• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Curious to know more about Cartagena’s history? Join a local history expert on an insightful tour that will show you a side of the city that can’t be found in any book. This experience will open your eyes to the past and origins of Cartagena from a local perspective as you learn about a Colonial Exploration.

Destination

Cartagena, Colombia

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

3 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English

Included

• Private guide
• Entrance to the Museum Cartagena de Indias
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to other attractions than mentioned
• on Sundays the starting times of the tour are from 10.00-13.30

What you can expect

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at At the Monument of Simon Bolivar - Cartagena to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. a Colonial Exploration

   Your history tour in Cartagena will focus on a Colonial Exploration. Learn the impacts, insights and hear stories related to this historic event from your knowledgeable host. Discover the city as you retrace history and go in-depth on the effects this part of history has on Cartagena

4. Historical Highlights

   Check out main landmarks related to the theme of your history tour and connect their relevance through fantastic stories and facts from your expert local host

5. Hidden Treasures

   During your tour, you’ll also uncover hidden gems that will show you a different perspective of history as you know it, something you can’t easily find in a history book!

6. Storytelling Journey

   As you discover the historical side of Cartagena, you’ll be able to go back in time thanks to the amazing stories and storytelling skills of your local host. Feel free to ask any questions and feel as if you are relieving history in the present time

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Eveln🇺🇸 United States

(About local Andrea )

2 March 2025

Andrea gave us a great logistical overview of Cartagena. She knows all the in’s and out’s and was very communicative and helpful before and after our tour. She expanded our sense of the old city, gave us restaurant suggestions that turned out to be great and helped us find a driver for a trip to the National Aviary. Our group all felt she was an asset to our time in the city. Andrea is a wonderful resource!!

Pantelis🇺🇸 United States

(About local Rosmy)

7 February 2024

Rosmy is an amazing guide. She grew up in Cartagena and has so much knowledge about the cities history, people, and culture. Her tour is so well curated and is perfect for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the details of the city.An amazing historical tour of the city

ginabasger🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Andrea )

25 May 2025

I had booked with Andrea but she was unable to take me on the tour and Wendy stepped in. She was lovely and engaging and walked me around the old city and Getsemani district tasting along the way typical local eats. and pointing out local buildings and points of interest.I have to say it was a very hot day and I appreciated the cold beverages that were also included- a fresh, delicious lemonade, a local (excellent) iced coffee and a beer which we enjoyed in a local bar.Colourful Cartagena

Jodi🇺🇸 United States

(About local Andrea )

12 May 2025

We try to set up a tour everywhere we travel to get a sense of the city we are visiting. We were fortunate to book Andrea to share the culture, the highlights and favorite spots of Cartagena. She was so patient in answering all of our questions regarding the history of Colombia, the city of Cartagena and the everyday lives of Colombians. I wished we could have booked Andrea the next day for the food tour but unfortunately was not feeling well. Andrea has so much to offer! You will not go wrong booking her tour to explore this beautiful city. Wonderful tour with Andrea

Jean Jordan🇺🇸 United States

(About local Andrea )

6 May 2025

We had a great time with Andrea as our guide. She patiently waited for us and we ran into some obstacles getting to the meeting location. She was very knowledgeable and took us to a number of locations we would have never found on our own. We sampled street food and had delish coffee. She showed us beautiful streets and took us to some great shopping. She was patient and kind (we take a lot of pictures). We plan to come back to this beautiful city.An Amazing Day in Cartegena

Donna

(About local Andrea )

23 April 2025

As a solo traveler, I love the thrill of adventure, and my recent experience with a travel operator was nothing short of enchanting. Upon arriving at our destination, I joined a charming group of fellow wanderers—mostly solo travelers and couples—capped at a cozy 12. With pockets of free time sprinkled throughout our itinerary, I seized the opportunity to venture out and explore. But I’m never one to wander alone; I seek out local tour guides, just as I did in the magical streets of Rome. This time, my foray into exploration led me to the delightful Andrea. What began as a simple 2.5-hour tour transformed into an unforgettable evening that stretched until 8:30 PM. Over a delicious meal filled with lively entertainment and sparkling conversation, Andrea and I delved into the treasures of the city within the Great Wall. Her passion for the art and culture around us was infectious, and she was a treasure trove of knowledge—gracious, patient, and full of fascinating insights. I often found myself saying, “What?” or “Pardon me?” in my quest to grasp the ancient wonders she described. Learning a new language might just be on my agenda! With her clear communication and my occasional confusion, we shared a delightful connection that made the experience all the more special. I’d rate this adventure a solid 10 plus stars—an enchanting evening that I won’t soon forget!10 out 10

