Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 265 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla worth booking?
Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla is a 3-hour experience in Cartagena, Colombia, from $198 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 265 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (265)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $198 per person
This is a joyful experience for all ages which directly supports a talented group of young people who have decided to produce lasting change in their community through their artistic endeavors. Also it gives you the oppo
What you get
About this experience
This is a joyful experience for all ages which directly supports a talented group of young people who have decided to produce lasting change in their community through their artistic endeavors. Also it gives you the opportunity to see the surrounding areas of Cartagena.
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Lunch
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tour in Cartagena
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 265 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
265 verified traveler reviews for Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
EXCELLENT!!!
There aren't enough words to describe what a wonderful time we had with Marelvy. She was extremely interesting and knowledgeable about Cartagena. The tour was full of surprises and beautiful sights. Cartagena is indeed a beautiful city. I had booked her for 4 hours and an offer to take her to lunch. That we did at Celele (excellent restaurant! I will review separately). We were fortunate enough to spend an additional 4 hours with her. It was right up there with one of the very best tours I have ever had. She is indeed a treasure. (A side note we did not do the Drumming and Dancing Tour but a walking tour instead but it isn't listed on the options)
via Tripadvisor
Marelvy is a lovely guide
We thoroughly enjoyed our private historical walking tour with Marelvy. She’s wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable, and we had great conversation the entire time. Definitely take a tour with Marelvy if you’re interested in pirates because she’s written a history book on piracy in the Cartagena area. Conversation also covered architecture, history, food, the various convents and monasteries, battles and more. She also took us through some really neat neighborhoods outside of the old city walls that we would have never known about without her. There are other group tours available, but hanging out with Marelvy was a great experience.
via Tripadvisor
Boquilla fishing village - what an experience!
Cruising with 10 friends, we like to organise our own tours with independent local agents. How pleased were we to come across Tour in Cartagena with Marelvy! From the outset communications were timely and professional, and Marelvy's rep was there to meet us at the quayside, despite some confusion over our arrival time. We had a really nice bus to ourselves, and made our way to the fishing village on the outskirts of Cartagena. Our trip started with a tour of the mangrove swamp in a dugout canoe, propelled by a local fishermen with a pole. We were taught how to cast nets to amass some bait, which our boatman then prepared and put into crab traps, which were then dropped into the river. 15 minutes later, lo and behold, we had 11 crabs. We then proceeded to a very local restaurant where we were served a delicious lunch of local fish with plantain and rice, all cooked over an open fire in the kitchen corner of the restaurant. The icing on the cake at the end of the meal was a plateful of the crabs we had caught, beautifully cooked and dressed. After a walk round the rest of the village, we had time to spend an hour in the old part of Cartagena before being returned to the port in plenty of time for the departure of our ship. Marelvy's 2 sons joined us on the trip, and made a video montage of our day, which she kindly sent us today, so we have a wonderful record of our time there. I cannot recommend this company highly enough! Marelvy herself was charming, friendly, funny and very knowledgeable. She made sure that we followed our own agenda rather than have one imposed on us. All in all, we had a fantastic day!
via Tripadvisor
Walking tour with Marelvy Pena-Hall
This is a tour that is a delight to review. Email communication with her was wonderful as we planned this. The cost is dependent on how many are with you in the group and as it turned out it was just my husband and me. No problem. At the last minute, the NCL cruise line changed the day we would be in Cartagena and our time there. All was fine though as we were blessed that Marelvy herself could still do our tour. You know when your guide hugs you in greeting that it will be a great day. Our driver, Jose, was like a ninja. Whenever we were done with our walking portions, he was waiting for us and I was glad it was him and not me driving on those crazy roads! We began driving outside the city to La Popa, the highest point. Just gorgeous. She is a wealth of information and shared personal stories of herself as well. As we walk, she runs into so many people who know her. You can tell she loves her country. We went to Fort San Felipe, and then into the Old Walled City. We visited churches, clock tower etc. while learning so much. I said I wanted some coffee and we stopped at a store and she asked what the best coffee they had was. She asked if we wanted to shop more and got the sense she would have done what we asked of her. We were back in plenty of time to shop a bit. Tour lasted about 4.5 hours. Don't hesitate to book with her. You will love your day.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent alternative for cruise ship passengers touring Cartagena
Wow, what a great tour we had of Cartagena with Marelvy! She is a very special tour operator, with a great love of her city that she wants to share with her guests. We had searched for an option to the cruise ship’s excursions, and found such good reviews for Marelvy’s tours, that we contacted her by email. We had an almost immediate response, with full information, pricing etc. We also had great information provided before the tour as to what to wear, where to meet, etc. She is very organized, thorough and proactive. The tour we did was a variation of her Hidden Treasures of Cartagena Tour, with visits included to sites not included on the ship’s itinerary, with a group size of under 20. Her driver was excellent as well, and we traveled in a small comfortable air conditioned van, allowing for easy access to the sites and a more personalized tour. Her English was perfect (she is also fluent in Spanish and French), her knowledge of history in general and of Cartagena specifically was excellent. More details about her very interesting background can be found on her website. At the end of the tour (6 hours vs. the ship’s abbreviated 4 hour tour), we all felt as if we had spent the day with a good friend and visited a fascinating city. We highly recommend her tour!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Price range
- $198 to $810
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 93
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cartagena.
How much does Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla cost?
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Prices start at $198 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cartagena usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cartagena is not rushed.
Is Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 265 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cartagena, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla?
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Around 93 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cartagena can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cartagena and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Drumming and Dancing in Cartagena/La Boquilla start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cartagena within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cartagena?
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On Outty we rank every Cartagena experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena, Cartagena VIP Boat Tour: Rosario Islands & Snorkel, Cartagena Antigua & Barrio Getsemani group with audio system. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cartagena?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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