Private Tour
Roots of Freedom – Cultural Immersion in San Basilio de Palenque
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
To truly understand the vibrant, diverse culture of Cartagena today, a visit to San Basilio de Palenque is essential. This historic village, the first free town in the Americas, is a living testament to the influence of Afro-Colombian heritage that has shaped Cartagena and the Caribbean coast. San Basilio de Palenque is not just a destination, but an immersive journey into the roots of the city's cultural identity.
What to expect:
Cultural Foundation of Cartagena – Explore how San Basilio de Palenque's history has profoundly impacted the culture of Cartagena.
Dynamic Cultural Expression – Witness firsthand how the energetic rhythms of Palenque music, such as mapalé and cumbia, continue to play a pivotal role in Cartagena’s festivals.
Palenque’s Boxing Legacy – Learn about the strong boxing tradition that has emerged from San Basilio de Palenque, a village that has produced world-class boxers.
Afro-Colombian Cuisine – Savor traditional Afro-Colombian dishes.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
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
Private transportation
Local Engagement
Boxing Legacy Tour
Guided Cultural Insight
Music & Dance Performances
Afro-Colombian Culinary Tasting
Tips and expandable money.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
We’ll pick you up at your location, drive southeast of Cartagena for about 1 hour, pass by local neighbourhoods, the Industrial area and villages that surround the city to finally head to the African Village of San Basilio de Palenque.
Monumento a Benkos Bioho
Come and visit the heart of Africa in America declared human heritage site since 2008! This village founded in the middle of the colonial times offered a refuge for Africans who escaped slavery. Nowadays it has become a symbol of freedom and hope. In this tour, you will visit different important spots in the village with a passionate, knowledgeable local guide that will tell you about the history, heritage and oral tradition of this little piece of Africa in the heart of the Maria Mountains in Colombia. You will know about the personalities that made this village proud and visible for the whole world, as you will be able to enjoy the food and dancing -two of the strongest traditions passed through generations to this day- and above all, you will discover the vibrant culture of its people!
Options
Roots of Freedom – Cultural Immersion in San Basilio de Palenque
Pickup included
Reviews
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Palenque and golf thanks to Cindy and Cartagena Concierge
Pathfinder318535,
Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Can’t say enough great things about Cartagena Concierge, Cindy and her coworkers. Our trip to Palenque was exciting and rewarding. All the arrangements were professional, and it was clearly the right move to work with Cindy rather than one of the larger groups. For only slightly more than the other tours, my wife and I got an exclusive guide through the town from Sophia, an intensely smart, passionate and charismatic woman from Palenque. History, language, medicine, sweets cooking, food, boxing, etc. The tour itself was something we’ll be thinking and talking about for a long time. The six-plus hours we spent with Cindy and her crew were amazing. Fabio is a great and friendly driver. And when I was asking what a certain fruit tasted like, in addition to Cindy describing it, Fabio hailed a vendor, bought the fruit and we got to try Guama for the first time! Delicious! Cindy also facilitated me getting on at Club Karibana to play golf during our trip. Again, Fabio was the driver, Cindy met me at the course and made sure everything ran smoothly with tee time, my weak Spanish and all the set up. Obviously, this is a highly-recommend review of working with Cindy when you come to Cartagena. Our trip wouldn’t have been the same without her!
When your guide is the queen of Cartagena, your tours are a bit better than the rest.
Shervin D,
Mar 16, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00After mountain biking with Cindy all day, I asked her what else she offered as a guide. She then explained I could go to village of an African king, and box and dance and meet locals. I said of course. This experience was a truly beautiful and unique experience. To be able to have experience this with Cindy had to be different. She literally is walking into her friends houses and giving me tours. It’s insane when your tour guide already has a bunch of friends and is well respected in the area. Believe it or not, while you are there, you get to see what life is like outside all commercialized life. You get to feel more organic heartfelt people than anywhere else. I was most interested in Palenque because I am a boxer and I could to actually take a real lesson with real Colombian pro boxers who live in train in Palenque where so many of the greats are from. I asked them 1000 questions and they were so happy to rapid fire take turns answering all my questions. The amount of love those boxers had for sharing their experience was insane. Even if you have never ever boxed before, COME TRY THIS, but especially if you have, they can teach you the heart of South American boxing. I have to hand it to Cindy, this tour was unbelievable. It was so cool to follow such a well respected guide through such a remote part of the jungle. God bless! I also ate iguana eggs. All the boxers were eating them, so of course I had to try it. It was amazing and is my new favorite food. I have to find iguana eggs in Boston now somehow!
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Operated by Cartagena Concierge