Our complete guided tour of Cartagena de Indias by car is ideal for those who want to discover the most important places in this enchanting Colombian city.
Guided Tour of Cartagena de Indias
After picking you up from your hotel or the agreed pickup point at the time indicated, we'll start our tour by driving along the coast of Cartagena de Indias to admire the impressive views of the bay and the volcanic sand beaches.
We'll visit the Bocagrande and Castillogrande districts, where the most exclusive neighbourhoods of the city are located. After passing La Bodeguita tourist pier, we'll approach the Clock Tower, built in colonial times as the entrance to the walled city of Cartagena. We'll pass by the Convention Centre and the Getsemaní neighbourhood.
Next, we'll head to the Santa Cruz de La Popa convent, located at the highest point of the city. From here, we'll enjoy an incredible view of Cartagena and learn why the port was of great strategic importance.
Then, we'll visit the fortress of San Felipe de Barajas, the most important of these fortifications. Nearby, we'll admire the statue of Blas de Lezo, a Spanish admiral who led the defence of the city against the English.
Our tour will then take us through the charming squares and cobbled streets of Cartagena as we learn all about its history. We'll pass the city's beautiful colonial houses and visit Las Bóvedas. You'll have about 20 minutes of free time to browse the shops in this former military warehouse, under the arcades of which you'll find numerous craft and antique shops and a jewellery factory.
We'll then continue the tour with a walk through the historic centre. We'll pass the Baluarte de Santo Domingo and cross the Calle de los Estribos and the squares of Santo Domingo, Bolivar and San Pedro Clavel.
The tour will then continue to the Plaza de la Aduana and then to the Plaza de los Coches, from where we'll enjoy the views of the Clock Tower.
Finally, after around 4 hours, we'll bring the tour to an end in the historic centre of Cartagena de Indias
Pickup Points & Times
The guide will pick you up at the hotel or the meeting point you indicated upon booking:
Meeting points:
- Las Bóvedas (Shopping mall, Bóveda # 3): at 8:15 am and at 1:40 pm
- Plaza Santa Teresa: at 8:20 am and 1:45 pm
- NAO Shopping Mall: at 8:30 am
- Trinity Church: at 8:25 am, depending on availability
- Institución Universitaria Bellas Artes y Ciencias de Bolívar: at 8:35 am, according to availability
Hotel pickup:
- North zone: hotel pickup between 8:15 am and 8:25 am (subject to availability) and between 1:15 pm and 1:25 pm
- Marbella and Cabrero: hotel pickup at 1:30 pm
- Bocagrande and Laguito: hotel pickup between 8:40 am and 8:50 am (depending on availability) and between 2 pm and 2:20 pm
- Castillogrande: hotel pickup between 2 pm and 2:20 pm
Pickup in the areas of Manzanillo del Mar and Baru is not included. If you're staying in these areas, you must go to one of the meeting points indicated.