CARTAGENA CONNECTIONS TOURS - YOUR SHORTCUT TO THE BEST OF CARTAGENA
Welcome! You have arrived here because you have scanned a QR Code we strategically placed somewhere in Cartagena.
We specialise in English-speaking tours, normally walking, that help you connect with the best of Cartagena. Founded by Australian, Kristy Ellis in 2013, we have been featured in New York Times, New York Magazine, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue, Rough Guides and a bunch of amazing blogs and forums, all that to say, we are fairly legit and you have come to the right place.
Below are our most popular tours you can book with us. Prices are in USD or you can pay in Colombian pesos at whatever the current exchange rate is. Also check out this part of our website where we give suggestions to help you build your own itineraries.
To book, please send us an email to [email protected] or a whatsapp to +573173337959
Let us know what date/s, which tour/s, how many people, preferred start time (if applicable), and any additional important information or questions you might have. You can also complete the booking form at the bottom of this page.
PRIVATE CUSTOMISED TOUR
How much?
$50pp (minimum 2, discounts for groups) How long? 2-3 hours What time? Choose your start time, subject to availability. Pre-lunch or pre-dinner often works well. What? The most popular option for a private tour is to explore the Historic Centre and Getsemani and all the good stuff that includes- incredible history, fun facts, cultural and political insights, best places to eat and drink and shop, street food (if you are game), street art, and hopefully some sloth and monkey sightings in the local park. With minimal stoppage we can see it all in 3 hours. Some people are happy to cap it at 2 hours and get back to their hotel pool. Private tours can also have a more specific focus- for example shopping, food, bar/dance, house hunting etc. If you opt to eat, drink, take transport etc those expenses are not included in the tour price and will need to be paid by you separately. Generally we will meet at your hotel or accommodation, or if you are staying outside of Centro/Getsemani, we will make a convenient meeting point. READ MORE 
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FOOD & CULTURE TOUR
How much?
$30pp
How long?
2 hours
What time?
2.30pm
When?
Monday- Saturday (not Sunday, Public Holidays)
Meeting/Finish points?
Meet in front of the statue in Plaza Fernandez de Madrid (close to Townhouse and Mistura)
Finish Plaza del Pozo in Getsemani (close to El Bonche Restaurant)
What?
Cartagena's first and best street food tour. This is the one that put us on the map (and in the New York Times!). This is a public tour that everyone is welcome to join (just be sure to book) and is also known as The Shortcut to Local Tour because in addition to trying a bunch of typical local snacks, we also cover a bit of everything you will need to get local fast in Cartagena - history, music, dance, architecture, local customs, politics, slang etc
plus a focus on Getsemani barrio
We try (subject to availability)
Arepa e huevo
Arepa de Queso
Arepa Chocolo
Patacon con Queso
Dedito de Queso
Mango Biche
Papa Rellena
Carimañola
Season fruit
Coconut water
Enyucado
Boli
Vegetarians can eat almost everything, gluten-free as well! but if you don't eat cheese you'll have to skip most things
You will want to bring along water and be prepared for 2 hours of pretty continuous walking.
This tour is also available as a private tour
$50pp including food, start time more flexible
READ MORE
MERCADO BAZURTO PRIVATE TOUR
How much?
$50pp plus expenses How long? 3 hours What time? usually 10.30am (earlier is fine too, but if you are planning to eat it's best to arrive closer to lunch time) When? Any day What? Wanna get local? Not afraid of gross-smelling ground sludge? Eat first, ask questions later? This is your tour. We now offer this only as a private tour, where we will take uber/taxi from your accommodation and arrive about 20 minutes later at the sprawling mess that is The Mercado Bazurto. Not for the faint of heart or stomach; this is an assault on all your senses. We see all the food in it's raw state (sometimes up close and raw), explain all the ingredients and what they might be used for, we can sit down to eat rustic food cooked over coals, drink ice cold costeñita beer.. or if you're more voyeur and just want to look, that's ok too. (We will learn about local dance champeta and you can opt for an informal dance lesson, you will enjoy some really great photo opportunities. Read more, see more here. Expect to add on $4 each way for the uber.. an about $10 if you choose to eat in the market. Fruit samples included. 
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SHOPPING TOUR
You do not need to book a shopping tour to have an amazing time shopping in Cartagena. The shops and designers are incredible, everything is walkable and safe. The air-conditioning is a godsend.. BUT I have a plethora of loyal and devoted shopaholics who continue to enlist me as their personal shopping guide to make the experience more fun, easier, more informed, more efficient -- and who am I to turn down a day of shopping with some amazing new friends?! Sometimes it is a pre-wedding shopping bonanza where the whole gang wants to get unique and beautiful outfits for each of the wedding events (engagement, rehearsal, welcome cocktail, brunch, wedding etc), maybe you love the artesania and love to learn all the incredible history and process behind each of the handcrafted objects of art, maybe your souvenir list includes emeralds, coffee and chocolate. Maybe you're just not a museums kind of gal. Whatever your motivation, if this is something that would appeal to you, get in touch!
Shopping tours are priced the same as private tours listed above: $50pp (minimum 2 people).
Start time is usually around 10/11am as shops tend to open quite late.
READ MORE
Shopping tours are priced the same as private tours listed above: $50pp (minimum 2 people).
Start time is usually around 10/11am as shops tend to open quite late.
READ MORE