Top Cartagena Day Trips
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What are people saying about Cartagena
Mesha_R, May 2026
Ray made this tour...
Ray made this tour absolutely unforgettable. His energy, knowledge, and genuine passion for showing us the islands elevated the entire experience. The scenery was stunning, the vibes were perfect, and having Ray as our guide made all the difference. Highly recommend!
Princess_D, Apr 2026
I loved the tour! I...
I loved the tour! I highly recommend it! One David and Roméo were amazing tour guides! Very patient and knowledgeable! Jhon is a great driver and had the ac on blast! The dancers are extremely talented and friendly! I learned a lot about Palenque culture! 10/10 experience!!
Stephanie_T, Apr 2026
An unforgettable experience
This experience was absolutely amazing! Victor and Carlos were the best tour guides, the food was delicious and the whole community was so welcoming. I met some of the most inspirational and kind women I’ve ever met in my life. A definite must for anyone visiting Cartagena!!
Alex_R, Mar 2026
The pickup process was...
The pickup process was very well organized. They communicated both the day before and the day of the tour to confirm details and provide the arrival time. Once on the bus, expect up to about an hour of additional pickups around Cartagena before the group officially heads out.
Our first stop was the bird aviary, which was truly a treat. The exhibits are beautiful, well maintained, and very professionally done. The full walkthrough takes about 2–2½ hours, which was perfectly timed for the bus to pick us up afterward and continue on to the beach.
When we arrived at the beach, we went to Mambo for lunch. They offer great grilled food options along with drinks. The area also has restrooms, outdoor showers, and lockers to rent available for guests. While there are cabanas available to rent, they really aren’t necessary since Mambo provides plenty of shaded lounge space to relax and cool off from the sun.
The water was mildly warm and very refreshing. Throughout the day, the tour guides were meticulous in answering questions and making sure everyone knew exactly where and when to meet for departure.
If you’re looking for a great combination of nature and relaxing beach time, this experience is definitely worth it.
Angeleah_M, Mar 2026
Perfect Unique Experience
This was the perfect bizarre/unique experience that my boyfriend and I were looking for. Our guide, Milton gave us good tips and explained how the process would work beforehand. After we got off the bus, we climbed a ladder and waited in a small line to get into the mud volcano. The volcano fits about 15 people. When you’re in the volcano, it feels like you are floating. At the top of the volcano, there are some kind locals who will take pics of you while you are in the volcano, give massages, and help you in and out. Then, you can get into a nearby lake and fully rinse off. Some other locals down there will help. After getting rinsed off, you can enjoy your arepa and drink before heading back. We had such a fun experience!
Some Caveats:
I probably would not take children under 14 because it may seem a bit overwhelming having random strangers touch them.
Bring cash to tip the locals and to buy other food or drinks. This is how they make their living so be respectful.
The steps getting up to the volcano are slippery and wide so be careful.
Tracey_Z, Feb 2026
Wonderful High-Speed Boat!
The boat ride (sitting in the front three rows) was a wonderful water rollercoaster experience. Empty your bladder before boarding is a good idea. Prepare $20 for port fee.
The fried fish toward the end of tour (2pm) was nice. (Make sure that you have a good breakfast so that you can last until 2pm.)
Bring your own water.
Zachary_J, Feb 2026
Fun pirate ship sunset cruise
This was a really fun sunset cruise experience. The directions to the boat were very clear. We actually had to reschedule last minute due to travel delays and they were super accommodating. The boat itself is very nice and the pirate costumes make it fun. The crew were very friendly and took great pictures and videos for our group.
SD_R, Jan 2026
Just Do It
Lots of fun. Eddie was wonderful! Great course, can be somewhat challenging for new riders but safe and not bad--there were multiple guides with us to keep pace with everyone in the group, whether you wanted to ride fast or slow and there was also security with us as well for extra safety. Rode through woods and the beach...lovely views...multiple points to stop and take pictures and get off ATVs to stretch. Lunch was okay. Options to upgrade to lobster, shrimp, crab. About a 30 min ride to ATV location from pick-up point. Must do while in Cartagena!
Autumn_Y, Jan 2026
Great transportation service!
The driver was great! He was communicative and helpful. He was very patient while waiting for me, as the customs line was very long. He made sure that we connected once I was out of customs. He handled my bags and as we were driving to my hotel, he told me about some of the history in Cartagena which I really appreciated!
Jonathan_S, Jan 2026
Enjoy the most unique and surprisingly enjoyable excursions ever!
We had a great time experiencing the Lodo Volcano Mud Bath in just outside Cartagena! It is such a unique experience! We weren't sure if we would like it, but decided to try it because it was so out of the ordinary and I'm glad we did!
Gilberto, our driver was so nice, and very informative on the hour plus drive there and back about different sites, and things taking place in and around Cartagena, and took really good care of us the entire time!
Once we arrived at the mud volcano, he introduced us to the staff that would be taking care of us. They were instrumental in helping us in and out of the mud bath, making sure we were safe ascending and defending the volcano, and helping to wash the mud off of us down in the lagoon/lake. We even chose the option to have a massage inside the mud bath, and that was awesome! The guys did such a great job! Then after we were cleaned up and had changed clothes, we had a snack with tasty homemade beef and chicken empanadas and soft drink!
It was a top notch experience from start to finish and I highly recommend you try this unique experience!
Donna_W, Nov 2025
Great break from Cartagena
This is an extremely diverse tour with many different things to see. It is a very. long trip, so please be prepared for a 10-12 hour day. Having said that, it is very relaxing as you are just in the bus with several small stops. Not a ton of history, but just fun stops. It is a great break from the city if you want a break from the sun, beach, and Old City. If you only have 2-3 days in Cartagena, this may not be a priority, though we had 10 days so it was welcomed.
We were the only English speaking people on our tour, and our guide, Jhon Fredyz, took extreme care of the others, as well as us, to make sure we understood everything. Thank you Jhon, for being such a great tour guide!
RaymondJosue_R, May 2025
Loved #Baranquilla and #SantaMarta
Wonderful Tour. They told me to be ready at 4:20 am and they showed up at 5:20 am. I was bother by the punctuality of it but the program itself was very nice. Be ready for a long hot day! The staff was nice and efficient. The food was good and the hotel they took us at the end to refresh at the pool.
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Not seeing something you are looking for?
There’s enough in Cartagena’s candy-colored Old Town to keep you wandering for days, but plenty more awaits outside the city’s 16th-century walls. The Colombian town is within easy reach of some epic attractions—ranging from dormant volcanoes filled with mineral-enriched mud to postcard-perfect islands fringed by white sand and lapped by the Caribbean Sea. So whether you want to sunbathe, snorkel, or smother yourself in silt, booking a Cartagena day trip will save you the hassle of arranging your own tickets and transfers, leaving you free to absorb the Colombian charm.
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