Plans & Promos

In 1603, the first free people in the Americas were founded by Benkos Biohó, a runaway enslaved man who went into hiding with 36 other men and women. Until the 1960s, there was no connecting road between the main road and San Basilio de Palenque. That is why the creole language of Palenquero, which is not spoken anywhere else in the world, was able to be preserved. The small village was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has a fascinating history and is the birthplace of many styles of Afro-Colombian music and dance. From Cartagena, it will take us about two hours to reach San Basilio de Palenque, where we will meet a local guide, a palanquero. We will visit the town and its cultural center, where we will learn about the history of Palenque. We will have a presentation of palenque rhythms and dances and we will understand why San Basilio is the center of Afro-Colombian music. Afterwards, we will taste a typical Palenque dish for lunch, after which we drive back to Cartagena. Includes: Transportation, guide, Palenque information with a local guide, medical assistance card, lunch: typical dish with a drink, presentation of African dance and palenqueras.

Forget about the waves and seasickness caused by maritime vessels! You can now enjoy the crystal clear waters and soft sandy beaches of Barú, by land, in an estimated time of 1 hour and 30 minutes. Until 2014 it was only possible to reach this paradisiacal destination by boat, but since the construction of the bridge that connects Barú with Cartagena, there are options for those who prefer to travel by land. After the journey in an air-conditioned vehicle, a walk through the town of Baruleños is taken to see the emblematic houses of the island, and taste an egg arepa with seafood, a dish native to the region. Later we will take a boat to take a walk through mangroves, where it is possible to appreciate different types of fish and crustaceans, and then we will arrive at the Beach of the Dead, known for housing the old indigenous cemetery. Next, we head to Playa Boba or the Rosario Islands to take a refreshing swim in its crystal clear waters. Includes: ground transportation from Hotel – Baru – Hotel, transfer by boat to Playa de los Muertos and Playa Boba or Islas del Rosario and walk through the mangroves, Caribbean lunch at Villa Bonga and medical assistance card. This rate applies to pick-up from hotels in the tourist areas of Cartagena: Centro Historico, Getsemaní, Manga, Bocagrande Castillo Grande, Laguito, Marbella and La Boquilla. Surcharge applies for pick-up from hotels in the areas of Mamonal, Barú and Islas, please request a quote.

Music and dance are important aspects of Colombian life and culture. There are several types, and all regions of the country have their own music and dances, among others are Cumbia, Champeta, Porro, Currulao and Salsa. Like the Colombian people, their Colombian music is a blend of various cultures with Spanish, African, indigenous, and Caribbean influences. In addition, a wide variety of musical instruments are used in the different rhythms of Colombia. La Boquilla is a fishing community located north of Cartagena that dates back approximately 200 years, at the same time that they have been engaged in a struggle of cultural resistance to preserve their ancestral traditions, in which musical instruments, especially drums, play a leading role. Instrument Making Workshop: The workshop lasts about an hour and is a unique opportunity to connect with the typical Afro-Colombian rhythms from their origins. The team of the Batambora Corporation proposes to live an extraordinary experience: first a little theory, then the presentation and finally the interaction: building with your own hands one of the main tools of cultural resistance of the Afro-descendant community “the drum”, symbol of the identity of this community. The Tour operates with prior reservation.