Schdiefel

(About local Andrea )

10 April 2025

Danke für den tollen Tag in Cartagena. Wir haben sehr viel Informationen bekommen und haben vieles von der Stadt gesehen. Andrea ist ein sehr sympathischer Guide der absolut auf unsere Vorstellungen und Interessen eingegangen ist. Cartagena

Ian

(About local Andrea )

7 April 2025

Wherever we travel, we try to book a locals food/drink tour to get the lay of the land and a grounding in local culture. Andrea proved to be a fantastic host, passionate, informed and really good company. The time flew by. This tour was excellent. Seriously, Chinese empanadas, don't knock them til you try them. Exceeded Expectations

Yvonne and Martin🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Wendy)

5 April 2025

Wendy ist eine sehr nette, aufgeschlossene Cartagenerin und wir hatten einen schönen und informativen Vormittag. Sie spricht sehr gut verständliches Englisch. Die Tour mit Ihr eignet sich sowohl für einen Kurzaufenthalt, z.B. wie bei uns bei einer Kreuzfahrt, als auch als Einstieg in einen längeren Aufenthalt in der schönen Stadt. Der Treffpunkt in der Stadt ist sehr gut mit dem Taxi vom Kreuzfahrtterminal erreichbar (ca 20-30 Min einplanen). Wir vereinbarten mit dem Taxifahrer einen Preis von 10 US$ (5$/Person). Wir wünschen Ihr weiterhin alles Gute!Schöner Stadtrundgang

Victoria🇺🇸 United States

(About local Andrea )

3 April 2025

Andrea was very flexible in coordinating our tour. We got a great overview of the city, saw sloths up close and learned some history. Really nice way to get a flavor of Cartagena.Great overview of the historic center

Craig🇺🇸 United States

(About local Andrea )

30 March 2025

We had an amazing food tour with Andrea in Cartagena! We spent a delightful few hours exploring vibrant neighborhoods, indulging in an array of local street foods and refreshing juices, all while immersing ourselves in the rich history of Cartagena. Andrea was an exceptional guide—her passion and deep love for the city shone through in every moment she shared with us!Amazing Tour of Cartagena with Andrea

Herb🇺🇸 United States

(About local Andrea )

25 March 2025

Our family had a great tour Cartagena with Andrea last week. The tour was a nice mix of history, anecdotes and shopping. We walked around the historic center with our 12-year-old and 17-year-old and they both remain engaged throughout. Andrea was great about stopping whenever we needed a break from the heat And tailored our walk to get some exposure to the adjoining neighborhood. I would highly recommend Andrea as a guide who is knowledgeable and thoughtful. She also did a great job of communicating in the lead up to our tour and was kind enough to follow up with us on the rest of our trip.Great Tour of Cartagena

Unknown

(About local Wendy)

24 March 2025

Wendy had to cancel last minute so our tour was led by Andrea and it was perfect! She catered the tour to our interests (fruit, juices, sights, and not so much fried food) and added a little shopping so we could pick up souvenirs. She knew exactly where to take us to avoid foods/water that would upset our stomach. She made recommendations for our next few days in Cartagena that were excellent. Andrea is a delight and has lived in several countries but returned to Colombia several years ago; I enjoyed hearing her perspective on her country. Food tour w/ Andrea - highly recommended!

sonawala

(About local Andrea )

23 March 2025

Andrea was generous and patient with us. She helped us navigate shopping and other interests we had. She personalized the experience for our taste. Excellent English and very smart and friendly. I would recommend highly to anyone. Personalized experience with a local

Sonya

(About local Wendy)

23 March 2025

Wendy is engaging and enthusiastic about Cartegena in all aspects from the food to the culture to the history of the area. Her English was very good and we were able to learn so much from her. One of the best guides we have ever had in all our travels!!!!Great afternoon food adventure.

