Colombia · CARTAGENA TOURS

The 15 Best Things to Do in Cartagena

239 tours  ·  from $5

The walled city takes a morning and the heat takes the afternoon, so the good days start early and end on the water. These 15 cover the old town on foot, the boats out to Barú and the Rosarios, the fort, and the mud volcano up the coast, each priced and clear about how long it runs.

Cartagena: Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour - Following the old route of slavery and trade
Cartagena Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Cartagena: Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour

1.Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,716 reviews · 2h 30m · from $12Our pick

Join guides such as Álvaro, Dani, Legacy, Robert, or Ingrid for a 150-minute walk through Cartagena’s Walled City and Getsemaní. Expect colonial landmarks, slavery and independence stories, Gabo references, local tips, tropical heat, and a little salsa or champeta.

“Dani was a great guide! She knew so much information on all the places we went to. She was so fun and gave us amazing treats along the way. Highly recommend because she also gives you pointers on where to eat and visit while you are in Cartagena!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel - The catamaran ride across open water
Cartagena Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rosario Islands Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

2.Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,479 reviews · 7h 30m · from $107

You’ll sail from Bodeguita Dock to two calm-water stops near the Rosario Islands, with snorkeling gear, swimming time, a welcome fruit drink, snacks, lunch, and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. This is a roomy catamaran day, not an island walking tour, and the captain may adjust stops for weather.

“The activity is exactly what is stated, the private waiting area before boarding was great to get out of the hustle. They accommodate for English and Spanish speaking and explain each location in both so you won’t miss out on information. One thing they could add is how long each stop will be, at stages we weren’t sure if we had time for another swim after sun baking. The boat does honk its horn before departing The lunch was amazing, fresh salad and fruit with choice of seafood or chicken or vegetarian with rice. The chef loads your plate and if you want more salads you can help yourself to…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Full-Day Rosario Islands Including Barú, Bocachica & Playa Blanca - San Fernando de Bocachica, a short history stop
Cartagena Tours, Full-Day, Playa Blanca Beach Trips, Rosario Islands Tours, Tour Reviews

Full-Day Rosario Islands Including Barú, Bocachica & Playa Blanca

3.Full-Day Rosario Islands Including Barú, Bocachica & Playa Blanca

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,729 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $88

Spend about eight hours on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, visiting San Fernando fort, Isla Grande, Cholón, Playa Blanca, and Anaho Beach Club. Expect snorkeling, local food, rum shots, music, and a fast boat ride. Guides may include Franklin, Milton, Angel, Cesar, Mike, or Nicher.

“Our experience with The Backpackers staff was great. Our guide Nicher was beyond welcoming and attentive. We had a blast!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cartagena de Indias: 2-Hour Sunset Cruise - Meeting the catamaran at Bodeguita Dock
2-Hour Experiences, Cartagena Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews

Cartagena de Indias: 2-Hour Sunset Cruise

4.2-Hour Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,105 reviews · 2 hours · from $31

Board the Bona Vida catamaran at Bodeguita Dock at 4:30 PM for a two-hour Spanish-hosted cruise. Sail past Manga, Bocagrande, Castillo Grande, El Laguito, and Tierrabomba as Cartagena’s skyline turns golden, then lights up. Your ticket includes one drink, a small appetizer, and port fees.

“The sunset cruise was great, you get a few free snacks and a drink. The view was absolutely beautiful and the sunset was nothing short of amazing. Definitely an experience to recommend when visiting Cartagena.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2-hour tour in Cartagena Sunset View in party boat - Meeting at Muelle de los Pegasos
2-Hour Experiences, Cartagena Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

2-hour tour in Cartagena Sunset View in party boat

5.2-hour tour in Cartagena Sunset View in party boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 899 reviews · 2 hours · from $22

Spend two hours on Cartagena Bay aboard a 28-person party boat with sunset views, rum drinks, Caribbean crossover music, and an entertainer such as Alexis or Alejandro. You will pass Manga, Bocagrande, and Castillogrande, stop near the Virgen del Carmen, then receive entry to a downtown nightclub.

