Cartagena: Street Food Tour Walled City & Getsemani Walk

Cartagena food tour through lively streets, local bites and city stories

You’ll walk Cartagena’s Old Town and Getsemani with a local guide, tasting street foods like arepa de huevo, carimañola, shrimp cocktail, and coconut sweets. Hear stories behind every bite as you wander plazas and colorful alleys. Expect laughter, sticky fingers, maybe even new friends, and memories that linger long after your last taste.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cartagena Old Town1h
2. Santo Domingo Church5m
3. San Pedro Claver Cathedralpassing by
4. Las Bóvedaspassing by

Cartagena food tasting and city walk

• Meet local tour guide
• Walk around Cartagena Walled City
• Try fruits and shrimp cocktails
• Sample deep-fried snacks and sweets
• Eat arepa with egg and carimañola
• Taste cocadas and other sweets
• Drink coffee or cold beer
• Learn about local culinary traditions
• Walk to Plaza de la Trinidad
• Visit Plaza Santo Domingo
• Pass Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver
• Pass Las Bovedas

The experience

I’ll never forget how the first bite of arepa de huevo caught me off guard: hot oil on my fingertips, that crispy corn shell cracking open to a soft egg inside. We’d just ducked under the Clock Tower into Cartagena’s Walled City, and our guide Camilo grinned when he handed it over. “This one is breakfast, lunch, and midnight snack,” he joked. The air smelled like frying dough and salt from the sea. I could hear salsa music leaking out from a shop nearby, mixing with the clatter of carts rolling by.

We wandered through narrow lanes in Getsemani where murals burst with color: kids darting around us, someone calling out “buen provecho!” as we sampled carimañola (I still can’t pronounce it right). It’s this chewy yucca thing stuffed with cheese or meat. Honestly better than I expected. Camilo pointed out how each snack tells a bit of Cartagena’s story: African roots in the spices, Spanish in the sweets. At Plaza de la Trinidad, we stopped for shrimp cocktail (tangy and cold in the afternoon heat), and I tried to guess what was in the sauce but gave up after the second spoonful.

By the time we hit Las Bóvedas and San Pedro Claver Cathedral, my hands were sticky from coconut cocadas and fruit juice dripped down my wrist. There’s something about eating your way through a place that makes you pay attention differently. I noticed how locals always greet each other with a nod or a tap on the shoulder. We ended at Santo Domingo Church with tiny cups of strong coffee (or beer if you wanted), standing in a patch of shade while Camilo told us about his grandmother’s recipe for arepas. He said hers are still better than any you’ll find on this food tour. Maybe he’s right.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (or cruise/airport meet-up if needed), all-risk insurance for peace of mind while wandering Cartagena’s streets, five different samples of regional foods and drinks, from savory snacks to sweet desserts, and a friendly local guide who brings every bite to life with stories along the way before returning you safely at the end.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour departing from Cartagena lodgingsGuide in English or Spanish · 9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00Four-hour food tour: includes a private guide, private transportation, Walled City and Getsemani visits, gastronomic experiences and insurance. Pickup is included.

Food tour departing from the cruise terminalGuide in English or Spanish · 9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00Four-hour food tour: includes a private guide, private transportation from the cruise, Walled City and Getsemani visits, gastronomic experiences and insurance. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (5 to 84 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gran Colombia Tours

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What foods do you try on this Cartagena street food tour?

You sample arepa de huevo, carimañola (yucca stuffed snack), shrimp cocktail, cocadas (coconut sweets), fruits, desserts, plus coffee or beer.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cartagena food tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

Are drinks included during the food tour?

You’ll have samples of regional refreshments like fruit juice plus coffee or beer at the end.

Is this Cartagena food tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, the walk is gentle and suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Can I join if I’m arriving by cruise ship or have a layover?

Yes, select cruise-only or airport pickup during booking for easy meet-up.

What landmarks do you visit during the tour?

You’ll see Plaza de la Trinidad, Santo Domingo Church, San Pedro Claver Cathedral, Las Bóvedas and more in Old Town.

Are vegetarian options available on this Cartagena food tour?

The main focus is traditional snacks which may include meat or seafood. Check directly if you have dietary needs.