When it comes to truly authentic experiences in Cartagena it’s time to take the tour out of tourist and look for the sort of bona fide experiences that will send you home feeling like a local.
Your vacation in Cartagena is too precious to spend it being dragged through the emerald stores of Cartagena by crafty tour guides looking to make a fast buck.
So rather than observing Cartagena from the faux security of a double-decker bus feel the real deal, click with the marvelous people that make this city tick, meet the faces that make us smile and get under the skin of this incredible Caribbean destination.
If you can’t find what you really want to do then test out This Is Cartagena’s team of concierges, local experts on hand to help you create your perfect Cartagena tour.
If these incredible experiences don’t tick your particular boxes then skip through the rest of our Tours or some of our bespoke Experiences.
-
-
Rosario Islands Deluxe Day Trip
With over 30 islands making up the Rosario Islands, we think it would be a real shame if you only saw one, so we tailored an indulgent and interesting island day trip that delivers so much more than a basic day at the beach in Cartagena.
This seaside adventure is different in that it allows you to explore the highlights of Cartagena’s captivating archipelago and clock up some tan time on a blissful beach with luxury facilities in secluded surroundings.
Cruise through Rosario’s bountiful highlights with a snorkel stop in our favourite lagoon and selective spot of island hopping, before settling down for an incredible two course meal on a private, undiscovered beach retreat in Tierra Bomba, far from the rif-raf.
This is your day in paradise.
Explore Rosario Islands
-
Discover The Real Cartagena
Up to your eyeballs with the tourist trail? Then it’s time to let a local insider take you under their wing for a spectacular grass roots tour of the city.
This five-hour tour takes you from the famous clock tower to the depths of Getsemani, Bazurto market and La Boquilla, where real Cartageneros go about their everyday life.
Shake hands with locals, sink your teeth into the traditional flavours of the barrio and enlighten yourself on Cartagena’s fascinating history and culture, that goes beyond Cartagena’s picturesque walled streets.
End the tour with a stopover at social enterprise, an inspirational institution transforming the fabric of of one of Cartagena's more troubled districts.
Real Cartagena Tour
-
Island Hopping in Style
Renting a speedboat, yacht or sailboat is a home run for sun deprived city rollers looking to blitz their Caribbean fantasies into oblivion.
Skip the obligatory early start and cattle class experience of shared transport at Cartagena’s Muelle Turistico, your private boat will pick you up when you want and where you want with cold beers, vodka or champagne on ice.
Avoid the crowds and let the experts show you the best places to snorkel, party and chillax on board your own private floating palace.
With a fully bilingual guide on hand to ensure you find your perfect Caribbean corner, this bespoke experience ticks every box.
Island Hopping in Style
-
Putting the Art in Cartagena
Art buffs seeking contact with the figures shaping Cartagena’s flourishing art scene and to scratch beneath the surface of the city’s most cultural barrio, Getsemani will love this in-depth journey into Cartagena’s art world.
Visit the city's most alluring galleries and the studios of the local artists that have made Cartagena and the thriving streets of Getsemani their muse and pick up a little something worth taking home with you and hanging on your wall.
Art fiends wanting to truly expand their artistic knowledge and inject a creative twist to their holiday should check out our tailor-made Creative Cartagena Experience.
Cartagena Art Tour
-
A Family Friendly Treasure Hunt
Keep your little rascals happy and off the naughty step with this unique treasure hunt that’s pure gold for the whole family.
Search for precious pirate stashes hidden around the city’s historic monuments and laugh and giggle with your kiddy-winks as you stealth across the cityscape in costume on the hunt for lost jewels and precious finds.
Cartagena Treasure Hunt
-
Cartagena Cocktail Tour
For cocktail connoisseurs that want to see and understand the city in a different light, this classy bar crawl takes you to Cartagena’s hottest watering holes.
Make a cocktail with a mixologist legend, learn about the drinking culture in Cartagena and discover the best places to shake a leg whilst you’re in town.
Cartagena Cocktail Tour
-
Cartagena Ceviche Taste Test
Up your ceviche game with this scrumptious tasting session that sails through the most innovative fresh fish pitstops in Cartagena.
This tasty tour includes five different ceviche sensations with introduction to how to make ceviche from a local ceviche maestro. You’ll also get your hands on three local recipes, so you can impress your friends with some home-made fishy fare of your very own.
Cartagena Ceviche Tour
So many islands, so little time. Allow our beach experts to point you in the right direction.
This Is Cartagena is proud of its portfolio of authentic tours and tailor-made experiences in Cartagena.
Everything you see on here has been designed by us and created with you, the adventurous modern traveller, in mind.
City Guides Cartagena
Guides to Cartagena
-
A Perfect New Year in Cartagena
Cartagena is where it’s at to see in 2020 in style. Better start planning though, it’s going to be p…
-
Cartagena Beach Life
Comb through our hand-picked selection of alluring Caribbean swathes with the ultimate beach bum gui…
-
Yacht and Boat Rental Made Easy
If you and your crew want to make the most of your stay in Cartagena, you need to spend at least one…
-
Cartagena’s Cultural Calendar
Cartagena is so much more than its rich colonial history and stunning Caribbean beaches. This vibran…
-
Social Initiatives in Cartagena
All the travels should have a purpose. For example, if you find a place where you can enjoy the envi…
-
Top Tours in Cartagena
When it comes to truly authentic experiences in Cartagena it’s time to take the tour out of tourist …
-
Romance in Cartagena
You're going to love this guide to Cartagena. Long before Cartagena became a celebrated destination …
-
The Gourmand Guide to Cartagena
Cartagena celebrates food gluttony. The last time we checked, there were just over 400 restaurants i…
-
Luxury Vacation Rentals in Cartagena
Colombia's Spanish conquerors certainly knew how to build beautiful and the 16th century colonial ar…
-
Nightlife Guide to Cartagena
If your New Year resolution was to get out more, Cartagena's booming party scene will help you clock…
-
Happy Kids Happy Holidays
Keeping the kids happy in Cartagena can be hassle-free, especially with a little help from This is C…
-
Cartagena's Hottest Hoods
This is the low-down on the neighbourhoods, or barrios to use the local expression, that make up Car…
-
The Happy Hour Guide
Cocktail hour is a happy hour anywhere in the world, but if your budget is on the backpacker side in…
-
Cartagena’s Top New Years Eve Feasts
There are some wonderful gourmet spreads being planned by the best chefs in town. Our favourite rest…
-
Cartagena's Top New Years Eve Parties
If you're looking for an incredible way to celebrate New Year in Cartagena? Follow the birds south f…
-
Private Islands in Cartagena
Originally built on a series of islands, Cartagena’s relationship with the sea stretches back almost…
-
Top Cartagena Luxury Yacht Rentals
A trip to Cartagena isn't complete without a nautical foray to the Rosario Islands, 45 minutes south…
-
The Best Beach Day Trips in Cartagena
Known as Colombia’s northern queen, Cartagena attracts holidaymakers with her colorful cobbled stree…
-
The Best Beach Stays in Baru
If you’re looking for the best beach stays in Cartagena, you’ve hit gold. A short hop by boat the wo…
-
Affordable Boat Rentals in Cartagena
If you want to make the most of your stay in Cartagena, you need to spend at least one day sailing t…
-
Enjoy Cartagena's Taste Sensations
Peru and Mexico might steal much of the spotlight when it comes to great food in South America, but …