Mary

(About local Wendy)

22 March 2025

We loved our tour with Wendy. She made all 10 stops interesting and informative, choosing vendors who are local with long histories of making delicious food. The variety was terrific and the pace was just right. It was definitely enough food so we could skip dinner. Fantastic food tour

Jennifer

(About local Wendy)

13 March 2025

I'm so glad I found Wendy for my group. Everyone loved Wendy's energy, explanation of the history in both the Walled City and Getsmani neighborhoods. She also adjusted pace based on the group which was really nice. Definitely would love to hire Wendy again for future trips that I take people to in Cartagena.Wendy is FANTASTIC!

Chris

(About local Andrea )

12 March 2025

Andrea was very knowledgeable and friendly, and she gave some great recommendations in the city. We had a great time. Excellent friendly guide

Darcy🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

26 February 2025

Wendy is amazing tour guide that we would highly recommend. She is a Cartagena local and is very passionate about her city and country. We learned many things and discovered places we would not have found on our own which made our visit so much more enjoyable. If you have the chance, do not hesitate to take a tour with Wendy!Fabulous Tour

Bridgett

(About local Andrea )

25 February 2025

She took us to several street vendors, food was excellent. Very hot outside though, so I wasn’t able to walk everywhere she wanted to go. Excellent tour guide -meshes a native of Colombia!Great tour with Andrea

Shawn

(About local Andrea )

24 February 2025

I had a fantastic time on the Evening in Cartagena City Tour with Andrea! She reached out ahead of time to understand what I was interested in, which made the experience feel really personalized. Throughout the tour, she shared a ton of great information and adjusted the itinerary along the way based on what caught my interest. Her knowledge of the city’s history and culture really added to the experience. If you’re looking for a guide who is informative and easy to explore with, Andrea is a great choice. Highly recommend!Great Tour with a Knowledgeable Guide!

Al🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

22 February 2025

Wendy is a native of Cartagena and is very enthusiastic about her city. She communicated very well prior to our tour and let us know what she would be wearing the day we were meeting her. She is flexible and gladly accommodated our special requests. She was very knowledgeable about the meaning of the different murals around Getsemani and everything else in the city. We enjoyed our time with Wendy and would highly recommend her as a guide. The only thing we didn’t care for was being taken to an emerald store without any prior discussion. It’s awkward to get a presentation about something when you’re not interested in purchasing. We realize that many tourists may be interested in buying emeralds in Colombia, but it would have be preferable to have the chance to say no thank you! We had the same experience in a rug store in Turkey. Great Tour With Wendy

debhughan🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Wendy)

22 February 2025

Wonderful communication with Wendy pre tour which helped us tremendously. Wendy even changed her usual meeting point to collect us in a taxi at the port . I needed a sewing alteration and she was able to sort this out during the tour . What great service !!! A thoughtful enthusiastic person who kept us engaged all through the tour . The food and drink were really good too . Would recommend Wendy highly . Wonderful day wonderful Wendy

Leann

(About local Wendy)

22 February 2025

We highly recommend Wendy for the 10 tastes in Cartegna! Our tour was highly personalized and we felt confident in all the stops we made to try local foods. She was very educated on the country's history's, spoke excellent English and seemed to know many people in the community. Wendy gave us a warm welcome and made us feel safe in our first time in this foreign country.Cruise traveler

Bill

(About local Andrea )

19 February 2025

A wonderful evening walking around the walled city and the lovely plazas. Andrea gave us views and insights that we would have never have seen without her. We recommended her to our hotel and hopefully they will also use her.Cartagena revealed

Alexandra

(About local Wendy)

18 February 2025

Wendy was absolutely amazing! My group and I loved how knowledgeable she was about not only the food, but the history of the city as well. She was so open to questions and took us to amazing places! I highly recommend Wendy! I feel like a Cartagenera now! Wonderful host!

