Colombia · CITY TOURS IN CARTAGENA
A trip has one spare day and a hundred ways to spend it. These 15 city tours in Cartagena earn the slot, priced and timed so the decision takes minutes.
See Cartagena from an open-top double-decker bus, using 11 route stops near the Clock Tower, San Felipe Fortress, Bocagrande, and the walled city. A 90-minute loop runs about every 45 minutes, with audio in six languages and a 90-minute English or Spanish walking tour at 4pm.
“He drove around town and the audio/ translation worked perfectly”
Ride a traditional chiva through Cartagena’s beach districts, bays, monuments, and main parks, then walk the Old Town with a Spanish and English-speaking guide. You’ll stop at San Felipe Castle, India Catalina, the Old Shoes, Cartagena letters, the Clock Tower, and Las Bóvedas. Guides such as Fernando, Cesar, and Kike are praised for clear explanations.
“I loved everything and the guide was very knowledgeable. Totally recommended but as for older people the castle is a little challenging for them. My father was not able to go up but again it depends in your overall health. I totally loved every minute of the tour but need to bring comfortable sneakers and dress accordingly. It was very hot and humid as well so you need to bring water and also sun protector.”
This four-hour Cartagena tour combines a traditional Chiva ride, Bocagrande and Laguito sightseeing, San Felipe Castle with admission and a guide, and a short Old Town walk. English and Spanish guides such as Cesar, Kike, and William have been praised for clear translation and warm local stories. Hotel pickup is available in selected districts.
“The tour was excellent!! I really appreciated having an English speaking guide. We got to learn many interesting facts that we never knew about the city. The picture that was taken at the shoe and at the beginning of the castle tour was a plus they were beautiful pictures and it was a nice surprise to have them printed we bought all three of them! Our guide was kind, funny and caring. I would highly recommend this tour! It was a great experience”
Walk Cartagena’s Walled City and Getsemani with a bilingual local guide such as Arthur, Rafael, Nelson, or Jorge. See Santo Domingo Square, Las Bovedas, the cathedral, colonial streets, and Getsemani’s murals. Expect history, local stories, photo stops, and restaurant tips in a small shared group.
“Arthur was an excellent and fun guide! Our first time here so we wanted a bit of history, lore, and some of the highlights around town and he did not disappoint! As my wife said, Arthur is like “el Capitan”, everywhere we went he was greeting friends and folks around town - and we even saw the mayor with his entourage and Arthur made him laugh with some choice words. Fun! Our your was just the two of us, but I don’t think any of his get that big…this is a plus when navigating the small streets of old town. Just over 2 hours, well worth the cost.”
Ride Cartagena’s two-level sightseeing bus through the Old City, Getsemani, Bocagrande, and San Felipe Fort area. You get audio commentary in six languages plus two live walking tours, one in the walled city and one in Getsemani. The route is useful for first-day orientation, though the advertised ride lasts about 90 minutes and hotel transfers are not included.
Spend about four hours seeing Cartagena with a private guide and driver. Visit La Popa Convent, the Walled City, Saint Peter Claver Church, and Las Bóvedas, with port pickup, light refreshments, and time for shopping. Guides such as Nico, Julia, Ismael, and Niomi have earned praise for clear English, local insight, and thoughtful pacing.
“Awesome experience. Edwardo was a great guide. Very enjoyable day. So nice not to have a private tour!”
Spend four hours walking Cartagena’s Walled City and Getsemani with a private English or Spanish-speaking guide. See Plaza de Bolívar, San Pedro Claver Square, colonial streets, walls, and sea-facing bastions. Sample arepa with egg and raspao, with an optional five-hour version adding San Felipe Castle.
“We visited Cartagena using Noriega Tours, for a private tour, and would definitely recommend them to anyone. We communicated with them via text and email and knew they were going to be there to meet us. Just outside the port welcome center, we were met by our guide, Adalberto Gonzalez Ortiz who was a GREAT host and provided an interesting and informative experience. Our driver, Nelson Noviega, was friendly and helpful - and most importantly ON TIME coming and going. Both Nelson & Adalberto spoke very good English which was great. It is well worth taking the private tour - we moved at our own pace - saw things without…”
Spend four hours seeing Cartagena’s major sights by air-conditioned vehicle and on foot. Visit San Felipe fortress and La Popa Convent, then explore Las Bovedas, the Walled City, Old Shoes Monument, and an 18-karat jewelry workshop. Guides such as Carlos and Nima provide history in English and Spanish, though bilingual commentary can lengthen stops.
