Historical Tour of Cartagena

Your tour starts with a visit to La Popa Monastery previously known as the “stern of a galleon”. This ancient Monastery located at the top of a hill and can be seen from any point in Cartagena and in turn, it offers a privileged view of this incredible city. Built at the beginning of the XVII century, it is still inhabited by monks, was used several times as a military fortress due to its strategic location. A chapel dedicated to virgin de La Candelaria, patron saint of Cartagena and a Colonial Museum also visited.

The tour continues with a visit to San Felipe de Barajas, which is situated outside the walled city. This monumental fort is considered to be the most outstanding feat of Spanish military engineering in the New World with its construction beginning in 1536 and lasting for 121 years.

You then continue to the Dungeons within the walled city ramparts. Originally built to store provisions for the troops they are now home to a high quality handicrafts market selling brightly decorated cloth, woodwork & woven bags made by some of the indigenous peoples of Colombia

After the visit to the fort, the tour continues to the magical walled city, a construction that took 194 years to be completed and enabled Cartagena to defend herself from the attacks of marauding English pirates. The Spanish colonial architecture is some of the most impressive and best preserved in South America with its imposing merchant’s houses, narrow streets, flower bedecked balconies stunning civic buildings and beautiful churches. The city is dotted with many squares and public spaces which are now are home to sidewalk café’s and restaurants where Colombians and visitors alike relax and enjoy the magic of this amazing city

Your guided walk over approximately 5 city blocks will include a visit to San Pedro Claver cloister and monastery built in homage to the protector of slaves, and serves as reminder of the turbulent past of Cartagena and indeed the Americas.

You will then re-join your motor coach and continue to Bocagrande, which in complete contrast with the old city, is modern with high rise apartment complexes, hotels and restaurants, and is where many Colombians take their vacations. Here you will have the opportunity to shop at “Pierino Gallo”, famous for its wide variety of jewelry shops with their world renowned Colombian Emeralds.

From Bocagrande it is a short journey back to the pier.

Departures (Local Time)

10:00 AM (Hours: 4)