Cartagena: Old Town Bike Tour & Getsemani Stops

Summary

Slow rides through Cartagena’s old streets stories laughter and local color

You’ll bike Cartagena’s Old Town & Getsemani at an easy pace with a local guide leading you through plazas, parks, and vibrant street art spots. Expect lots of stops for stories or photos, plus small moments — like fruit smells or local laughter — that stick with you long after you return your helmet.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sound — wheels clicking over cobblestones as we set off from the meeting point, just outside the walled city. Our guide, Andrés, waved us forward with a grin that made me feel like we’d known him longer than five minutes. The bikes were sturdy enough (mine had a squeaky bell I kept fiddling with), and helmets were handed out with a quick check on straps. We started slow, weaving past fruit vendors who called out in Spanish and tourists still figuring out their maps. I remember catching a whiff of mango from one cart — sweet and sharp at the same time.

We stopped in Centenario Park where parrots shrieked overhead and Andrés pointed out an iguana sunning itself on a low branch. He told us about Cartagena’s old city walls — how they kept pirates out, mostly, though he joked that some probably snuck in for the food. Riding through Getsemani felt different; street art everywhere, colors so bright they almost buzzed in the heat. At one mural, someone asked about the artist and Andrés just laughed — “He’s my cousin’s friend,” he said, then shrugged like that explained everything. I tried to say something in Spanish but probably butchered it; got a smile anyway.

There were maybe ten or twelve stops? Hard to keep track because time blurred a bit between plazas and churches and narrow alleys where music spilled from open windows. Sometimes we’d pause for questions or photos; sometimes just to let traffic pass (Cartagena drivers have their own logic). At one point my hands smelled faintly of sunblock mixed with city dust — not unpleasant, just real. The pace was easy enough for everyone to keep up, even when the afternoon got sticky-warm.

I didn’t expect to feel so much like part of the city by the end. Andrés gave us tips on where to eat after (“not too touristy,” he promised) and waited while we took last photos by the old stone gate. I still think about that view back toward Getsemani as we finished — bikes lined up, sun dropping low, people laughing about nothing special.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Biking tour around Cartagena old city

• Arrive 15 minutes early
• Start and finish at same place
• Bike around old city
• Visit plazas and churches
• Explore Getsemani neighborhood
• Visit Centenario park
• Make 10-12 stops for photos
• Learn history and stories
• Receive recommendations and tips

Top questions

How long is the Cartagena biking tour?

The biking tour lasts around two hours total.

Is equipment provided for the bike tour?

Yes, you get an urban-style bicycle and helmet included.

What neighborhoods does the tour cover?

The route covers Cartagena’s Old Town, Centenario Park, and Getsemani neighborhood.

Do I need to be very fit for this Cartagena bike tour?

No; it goes at a slow pace suitable for most fitness levels.

Are there photo stops during the bike ride?

Yes; there are 10-12 stops for pictures or questions along the way.

Is lunch included in this Cartagena bike tour?

No lunch is included; your guide can recommend places afterward.

What languages is the tour available in?

Tours are available in English and Spanish.

Where does the biking tour start and end?

The tour starts and finishes at the same meeting point near Old Town.

What’s included

Your day includes use of an urban bicycle and helmet for two hours as you ride with a local guide through Cartagena’s Old Town, Centenario Park, and Getsemani neighborhood—with plenty of time for questions or photos before returning to your starting point at the end of your ride.