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Things to do in Cartagena

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Dance and and sip your way through Cartagena

Live it up like a local in Colombia’s Cartagena on a two-hour sip and dance tour, beginning at the historic wall at sunset and ending at a local club in the neighborhood of Getsemani. • Explore the musical styles of folkloric, vallenato, salsa, and champeta. I’ll explain their origins and their associated dances. • Practice basic dance steps for each genre under my guidance. • At each stop, we’ll taste typical drinks including coffee, rum, aguardiente and beer. I’ll share the stories behind each one and about their place in Colombian daily life. You’ll leave with a richer knowledge of Colombian culture, and new dance moves to groove your way into the night.

5 out of 5 average rating, 1 reviews

Dine atop the Cartagena city wall, guided by a chef

Step into a world of flavors, history, and breathtaking views during an intimate sunset dinner in a restaurant atop Cartagena’s legendary city walls, savoring Colombian beers and small bites and under the golden light of the Caribbean skyline. • I’ll welcome you to Baluarte de San Francisco Javier and we’ll toast the evening ahead with a nonalcoholic traditional fruit drink. • Sample three varieties of Colombian beer alongside a curated selection of small plates, including chicharrones, empanadas, and arepas, while discussing the dishes’ cultural significance and regional influences. • As the sun sets over the Caribbean, you’ll enjoy a sweet treat before we say goodbye. You’ll leave with an appreciation for the roles played by community, connection, and storytelling in Colombia’s rich gastronomic heritage.

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Blend your own mix with a local spice maker

Join the founder of Spicarium on an immersive and interactive experience that uncovers the rich history, cultural significance, and gastronomic power of Colombian spices. 1.⁠ ⁠Welcome and Introduction 1. Host introduction and Spicarium background 2. Safety guidelines and experience overview 3. Delivery of educational materials and brief explanation of its contents 4. Brief history of Colombian spices and their cultural significance 2.⁠ ⁠Visual and Tactile Experience 1. Examination of raw spices in their different forms 2. Texture analysis and identification exercise 3. Traditional spices utensils used in Colombia and Latin America with displaying 3.⁠ ⁠Aroma Journey 1. Blind smell test of different Colombian spices 2. Aroma pairing exercises 3. Discussion of aromatic properties and uses (supported by educational materials) 4.⁠ ⁠Tasting Session 1. Guided tasting of selected spices 2. Flavor profile analysis (supported by educational materials) 3. Traditional Colombian Flavors 5.⁠ ⁠Practical Application 1. Basic spice grinding demonstration 2. Simple spice blend creation 3. Tips for home storage and usage 6.⁠ ⁠Closing Session 1. Q&A session 2. Take-home surprise gift 3. Photo opportunity and farewell

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Ancestral Colombian spirits and pairings with a sommelier

Embark on a 90-minute immersive journey curated by a distinguished sommelier, offering a fusion of Colombian flavors and three ancestral Colombian distillates. • Each spirit is thoughtfully paired with selections inspired by Colombia's rich culinary heritage, encompassing seasonal fruits, artisanal chocolates, and traditional regional sweets. This blend showcases the country's biodiversity and cultural traditions. • Explore the origins and traditions of Colombian distillates, understanding their connection to global spirits and the art of pairing. • Enjoy a hands-on pairing experience, using the distillates as the base and complementing them with selected products. Learn about local consumption methods, unique uses, and any medicinal benefits. You'll leave with an intimate exploration of Colombia's diverse flavors and knowledge of the country's rich culinary traditions.

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4.96 out of 5 average rating, 1484 reviews

Cooking as a Colombian

At the beginning of the class, we start by describing all the ingredients we will be using while sharing the history of the dish, why it is so popular, and how it is typically presented in our region, Cartagena. As part of our experience, we will teach you how to prepare a main course from start to finish, using your own hands. You will peel, cut, and season all the ingredients in accordance with our local traditions. Each person will have the opportunity to boil, fry, or grill their food, providing you with a unique culinary experience as you taste dishes that you may not have had the chance to prepare before. The class will be conducted in both English and Spanish, accompanied by background music that harmonizes and integrates what you are learning with the cultural and historical context of the dish. At the end of our class, you will enjoy a full meal that will not only be delicious but will also become an unforgettable memory of your trip to Colombia. Once the experience with the chef is complete, you can choose your preferred beverage in one of our climate-controlled areas, where you will enjoy your delicious meals.

