Cartagena, Colombia

One of the more interesting cities on your itinerary steeped in history. This was the transit port for all the wealth Spain derived from South America. The famous "Old City" is comprised of 12 square blocks filled with attractions, boutiques and restaurants.

Throughout Colombia, the Spanish Empire's influence in the New World is self-evident. Its fortress walls, quaint narrow streets, and balconied houses are all vivid reminders of Spain's hold on Cartagena and throughout the Caribbean and South America. This is the land of El Dorado and flamboyant adventurers in search of the ever-elusive gold. Cartagena's well-constructed fortifications defended its borders against seafaring pirates whose attacks lasted for more than 200 years. Today this modern and bustling city, seaport, and commercial center still boasts much of its original colonial architecture. Your journey here will provide you with a significant link to the region's grand past.

**Please note that passengers may encounter numerous local vendors at various tourist locations and may find them to be persistent in their sales offers.

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Points of Interest

  • Old City
  • Las Murallas
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
  • Historical Museum of Cartagena
  • Cartagena's Cathedral
  • Museo del Oro y Arqueología
  • La Popa Monastery
  • Folkloric Show

More about Cartagena, Colombia Points of Interest

  • Old City

    The walled historic center of Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its winding streets lined with Spanish Colonial architecture display colorfully painted buildings, local bars and restaurants.

  • Las Murallas

    Considered by many the most impressive city walls in the world, Las Murallas began construction after an attack by Sir Francis Drake at the end of the 16th century.

  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

    Majestically standing guard on a hillside overlooking the city and harbor is Castillo de San Felipe, a fortress built by the Spanish for protection against pirates while shipping gold out to Europe.

  • Historical Museum of Cartagena

    Behind a charming, colonial facade, the palace museum displays instruments of torture from the Spanish Inquisition, pre-Columbian, colonial and independence-era art.

  • Cartagena's Cathedral

    The cathedral is one of the largest in a series of fortresses with a massive exterior and simple interior. Partially demolished by Sir Francis Drake's cannons, it was completed in 1602.

  • Museo del Oro y Arqueología

    Gold and pottery collections of the Tayrona, Calima and Sinú people are on display, as well as panel exhibitions about the Atlantic coast cultures.

  • La Popa Monastery

    Built atop a hill, this 17th-century monastery features a chapel, a colonial museum and a spectacular view of the city, and remains inhabited by monks even today.

  • Folkloric Show

    This presentation of music and dance takes place at the historic Heredia Theater. Five distinct dances from three important regions of Colombia are performed by a professional dance company, from the Atlantic Coast (Cumbia), the Pacific Coast (Currulao and Abosao), and the Los Andes region (the Market Place and the Indian Legend).

18 EXCURSIONS

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Old City Walking Tour & Las Bovedas

3 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 3 8 0
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
  • Cartagena's Cathedral
  • Old City
  • Las Murallas

There's no better way to experience the old walled city of Cartagena and its cobblestone streets, colorful colonial architecture, and historical sites than on this guided walking tour.

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Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity

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$34.95

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Colonial Cartagena Sightseeing Tour On Your Own

3.5 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 3 9 5
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
  • Historical Museum of Cartagena
  • Cartagena's Cathedral
  • Museo del Oro y Arqueología
  • La Popa Monastery
  • Old City
  • Las Murallas

Explore the colonial charms of the Old City on your own. Stroll the narrow, cobblestone streets, marvel at the well-tended Spanish Colonial buildings, visit the magnificent church honoring the missionary Saint Peter Claver, linger at a café with a cup of coffee or shop at a colorful bazaar.

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Moderate Activity

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$39.95

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Cartagena On Your Own: Hop On Hop Off

4 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 1 2 5
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
  • Old City
  • Las Murallas
  • Cartagena's Cathedral

See the sights of Cartagena exactly as you please and gain a deeper understanding of this architecturally significant city. Enjoy a half-day Hop On – Hop Off tour on a double-decker, open-top or motorcoach that makes 14 stops. Shop, stroll, visit a museum or just ride the entire route – the choice is yours!

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Easy Activity

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$39.95

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Tour of Getsemani & the 'Old City'

3.5 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 3 8 5
  • Old City

Explore two of Cartagena's most fascinating areas while discovering the city's traditional roots. First, learn how to make thirst-quenching coconut lemonade in the artistic Getsemani district. Then, enjoy a stroll through historic Old City past a pair of colonial icons - San Pedro Claver Church and Las Bovedas.

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Moderate Activity

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$39.95

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Scenic Drive of Cartagena & San Pedro Claver Church

3.5 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 1 1 5
  • Old City
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

Take a scenic drive through Cartagena. Snap a photo or two at Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, Visit Rafael Nunez House & Museum and enjoy folk show, sightsee around the Old City.

