Short Trips cartagena highlights tour

Private Tour

From $0 - 4 days

Get to know the beauty of Cartagena, Colombia

Embark on an unforgettable Colombia Cartagena tour that immerses you in the city’s vibrant culture, flavours, and coastal traditions. Begin your journey exploring Cartagena’s colourful streets on a guided street‑food walk, tasting tropical fruits, crispy arepas, empanadas, buñuelos, and refreshing raspao while discovering the stories behind each flavour. Continue to La Boquilla, a traditional fishing village where you’ll glide through peaceful mangroves in a wooden canoe, spot native birds, and learn local fishing techniques before enjoying a homemade seafood lunch by the water.

Your adventure concludes with a relaxing day in Barú, part of the stunning Islas del Rosario, where turquoise waters, soft white sand, and Caribbean breezes create the perfect tropical escape. This Colombia Cartagena tour blends food, culture, nature, and coastal beauty into a truly authentic experience.

Note: Accommodation is not included to give you full flexibility.

EXPERIENCE TYPE History, Local Traditions & Beach

Tour Highlights

Itinerary

Optional Accomodation

Essential Information

Tour Highlights

Cartagena

Discover Cartagena’s UNESCO Heritage Through Food & History

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, lively plazas, and welcoming people, creating a fairy‑tale atmosphere that enchants every visitor.

During your stay, you’ll explore the city’s most iconic historic areas on a guided walking tour through the walled city and Getsemaní, discovering elegant colonial architecture, vibrant street art, and stories that bring Cartagena’s past to life. You’ll also enjoy a delicious street‑food tour, tasting tropical fruits, crispy arepas, empanadas, buñuelos, and other local favourites that reflect the city’s rich blend of African, Spanish, and Indigenous culinary influences. Cartagena’s gastronomy is an essential part of its identity, and experiencing it directly on the streets is one of the best ways to connect with its culture.

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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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Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

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DAY 1 Arrive in Cartagena and Walking Street Food in Cartagena

Travel to Cartagena in the morning. Upon arrival, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon, get ready to discover one of the best walking tours in Cartagena, Colombia, as you explore the vibrant streets of the city through its flavors. Guided by the aromas and colors of Cartagena, you’ll wander through lively corners where street vendors welcome you with warmth and hospitality.

You’ll taste exotic tropical fruits such as lulo, granadilla, and guanábana, bursting with freshness and sweetness. Then, enjoy local favorites like savory fried arepas, crispy empanadas, golden buñuelos, and delicious carimañolas.

To cool off, try refreshing raspao and fruity salpicón, followed by the bold and rich taste of Colombian coffee. Vegetarian? No problem; there are plenty of delicious options available for you to enjoy along the way. Each stop reveals more about Cartagena’s culture, traditions, and everyday life. This experience is not just about food, it’s one of the most authentic things to do in Cartagena, offering a true taste of the city’s soul.

Overnight: Hotel not included
Meal Plan: Street food

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: Hotel not included
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3 Day Trip to Islas del Rosario- Baru

Enjoy a day trip from Cartagena to Barú in the Islas del Rosario, where turquoise waters and pristine white-sand beaches beckon. You’ll visit Hotel Isla del Encanto, a charming beachfront retreat located about 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena. Spend the day relaxing on the soft sandy shores, swimming in the crystal-clear Caribbean waters, or exploring vibrant marine life while snorkelling. The hotel provides the perfect setting to unwind, soak up the sun, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Colombia’s Caribbean islands, making it an unforgettable tropical escape.

Overnight: Hotel not included
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch

DAY 4 Last Day in Cartagena. Transfer to the Airport

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

Overnight: -
Meal Plan: -

Optional Accomodation

Cartagena

Casa Don Luis Hotel - Optional

Hotel Casa Don Luis offers elegant colonial‑style rooms and suites designed for comfort, blending historic charm with modern essentials like free Wi‑Fi, air‑conditioning, and an in‑room fridge. After a full day exploring Cartagena’s vibrant streets, unwind in front of the flat‑screen TV, enjoy a refreshing shower in the well‑appointed bathroom, or stay connected with family and friends using the complimentary high‑speed Wi‑Fi. Each room features thoughtful touches that enhance your stay, from quality bedding to warm lighting and tasteful décor that reflects the spirit of the city.

Guests can also enjoy a daily breakfast, adding convenience and a relaxed start to every morning.

Note: if you wish to add this hotel please contact us

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Essential Information

What's Included

Airport pick up and drop off
Meals as defined in the itinerary
Local English-speaking tour guides
Baru Island entry tax
Entry tickets to all tourist attractions mentioned in the itinerary
Daily insurance

What's not included

International / Domestic flights
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Accommodation
Tips and other discretionary expenses

Note: If you wish to include the accommodation or 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.

Amazing tour company

I have traveled throughout the world and worked with many tour companies. Uncover Colombia is the most organized, detailed and responsive tour company I have worked with. Every guide that was provided is an amazing and enthusiastic person. Accommodations were incredible. Overall , nothing can top it ! USE UNCOVER COLOMBIA and you won't be disappointed.

