Drumming and Dancing Class in La Boquilla, Cartagena

Learn to drum and dance the way locals do, then jump in the Caribbean.

A three-hour drumming and dancing class in La Boquilla, a fishing village outside Cartagena, where you learn champeta and other Caribbean dances from young community artists. Pickup from Cartagena is included; the guide speaks English, Spanish or French; children from age five are welcome. Lunch is optional.

The experience

La Boquilla sits on the water just outside Cartagena, and this class brings you there by air-conditioned vehicle so you skip the logistics of finding it alone. Once you arrive, you step into a working fishing village, not a tourist setup, and meet the young musicians and dancers who run the workshop. They teach you champeta, the signature dance of Colombia's Caribbean coast, along with other traditional rhythms. You are not watching a demonstration. You are learning the steps and the drums yourself, starting from the beginning.

The class runs three hours and moves at a pace that works for all ages and fitness levels. After the drumming and dancing workshop, you have the option to swim in the sea before heading back to Cartagena. The money you spend goes directly to the artists running the program. They use it to create change in their community through their work.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned pickup from Cartagena.
• three-hour drumming and dancing class led by local community artists.
• instruction in champeta and other Caribbean dances.
• access to the sea for swimming after the workshop.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Friday8 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (20 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (11 to 19 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tour in Cartagena

Is this one for you?Pickup from your Cartagena hotel means you don't need a car or local knowledge to reach La Boquilla. The village is accessible and the class is built for first-timers, so a free afternoon becomes a chance to learn something you can't get anywhere else.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 19 years); Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What is champeta and where does it come from?

Champeta is a traditional dance and music style from Colombia's Caribbean coast, rooted in the culture of fishing communities like La Boquilla. The class teaches you the basic steps and rhythms so you can move and play along with the musicians who perform it.

Do I need to know how to dance or play drums before I book?

No. The class is a starter's workshop designed for all ages and fitness levels, so you learn from the ground up with no experience required.

How do I get to La Boquilla from my hotel in Cartagena?

Pickup from Cartagena is included in the booking. An air-conditioned vehicle collects you and brings you to the village, so you don't need to arrange transport yourself.

Can I swim after the class?

Yes. After the drumming and dancing workshop, you have the chance to take a dip in the sea before the vehicle returns you to Cartagena.