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 1114 reviews

Experience the Africa hidden in Colombia

We will take a cultural walk around the Palenqe of Benkos, off the beaten path, where you will be immersed in the Africa hidden in Colombia. We named it Black Legacy Experience, because it is definitely an essential place for our black history in Colombia. This town hosts a sort of spin off of Cartagena's history in timeline. We are new in Airbnb, but you can check out a bit of our trajectory on IG @blacklegacyexperiences We’ll pick you up, and here begins our journey. We’ll be on the road for around 60 minutes. There, we meet our friend, the native guide and we start our walk. We visit meaningful spots such as the monuments of Benkos Biohó (the town founder) and Kid Pambelé (World Boxing Champion) and the Traditional medicine yard, among others. After that, we conclude with a glorious traditional lunch. We also learn some words in their language as we tell you the story, so you'll be able to greet natives and you'll receive, not only their greeting back, but also their smiles. So, be prepared to interact and experience this community of resistant and warm people. BTW: We manage this experience by private circles for your safety and comfort, so please check your price depending on the number of people you’re coming with. Applies for solo, couple or group travelers. Any questions, DO NOT hesitate to contact us. Sigifredo Calvo is our friend and vehicle provider

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 329 reviews

Champeta with us; It's a Vibe

Bailar nunca había sido tan divertido. ¡A ritmo de SALSA Y CHAMPETA!, Durante 1:30 horas estaremos en una azotea dentro de la ciudad amurallada. comenzaremos con una bebida de bienvenida para conocernos mucho mejor, y luego aprenderemos juntos sobre los ritmos latinos mas populares: la salsa y La champeta, este ultimo es nuestro ritmo local y es un ritmo musical que nos recuerda la conexión de Cartagena con África, emergió de las entrañas de la periferia de la ciudad, un símbolo que terminó por convertirse en parte de la identidad. Tenemos más de 5 años de experiencia compartiendo historias a través del turismo y ahora es el momento de mostrar nuestra cultura a través del baile. Esta experiencia es ideal para viajeros solos, ¡y también para grupos, como una actividad de activación y para aprender todo lo necesario para salir a la calle y sentirte como un lugareño. Después de la sesión, recibirás un mensaje con la Playlist de nuestras canciones mas populares.

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 728 reviews

Discover the colonial and historical charm of Cartagena

Discover the history and charm of Cartagena de Indias like never before! In this spectacular tour, I will guide you through the most iconic places in the best-preserved walled city in the Americas. But that’s not all. Our experience also includes a visit to the spectacular Getsemaní neighborhood, one of the coolest and most charming neighborhoods in Latin America today, where you'll discover the true local life of Cartagena de Indias. Why is this experience special? Because I will take you to see the most emblematic and representative places of the city while you discover the history and culture that make Cartagena de Indias a crown jewel of Latin America. My goal is for you to discover the most fascinating facts about the city while helping you navigate it. I will also be recommending entertainment spots, allowing you to explore the area with confidence during your visit. Taking photos with my phone is one of my favorite hobbies, so if during the experience you want a photo with your phone or mine, don’t hesitate to ask me. Get ready to discover the magic of Cartagena de Indias with a passionate local guide! Book now and live an unforgettable experience. Usually, the experiences are in English, but if you prefer to do them in Spanish or French, feel free to contact me! National Tourism Registry number: 92641.

4.93 out of 5 average rating, 1745 reviews

Street food like a local

*This experience is not for vegans, its not gluten free or lactose free. For vegetarians is fine under order(No vegetarian options on Sunday or holidays) FOR CHEESE LOVERS * We need at least 3 people to guide the experience, if you are solo traveller try to book days where we already have reservations Becasuse the heat, this experience is not recommended for chilcren under 5 years old If you are visiting Cartagena de Indias and want to discover the most incredible flavors, then you need to eat like a local so you will understand what are the unmissable recipes between cartageneros. We will start this experience by learning bout the Chinese influence in our culture. Our first stop has been the oldest restaurant in the city with more than 90 years old and the only one that has had 3 generations in charge. We will try the most incredible combination of Chinese and local flavors. We will also try the local soda which is one of the oldest soda in the world and we will be allowed to learn about the different preparations with this soda. Afterwards we will visit the most popular bakery in the old city with more than 30 years old. We will try a Colombian bread and we will discover how we match the salted with the sweet in a pastry. Then, we will try the best way to eat plantain . We will also try different fruits

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 844 reviews

Brunch & Paint in our secret rooftop

Get ready to be a painter! For 2:30 hours we will be on our secret rooftop in the old city where we will first greet you with a glass of champagne to get to know each other. After we meet, we'll get to work! I will show you my painting techniques to represent our painting with property (no matter if you have no experience painting, I will do my best to express your art!). Our painting will be the beautiful representation of a house in the historic center of Cartagena, a colorful and lively painting, in addition to being the perfect size to be able to take it back comfortably, either to hang it in your home or as a souvenir that will always remind you of this beautiful city! while we paint our family will serve you a local homemade lunch! and of course all this while playing a relaxing Colombian music playlist accompanied by a glass of mimosa.

