La Boquilla, the small fishing community north of central Cartagena, often gets overlooked by visitors, which is a complete shame because it is one of the most vibrant, naturally beautiful and culturally-rich places in the city. Residents here are also often very poor and would love the financial support. Below are some of our favourite tour options to get a feel for this hidden gem. But you can also be brave and explore on your own.
If you feel like flying solo, take a taxi here (Sundays are especially popular) and order a bandeja costeña to eat on the beach while the sounds of the afternoon picó pump out around you.. filling the air with happy Caribbean vibes.
If you're doing this, we would recommend you head to restaurant La Perla Negra where the prices are fixed and fair.
If it's baseball season, heading to the diamond to watch a local game can be a super enjoyable and very local experience.
If you feel like flying solo, take a taxi here (Sundays are especially popular) and order a bandeja costeña to eat on the beach while the sounds of the afternoon picó pump out around you.. filling the air with happy Caribbean vibes.
If you're doing this, we would recommend you head to restaurant La Perla Negra where the prices are fixed and fair.
If it's baseball season, heading to the diamond to watch a local game can be a super enjoyable and very local experience.
FISHING TOUR
This is a great experience and a chance to really get an understanding and appreciation of daily life in this vibrant community. You will be picked up at your hotel at 7.30am (the early bird catches the worm!) and be transported to La Boquilla. Here a local fisherman will explain the local fauna and fish of the cienaga (lagoon) as you help him to assemble the fishing nets and crab boxes.
You will then journey through the mangroves and lagoon by kayak to catch crabs, shrimp and fish using traditional and simple methods including attempting to cast the Atarraya traditional fishing nets. The lagoon is beautiful and tranquil and really photogenic (well.. between all that throwing) and you will feel like you are in another world.
After working up an appetite, it's time to take your catch and prepare a traditional lunch (the famous coconut rice, patacones, fried fish, and also garlic crabs served with the ubiquitous agua panela).
This is a very simple family kitchen but they pride themselves on cooking everything from scratch with a lot of amor. You will all share the table together to have lunch.
Finally you can rub your belly for a while as you relax in a hammock. You will be transported back to your hotel about 2pm.
Tour runs daily. Minimum 2 people.
Price 200,000 pesos per person (discounts for groups of 6 or more) (Note: this tour is run by the local community, and done in Spanish. It's a lot of fun and a real experience.. and most people enjoy the day without English.. but if you'd like us to arrange an English speaking guide to accompany you this is an extra 150,000 pesos)
You will then journey through the mangroves and lagoon by kayak to catch crabs, shrimp and fish using traditional and simple methods including attempting to cast the Atarraya traditional fishing nets. The lagoon is beautiful and tranquil and really photogenic (well.. between all that throwing) and you will feel like you are in another world.
After working up an appetite, it's time to take your catch and prepare a traditional lunch (the famous coconut rice, patacones, fried fish, and also garlic crabs served with the ubiquitous agua panela).
This is a very simple family kitchen but they pride themselves on cooking everything from scratch with a lot of amor. You will all share the table together to have lunch.
Finally you can rub your belly for a while as you relax in a hammock. You will be transported back to your hotel about 2pm.
Tour runs daily. Minimum 2 people.
Price 200,000 pesos per person (discounts for groups of 6 or more) (Note: this tour is run by the local community, and done in Spanish. It's a lot of fun and a real experience.. and most people enjoy the day without English.. but if you'd like us to arrange an English speaking guide to accompany you this is an extra 150,000 pesos)
SUNSET BIRD TOUR
If it wasn't pretty enough just bobbing along on the water at sunset (honestly.. you will feel sooooo relaxed), the Mangrove and Lagoon area is also home to a huge variety of birdlife. It's so nice here, ducks actually come all the way from Canada to hang out. True story. This tour, not just for bird lovers, features a tour through the mangroves by canoe, education about the mangrove ecosystem, a visit to the Virgin Lagoon, Juan Pablo's Lagoon and Fisherman island and a tour through the mangrove tunnels. The tour happens from 4pm-6,30pm daily (pick up from your hotel will be about 3.30pm).
It includes return transport to your hotel and is priced at 150,000 pesos per person.
(Note: this tour is run by the local community and is delivered in Spanish.. most people enjoy the day without English, but if you'd like us to arrange an English speaking guide to accompany you, this is an extra 150,000 pesos)
Tour runs daily. Minimum 2 people.
Price: 150,000 pesos pp (discounts for groups 6 or more)
Pick up time: 3.30pm
Tour time: 4pm- 6pm (approximately)
Return time: 6.30pm
Includes: refreshing coconut water, return transport, local guide
It includes return transport to your hotel and is priced at 150,000 pesos per person.
(Note: this tour is run by the local community and is delivered in Spanish.. most people enjoy the day without English, but if you'd like us to arrange an English speaking guide to accompany you, this is an extra 150,000 pesos)
Tour runs daily. Minimum 2 people.
Price: 150,000 pesos pp (discounts for groups 6 or more)
Pick up time: 3.30pm
Tour time: 4pm- 6pm (approximately)
Return time: 6.30pm
Includes: refreshing coconut water, return transport, local guide