Lawrence🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Wendy)

6 February 2025

We had a great tour with Wendy. From first making contact and adjusting the tour to our needs, it was a really simple process - great comms with Wendy. When we met, it was obvious she has a great love and pride for her city - as well as being really knowledgeable. The tour was taken in really hot and humid weather, yet Wendy managed to find us plenty of shade while we walked! All in all 3 hours spent in the company of a charming young woman in a very special city.Wonderful few hours in Cartagena

Jessica🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Wendy)

27 January 2025

We booked a food tour of Cartagena with Wendy for our family of 5 while on a holiday to the city and it was a highlight of our trip! The evening of our tour we happened to have a torrential downpour with flooding through the streets and Wendy was amazing thinking on her feet to make sure we still had the best time. The variety of food we tried and the history of Cartagena we learned along the way were unmatched. We would recommend this to anyone visiting Cartagena and will book another tour with Wendy if we return! Fantastic guide and experience!

Christina🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

26 January 2025

We had a great time walking around Cartagena with Wendy - she gave us insight into the history and culture of the beautiful city. She also took us to a high quality coffee shop for a rest, a snack at a food stand, and through the Getsemani neighborhood. I told her I wanted to buy something with emeralds and she took us to a reputable shop. We really enjoyed our tour with Wendy and would highly recommend you book her for your trip to Caratagena!Great walking tour

Nicole🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Andrea )

24 January 2025

Andrea put up with 6 crazy aussies and our constant questions. She was flexible and very knowledgeable and accommodating. She even booked lunch for us after giving us a selection to choose from. Highly recommend Andrea to anyone wanting to explore Cartagena by foot. Andrea was amzingly and a great guide

Robert

(About local Andrea )

21 January 2025

The tour Andrea showed us was perfect. She answered our many questions with both knowledge and kindness. Her English was excellent and she was flexible to show us many interesting sights. We were quite pleased. Knowledgeable and Enjoyable time - perfect

laurie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

21 January 2025

the tour with wendy was great. her english was easy to understand. she gave us good introduction to the local foods and the history of where the foods came from!wendy food tour

Debby🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Wendy)

17 January 2025

We were taken on a food tour in Cartegena. Our tour guide Wendy was simply wonderful. We were shown the sights and tastes and were excellently informed. A highlight of our cruise. Wonderful Tour

Allesandra🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

17 January 2025

This tour was a great way to discover Cartagena. We walked around the city and made various stops to eat something local. We discovered fruits that we had never heard about and stopped for a beer in a small, local bar. Wendy is knowledgeable and passionate about the food and culture of her hometown.Fun Food Tour of Cartagena

Karina🇱🇹 Lithuania

(About local Wendy)

16 January 2025

Wendy was an incredible guide during our visit to Cartagena, Colombia. From the moment we met her, it was clear that she is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of the city. She took us to the best spots, showing us hidden gems that we would have never found on our own. Wendy’s attention to detail and her genuine care for our experience made the tour unforgettable. She went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. Her energy, enthusiasm, and warmth made the entire experience even more special. If you’re looking for a guide who truly cares and knows Cartagena inside and out, Wendy is THE BEST! Highly recommend her to anyone visiting the city!Wendy: The Best Guide in Cartagena

julie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

7 January 2025

We spent the afternoon with Wendy on a fun and informative tour. Her energy was great for our group which included our 4 adult children. Would recommend Wendy! Great afternoon with Wendy

Martha🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

4 January 2025

Wendy was professional and kind in all of our conversations. She helped answer my numerous questions. She found solutions to problems that I faced. Our cruise ship was delayed and she was quick to pivot and help. Wendy speaks English with ease. Her tour was fun with loads of information. Great food choices even handling my egg allergy. I highly recommend Wendy while visiting Columbia. Great Communication and knowledge of city

peyton🇺🇸 United States

(About local Andrea )

3 January 2025

We really enjoyed our food tour with Andrea. Communication was smooth beforehand. She arrived early to plan the trip, showed us some excellent places, and made sure the trip was customized the way we wanted it. Highly recommended. Great way to taste Cartagena