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 1290 reviews

Dancing Class On A Secret Rooftop

For 2:30 hours we will be in our secret and private rooftop in the Getsemani neighborhood lacated in the old city of Cartagena. First we will receive you with a glass of red wine to meet us better! and then we will be learning the most popular Latin rhythms which will be: Salsa, Bachata and the local genre of Cartagena: Champeta! everything in an intimate and cozy atmosphere. it does not matter if you come alone or with a partner. While you learn you could drink red wine, beers, and the typical rum of our country. You will learn the basic steps, and turns of each genre, explained step by step with patience because our intention is that you really learn, and you can go out and feel confident in any bar or nightclub. Also we will to teach you most comon slangs from Cartagena, and how you can use them and sound like a local! when the class end we will send you a video turorial made by us with all the steps learned during the class, in case you want to keeping practicing them after!

5 out of 5 average rating, 21 reviews

Colombian Rum and Chocolate Tasting in Cartagena

Enjoy an unique experience in Cartagena: Our fantastic Colombian rum and chocolate tasting. It lasts an hour and 45 minutes and is designed maximum for groups of 30 people. It's an immersive and fun experience in which, between laughs and pirate tales, you'll learn about the production and history of our rums. During the experience you will taste eight Colombian rums of different ages and from the country and pair them next to an exquisite selection of artisanal chocolates, made with the best cacao in the Colombian Caribbean. Along the tasting you will also taste three savory bites that are typical of local cuisine that will make you have the best experience of flavors and scents in Colombia.

4.83 out of 5 average rating, 47 reviews

Enjoy the party bus with a local

Embark with us on this fun experience to learn how we locals experience the night. To start, we will meet at the Plaza de la Trinidad in the Getsemaní neighborhood, where we will share a glimpse of daily life in this beautiful neighborhood, awarded by Forbes as one of the most beautiful in the world. Here, I will share stories about this wonderful neighborhood, our music, our dances, and we will have the opportunity to enjoy the BEST EMPANADAS in the area. Additionally, we will try our national drink, sugarcane liquor, to connect with each participant of this experience. Next, we will head to Parque Centenario where we will begin to enjoy our Chiva Rumbera (Party Bus). Here, we will meet more travelers and have the chance to interact with them. Then, we will begin our tour with our local expert who will keep the night lively as we explore the city for two hours. We will visit the Bocagrande neighborhood and enjoy its contemporary architecture, then make a stop at Las Botas Viejas, a monument dedicated to Colombian history. We will also take in the night view of Castillo San Felipe, before heading to the Marbella area by the sea, where we will find the Cartagena sign and you can take the best photos to remember your visit to my city. Finally, we will head to the Zona Rosa, where we will visit one of the best nightclubs to enjoy the nightlife like a true local.

4.93 out of 5 average rating, 914 reviews

Traditional Cooking Class In A Restaurant Of The Old City

For more than 2 hours we will be in the kitchen of our restaurant located in the heart of the historic center of Cartagena with two professional chefs! we will share our cooking techniques and the stories behind the recipes and ingredients. we will get down to work with aprons and hats! the first thing will be to start preparing the coconut rice from scratch (which we will use for the service of the restaurant), then we will prepare the crunchy patacones, then the drink typical of our city called agua panela, later we are going to prepare the typical fish of Cartagena: Mojarra roja al papillon (a recipe loved by our ancestors), then while we wait for the fish is ready we can dance for a while the typical music because our chef loves to dance! then we will start with the empanadas preparing the dough and the fillings and at the end we will eat everything prepared in the restaurant while we share our cooking experience and get to know each other better! Other things to note It does not matter if you do not eat meat, if you are a pecetarian, or if you require a gluten-free diet, we can accommodate you in this class! For assist to our cooking class we will give you a 20% discount bonus on your next visit to our restaurant :)

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