– Richard, January 2026

Bespoke tour of the highlights of Colombia with a focus on nature

Uncover Colombia put together an itinerary for us based on our love of nature, scenery, and hiking, and our desire to see some of the best the country has to offer. We loved their suggestions and we have felt looked after every step of the way - hotel bookings, transfers, internal flights, guides...

– Ellie, January 2026

Amazing

Beatriz was a wonderful tour guide for visiting Guatape city from Medellin. She went out of her way to help me find shoes before we officially started our tour because my shoes got ruined in the rain the day before and I had nothing proper to wear. She has a clear love for the city she grew up in and that personal connection to it made the tour and information she shared more genuine and meaningful.

– Rahma, January 2026

Colombia travel

We traveled three weeks across Colombia – from Bogotá, Villa de Leyva, Barichara, Medellín, the Pacific coast of Nuquí, the Coffee Region, Tayrona National Park, and finally Cartagena. In one word: exceptionally well organized. Excellent guides, seamless transfers, and an organization where everything worked exactly as planned.

– Damjan, December 2025

What about it? Look no further!

We have travelled to just under 80 countries around the world, often on our own, sometimes, when the country had some problems, relying on an agency; something we decided to do for Colombia as well. I must say that UncoverColombia is absolutely among the best tour operators I have ever met. The organization is immaculate, precise and very accurate...

– Cinzia and Luca, August 2025

A professional tour operator

Uncover Colombia did a great job in arranging accommodation, transport which included 4 domestic flights and meals. Most importantly, they have assigned tourist guides who are professional, friendly and passionate. They are sometimes funny and always helpful.

– S L, August 2025

Blown Away

Every detail was taken care of, the destinations are world class, communication was excellent. I would give them 6 out of 5 if I could. The guide UC booked for us was exceptional. He knew his stuff, was very good with e-bird, he was an interesting guy and an overall good bean. Our tour actually started in Barranquilla...

– Derek, April 2025

Tour of Medellin and local villages.

Sol, our tour guide, was amazing. We did a three day tour of Medellin and local villages nearby. Sol shared her vast knowledge of the political and social recent history of the region. She led the tour at our pace. She was lovely to be with. The driver was very cautious. It was a great experience.

– Lynn, February 2025

Great to work with!

Uncover Colombia was fantastic to work with! We had a 12 day itinerary and everything went very well. The agency reps were very flexible before and during the trip even when we requested last minute changes. They always did their best to accommodate us. The assigned contact person during the trip was always reachable and responsive...

– Gary, December 2024

Great organization - even at short notice!

My girlfriend and I wanted to visit Colombia, but were late in the planning. We reached out to Uncover just a couple of weeks before our departure and they were able to organize the whole tour in just a few days, and for a more than fair price...

– David, December 2025

We highly recommend!

We had a FANTASTIC experience with Uncover. Nidia and her team organized the most magical 4-day trip to the Colombian Coffee Region. I am Colombian but needed assistance as I wasn’t familiar with the area. We went to the Cocora Valley, Rafting down a river, had a fabulous coffee farm experience and even visited a cacao farm where we got to make artisan chocolate. We traveled with our school aged children...

– Daniela, July 2024

3 Week Tour of Colombia

We feel very fortunate to have chosen Uncover Colombia. Your guides were passionate and professional and informative, the accomodation was exceptional at every stop and most impressively, we were aware of you constantly checking in our wellbeing. We return to Australia with an awareness of Colombia’s variety, vitality and positivity.

– Mal & Michelle, July 2024

Amazing tour with Uncover Colombia - San Agustin, Tierradentro and Tatacoa

My mother and I did a 5-day trip to San Agustin, Tierradentro and the Tatacoa dry forest/desert with Uncover Colombia. It was absolutely brilliant. The communication was great and Nidia helped us to ensure that the trip was tailored to our needs and wishes. Our driver, Jesus, and guide, Jorge, were very friendly and Jorge was very knowledgable...

– Gary, July 2024

Highly Recommended

Uncover Columbia, specifically Helena (who handled all logistical questions pre-trip) Sergio (our amazing guide) helped make an unforgettable 4 day experience as part of our honeymoon.

– Mates, July 2024

Want to know more?

get in touch

All our tours are private and can be customised. Just complete our tailor-made tour form or give us a call. We’re flexible and happy to design the most suitable Colombia tour for you!

Have a question or need some help with your booking?

Short Trips cartagena highlights tour

Get to know the beauty of Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena

Discover Cartagena’s UNESCO Heritage Through Food & History

Rosario Islands

Enjoy a natural paradise in the Caribbean

La Boquilla Fishing Village

Get closer to the local community

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive in Cartagena and Walking Street Food in Cartagena

DAY 2 La Boquilla Fishing Village

DAY 3 Day Trip to Islas del Rosario- Baru

DAY 4 Last Day in Cartagena. Transfer to the Airport

Cartagena

Casa Don Luis Hotel - Optional

What's Included

What's not included

How to Book

Amazing tour company

Bespoke tour of the highlights of Colombia with a focus on nature

Amazing

Colombia travel

What about it? Look no further!

A professional tour operator

Blown Away

Tour of Medellin and local villages.

Great to work with!

Great organization - even at short notice!

We highly recommend!

3 Week Tour of Colombia

Amazing tour with Uncover Colombia - San Agustin, Tierradentro and Tatacoa

Highly Recommended

Want to know more?

get in touch