Cartagena: Private City Tour with Castle & Old Town Walk

Summary

Cartagena’s vibrant streets, fortress climbs & local crafts

You’ll walk Cartagena’s walled Old Town with a local guide who brings centuries-old stories to life, climb Castillo San Felipe for sweeping views, explore colorful Getsemaní and sample street snacks if you want. Expect hotel pickup and entry tickets included—plus time for crafts or emerald shopping if something catches your eye.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a cold bottle of water before I even realize how much I need it. Our guide, Andrés, grins and waves us toward the old city walls—he calls them “las murallas” and taps the stone as if it’s an old friend. The heat in Cartagena is a living thing, but there’s always a breeze off the Caribbean that sneaks around corners. We duck through the Clock Tower and suddenly we’re in the thick of it: fruit vendors balancing baskets on their heads, school kids darting between plazas, music leaking from somewhere I can’t quite see.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much during a private city tour of Cartagena. Andrés tells stories about pirates at Castillo San Felipe—he does a dramatic pirate voice that makes even my grumpy uncle smile. Climbing up those fortress ramps is sweaty work (bring water, trust me), but you get this wild view over the rooftops and out to sea. There’s something about standing where people defended their city centuries ago that makes your own worries shrink a bit.

We stop at La Popa Convent—the highest point in town—and the air smells faintly of incense and bougainvillea. Inside, it’s quiet except for our footsteps on cool tiles. Down in Getsemaní later, everything flips: colors everywhere, murals exploding across walls, neighbors chatting from doorways. A guy selling arepas waves us over; I try one with cheese that melts all over my fingers (worth it). At Las Bóvedas, we wander through arches full of crafts and emeralds—Andrés explains how you can tell if an emerald is good just by its color and light. I still think about that green sparkle sometimes.

The whole day moves at our pace—no rushing—and when we finally pile back into the air-conditioned van (bliss), I realize I’ve seen more than just monuments or museums. It feels like little pieces of Cartagena stuck to me: laughter echoing off old stones, sunlight bouncing off yellow walls, that weird sweet-salty taste of street snacks. Not sure I’ll remember every fact Andrés shared, but some moments just stay with you anyway.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cartagena historic and cultural tour

• Visit exclusive panoramic neighborhood
• Explore modern area and beaches
• Tour La Popa Convent
• Visit San Felipe de Barajas Castle
• Walk through Cartagena Old Town
• Stop at Bolivar Square
• Visit Santo Domingo Church
• Explore colorful Getsemaní neighborhood
• Visit Las Bóvedas vaults
• Discover Colombian emeralds

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Cartagena private city tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for your group.

How long does the private city tour of Cartagena last?

The tour usually lasts around half a day but can be customized to your schedule.

Are entrance fees to Castillo San Felipe and La Popa Convent included?

Yes, entry tickets to both sites are covered in your booking.

Is this Cartagena city tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Can cruise passengers join this private Cartagena city tour?

Yes, transfers from the cruise port are available; provide ship details when booking.

Will there be a bilingual or multilingual guide?

Your guide will be bilingual or multilingual depending on your preference.

Do you visit Getsemaní neighborhood on this tour?

Yes, there is time to explore Getsemaní’s colorful streets and history.

Is water provided during the Cartagena private city tour?

You’ll receive one bottle of water per person during the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with air conditioning, pickup from your hotel or cruise port (and drop-off), all entry fees for Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and La Popa Convent (if available), plus a certified bilingual guide and professional driver throughout. You’ll get bottled water along the way—and time to browse crafts or emeralds if you like before heading back comfortably at your own pace.