STREET ART TOUR
Description:
There was once a time that tourists to Cartagena were warned to stay clear of Getsemani, the colourful neighborhood being considered a little too “caliente” in the wrong sort of way.
Thankfully times have changed, the area is now super safe and offers visitors a chance to experience more of the culture of Cartagena, beyond the film-set like touristy perfection of the historic walled center.
This is a neighbourhood where locals live; they eat belly-filling “corrientes” at affordable prices from hole-in-the-wall restaurants, dance to champeta and vallenato blaring out from giant sound-systems in front of their homes, buy their groceries from the corner store (normally pausing to check the football score at the same time), play after school sports in the plaza, and generally fill the streets with a vibrancy and warmth you won’t encounter anywhere else in the city.
This tour focuses on the history, politics and culture of Getsemani and the greater Cartagena/Colombia whilst exploring the incredible murals and streetart of the neighbourhood. You'll learn about the artists and the messages behind the art..
STREET ART
Getsemani is filled with impressive murals and walls that talk, sharing commentary on social issues such as the neighborhood’s fight against gentrification, racism, treatment of the indigenous population, and local forgotten hero Pedro Romero
Meeting place is in front of the Restaurant Nautilus, with a view of the Giant Building Mural dedicated to Afro-Colombian women. Meet time can be 10am or 3pm.
Duration 2 hours
Price $30 US pp (public tour)
NOTE - We do also cover a lot of street-art on our Streetfood tour
NOTE - Since we first started this tour back in 2013.. a lot of our favourite murals (including those in the photos here) have been painted over, or faded. We can still take you on a tour of the different murals, and Getsemani generally.. but it's probably worth being aware that the murals painted now tend to be more commercial than political/cultural statements. Feel free to ask us more questions to determine if the tour is still worth it for you.