“Great ambiance on the boat! After party with transportation was excellent. English speaking tour guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cartagena: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings - The Walled City: food stops among Cartagena’s grand streets
Cartagena Tours, Colombian Street Food Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cartagena: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings

6.Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 833 reviews · 2h 30m · from $49

Meet beneath the orange umbrella at Plaza Cervantes for a 150-minute walking tour through Cartagena and Getsemaní. Guides such as Alvaro, Robert, Liz, Mercedes, and Nando lead you to nine generous tastings, from arepas and ceviche to sweets, coffee, beer, and local drinks, with history along the way.

“This tour is a wonderful way to learn about the history of Cartagena while enjoying authentic Colombian food. I had an awesome time. Our tour guide Alvaro R. was very welcoming and kind. He explained everything perfectly and was open to questions. I highly recommend this tour. 10/10 experience made even better by our tour guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cartagena: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Extras - Start at Muelle de la Bodeguita
Cartagena Tours, City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cartagena: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Extras

7.City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Extras

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 681 reviews · from $23

Use Cartagena’s open-top double-decker bus to tour the walled city, San Felipe Fortress, Bocagrande, Cartagena Bay, and more. The 90-minute loop has 11 advertised stops, multilingual audio, and a 90-minute English or Spanish walking tour at 4pm.

“They never came back around for us to get on again at the posted times”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Experience - Leaving Cartagena for Santa Catalina
Cartagena Tours, Totumo Mud Volcano Tours, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Experience

8.Totumo Mud Volcano Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 675 reviews · 4 hours · from $55

Travel from Cartagena to Santa Catalina with an English or Spanish-speaking guide, then climb 50 steps to Totumo Mud Volcano. Float in warm mineral mud, arrange an optional massage or photo, wash off at the lake, and finish with an empanada or arepa and a drink.

“Great way of visiting the volcano! It’s super silly but we are really glad we did it. Special shout out to our guide who was great. Thank you Daniel!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cartagena: Panoramic City Tour, Monuments, Walls, Castle - Pickup matters more than the advertised start time
Cartagena Tours, City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cartagena: Panoramic City Tour, Monuments, Walls, Castle

9.Panoramic City Tour, Monuments, Walls, Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 636 reviews · 210 minutes - 4 hours · from $15

You’ll tour Cartagena by traditional chiva bus with guides such as Fernando, Cesar, or Kike, stopping at San Felipe Castle, India Catalina, Zapatos Viejos, the bay, and the Old Town. Expect a bilingual tour, plenty of photo stops, and a walking route to the Clock Tower and Las Bóvedas.

“I was the only guy use enlgish but guide did not make me feel lonely or no explanation. He did a everything he can do and really liked it. You have to do this activity to see whole view of a Cartagena”

Check availability →Read our full review

Bora Bora Cartagena Beach Club Full Day Experience - A full day that is shorter than it sounds
Cartagena Beach Clubs, Cartagena Tours, Full-Day, Tour Reviews

Bora Bora Cartagena Beach Club Full Day Experience

10.Bora Bora Cartagena Beach Club Full Day Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 606 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $116

Leave Cartagena by speedboat for a full day at Bora Bora Beach Club on Isla Grande. You get round-trip transport, a beach bed, welcome cocktail, and Colombian lunch, with time for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, music, and paid drinks. Expect an early start and possibly a rough ride home.

“The day starts early but is well worth it. The beach is beautiful the food choices are excellent. We were a large group so renting the section at the edge of the water was beneficial for us. Otherwise the bed is just fine”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cartagena: Guided Tour, with La Popa Convent, and San Felipe - La Popa Convent and Cartagena from the hilltop
Cartagena Tours, Guided, San Felipe Castle Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cartagena: Guided Tour, with La Popa Convent, and San Felipe

11.Guided Tour, with La Popa Convent, and San Felipe

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 599 reviews · 4 hours · from $45

This four-hour small-group tour pairs La Popa’s hilltop views with San Felipe Fortress and a guided walk through Cartagena’s Walled City. Expect air-conditioned transport, entry tickets, and Spanish or English commentary from guides such as Rafael, Álvaro, Carlos, and Fernando. An optional emerald-factory visit follows.

“This was a very well organized and conducted tour. Our guide was excellent and took the time to explain in detail every nuance of the the places we visited. Will highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cartagena.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling - First stop: the Luis Guerra reef near Isla Grande
Cartagena Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rosario Islands Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling

12.Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 569 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $106

Sail from Cartagena to Isla Grande and Barú aboard Bona Vida Catamaranes. You’ll get snorkeling equipment, lunch, soft drinks, music, shaded seating, and time to swim from the boat. This is a spacious, relaxed day on the water, not a beach-hopping or all-inclusive party cruise.