“Great tour and wonderful friendly guide! We met at one of the offered location options but it wasn’t entirely clear exactly where the bus would be. But once we found the bus the rest of the day was great! We don’t speak Spanish and most of the tour was in Spanish with also some English but it felt like the guide spent much more time speaking Spanish. He was a friendly and nice guy and we learned a lot!”
Travel privately from your Cartagena hotel to Santa Marta in an air-conditioned SUV, minivan, or minibus. Your driver, often praised by name including Hader, Juan, Carlos, and William, picks you up at a chosen time, provides bottled water, and can stop for coffee, lunch, or a short break. Taganga requires a separate fare.
“Ride from Cartagena to Santa Marta rodadero was amazing and the views were spectacular. The driver was friendly and knowledgeable. Your service is greatly appreciated. Thanks.”
Spend about five hours with a private English- or Spanish-speaking guide exploring San Felipe Castle, Cartagena’s Walled City, Getsemani, and local Caribbean food. Guides such as Fabian, Nelson, Oscar, and Jhon Serrato are praised for clear historical storytelling. Add La Popa Convent for hilltop views, and expect plenty of walking in the heat.
“Our guide Oscar was really knowledgeable and very friendly. We requested to speak English for my partner and he spoke very fluently. The tour was really interesting, enjoyable and complete. It was a wonderful experience and I strongly recommend to anyone. I strongly suggest to wear confortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen and water bottles.”
See Cartagena by private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and guide, stopping at La Popa, San Felipe Castle, Manga, Getsemani, San Diego, Bocagrande, and the walled city. Guides such as Nico, Carlos, and Fernando have offered history, flexibility, and help for families and older visitors.
“Nico was a wonderful guide! My mom had mobility problems and he was very accommodating. We had a great afternoon seeing the city!”
Spend four hours seeing Cartagena with a bilingual guide and private air-conditioned vehicle. The route covers Bocagrande, San Felipe Fortress, La Popa Convent, the Walled City, and Plaza de San Pedro Claver. Guides such as Cesar, Katherine, Nelson, and Roosevelt have adapted visits to guests’ interests, with time for local food, photos, and extra neighborhood stops.
“Our recent trip to Cartagena, Colombia while on a cruise with MSC, was nothing short of spectacular, largely thanks to our incredible private tour guide, Cesar. His deep knowledge of the city's rich history and culture brought the colorful streets of Cartagena to life in a way that was both educational and immensely entertaining. Cesar's passion for his hometown was evident in every story and fact he shared, making each historical site, from the iconic Castillo de San Felipe to the charming streets of Getsemaní, feel like a step back in time. His recommendations for local cuisine led us to some of the most delicious meals we've ever enjoyed, blending…”
This four-hour Cartagena shore tour combines La Popa’s sweeping city view, a fortress photo stop, Las Bóvedas, the Walled City, San Pedro Claver Church, and Manga’s historic homes. An air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and two admission fees are included. Guides such as Benny and Eduardo bring strong local knowledge, though the pace can feel brisk.
“Just enough to get a taste of the old city. Excellent value for the money and less that seberal similar options from the cruise ship.”
See Cartagena after dark from a lively party bus, with hotel pickup, music, an animator, and a live guide in English or Spanish. You’ll pass Bocagrande, Manga, La India Catalina, San Felipe Castle, the old shoes, city letters, the walls, and Las Bóvedas before ending near the arsenal and Getsemaní nightlife.
“Poor communication. Despite the initial booking confirming pickup at the hotel I selected, the host did not contact us until the day of the excursion via WhatsApp to say that this was not the pickup location and that we needed to meet at a different location we were unfamiliar with as tourists. We are not from this country and do not always have reliable signal or data access for WhatsApp, so the message did not come through until one hour before the scheduled time—which is also the time they expected to pick us up. This caused unnecessary stress and confusion and could have been avoided with clearer and earlier communication.”
You’ll leave Cartagena before sunrise for Barranquilla’s riverfront monuments, then walk Santa Marta’s colonial center before lunch and free time at Rodadero Beach. A bilingual guide, bus transport, and five-choice lunch are included. Expect a long day, limited time at some stops, and possible Spanish-heavy guiding.
“las playas de Sta.Marta, en la zona del Rodadero, es muy lindo, sus hoteles, restaurantes, muy vibrante y la gente muy gentil, incluyendo los vendedores ambulantes dispuestos a detenerse y tener una breve charla con el turista e invitando a qué vuelva. Se disfrutó el almuerzo y uso libre de la piscina del hotel y cruzar a la playa, hermosa el agua. Barranquilla, más sencilla. La estatua de Shakira en un parque muy bonito y familiar junto al río Magdalena, también la llamada ventana al mundo y un árbol de navidad de laisma altura, son muy atractivos.”
Pick a coast, a city or a coffee farm.