Jessica🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

3 January 2025

My family loved our tour with Wendy! She was so kind and patient with our kids (6 and 8)-- always encouraging them to try new foods but never being pushy. Wendy is warm, knowledgeable, and just a fun person to spend a few hours with. Our only regret is that we didn't take the tour our very first day as it would have been a great way to get situated. Highly recommend this tour with Wendy!!Delicious tour, great guide

peyton🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

3 January 2025

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience with Wendy. She was on time and showed us so much of the beauty and history of Cartagena in an entertaining and digestible format. Excellent guide to beautiful city

David🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Wendy)

30 December 2024

Wendy was delightful and took us to a variety of food options. All close together, so not much walking, maybe 1 mile? We enjoyed the different tastes and it appears that Colombians like many different foods with added cheese. Wendy spoke good clear English and was good company. She can sometimes arrange local transport which means you are not at the mercy of local taxi drivers? We did perhaps expect a little bit of history or architecture as we walked around, but she just talked about food. We would recommend Wendy to anyone wanting an interesting food tour.Lots of cheese!

Carlos🇧🇷 Brazil

(About local Andrea )

29 December 2024

Andrea is a great guide! I truly recommend touring the Old City with her. Andrea is always keen to provide not only the historical information, but also to provide context about the contemporary life in Cartagena. Great time in Cartagena!

Matthew🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gabriel )

3 December 2024

If the guide is looking to cancel you should probably take them up on it. My family and I were excited about our first evening in Cartagena and the weather didn't look too bad so we opted to go forward with the tour. The weather ended up being great and Gabo took us to a wonderful rooftop bar and we had drinks. From that point forward Gabo seemed pretty distracted and I'm not sure if it was a language barrier or just not "clicking", but after a quick walk over to Getsemani and being pointed to a restaurant our time together was over. Gabriel is a fun, personable guy.. I just don't think this was the right sort of experience for the day and he clearly wanted to be off doing something else instead. Given all the other positive reviews I think our experience must have been an outlier. Mixed feelings

John🇺🇸 United States

(About local Andrea )

2 December 2024

We did a two hour walking tour with Andrea the day after we arrived in Cartagena. She took us around the old city (el centro historico) and pointed out good restaurants, historical places, shops, and gave us insights into what to expect. He english was great, and she customized the walk in real time based on our interests. She also gave us pointers on negotiating in the streetside markets to avoid paying too much "tourist tax". We highly recommend Andrea. Andrea is Fabulous

Linda🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gabriel )

2 December 2024

Gabo was a fantastic local guide - knowledgeable, fun and worked to make everything convenient for us. Great local tour

Matthew🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

26 November 2024

My family and a had a great time exploring the tastes and treats of Cartagena. We learned some history and info about the country along the way. Wendy was really enthusiastic and great with my 10 year old son. We tried lots of different things in both the Old Town and Getsemani. Even better Wendy sent us some great pictures after our time together as well. I strongly recommend this tour with Wendy!Wonderful

Jorge🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gabriel )

21 November 2024

The walking tour with Gabriel (3 hours) was very nice! He is very knowledgeable and explains about the architecture and the buildings along the way. Also got some very nice tips on rooftops and restaurants to visit, mochas gracias Gabriel! Very nice Walking tour!

Russell🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

20 November 2024

We had a terrific morning with Wendy, learning the history of Cartagena and even got to try one of the local beers. It was a hot, steamy day, so she found us a nice place to stop for cold drinks and pastry, which we really appreciated! We would certainly recommend Wendy to others.Great experience!

Katherine🇨🇴 Colombia

(About local Gabriel )

27 October 2024

My cousin and I booked a private street food walking tour with Gabriel and had a great experience. We enjoyed several local food and drink tastings and got a thorough explanation of the history of the city. We would highly recommend the tour for anyone who wants an authentic experience of Cartagena.Private street food tour of Cartagena

Randall🇺🇸 United States

(About local Wendy)

27 October 2024

We loved our time with Wendy. She was very accommodating to some special needs we had. She was very informative and personable. We always felt safe and comfortable. The next time we are back, we will definitely contact Wendy.Outstanding