“We had a fantastic time up until the second island stop where some guys came up to the boat offering banana boat rides. They took us out and threw us off the banana and they “helped” us back on and in doing so ripped my husbands gold chain off his neck. My advice don’t wear any jewelry and you will have a great day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cartagena: Sunset Cruise with Open Bar - Boarding the Sibarita Master at La Bodeguita
Cartagena Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Drinking Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: Sunset Cruise with Open Bar

13.Sunset Cruise with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 514 reviews · 1h 30m · from $29

Board the Sibarita Master at La Bodeguita Pier for a 90-minute sunset cruise around Cartagena Bay. You’ll see Bocagrande, Castillogrande, Manga, Getsemani, and the Old City at night while enjoying rum punch, rum and cola, soft drinks, music, and optional food.

“Very romantic. Captain and crew were warm, friendly and enhanced the experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch - The 45-minute run to Isla Grande
Cartagena Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rosario Islands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

14.Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 402 reviews · 8 hours · from $95

You’ll speed across the Caribbean with an English or Spanish speaking guide, snorkel near Isla Grande, eat lunch at Playa Blanca on Barú, then relax at Tierra Bomba’s Vista Mare Beach Club. Guides such as José, Franklin, Jesús, and David Santiago are known for attentive service.

“A great day trip to visit a few islands...the guide David was awesome. The island people are very friendly and need traveler's support. As in everywhere, covid has crushed economy.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cartagena: BILINGUAL CITYTOUR + SAN FELIPE CASTLE & Old city - Starting in Bocagrande, Laguito, or the historic center
Cartagena Tours, City Tours, San Felipe Castle Tours, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: BILINGUAL CITYTOUR + SAN FELIPE CASTLE & Old city

15.BILINGUAL CITYTOUR + SAN FELIPE CASTLE & Old city

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 387 reviews · 4 hours · from $29

See Cartagena by colorful Chiva bus, visit San Felipe Castle with entry and a guided tour included, then walk through the Old Town. English and Spanish guides, hotel pickup from selected districts, and a four-hour route make this a useful first look at the city.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Cartagena Tours

★ 4.4Shared Old Cartagena & Getsemani Tour with Wireless SystemFrom $138 reviews
★ 5.0Scenic Horseback Ride in Tropical Mountain ReserveFrom $1694 reviews
★ 4.0Scuba Diving Day Trip at Playa Blanca with LunchFrom $12022 reviews
★ 4.2San Basilio de Palenque Private Day TourFrom $1644 reviews
★ 4.3San Felipe Castle and Getsemani Walking Tour with ticketsFrom $2827 reviews
★ 4.0Rosario Islands -Barú : Agua Azul Beach, with lunchFrom $708 reviews
★ 4.8Rosario Islands Private Boat TourFrom $4033 reviews
★ 3.4Mud Volcano Tour in Cartagena with LunchFrom $503 reviews
★ 5.0photo session through the streets of cartagenaFrom $753 reviews
★ 4.2PAO PAO BEACH CLUBFrom $10920 reviews
★ 3.4Palmarito Beach With Buffet Lunch And PoolFrom $1207 reviews
★ 4.3Nightlife: sunset boat party + tour of the old townFrom $565 reviews
★ 5.0Mud Volcano and Palenque Cultural ExperienceFrom $2259 reviews
★ 4.5Mangroves, cultural fishing, black heritage town and lunchFrom $4929 reviews
★ 3.8Isla Barú: Beach Club Access and Tour of the National AviaryFrom $7029 reviews

Keep browsing

Comuna 13 Tours35Rosario Islands Tours23Colombian Coffee Farm Tours48Salt Cathedral Tours31Food & Drink51Walking Tours40
Scroll to Top

Explore Colombia

Pick a coastline, a mural or a coffee farm.

On the water

Rosario IslandsPlaya BlancaBoat TripsBeach ClubsTayrona

Coffee country

Coffee FarmsCoffee TastingsCocora ValleySalentoWorking Fincas

City days

Comuna 13La CandelariaMonserrateWalking ToursCity Tours

Out of town

The Salt CathedralGuatapéLake GuatavitaThe Mud VolcanoParagliding