The 15 Best Cartagena Tours & Day Trips

Cartagena Island Hopping: 5-Stop Rosario Islands Tour with Lunch - Baru and the party route

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,903 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $67Our pick

Review of Cartagena’s Rosario Islands tour, with VIP, ecological, and party options, costs, stops, snorkeling, lunch, and practical tips.

“The last stop of the day is, by far, the best place. The tour would be so much better if they just took you directly to Rosario De Mar Eco Hotel (the last stop), so you coud spend the entire day there. The other stops were nice, but there wasnt a beach at any of them, and the food/drinks (which you have to pay for) were good, but also very expensive. Also be warned about the boat ride. It was a lot of fun, but not for the faint of heart. The boat is extremely fast, and a lot of water splashes into it. If you dont want to get…”

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Cartagena Tours, Getsemani Walking Tours, Historical Tours, History Tours in Cartagena, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Cartagena

Cartagena: Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour

2.Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,716 reviews · 2h 30m · from $12Best value

Explore Cartagena’s Walled City and Getsemaní on a lively 150-minute tour covering history, slavery, music, culture, and local tips.

“Our guide was Rebeca, we did the tour in Spanish and she was amazing. Very nice, kind and attentive all the time. She has a huge knowledge about Cartagena and Colombia’s history, and shared it with us in a really funny and light way Highly recommend to anyone who is going to visit Cartagena.”

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Boat Trips in Cartagena, Cartagena Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rosario Islands Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

3.Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

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

Spend a relaxed day sailing from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands with swimming, snorkeling, lunch, free soft drinks, and ocean views.

“It was a perfect day to spend on the sea. Swimming and snorkeling in open water was so much fun. Lunch was delicious. If something could change, it would be the location of the 2nd swimming location. All in all, we had lots of fun.”

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Cartagena Tours, Full-Day, Playa Blanca and Baru Tours, Rosario Islands Tours, Tour Reviews

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

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

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

Review of Cartagena’s Rosario Islands boat tour, with snorkeling, Cholón, Playa Blanca, fort history, costs, crowds, and safety tips.

“a long day of fun with franklin! if you're solely looking for a beach island party, be aware that the first stop is a walking tour of a historical landmark. my only complaint was that we didn't stay on each island long enough! each stop was 50-60min, but the boat ride was fun baru (last stop) was my favorite beach. bring some cash if you want to save some money, most places accept card/apple pay with an additional 15% service fee”

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Cartagena Tours, San Basilio de Palenque Heritage Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tour De Palenque, Road to Emancipation.

5.Tour De Palenque, Road to Emancipation.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,678 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $100Top rated

Review of Cartagena’s Palenque tour, with Afro-Colombian history, music, food, local guides, transport tips, and honest value advice.

“This was a wonderful day in Palenque. Learning about the culture and community’s history was so interesting, and the lunch was phenomenal! Highly recommend”

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Cartagena Tours, Half-Day, Mud Volcano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Half-Day Tour to Totumo Mud Volcano from Cartagena

6.Half-Day Tour to Totumo Mud Volcano from Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,455 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $65

Review of Cartagena’s Totumo Mud Volcano tour, with hotel pickup, floating mud baths, local services, practical tips, costs, and safety advice.

“I would say no words - haha but here goes. First , the bus was15 minutes late and we waited in the heat. Next, our bus was over booked so 4 people had to go in someone’s car. We never saw them again. The bus was filthy, with barely any air. We had to stop for gas on the way out and stop for air in tires on way back. Bottom step of the bus was plywood! The bath (singular) is high up an uneven and steep set of stairs with rickety railings made of old pieces of wood with nails showing. The mangrove you rinse in is warm, but…”

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Cartagena Tours, City Tours, Getsemani Walking Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Cartagena, Walled City and San Felipe Tours

Private Walking Tour in Cartagena Walled City & Getsemaní

7.Private Walking Tour in Cartagena Walled City & Getsemaní

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,357 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $49

Review of Cartagena’s private Walled City and Getsemaní walk, with history, street art, practical tips, guide praise, value, and drawbacks.

“As a first time guest in Colombia, this was an excellent introduction to the area. Legaxy went at a perfect pace for us, and had a complete knowledge of the area’s history. We opted for a ride to return to the cruise port. Thank heavens! Not close and very hot.”

