Colombia · SAN BASILIO DE PALENQUE HERITAGE TOURS
San Basilio de Palenque, an hour inland from Cartagena, was founded by people who escaped slavery and became the first free town in the Americas; UNESCO lists its language and oral traditions. These 15 visits are compared on travel time, what is included and what each costs.
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”
Review of Cartagena’s Freedom Tour of Palenque, with local guides, Afro-Colombian history, music, lunch, transport, price, and practical tips.
“Ronal and his team and family are the best! From the warm and welcoming smiles to the history lesson, dance/drumming performance and lunch: this is a top notch tour! This is a must do visit when in the Cartagena region.”
Visit San Basilio de Palenque from Cartagena for Afro-Colombian history, music, food, language, dancing, and a memorable local welcome.
“Sofia was an excellent host. She speaks English and I appreciated her willingness to translate during the tour. She taught us a lot about the history of palenque. We experienced drums, dance, and tour which included viewing a historical home, Candy making, natural medicine & more. The lunch was DELICIOUS! While optional, you are asked to tip at each stop so just be prepared for that and bring pesos if you’d like to buy souvenirs.”
Explore San Basilio de Palenque from Cartagena with local history, music, dance, traditional lunch, rum tasting, and hotel pickup.
“Roiman was an excellent tour guided! He provided an amazing immersive experience in culture, community, and tradition. Such an outstanding wealth of knowledge. Palenque tour was a beautiful experience!!! Highly recommend book this tour you’ll love it . The food was freshly prepared full of flavor and love 🖤💙💚”
Review of the San Basilio de Palenque tour from Cartagena, with cultural stops, music, lunch, transport, costs, heat, and practical tips.
“The Palenque Native Dancers were outstanding. The tour company was poor. They picked us up 30 minutes late. The van had no air conditioning with 90 degree temperature. Go see the dancers with a different company.”
Visit San Basilio de Palenque from Cartagena for Afro-Colombian history, music, language, dance, traditional medicine, and a local lunch.
“What a fantastic tour ! The drive there was a bit long but it was totally worth it . I’ve read about this place and to be there in person was an honor. They sung me Happy Birthday in Palenque and gave me a gift. Highly recommend this tour for an unforgettable cultural and educational experience .”
Review of Cartagena’s Mud Volcano and Palenque tour, with early mud bathing, local food, music, history, costs, tips, and practical advice.
“I would give this 10 stars if I could. Miguel had the absolute best itinerary to make sure we experienced the mud volcano without the crowds. He explained everything very thoroughly. As we went through Palenque, it was clear that he was loved and respected by everyone in the community. I also appreciate that he encouraged us to support the local economy. Every stop felt special as we sampled, traditional medicine, food, music, and dance. This is a really special place and it deserves to be seen with a guide as fantastic as Miguel.”
Visit San Basilio de Palenque from Cartagena for a native-led tour of Afro-Colombian history, music, medicine, murals, boxing, and local food.
“This tour was amazing. Our tour guide Romeo was an excellent guide. He took the time in narrating the history behind the tour. The people, the culture, the food etc. The community was amazing, the dance and the food was excellent. Overall, I grade this an A+. I’ll recommend this to everyone.”
Explore San Basilio de Palenque from Cartagena with local guides, Afro-Colombian history, music, language, food, and a small-group visit.
“The trip was very lovely and we had an amazing guide from Palenque who showed us all the different parts of town and the history. The guide was very informative and would definitely recommend!”
Review of the San Basilio de Palenque tour from Cartagena, with music, food, local guides, culture, price, itinerary, and booking advice.
“It was educational. The guides were great. We enjoyed Royman. Jesus was also great. They were there to answer questions and make sure we were enjoying the tour”
Review of the San Basilio de Palenque tour from Cartagena, with local guides, African culture, lunch, music, boxing, and practical tips.
“The palenque experience is one to remember from the heat, boxing, sweets by aunt Roberta, music studio, medicine man, lunch, and tour guides Edwin and Pedro. The history is interesting but their today living is amazing.”
Review of Cartagena’s Palenque African Roots Day Tour, including its history, food, guides, transport, value, and practical tips.
“A very informative experience. With this group, we were not given bottled water or an umbrella to use. Due to the heat, the umbrella would have been nice.”
Visit San Basilio de Palenque from Cartagena for Afro-Colombian history, local food, music, dance, and a small-group cultural experience.
“Great history tour with Sofia and the homemade lunch was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS 😋 I'd book this tour again to have that homemade meal again. Book It!”
Review of Cartagena’s Palenque tour, covering Afro-Colombian culture, music, food, transport, costs, language, and practical tips.
“I am very glad that I had this experience and would be happy to go again but I do recommend that everyone bring with them lots of small bills in Colombian pesos. It is necessary to tip to use the toilets, to tip at the museum, to tip or buy at the music centre, to buy water or beer in the lunch restaurant, to buy souvenirs and homemade snacks, and to tip the local guide. Also, bring an umbrella to shade yourself as most of the tour is outdoors in the midday sun.”
Explore Palenque de San Basilio from Cartagena with local guides, music, food, history, and a cultural show on this private day trip.
“The Palenque your was very interesting. We learned so much about the history of the people, Vanessa our tour guide did an amazing job, picking us up on time at the hotel and making sure we were comfortable. She took beautiful pictures throughout and then shared them with me!! The lunch was delicious! Those ladies can cook.”
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