Palenque African Roots
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Palenque African Roots worth booking?
Palenque African Roots is a 6-hour experience in Cartagena, Colombia, from $130 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (6)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $130 per person
Travelers should book this tour because it is a wonderful experience in which they will have the opportunity to learn about African customs that are still preserved in the first free town in America "San Bacilio de Palen
What you get
About this experience
Travelers should book this tour because it is a wonderful experience in which they will have the opportunity to learn about African customs that are still preserved in the first free town in America "San Bacilio de Palenque" and will also be accompanied by a professional tour guide and a native guide from Palenque who will be in charge of teaching them the town, the language, medical practices, dance, music and oral tradition"
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- typical lunch
- Medical assistance
- Umbrellas on loan
- Hotel pickup
- Roundtrip transportation in air-conditioned bus
- Tour of the town accompanied by a native guide
- Typical drink tasting
What you'll see and do
San Basilio De Palenque
It was declared Cultural and Intangible Heritage of Humanity for being the first free people of colonial America (decreed like this in 1691); a place far from the colonies to which the African slaves escaped to live in freedom, with autonomy and independence. In San Basilio de Palenque, some traditions such as language, food, dance, and culture typical of Africans are still preserved. It is located very close to the Canal del Dique, 50 km from the city of Cartagena de Indias. It has a population of approximately 4,200 people and borders the districts of Malagana, San Pablo Norte and Palenquito. Because it is a corregimiento, it does not have economic or administrative autonomy Here is included the time it will take to move from one place to another
360 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cartagena
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Que hay pa' hacer en cartagena
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for Palenque African Roots. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour
This was a great tour, very educational, the lunch was great, the dancers were so entertaining and our Guide Romero was amazing. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
For the culture!
Visiting Palenge is a must. It's worth the long drive. My husband and I enjoyed learning about the rich history, culture, and customs of the Palenge people. Our guides were very knowledgeable and the people there were so kind and welcoming. I liked that the tour was Interactive too. And the lunch was excellent! Fresh caught, fried fish seasoned to perfection. This was one of my favorite excursions in Cartagena.
via Viator
Enjoyable
The tour itself was informative. The tour guide had a great personality which made the experience more exciting. The food was delicious. The agency booked with has "hotel pickup" listed, however, did not pick us up. We had to spend extra money to take a taxi to a meeting location. We weren't notified that hotel pickup wasn't available until less than 24 hours of the tour which was outside of their cancelation policy. The driver did not speak English.
Response from the operator: Hello, in the tour description you can find the pick-up points within the city, your hotel is outside the city and it was indicated to you. Unfortunately we had to change drivers, the entire tour was in English, which was the most important thing.
via Tripadvisor
Palenque tour
The transfer for this tour was very organised and I was collected from my airbnb. The tour was interesting to see typical houses, medicine and food in Palenque. I am very interested in the history of the town but the tour included nothing about its founding or the years that followed. The tour itself was around 2 and a half hours and then we had lunch. I enjoyed the day, just felt it was lacking a bit more detail and more activities.
Response from the operator: Gracias Lo tendremos en cuenta
via Tripadvisor
Panama City
Great trip I recommended this tour we learned so much about our culture. Very informative, food was great the way I like it homemade from scratch. The driver excellent he picked/drop us up from the hotel. Excellent definitely will do it again.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Palenque African Roots: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cartagena.
How much does Palenque African Roots cost?
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Prices start at $130 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 Palenque African Roots take?
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Plan for about 6 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 Palenque African Roots worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 6 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 Palenque African Roots?
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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 Palenque African Roots suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Palenque African Roots?
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Around 2 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 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Palenque African Roots 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 Cartagena Antigua & Barrio Getsemani group with audio system, Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena, Cartagena VIP Boat Tour: Rosario Islands & Snorkel. 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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