Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque worth booking?
Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque is a 5-hour experience in Cartagena, Colombia, from $115 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (7)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $115 per person
70 kilometers south of Cartagena de Indias, is the village of San Basilio de Palenque, a place where music, language, medicine and other traditions constantly remind us that, five centuries ago, the African continent was
What you get
About this experience
70 kilometers south of Cartagena de Indias, is the village of San Basilio de Palenque, a place where music, language, medicine and other traditions constantly remind us that, five centuries ago, the African continent was the main source of slaves in the world.
What's included
Included
- pick up (wall city, bocagrande) if you are outside we wait for you in the clock tower
- bilingual guide
- Touristic Visit to San Basilio de Palenque
- Typical lunch
- roundtrip transportation (by public transportation)
Not included
- personal expenses
What you'll see and do
san basilio de palenque is a corregimiento of the municipality of mahates, in the department of bolivar, colombia, declared cultural and intangible heritage of humanity for being the first free village of colonial america; a place far from the colonies that african slaves escaped to live in freedom, with autonomy and independence
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cartagena
In the middle arc of the clock tower
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Ends at
In the middle arc of the clock tower
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
- cartagena caribbean tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Public transit troubles don't stop a great trip
The star of the visit was actually my travel guide, Kevin. Through incredible traffic, uncertain bus schedules, protests blocking the roadways and various other challenges, Kevin was able to navigate a way from Cartagena to Palange. The local guide was interesting and dramatic and it was fascinating to hear the 400 + year story. This is probably my favorite visit in my 10 days in Colombia, though the public transit may not be for everyone.
Response from the operator: Thanks you so much for your review! We appreciate your feedback and are glad you are satisfied with our service.
via Viator
Tour of Palenque
No what I expected but the guide Hermie did a good job about the history of Palengue. I thought the cost was overpriced even at the rate of taking the local bus. We paid an additional $35 for a private transport. We walked thru the village saw some site and met with medicine of the village. The lunch that was included was fantastic.
Response from the operator: Thank you for leaving your comment. We work very hard to make every customer experience an enjoyable one and we are truly sorry that we were unable to meet your expectations on this occasion.
via Tripadvisor
A complete disaster
Seriously, it’s easily the worst tour/something along those lines I have ever taken. It’s advertised as a full day tour, but itself (excluding the transportation) lasted like 1 hour max (lucky me, I really wanted to get out of that place!). The driver was a nice guy, but the guide in Palenque was truly mediocre, to say the least. He assumed I wouldn’t give him a huge tip because I went there as a solo female, so he decided to put zero effort in it. I gave him 20000 COP when he deserved no more than 1000 COP. Oh, and the disappointment on his face... All he said, I could easily find on Wikipedia, plus the places he took me were places where people expected tips. That thing of traditional Medicine... seriously... all the plants were advertised as “a cure from whithin”. Well, as a Medical Doctor myself, I wasn’t convinced (neither were they, considering the lack of enthusiasm on their explanations). Then, he took me to the girls/women selling their stuff on the plaza and wanting to give massages... no thanks!! The lunch (at like 11 am) was fine, some rice with grilled chicken breast, with a bunch of stray dogs next to me (I love dogs, so that didn’t bother me at all. I even gave a bit of my chicken to each one of them). I’m not being picky in any way, shape or form, I myself have lived my whole life in the countryside, so I know what living surrounded by animals, cultivating fruits and veggies is. I just expected some culture, I guess. Afterall, this is a Unesco site... Conclusion: if I could, I would give this minus 10 stars. Don’t do this crap please, save your money!!!!!
via Tripadvisor
Tour of Palenque
It was an amazing tour given by Chris! It was the highlight of my trip and I have talked about it so much since I have been home, others are planning a trip! Lots of knowledge and history. Thank you for such an impactful and authentic experience.
Response from the operator: Hi Annabelle, thank you so much for your comment.
via Tripadvisor
A MUST SEE!
We went there Easter Monday, which affected the tour. We were unable to see the dances and speak to the woman. That being said, Hermin was awesome as a Palenque guide to help us understand the history of Palenque and the pride they have in being Black and Free. It was an adventure as we took a city bus to a smaller bus an hour away from Cartagena. We then took a motorcycle 5 mins down the road to Palenque. Kevin was our guide and was helpful and kind.
Response from the operator: Hi Artieandnini, thank you so much for your comment.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $115 to $140
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by cartagena caribbean tours, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.8.
See everything cartagena caribbean tours runsWhy this scores 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cartagena.
How much does Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque cost?
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Prices start at $115 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 Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque take?
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Plan for about 5 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 Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 7 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 Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque?
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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 Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque?
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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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Popular Tour San Basilio De Palenque 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 Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience). 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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