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Easy Activity

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$44.95

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"Old City" & Historical Museum of Cartagena

3.75 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 1 1 0
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
  • Cartagena's Cathedral
  • Old City
  • Historical Museum of Cartagena

Get a revealing look at Cartagena's past with a visit to the Old City, the Historical Museum of Cartagena, and San Pedro Claver Church. Photo opportunities abound at the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. Shopping and refreshments round out this historic tour.

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Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity

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$49.95

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Canoe Tour of Mangrove Tunnels & Old City Stroll

4 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 6 0 5
  • Old City

Nature, wildlife and the Old City come alive on this combination tour. Explore a mangrove ecosystem in a traditional canoe, then spend some time in the Old City on a short, guided walking tour.

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Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity

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$59.95

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Best of Cartagena: San Felipe Fortress & Las Bovedas

4.5 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 1 0 0
  • Cartagena's Cathedral
  • Old City
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
  • Historical Museum of Cartagena

History unveils itself in this half-day tour. Visit the Old City, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas and the Historical Museum of Cartagena. Make your way to Las Bóvedas, San Pedro Claver Sanctuary. Cap your day off with shopping and complimentary refreshments.

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Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity

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$69.95

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Sea Rumba & Old City

4 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 6 2 0
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
  • Old City

Explore the Old City on a guided walking tour of Plaza Bolivar, Plaza San Pedro and other highlights. Enjoy free time to shop, then delight on an hour and fourty five minute scenic cruise through the Inner Bay while live music brings the Colombian rhythms to life and an open bar adds to the festive mood.

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Moderate Activity

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$69.95

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Emerald Jewelry Making Class & Diploma

4 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 2 4 0
  • Old City

Learn about Colombia's renowned emeralds from an expert instructor and get hands-on experience while creating silver and emerald jewelry: a silver ring, a pendant, a pair of earrings or a bracelet chain. This easy, half-day tour also includes a narrated drive between the pier and the Caribbean School of Jewelry.

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Easy Activity

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$79.95

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'Old City' & Folkloric Show by Dance Company

4 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 2 0 0
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
  • Old City
  • Folkloric Show

Cartagena blends the character of Old Spain with the warmth of the tropics. Visit the historic colonial city and the San Pedro Claver Church, applaud a Colombian folkloric professional dance and music show at the restored Heredia Theatre, and enjoy shopping for the region's famed emeralds and leather goods on this easy, half-day tour.

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Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity

From

$79.95

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Fortress, City Walls and Shopping by Land & Sea

4 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 6 0 0
  • Old City
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

Witness the city's impressive defenses up close by land and by sea, with a cruise through the Inner Bay of Cartagena, panoramic tour of streets in the Old City, and a visit to San Felipe Fortress. This tour promises a unique perspective on Cartagena's 500-year history.

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Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity

From

$89.95

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Dancing into the Walled City

3.5 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 1 2 0
  • Old City

Embrace the rhythms, feel the beat, and move your body at "Crazy Salsa", one of Cartagena's most acclaimed dance schools. Learn about three different dance forms and select your favorite for a fun-filled lesson. Later, marvel as your instructors put on a show-stopping performance of their own.

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Moderate Activity

From

$89.95

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National Aviary of Colombia

4 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 3 5 5

Colombia has the greatest diversity of bird life in the world, and a trip to the National Aviary is an incredible opportunity to stroll the park-like property and see many species of native and migratory birds housed in such varied ecosystems as a tropical rainforest, a desert environment and a coastline habitat.

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Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity

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$89.95

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Aromas and Flavors of Cartagena

4 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 2 5 0
  • Old City

A relaxed boat ride around Cartagena Bay is enhanced by two on-board activities, a coffee tasting and a cooking experience with samples of Cartagena's local delights. Step onshore at the old walled city, explore it on a guided walk and take in the wonders of this UNESCO heritage place.

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Moderate Activity, Includes snack

From

$109.95

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Isla del Encanto Beach Resort

6 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 2 9 0

Escape to Isla del Encanto Beach Resort for a little R & R. Take a stroll along the sandy beach, stretch out on a sunbed, or enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool or beach area. When hunger calls, enjoy a delicious local style buffet lunch served with soft drinks.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From

$129.95

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Cartagena Snapshot (A Small-Group Tour)

4 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 2 4 5
  • Old City
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
  • La Popa Monastery

Join a small group for a personalized tour around Cartagena. Soak up the astounding views from atop La Popa, the hilltop location of a 17th century convent. Admire the colonial charms of the Old City then proceed to San Sebastian del Pastelillo for snacks at the Club de Pesca Restaurant.

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Strenuous Activity

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$139.95

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Private Car - Half Day Cartagena

4 hours | Cartagena | C T G - 9 0 0
  • Old City

Explore Cartagena at your own pace with a private two passenger car, driver/English-speaking guide at your service. You'll have plenty of time to sightsee, shop, and eat. This half-day tour offers you the opportunity to design your own itinerary and can be as in-depth as you choose to make it.

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Easy Activity

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$449.00

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