Cartagena: Old City & San Felipe Castle Private Tour 4 Hours

Four hours, three neighborhoods, one guide who knows where the tourists aren't

You spend four hours moving through Cartagena's layers (colonial plazas, street art in Getsemani, the fortress at San Felipe, and the hilltop convent) with entry fees and transport handled. A private guide sets the pace, so you linger where you want and skip the lines that form at the main sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. San Felipe de Barajas Castle40m · entry included
2. La Popa Convent1h · entry included
3. Old Shoes Monument15m

Tour Cartagena's historic and colorful sites

• Visit Plaza San Pedro Claver
• See La Gorda Gertrudis and Santo Domingo Church
• Explore colorful streets of Getsemani
• Tour San Felipe Castle
• Visit La Popa Convent for city views
• Photo stop at Old Shoes Monument

The experience

Your guide meets you in the historic center and within the first few minutes you're standing in front of the Old Shoes Monument (locals call it Monumento a los Zapatos Viejos), and they'll tell you the story behind it, the kind of thing you'd miss if you were just walking past with a map. The streets around Plaza San Pedro Claver and La Iglesia Santo Domingo fill up fast, but because this is a private tour of Cartagena, you move at your own pace, stopping when something catches your eye instead of being herded along with fifty other people.

Then you head into Getsemani, where the walls are covered in murals and the streets have names like Lomba and Callejon Anjo that don't show up in most guidebooks. Your guide points out which buildings are colonial, which are newer, and why the neighborhood looks the way it does now. There's a rhythm to it once someone explains it. After that you're driven up to San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the fortress that actually matters if you want to understand how Cartagena survived as a port city. You walk the tunnels, climb the ramparts, and the view from up there stretches across the whole old city and down to the water. It's the kind of vantage point that makes the geography click.

The last stop is La Popa Convent, perched on a hill overlooking everything: the historic center, the neighborhoods, the bay. You get a coconut lemonade (it's included, and it tastes better when you're standing up there in the heat) and time to take photos or just sit with the view. The whole thing takes four hours, and because you're in a private vehicle with air conditioning, the transitions between stops don't eat up your energy the way they would on foot in the Caribbean sun.

What’s included

Your tour includes private air-conditioned transportation throughout Cartagena, entrance fees to both San Felipe de Barajas Castle and La Popa Convent, a water bottle, and a coconut lemonade. You'll stop in the historic center at Plaza San Pedro Claver and La Iglesia Santo Domingo, walk through Getsemani's street art neighborhoods (Lomba Street, Callejon Anjo, Calle San Juan), and have time at the Old Shoes Monument for photos.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 to 85 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by La Perla Viajes y Turismo

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want the main Cartagena landmarks without navigating lines or arranging transport themselves. The private format means you set the rhythm. Plan for moderate walking and some climbing at the castle. It's what gives you access to the views and the fortress itself.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the tour?

Four hours, including all stops and travel between them.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation, entry to San Felipe Castle and La Popa Convent, a water bottle, coconut lemonade, and an air-conditioned vehicle.

Do I need to book entry tickets separately?

No. Castle and convent entry are included in the tour price.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour involves moderate walking and climbing at San Felipe Castle. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What if I want to spend more time at one site?

Since it's private, you can adjust the pace. Let your guide know your preferences when you start.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned?

Yes, and you'll need it: Cartagena is hot and humid, especially midday.

Can I take photos at all the stops?

Yes. The Old Shoes Monument, Getsemani streets, San Felipe Castle, and La Popa Convent are all photo-friendly.