready for hitting the dance floor.
• Colombian National Aviary – the Cartagena Aviary is really well done, and you can book a private tour that includes transportation and a guided experience.
• Playa Blanca – I still think you’re better off doing the Rosarios for a Cartagena islands tour or beach tour in Cartagena, but if you really want to do Playa Blanca or perhaps do both, this tour that includes lunch is a good option.
• Bioluminescent plankton tour – Seeing the bioluminescent plankton doesn’t look quite as cool as in the pictures, at least in my experience, but it is neat.
• Horseback riding on the beach – this would be especially fun for families or as a couple. Book with our partners or via GetYourGuide .
• ATV Tour – This ATV tour is a pretty recent thing, but it’s got tons of great reviews and would be a bit more extreme way to explore the beach for a unique Cartagena excursion.
• Paratriking Over the Beach – a unique and more extreme experience is this paratriking over the beach tour .
• Nightlife and barhopping tour – this tour that includes drinks at several bars would be a fun way to meet some other travelers to party with.
• Cruise excursion – this tour is designed for those arriving to Cartagena on cruise boats and is a good way to see the highlights similar to what you’d see on a Cartagena city tour if you are arriving by cruise for the day.

Which of these Cartagena tours will you do?

There you have it, my picks for the best tours in Cartagena, Colombia!

All of these are good ways to see different attractions in the city while learning more about its fascinating history and culture.

Whichever of these Cartagena tours you do, I hope this guide was useful and, most importantly, you enjoy them and your entire time in Cartagena!

Cheers and Happy Exploring!

Did you like this post?

Check out these others you might like: Guide to Tayrona National Park Guide to the San Bernardo Islands Getting Around Cartagena Cartagena Safety Tips Cartagena Nightlife Guide including the Best Bars and Clubs

Planning a trip to Cartagena?

Be sure to check out the rest of the site to help you plan!

In particular, you might want to check out my complete guide to planning a trip to Cartagena , my guide to the best areas to stay , my list of over 75 things to do , my picks for the best Cartagena tours , the best day trips from Cartagena , my suggested packing list , my guide to the Rosario Islands , and my guide to all the beaches of Cartagena .

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Cartagena Spain (Murcia)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Mediterranean - Black Sea

Local Time 2024-04-06 21:34

Port Cartagena Spain cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Cartagena Spain, Murcia. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Cartagena is a major port city on the coast of Murcia region (southeastern Spain), with population around 220,000. The indented harbour bay is guarded by rocky promontories, each topped by a fort. Today, the city is also Spain's main naval base and cargo shipping port.

Cartagena is Spanish Navy's principal port since 18th century. As far as the 16th century, it was among the most important Spanish naval ports, along with Ferrol. Cartagena is still a major naval port and has a large naval shipyard.

Popolar among tourists are the Roman Theatre (2nd largest in Iberia) - after Merida), abundance of Phoenician, Byzantine, Roman and Moorish remains, numerous Art Nouveau buildings, a Carthaginian castle, old city walls, a 13th century cathedral, waterfront promenades (along the harbour), Mar Menor (lagoon-like beach and watersports resort).

Cartagena was founded in 221 BC by the Carthaginians (king Hasdrubal). As "Nova Carthage" the town was Roman Empire's principal port town in Iberia. In AD 425, the city was sacked by the Goths, later restored and improved by the Moors. From 1269, it was ruled by Aragon Kingdom, and later became part of the Kingdom of Spain. Cartagena is the first of several cities which eventually were named Cartagena, most notably Cartagena de Indias in Colombia .

The following photo is an aerial look over Port Cartagena (locode ESCAR).

For season 2018, the cruise port had scheduled a total of 150 ship calls and over 215,000 passengers. This was increase of 26% over 2016 (151 ship calls with around 236,000 passengers). The port also reported (based on ship bookings 2018) 24 days with double and triple ship calls.

In 2017 was extended the cruise pier (to 700 m / 2300 ft) which now allows docking of two of the world's largest cruise ships simultaneously. Also in 2017 were added new cruise shore excursions, among which to the history themed "Roman Theater" and the culinary-themed “Stories with Flavor” (Mediterranean cuisine specialties and tapas tastings).

For season 2018, the cruise port handled 148 ship calls and 228,000 passengers. For season 2019 were booked 162 ship calls with estimated nearly 248,000 passengers.

Cartagena Spain cruise terminal

Cartagena cruise ship terminal is located in the port's Marina area (its outer part). The terminal is right next to the Yacht Club's building. The quay is at close proximity to downtown.

The cruise terminal offers as facilities taxi rank, bus stop, parking lots for tourist coaches, info kiosks. Nearby are also Murcia's Muelle de Alfonso XII quay and Plaza Ayuntamiento.

