Cartagena Coffee Masters

Coffee can tell you a lot about Colombia. At Café del Mural, that lesson comes through four to five tastings, brewing demonstrations, and a lively look at how coffee moves from bean to cup. The setting in Getsemaní adds local character, while David, the café’s engineer-turned-coffee artisan, brings humor and clear passion to the session.

I like the range of brewing styles and the chance to compare light and dark roasts side by side. I also like the useful souvenir: a 200-gram bag of premium Colombian coffee to take home. The main caution is that the session may be more of a demonstration than a hands-on workshop, despite descriptions that suggest you will select, roast, and grind your own beans.

At $85 per person, this is not a cheap coffee stop. It makes better sense if you care about coffee, want a focused indoor activity in Cartagena, or value an expert-led tasting over a quick café visit. Plan on about two hours, though some sessions have run longer.

Key Points at a Glance

• Café del Mural in Getsemaní: The class takes place at a distinctive café on Calle de San Juan, in one of Cartagena’s most atmospheric neighborhoods.
• Four to five coffee samples: You compare different Colombian coffees and preparation methods rather than drinking one standard cup.
• David leads the session: His engineering background, humor, and strong interest in coffee are central to the experience.
• A 200-gram coffee bag is included: You can bring a taste of the class home without paying extra for the souvenir.
• Private booking is advertised: Your group is meant to participate on its own, though space and staffing have not always worked perfectly during busy periods.
• Hands-on expectations need checking: The coffee master generally performs the roasting and brewing demonstrations himself.

Entering Café del Mural in Getsemaní

The meeting point is Café del Mural, at Cl. de San Juan #25-60 in Getsemaní. The class starts at 10 a.m. and ends back at the café, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride between stops.

The café is part of the appeal. It is described as a one-of-a-kind space created by an engineer who became a coffee artisan. That gives the session a more personal feel than a polished chain café tasting. You are not simply handed a cup and told whether it has notes of chocolate or fruit. The room, equipment, and host all reflect one person’s long interest in the craft.

Give yourself a little extra time to locate the address. The café can be hard to spot, and one account specifically found the meeting place confusing. Use the full street address rather than relying only on the name. If you are staying in the old city or Getsemaní, walking may be easiest, but transportation from your hotel is not included.

The activity is listed as private, meaning only your group should take part. That is an appealing feature for couples or small groups who want to ask questions without feeling self-conscious. Still, past sessions have sometimes included additional people, and one larger group found the seating tight. If having a truly private class matters to you, confirm the group arrangement before booking.

How the Two-Hour Coffee Class Unfolds

The session begins with an introduction to Colombian coffee and its place in world coffee culture. You will hear about coffee varieties, harvesting, exporting, branding, and the ways Colombian coffee has been shaped by techniques from Europe, including German, Italian, and Dutch influences.

That broader context gives the tasting more meaning. Colombia is famous for its beans, but the final flavor depends on much more than the country printed on the bag. Roast level, grind, water, equipment, and brewing time all change the result. The class helps you notice those differences in your own cup.

David is the person who gives the experience its personality. Several accounts describe him as funny, warm, and deeply committed to his work. Music references from the 1980s and 1990s have even appeared during the presentation, which gives the lesson a relaxed tone rather than the feel of a formal lecture.

The strongest sessions seem to balance talk with tasting. David explains a method, prepares the coffee, and gives you a chance to compare the result with another style. You might move from a lighter roast to a darker one, or sample the same type of coffee prepared with different equipment.

The exact order is not specified, so you should not expect a fixed menu of beans or brewing devices. What is consistent is the focus on several coffees and several ways to prepare them. The point is comparison, not simply caffeine.

Four to Five Samples, Several Brewing Methods

The tasting is the heart of the experience. You receive four to five coffee samples, along with snacks and coffee or tea. Some past sessions have included five or six types, so the exact number may vary.

The range matters more than the count. A guided comparison can show you how roast level changes aroma and bitterness, or how a different brewing method brings out body and acidity. Even people who usually add milk or sugar may find it easier to identify differences when the cups arrive one after another.

The class also covers preparation equipment. One especially appealing detail is the café’s wide assortment of coffee-making devices. You are not limited to one standard machine. The host uses the equipment to show how technology and technique affect the final drink.

I would approach the tasting with a curious palate rather than a strict expectation of specialty-coffee perfection. Most descriptions praise the coffee, but one account found the samples poor. That may reflect personal taste, a particular batch, or a weak session, but it is still worth noting. The experience is educational first, and the quality of every individual cup may not match your favorite café.

The caffeine level is another practical consideration. Four or five samples over two hours may be manageable for many people, but sensitive coffee drinkers should pace themselves. Past participants have joked about unusually energetic evenings after the class. That makes the morning start sensible, but it also means you may not want to schedule this immediately before another caffeine-heavy activity.

The Big Question: Is It Really Hands-On?

This is where you should set your expectations carefully. The experience description has suggested that participants could choose a bean, roast it, and grind it themselves. Several accounts say that did not happen.

Instead, the coffee master performed the demonstrations while the group watched, tasted, and asked questions. For some people, that is perfectly satisfying. You still see the process, learn why each step matters, and sample the finished drinks without having to spend time learning equipment controls.

For others, the difference is important. If you booked because you wanted to roast green beans or operate the grinder yourself, you may feel shortchanged. One person enjoyed the class but specifically wanted more participation. Another described the session as almost entirely spoken instruction.