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Cartagena Tours, Quad Bikes, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cartagena ATV Tour

8.Cartagena ATV Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,204 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $135

Review of Cartagena’s ATV tour, with beach rides, mountain trails, lunch, guide tips, pricing, safety, and advice on who should book.

“This was a wonderful experience. Charlie and Louis was out tour guides and they were absolutely AMAZING . The ATV trail ride was so much fun . With amazing lunch as well ! This was the best ATV ride in Cartagena and it was such a pleasure ! I will definitely book with them again”

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Cartagena Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Cartagena, Street Food Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Street Food Tour in Cartagena

9.Street Food Tour in Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,143 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $44

Taste Cartagena through ceviche, cocadas, arepas, tropical fruit, coffee, and local beer on a small-group walking tour.

“Booking this food tour in Cartagena with guide Alvaro David was one of the best decisions I made on this trip. Alvaro is extremely knowledgeable, speaks excellent English, and is genuinely friendly and engaging. From start to finish, he made the experience seamless and fun. We stopped at around 10 different spots, trying an amazing variety of local dishes—everything was delicious and thoughtfully chosen. The tour had the perfect balance of walking, sightseeing, history, and food, so it never felt rushed or overwhelming. Alvaro shared fascinating stories about Cartagena and Colombian culture that really brought the city to life while we explored. If you’re looking for a food tour that…”

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2-Hour Experiences, Boat Trips in Cartagena, Cartagena Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews

Cartagena de Indias: 2-Hour Sunset Cruise

10.Cartagena de Indias: 2-Hour Sunset Cruise

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

Watch Cartagena’s sunset from a spacious catamaran with city views, music, one included drink, a light snack, and a lively return cruise.

“Very well organized trip. Amazing experience, i highly recommend it.”

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Cartagena Tours, Full-Day, Rosario Islands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full Day Tour of 5 Must-See Places in the Rosario Islands

11.Full Day Tour of 5 Must-See Places in the Rosario Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,095 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $95

Review of Cartagena’s Rosario Islands boat tour, with snorkeling, beaches, Cholón, lunch, costs, timing, safety tips, and who should book.

“Alex was great guide very knowledgeable. Would recommend again. Well organized, possible moving lunch up earlier in the tour. Other than that. Great service.”

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Audio Tours, Cartagena Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Walled Cartagena: Group Tour with Live Audio System

12.Walled Cartagena: Group Tour with Live Audio System

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,019 reviews · 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.) · from $13

Review of Cartagena’s $13 Walled City walking tour, with 12 historic stops, live audio, guide tips, heat advice, and honest drawbacks.

“If you want to know what the significance of the building’s and area you’re looking at is, then this tour is perfect! Lots of history and facts are shared. One star less because it was a lot of standing and listening to long stories. It was hot, humid and sunny but our guide Kayla always found shade for us to stand in. It’s a lot of walking also. We truly enjoyed it, just be prepared for the long history lessons. If that’s not your thing, chose differently. The English was good once your ear adjusts to their accent.”

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Boat Trips in Cartagena, Cartagena Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rosario Islands Tours, Snorkeling, Snorkelling Trips in Cartagena, Tour Reviews, Tours

5 Stop Boat Tour Rosario Islands with Lunch, Forts, & Snorkeling

13.5 Stop Boat Tour Rosario Islands with Lunch, Forts, & Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,011 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $67

Review of Cartagena’s 5-stop Rosario Islands boat tour, with forts, lunch, snorkeling, three ticket choices, costs, and practical advice.

“Miguel was a great tour guide! They are very considerate and helpful. It is very fun, be ready for a bit of rough boat ride due to winds but it honestly is not bad and completely worth it. If you sit up front you feel more bumps, if you're in the back you feel more of the splashes. The spacing of stops was perfect and we loved talking with Miguel between each stop. We didn't experience any overbearing vendors, they may ask you once but its not nearly as bad as others made it seem in reviews. Everyone is very kind and helpful, if you do decide to get a…”

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2-Hour Experiences, Boat Trips in Cartagena, Cartagena Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

2-hour tour in Cartagena Sunset View in party boat

14.2-hour tour in Cartagena Sunset View in party boat

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

Review of Cartagena’s $22 sunset party boat, with open rum bar, skyline views, music, dancing, guides, and nightclub entry.

“Awesome Party Boat. I wasn't expecting much but really enjoyed the vibe. The host played amazing music and was generous with the drinks. It was a cool, fun, and relaxing experience.”

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