Murcia City (region's capital) offers a wide variety of themed excursion options, including beach resorts, city tours, nature tours, culinary and wine tours, shopping opportunities. Lorca (city) is famous for its medieval past.

Caravaca de la Cruz (town northwest of Murcia) is considered one of world's all 5 Holy Cities and is a major destination for pilgrims. Every 7 years, here is celebrates Permanent Jubilee.

Bodegas Hacienda del Carche (Vejer de la Frontera) opened a wine museum about region's history. As cruise tour, it includes a visit to the vineyards, review of the winemaking and wine tasting.

Cartagena Spain tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Cartagena Spain - user reviews and comments

4 Best Cartagena Tours: Amazing unmissable excursions! [2024]

Cartagena is packed with history, pleasant climate, and beautiful beaches so it can be hard to figure out where to start. Tours in Cartagena can give you the city's best offers while keeping your budget and time frame in mind. Explore some of the best tours in the area to help make the most of your trip!

Cartagena is a very popular city in Colombia next to  Medellin  and  Bogota  and the third-largest by population. It has a deep history that shines through in its many well-preserved buildings and modern street art that works harmoniously with the history to create a vibrant energy. You can feel the heat of the night dancing to Reggaeton on one of Cartagena's beautiful Caribbean islands or soak up the sun on one of the white-sand beaches. 

A guided tour through this beautiful historic city is the best way to experience it like a local and make the most of your trip to Cartagena. A tour is a great way to see the must-see things to do in Cartagena and save money doing it! 

How many days do you need in Cartagena? That is entirely up to you! Some people stay in this vibrant city for 3-4 days to enjoy the sights and nightlife, and some people stay for weeks to immerse themselves in the culture. 

No matter what kind of trip you are interested in, make your budget work for you with one of these 4 best Cartagena tours. These tours will surely curate one of the best experiences you will have while traveling in this magical city.

Best excursions in Cartagena, Colombia

Here are some of the best tours we've discovered in Cartagena that we just know you'll enjoy! Keep in mind the prices of each tour can fluctuate depending on the year and season you're traveling in.

1. Rosario Islands Catamaran

Hosted by:  Bona Vida Caramaran S.A.S

Length:  7.5 hours 

Price:  $94.29

Where will you go?

This tour takes you out on a beautiful catamaran boat to explore the vibrant turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean sea off the coast of Cartagena. The Rosario Islands are located off the coast of Cartagena and have some of the best snorkeling around. 

What will you do?

Departing in the morning from the Muelle de la Bodeguita pier, enjoy a welcome drink before you sail off to the Rosario Islands. When you reach the island, you are free to leave the boat and practice snorkeling or relax in the cool water. A delicious lunch is provided on board before you sail back to the mainland. 

Why this tour?

This tour ensures a relaxing getaway from the city where all amenities are taken care of. 

This tour provides the ride, the gear, and the entrance fees for a magical day of snorkeling and swimming with the tropical fish. Returning in the evening, you will still have plenty of time to return to your hotel and get ready for a night on the town!

2. Cartagena City Tour

Hosted by:  Viator

Length:  5-7 hours 

Where will you go? 

Experience one of the best tours in Cartagena on this 1-day walking tour that takes you to San Felipe Castle, The Walled City, Getsemani neighborhood, and La Popa to view the landscape from above. Stop along the way to snap a pic for Insta and learn about Cartagena's history and culture.

This walking tour brings you through many historical sites in Cartagena, among the stunning colonial houses and baroque churches. 

Walk along the streets of Cartagena and take in the sights and enjoy the traditional Caribbean lunch, to fully immerse yourself in the experience. 

Take in the colors and sounds in Getsemani, a neighborhood packed with history and culture. Many of Cartagena's famous street art murals can be found here.

This tour is an extraordinary way to see the sights of the city in detail and experience it authentically with a local guide. You get to visit many of Cartagena's historical sites in one go, so it's perfect for those short on time.

Not sure about using  Viator  as your tour guide? Check out our in-depth review! 

3. Cartagena ATV Tour

Price:  $177.95

This adventure-packed Cartagena ATV tour takes you along some of the city's lesser-known sights. 

Grab your rental helmet and get ready for a fun-filled day. Arrive at the meeting point and start your boat ride to the island to the town of Bocachica before enjoying a fresh lunch. 

Relax and enjoy before hopping on your ATV and driving along the coastline to Playa Linda. A steep cliff at the end of the trail is the perfect photo op, where the backdrop of Cartagena is at your fingertips.  

Learn all about African history and culture in the historical town of Bocachica and enjoy an adventure-filled ride along the pristine coastline with Cartegena in the background. You can enjoy lunch on the beach before continuing on the adventure!

This tour is excellent if you are new to ATV riding or have been before. The company's safety brief is thorough and ensures everyone stays safe while having fun. Mix up your classic beach day with this ATV ride and enjoy adventure and relaxation, the best of both worlds. The tasty lunch on the beach will give you enough energy to hit the trails afterward!

