Cultural excursion to Palenque from Cartagena
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience a unique and transformative adventure in Palenque, the first free town in America! Immerse yourself in the history of the struggle for freedom of enslaved Africans and discover the cultural traditions that have endured for generations. This tour is an authentic connection to the rhythms, flavors, and ancestral knowledge of this emblematic community.
Available schedules with departures from Cartagena:
Morning: 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Return 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Afternoon: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Return 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Includes: ✔ Guided tour by a local Palenquero ✔ Live cultural showcase: music, traditional dances, and ancestral storytelling. ✔ Tasting of traditional sweets, traditional rum (ñeque), and a delicious lunch prepared by Palenquero women. ✔ Workshop on Palenquero language, traditional medicine, and production of traditional rum.
✅ Do you prefer the morning or afternoon departure? Choose your schedule and live this unforgettable experience!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Tour of the community where you will discover the emblematic places of San Basilio de Palenque.
Bottled water
Traditional rum tasting (Ñeke)
Traditional Palenquero lunch
Historical discussion about the leader Benkos Bioho
Air-conditioned vehicle
Presentation of the different traditional Palenque dances
Tasting of sweets
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
San Basilio De Palenque
In the company of a bilingual native guide, you will start this journey at the iconic Monument to Benkos Biohó, where you will relive the history of resistance and freedom that marked our continent. Music and Tradition: Visit the house of the famous group Kombilesa Mi and dare to play their ancestral instruments alongside local musicians and enjoy the presentation of different traditional dances and a drum show.️ Living Heritage: Explore the Casa Museo with traditional objects (stools, mortars) and the Medicine Patio Sikito, where you will discover the healing power of plants. Flavor and Sport: Taste and participate in the preparation of typical sweets and the authentic traditional rum (ñeke). Experience a fun boxing class inspired by the legacy of champion Kid Pambelé. Nature and History: Get to know the creek, a source of water from Palenque.️ Enjoy a typical lunch (coconut rice with fish). Do you prefer chicken, pork, or a vegetarian option?
Options
A corner of Africa in Colombia
Pickup included
Reviews
24 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great experience in Palenque
David P,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It's a wonderful experience where you meet some locals and learn first hand about this town and it's importance in the history of Colombia and freedom.
Interesting
sharron s,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We thought this would be a group excursion, but it was more personal. The tour guide provided us an education while the hired driver served as the camera crew. My friend, an elementary teacher, learned a lot that she could share with her students. With Hispanic heritage month coming up, she said she would have a lot of Information to provide to the students. I felt as though I too received a greater understanding of Palenque. My only gripe was the tour guide answered a lot of phone calls. That's not professional. That aside, my friend loved the fish dish at lunch. I felt the dance performance/interaction by the youth and meeting Ms. Rupert was amazing!
Great experience
X6937RKjuliand,
Sep 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Of the best trips we have made as a family, an unforgettable experience, beautiful scenery, very nice people, guides 10 out of 10, everything 10 out of 10, 100% recommended this destination.
Best Car Service 👌🏽
Flyer644375,
Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I took a tour of Palenque recently and the experince was 10/10. Elki I highly recommend! He picked me up from my hotel which was greatly appreciated and also brings you back. He was on time and so sweet 🤗 If you want a safe driver who also is from Palenque (bonus!!!) book this car serviced ASAP!!!!!!!!! ¡Vamos Elki 💯!
Palenque a show
m nicamar ay2025,
Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We made the trip to Palenque with my friends and colleagues in the company of the Palenque tour agency we were accompanied by carme perez a very friendly and charming guide, friendly and pleasant to treat We received very clear information regarding the history of Saint Basil of Palenque, it was very important and very helpful that there was accompanying us on this beautiful tour, thanks to it I could know many things of Palenque, among them also highlight the food and attention which was very good, I highlight that the attention started with the pickup at the airport. Thank you very much to the agency for joining us on this beautiful tour. I only have to recommend them.
200edelmiraa,
Jul 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Many thanks to the agency palenque Tour for its excellent services , we were super pleased with the warm attention with which we were treated, the tour started with our pickup from the hotel and then we moved in comfortable air-conditioned to saint basil of palenque, it was very interesting to know first hand all the history of this town and the sweets are the best , they should always taste them (the horse and the joy ) were the ones that I liked the most.
Time in Family
N696TPwendyv,
Jul 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We made the trip to Palenque as a family in company with the Palenque tour agency accompanied us Carmen, a very friendly, friendly and pleasant guide to treat. We received a very clear and detailed explanation about the history of Saint Basil of Palenque, I am very grateful for your company. He also highlighted the food and attention which was very good. I highlight that the attention started with the airport pickup. Thank you very much to the agency for joining us. I only have to recommend them!
I loved the food and the people are super chevere
pedrocI8613PZ,
Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I loved going to palenque. Its culture is amazing and its food is spectacular, plus people are very friendly throughout the tour
100% recommended, we had a great experience.
llerlynv,
Jul 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very grateful and satisfied with the attention of this agency, I would really return to my family, palenque is a show, its culture and beliefs are unique.
Recommended 10 out of 10
982estefaniaa,
Sep 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience we would repeat beautiful scenery again I loved its culture and very grateful for the staff who attended us very helpful
From US$100.00
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Operated by VAMOS A PALENQUE TOURS