MERCADO BAZURTO TOUR
Price $50 US pp (private market tour is also $50pp but does not include transport or lunch)
Start 10.30am
Includes: transport via local bus (or taxi extra), fruit tasting, lunch and/or other treats
Start 10.30am
Includes: transport via local bus (or taxi extra), fruit tasting, lunch and/or other treats
Dirty smelling sprawling mess.
Pretty much everything you will ever read about the infamous people's market in Cartagena will reference the above description. There will also probably be some kind of mention of the thieves and pickpockets it (allegedly) harbours. It is all true. But if you discount Mercado Bazurto based only upon what you read, you are missing a place that is also incredibly vibrant; filled with coloured foodstuffs, the energy of frenetic commerce, the inherent warmth of the Costeo people and the widest smiles you will ever see. You'll also be skipping one of my most favourite places in Cartagena.
...
This is how I describe "The People's Market", Mercado Bazurto, in the blog I wrote here. If you read this and STILL want to check it out, how about you book one of our Mercado tours? They are so good they've even been featured in New York Magazine. Whoop!!
They are completely non-touristy, interesting, informative, fun.. and something you probably won't do on your own.
We start by making our way to the local bus. This in it's own right is worth the admission price, as we share seats, sweat and music with locals. This is a very hot and sweaty experience and isn't for everybody.. so if you'd like to opt for a taxi instead, and we are less than 4 people, we can do that.
At the market we will explore the maze, while we explain key ingredients and how they are used and prepared. We will try a few different fruits and maybe enjoy a cold costeñita beer. Lunch is normally the most typical Cartagena lunch available; fried fish and yuca... but you can definitely opt for any of the neighbouring fare on offer if looks better on the day (you'll just pay for this as an extra), or you might have lost your appetite after seeing all the raw produce up-close (it can sometimes be pretty intense), and prefer just to look/photograph. It's completely up to you. If you decide not to eat in the market, we can also choose to instead finish the tour with some streetfood like arepa e huevos and carimañolas in San Diego when we get back to Centro.
The Bazurto Market is also the birthplace of the musical genre and sub-culture: champeta. As part of this tour we learn about and connect to Picotera culture and even try out a few of the most known dance steps. As an optional extra you may want to have the famous artist "Runner" paint a sign or piece of clothing for you! (about $5 for an amazing original artwork!)
You'll learn a lot about the food, culture and lives of the people of Cartagena. You'll also meet some hilarious locals and take a bunch of amazing photographs!!
The tour price includes transport via bus and the typical Cartagena lunch of fried fish and yuca. You can also choose to spend a bit more for different lunch options or private transport/taxi options.
You are definitely encouraged to bring along some extra pesos and buy fruit, vegetables and other produce from the vendors and further support the local economy. If you don't want to keep your purchases, you can then donate those items to one of the many needy locals. It's a really rewarding way to give back while genuinely interacting with and experiencing everything local.
The tour costs $50US per person. The group size is kept small so bookings are essential. We meet at Juan Valdez Cafe at the Centro de Convenciones at 10.30am and the tours last about 3 hours.
Pretty much everything you will ever read about the infamous people's market in Cartagena will reference the above description. There will also probably be some kind of mention of the thieves and pickpockets it (allegedly) harbours. It is all true. But if you discount Mercado Bazurto based only upon what you read, you are missing a place that is also incredibly vibrant; filled with coloured foodstuffs, the energy of frenetic commerce, the inherent warmth of the Costeo people and the widest smiles you will ever see. You'll also be skipping one of my most favourite places in Cartagena.
...
This is how I describe "The People's Market", Mercado Bazurto, in the blog I wrote here. If you read this and STILL want to check it out, how about you book one of our Mercado tours? They are so good they've even been featured in New York Magazine. Whoop!!
They are completely non-touristy, interesting, informative, fun.. and something you probably won't do on your own.
We start by making our way to the local bus. This in it's own right is worth the admission price, as we share seats, sweat and music with locals. This is a very hot and sweaty experience and isn't for everybody.. so if you'd like to opt for a taxi instead, and we are less than 4 people, we can do that.
At the market we will explore the maze, while we explain key ingredients and how they are used and prepared. We will try a few different fruits and maybe enjoy a cold costeñita beer. Lunch is normally the most typical Cartagena lunch available; fried fish and yuca... but you can definitely opt for any of the neighbouring fare on offer if looks better on the day (you'll just pay for this as an extra), or you might have lost your appetite after seeing all the raw produce up-close (it can sometimes be pretty intense), and prefer just to look/photograph. It's completely up to you. If you decide not to eat in the market, we can also choose to instead finish the tour with some streetfood like arepa e huevos and carimañolas in San Diego when we get back to Centro.
The Bazurto Market is also the birthplace of the musical genre and sub-culture: champeta. As part of this tour we learn about and connect to Picotera culture and even try out a few of the most known dance steps. As an optional extra you may want to have the famous artist "Runner" paint a sign or piece of clothing for you! (about $5 for an amazing original artwork!)
You'll learn a lot about the food, culture and lives of the people of Cartagena. You'll also meet some hilarious locals and take a bunch of amazing photographs!!
The tour price includes transport via bus and the typical Cartagena lunch of fried fish and yuca. You can also choose to spend a bit more for different lunch options or private transport/taxi options.
You are definitely encouraged to bring along some extra pesos and buy fruit, vegetables and other produce from the vendors and further support the local economy. If you don't want to keep your purchases, you can then donate those items to one of the many needy locals. It's a really rewarding way to give back while genuinely interacting with and experiencing everything local.
The tour costs $50US per person. The group size is kept small so bookings are essential. We meet at Juan Valdez Cafe at the Centro de Convenciones at 10.30am and the tours last about 3 hours.
