Short Trips cartagena highlights tour

Private Tour

From $0 - 4 days

Get to know the beauty of Cartagena, Colombia

This Cartagena, Colombia tour will give you the chance to revel in the beauty of this old colonial city you've seen in pictures. Explore the cobbled streets surrounded by the walled city of Cartagena de Indias as the scent of the Caribbean Sea wafts in your direction. This is a city that exudes romance and history, and you will discover what makes this area so unique during a Cartagena city tour and why UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. Taste tropical Colombian dishes and see the tranquil way of life friendly locals embrace.

This Cartagena vacation also includes a visit to Islas del Rosario, a chain of picturesque islands off the coast of Cartagena. There, you will soak up the sun and enjoy some of the finest beaches in Colombia. Islas del Rosario Natural Park also has a diversity of fauna and flora, in addition to turquoise water you'll want to dive into at first sight. You will also visit a traditional fishing village called La Boquilla. Learn about local customs and fishing techniques before catching your own lunch and eating with a local family. This tour will introduce you to a side of Cartagena many visitors never get to experience.

EXPERIENCE TYPE History, Local Traditions & Beach

Tour Highlights

What to Expect

Accommodation

Essential Information

Tour Highlights

Cartagena

Explore a fascinating UNESCO Heritage city

Located on the Caribbean coast, Cartagena de Indias is one of the most fascinating, romantic and beautiful colonial cities in Latin America. This UNESCO World Heritage site is full of history, colourful streets and great people, making it a fairy tale city of romance.

You will explore the main historic sites, like the imposing Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and the elegant Palace of the Inquisition. The city's gastronomy is also an important attraction; the cuisine is a blend of African, Spanish, and Indigenous influences.

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Rosario Islands

Enjoy a natural paradise in the Caribbean

The Rosario Islands is an idyllic archipelago consisting of about 27 small islands surrounded by coral reefs. The whole area has been declared a natural park in order to preserve and protect the coral reefs and associated ecosystems.

This national park offers a serene escape with pristine beaches and lush vegetation. Snorkelling and diving are popular activities, allowing visitors to explore the rich marine life, including colourful fish, sea turtles, and various coral species.

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La Boquilla Fishing Village

Get closer to the local community

La Boquilla is a small fishing village about 7 km north of Cartagena. The town sits on the northern tip of a narrow peninsula, bordered by the sea on one side and the Ciénaga de Tesca on the other. Known for its Afro-Colombian heritage, the community maintains deep-rooted traditions, especially in music, dance, and cuisine.

We will canoe through a mangrove forest and learn about the area's unique ecosystems and the history and culture of this fishing town while mastering local fishing techniques using a net and crab traps. This is a community-based tourism that provides a great opportunity to engage with locals and learn about their way of life.

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What to Expect

Detailed Itinerary

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DAY 1 Arrive in Cartagena - City Tour

Travel to Cartagena in the morning. On arrival in Cartagena, we will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel.
In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to visit the old city and the iconic Castillo San Felipe, the largest and strongest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in any of their colonies. The castle was built on top of the San Lazaro hill and defended the city from many attacks including a British siege in 1741. We will finish the tour at the famous Café del Mar to admire the spectacular sunset over the Caribbean Sea while having a refreshing cocktail.

Overnight: Cartagena
Meal Plan: None

DAY 2 La Boquilla Fishing Village

In the morning, we will go to La Boquilla, a small fishing village located 7 km north of Cartagena. La Boquilla sits on the northern tip of a narrow peninsula, bordered by the sea on one side and the Ciénaga de Tesca on the other.

At La Boquilla, we will take a trip in a wooden canoe through the mangrove forest in La Cienga de Tesca. During this trip, you will see some native and migratory birds and learn about the flora and other fauna found in this ecosystem. You will learn local fishing techniques like how to cast a net and set crab traps.

After learning to fish in the mangrove forest, we will eat lunch in a local home by the water. This is where you will learn more about the locals’ day-to-day lives, their fishing tools and their culture. The lunch will be a delicious meal consisting of seafood, which is popular along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. We will finish this tour after lunch around 2 pm and drop you back off at your hotel in Cartagena.

Overnight: Cartagena
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3 Day Trip to Islas del Rosario

During this day trip you will be travelling to the spectacular Islas del Rosario National Natural Park. These islands are located 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena. At Islas del Rosario, you will have the opportunity spend the day relaxing by the beautiful sandy beaches, swimming in the crystalline turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea or snorkelling

Overnight: Cartagena
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch

DAY 4 Last Day in Cartagena

At the chosen time, we will transfer you to the airport.

Overnight:
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Accommodation

Cartagena

Casa La Fe Hotel

Casa La Fe is located in Cartagena's historic centre in a charming republican house decorated with flowering plants. Its rooftop pool and sun terrace overlook the scenic city skyline. The classical rooms at Casa La Fe have restored republican tiled floors and hand-crafted furniture. All rooms feature air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and satellite TV.

An a la carte breakfast is served daily, and may be enjoyed in the pretty central courtyard featuring a vertical garden and ornamental furniture. Coffee is available 24-hours a day.

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Essential Information

What's Included

Airport pick up and drop off in Cartagena
3 nights' accommodation
Private ground transportation
Meals as defined in the itinerary
Local English-speaking tour guides
Entry tickets to all tourist attractions mentioned in the itinerary

What's Not Included

International flights / Domestic flights (*)
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Tips and other discretionary expenses
Entrance to the Aquarium in Islas del Rosario
Snorkelling fees

Note (*): If you want to include the domestic flights from Bogota or any other city in Colombia, please contact us.

How to Book

If you wish to book this tour, please click on the yellow "Book Now" button, select the date, number of people, complete the details and go through a secured online payment platform.

If you have any question or whish to change something, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Short Trips cartagena highlights tour

Get to know the beauty of Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena

Explore a fascinating UNESCO Heritage city

Rosario Islands

Enjoy a natural paradise in the Caribbean