"Essential Cartagena" Private Tour.

4.8 (14 reviews) 4 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

14 reviews

4.8

Welcome to Cartagena de Indias. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Néstor Meléndez is "El Guiador" — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

The "Essential Cartagena de Indias" walking tour, will make you understand the relevance of this Caribbean port city and how its strategic location has helped to shape the world powers and economy from the 16th century till today.

In this tour, you will feel the city like a local and will be amazed by the beauty and the good vibes of this unique place on earth.

This is a no-rush kind of tour, that will walk tourists by history while learning why Cartagena became the prize for so many pirates and empires.

Also, you will live the rhythm that does of Cartageneros happy citizens of the world.

The walking tour is totally customizable and can be upgraded to compliment it to your interests or preferences.

You will get to feel my city like a local.

"El Guiador" is a perfect tour to fully understand the energy of the cartageneros and enjoy a fun time.

Let me have the pleasure to be your #TourGuide

I speak fluent English.

Licensed, insured and certified by Colombian authorities.

Half-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Ports of Call Tours

At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: "El Guiador"

Ages: Children (8–11 years) · Youth (12–17 years) · Adults (18–64 years) · Seniors (65–75 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled water
Included: Snacks

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Alcoholic Beverages
Not included: Museo Naval del Caribe entrance ticket..

Itinerary

Plaza De Los Coches

8 min

The Plaza de los Coches is where the people entered the walled city, it was where the slave trade happened and also acted as a kind of transportation hub. This is where the statue of the founder of the city, Pedro de Heredia, is erected.
Plaza de la Aduana

8 min

In this plaza is where the gold, silver, and produce like tobacco, potatoes, sugar, fruits, and other produce were embarked to Spain in the Galeón Armada, also all the imports from the metropolis came by here to all the territories in SouthAmerica. The Casa de La Real Contaduría, the kings accounting offices is here and now is the mayor´s office of Cartagena.
Plaza de San Pedro Claver

8 min

If you believe in miracles this is a place on earth you should know, but also if you are someone that admires extraordinary human beings. The church of San Pedro Claver was made in honor of a Jesuit priest that dedicated his service to the wellbeing of the enslaved Africans that were brought to America by this port.
Baluarte de San Ignacio

8 min

From here you will see the Cartagena bay and the Bodeguita dock and will learn about the defense of the city from pirates and enemies of the kingdom of Spain.
Parque de la Marina

8 min

At this location, you will know about the history of the Colombian navy and one of its heroes, Admiral José Padilla, known by his colleagues as Prudencio because of his bravery and how he defeated the Spanish Armada, with very few men and ships.
Museo Naval Del Caribe

30 min Admission not included

At this museum, visitors will learn about the geography and nature that made this place a perfect site to build a defensive port and also you will get a complete look at the history of Cartagena de Indias from a naval point of view.
Baluarte de San Francisco Javier

8 min

From this bastion, you will see the coastline and in the distance Bocagrande where the Spanish military engineers built an underwater jetty to impede navigation and to make ships go by the guarded entrance to the bay, Bocachica.
Plaza de Bolivar

15 min

One of the most important sights at the city, here you will see the Palacio de la Inquisición, the statue of Simón Bolívar the "Libertador" of 5 countries, the Colombian beauty queens hall of fame.
Museo del Oro Zenu

30 min

Here you will see the gold artifacts made by the Zenú culture that inhabited this area before the Spanish came in the 16th century.
Plaza Santo Domingo

10 min

At this beautiful plaza you will get to know Gertrudis, or as is also known, "La Gorda de Botero", additionally we will appreciate the church of Santo Domingo, the first monumental construction at Cartagena.
Plaza Fernandez Madrid

8 min

Here you will get to see the Iglesia de Santo Toribio and also know more about how the people of Cartagena got their fresh water supply.
Plaza de San Diego

10 min

One of the picturesque plazas of Cartagena is San Diego, where students from the arts university make it a very trendy place to be delighted. Filled with excellent restaurants and historical buildings like the Santa Clara convent, now a luxury hotel. A stop to be delighted with street food like arepa de huevo, caribañolas or empanadas if you like to.
La Serrezuela

30 min

We will walk by this location that was the bullring and multipurpose arena of Cartagena, now a high-end shopping mall and venue for concerts and shows.
Baluarte de San Pedro Martir

8 min

This is the bastion that guarded this part of the walled city. In the distance, we will see the Cerro de La Popa and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, one of the most impressive military constructions in America.
Plaza de La Trinidad

10 min

Here we will get into the coolest neighborhood of Cartagena de Indias, Getsemaní, and will get to see some of the finest street art and colorful streets.
Camellon de los Martires

10 min

Walking by the Camellón de Los Martires and the Parque Centenario you will get to see the Convention Center and also this section of the city that connects Getsemaní and the centro.
Torre del Reloj

8 min

We will get to where we started the tour and complete the circuit. Here you will be knowing the history and the culture of this great port city that is the pride of Colombia.