My advice is simple: treat this as a guided coffee tasting and demonstration, not a guaranteed workshop. If hands-on work is essential, ask Impulse Travel to confirm exactly what you will do before paying. The description may change over time, and the experience may vary with the host, assistants, or group size.

David’s Teaching Style and the Language Factor

David’s passion is the main reason this activity receives such strong praise. He brings more than basic coffee facts. The session can cover cultivation, global bean varieties, roasting, equipment, preparation, marketing, and the past of coffee production.

He also seems willing to continue the conversation. One couple stayed after the scheduled session to talk with him and did not feel rushed. That is a good sign for coffee fans who want to ask about home brewing or choosing beans.

The teaching style is informal and can run longer than advertised. A two-hour booking has sometimes become two and a half or even three hours. Some people appreciate the extra time, while others find the presentation too long.

English comprehension may also vary. One person found the host’s speech fast and soft, with an accent that made it difficult to follow. Another had a good experience but found the English challenging. If you have trouble hearing or understanding, speak up early and ask for a slower pace or clearer volume. A small private group should make that easier, though past staffing problems have affected some sessions.

Space, Group Size, and Comfort

A small group can make this feel intimate and special. One description places the ideal group at about six people, which would allow more questions and a closer view of the brewing equipment.

The listing presents the activity as private, but past sessions have not always felt that way. A group of nine was joined by two additional people and found the room uncomfortably tight. Another session suffered when assistants failed to appear, leaving the main host to manage everything alone.

These details matter because the room is part of the experience. A crowded café can make it hard to see demonstrations or hear explanations. December has been particularly difficult, with busy periods causing scheduling and space problems.

If you are visiting during a peak travel period, confirm the start time and group size shortly before the class. The activity normally begins at 10 a.m., but one booking had to wait two hours because the host was not aware of the scheduled event. That appears to be an exception, not the standard, but it is a reason to keep your morning flexible.

What You Take Home for the $85 Price

The price is $85 per person. Included are snacks, the coffee or tea tasting, four to five coffee samples, and a 200-gram bag of premium coffee.

That package is fair for a specialized private or small-group lesson, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for several tastings and a quality bag of Colombian beans. The take-home coffee adds real value because it extends the experience beyond Cartagena. You can test what you learned in your own kitchen and see if you notice the same differences in roast and brewing style.

Still, the price is high for anyone who simply wants a good cup of coffee. Cartagena has plenty of cafés, and this is not the right choice if you mainly want a casual morning drink. You are paying for the host’s time, instruction, demonstrations, variety, and access to the café’s better selections.

Alcohol is not included, though alcoholic drinks are available to buy. Hotel transportation is also not included, so factor in the cost and time of reaching Getsemaní if you are staying farther away.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I would recommend Cartagena Coffee Masters to:

• Coffee drinkers who want to understand roast and brewing differences.
• Visitors interested in Colombian coffee beyond the usual souvenir bag.
• Couples or small groups who enjoy a relaxed, indoor lesson.
• People who like meeting a passionate local business owner.
• Anyone looking for a morning activity in Getsemaní.
• Home brewers who want new ideas about equipment and preparation.

I would be more cautious if you dislike long explanations, have a low tolerance for caffeine, or want to roast and grind your own beans. Families can enjoy the class, but younger children may find two hours of coffee talk hard to follow.

The class also works well for a rainy morning or a break from Cartagena’s heat. Since the activity stays at Café del Mural, you do not spend the session moving around town. You can pair it with a later walk through Getsemaní, but leave enough time afterward if the presentation runs long.

Booking, Timing, and Cancellation Details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience is booked an average of 21 days ahead. That does not mean you must reserve exactly three weeks early, but it is sensible to book ahead if your Cartagena dates are fixed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Canceling less than 24 hours before 10 a.m. means you will not receive a refund, and late changes are not accepted.

Most people can participate. The experience ends at the starting café, and no hotel pickup or drop-off is provided. Because the advertised format is private but past sessions have sometimes been shared or crowded, ask about the expected group size if that is important to you.

My Verdict on Cartagena Coffee Masters

Book this if you want a serious introduction to Colombian coffee, not just a quick tasting. The best parts are the range of preparation methods, David’s humor and passion, the café’s character, and the included bag of coffee.

I would not book it expecting guaranteed roasting and grinding practice. Think of it as a demonstration-led coffee class with tasting, not a fully participatory lab. At $85, it earns its price when the group is small, the host is prepared, and you care enough about coffee to listen closely.

For coffee lovers, this is one of Cartagena’s more unusual activities. For everyone else, it is worth choosing only if you enjoy food and drink lessons and want a thoughtful morning indoors.

FAQ

Where does Cartagena Coffee Masters take place?

The experience takes place at Café del Mural, located at Cl. de San Juan #25-60 in Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m.

How long does the coffee experience last?

The stated duration is approximately two hours. Some past sessions have lasted two and a half to three hours.

How many coffees will I taste?

The experience includes four to five coffee samples. Some past sessions have included five or six varieties.

Is food included?

Yes. Snacks are included with the coffee tasting.

Do I receive coffee to take home?

Yes. A 200-gram bag of premium coffee is included.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation to and from your hotel is not included. The activity begins and ends at Café del Mural.

Is the activity private?

It is sold as a private activity for your group only. Because past sessions have sometimes included additional people, confirm the group arrangement if privacy is important to you.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not eligible for a refund.