4. Street Food Tour

Hosted by:  Cartagena Connections

Length:  3 hours 

Price:  $30

This tour will take you on a wild experience through the streets of Cartagena, tasting many delicious street food items while exploring the popular Getsemani neighborhood. 

On this tour you will get to try some of Cartagena’s best street food dishes like local fruits (lulo, granadilla, nispero, papaya and more), los fritos, arepas, papas rellenas, cocadas, arequipe and many more! Enjoy fresh coconut water and sample the famous boli, a frozen refreshment in a bag.

This tour is perfect for people who aren't interested in tours. 

Taste Cartegena with your new local friend who just happens to be a guide. One of Cartagena's private tours is the way to go, especially when it comes to having that personal feeling. This mouth-watering tour takes you through one of the most lively neighborhoods and allows you to connect with the locals through food!

Start Planning Your Cartagena Tour!

Visiting Cartagena is sure to liven your sense and sow you a world you've never experienced!

Creating a game plan will help your travels run smoothly, Try out one of these tours on your next trip to Cartagena and help plan the rest of your trip with Pilot!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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TUI KINGSTON & BLUE MOUNTAINS TOUR - Blue Mountains

• Caribbean    
• Jamaica    
• Kingston Parish    
• Kingston    
• Kingston - Things to Do    
• Blue Mountains

TUI KINGSTON & BLUE MOUNTAINS TOUR

This was a very expensive all day trip purchased through TUI at the RIU Palace Jamacia. It departs too early for breakfast so we packed some sandwiches and drinks. There is an early stop for food but it is not included. Like other Jamaican tours the buses are very cramped with poor a/c and you have to endure some forced participation in singing and introductions on the way, all good fun if you like that kind of thing. The friendly rep really liked to give you a lot of info on the way. Quite a disappointing experience as far as downtown Kingston goes, you don't get to see much of it all except through the tour bus window. The first of two stops is in Emancipation Park where you can see some statues and symbols to honour the ancestors of Jamaicans who were brought as slaves from West Africa. The second stop is at the Bob Marley museum. This is very good but you can't take photos. There is the usual over priced gift shop selling T-shirts and the like The Blue Mountain part of the tour is interesting. On the way up you stop for a traditional lunch of stew or chicken and brown rice. It's not ideal with just water and juice included. No wine. or beer included. There is a bar where you can buy drinks. The Blue Mountain Craighton Estate and coffee farm includes a guided tour around the coffee plantation with some nice views. You get to sample some coffee and cake in the historic house. There is an opportunity, of course, to purchase some of the fantastic coffee but bring plenty of cash it's expensive and the credit card machine could be out of order as we discovered. On the way home there’ a visit to Devon House to view the gardens, not much time for this in reality and to buy ice cream should you so desire There is a lot of time in the bus on this tour 2- 3 hours each way. I would recommend you bring a kindle to pass the time. Fortunately the rep didn't pester us too much on the way back and you could rest your eyes. I think there should have been cold drinks / beer provided. A little bit mean if I am honest.

Our visit to the Blue Mountains and the coffee plantation was an adventure worth taking. Our guide and driver forewarned us of the hairpin bends and narrow route up to the mountain’s coffee plantation. This added to the excitement, particularly on the way down after having an enjoyable Jamaican themed lunch in the cafe overlooking a gorge in Irish Town. The tour of the coffee plantation and its house was informative and the views would have been panoramic from the plantation’s viewing platform if only the mist had not rolled in.The house itself was an interesting venue to sample the renowned Blue Mountain Coffee and listen to the guide informing us of the intricacies of growing and recognising the different varieties of coffee. It inspired us to purchase a couple of bags of ground coffee from the shop which we are enjoying now. Lovely!!

We went to visit Craigtons coffee.What an experience! Jerome explained every detail from planting to the final product. Very informative and interesting we got a taste with some rum cake. If you can make the long journey it’s a must do. We took a private cab from our hotel in Montego. Which was not cheap but worth every penny. Views were spectacular at 5000ft one word WOW!

Best Coffee in the world and if you buy it straight from the local farmers on Blue Mountain then if you go and buy one i

Went to blue mountain twice and it was absolutely wonderful.. it's very cold and airy but I loved it... the water is freezing cold and cabins are perfect gives u a real feeling of true camping..

Just when you thought the ocean and white sands with palm tree were beautiful enough, Jamaica has even more to offer in the mountains. They are covered in greenery and natural beauty throughout. One thing to bear in mind is that the Blue Mountains National Park has its own weather system so it’s cooler but a steady temperature all year and it will rain at some point in the day pretty much everyday so bring a light jacket and umbrella. (Photos do not do it justice!)