Cartagena is a walled Caribbean port and eats like one. 20 bookable food tours below — plus the neighbourhoods and dishes the city is built around.
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The guide
Cartagena is a walled Caribbean port and eats like one. The food is coastal Colombian rather than Andean: coconut rice, fried fish, plantain in several forms, and an enormous amount of fresh fruit sold from bowls balanced on the heads of palenqueras, women from a nearby town founded by escaped slaves in the 17th century. African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences are all visible on a single plate. The old city inside the walls is beautiful and priced for cruise passengers. Getsemaní next door, and the neighbourhoods beyond it, is where the same food costs a third as much.
Where to focus
Four neighbourhoods to anchor a few days of eating
Getsemaní
Just outside the walls, formerly working class and now the most interesting eating in the city. Street food on Plaza de la Trinidad from early evening.
Ciudad Amurallada
The walled old town. Colonial courtyards, the well-known restaurants, and prices to match. Beautiful, and worth one meal rather than every meal.
Bazurto Market
Chaotic, hot, and entirely local, a short ride from the centre. Fried fish, fresh juice, and the place to see what the coast actually eats.
Bocagrande
The high-rise strip on the peninsula. Seafood restaurants aimed at Colombian holidaymakers rather than foreigners, and better value than the old city.
What to eat
The dishes the city is known for
- 01
Ceviche cartagenero
· Sweeter than Peruvian, often bound with tomato sauce and mayonnaise, served with crackers. A different dish despite the shared name. - 02
Arroz con coco
· Rice cooked in coconut milk until the sugars caramelise, dark and slightly sweet. The default side with fried fish. - 03
Pescado frito
· Whole fish fried crisp, with patacones and coconut rice. The standard beach lunch, eaten with your hands. - 04
Arepa de huevo
· Corn dough fried, split, filled with a raw egg, and fried again. Breakfast, sold from carts before 9:00. - 05
Posta negra
· Beef slow-cooked in panela and cola until nearly black and very sweet. A Cartagena speciality found on old-line menus. - 06
Limonada de coco
· Lime blended with coconut milk and ice. Necessary in this heat and sold everywhere.
Practical notes
Meal timing, tipping, payment
Lunch is the main meal, 12:00 to 15:00, and many local places close after it. Dinner from 19:00. Heat and humidity are severe through the middle of the day, so plan around a long lunch. Cash in small notes for street vendors. Agree a price before accepting fruit or a photograph from the palenqueras. Tipping is 10 percent and often added as voluntary service.
All 20 food tours
Viator last revised 2026-11-09The full list · sponsored partner links
- 01
Cartagena Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience)
This is not a typical cooking class. With over 400 five-star reviews, it’s one of the most highly rated culinary experiences in Cartagena. What truly sets it apart is the combination of authentic cooking, full hands-on
3h - 02
Rum and Chocolate Tasting in Cartagena
Experience two of the best products that Colombia has to offer the world: Rum and Chocolate, which are featured in this experience to delight your senses. Explore the diversity of 8 Colombian rums, each with its own char
1.8h from $107 - 03
Cartagena Rum & Chocolate: 1-Hour Intro or 2-Hour Castle Views
Unlike traditional rum tastings, this experience is relaxed, social, and easy to enjoy — never technical or overwhelming. Taste a curated selection of Colombian rums paired with artisanal chocolate in a small-group sett
2h - 04
Cartagena Food Adventure: 10 Dishes, Street Food & Sit-Down stops
A tale of two Cartagenas in one culinary experience: Street food and street art of Getsemaní, then proper sit-down stops inside the Walled City for Fusion Caribbean cuisine; 10+ dishes & drinks feast. Led by an expert S
3.5h - 05
Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Local Tastings in the Walled City
Explore Cartagena's vibrant street food scene on a delightful walking tour that takes you through the Walled City, where history and culture blend seamlessly. Sample seven authentic local delicacies, including tropical f
2.5h - 06
Cartagena Fishing & Crabbing • Unique Local Experience with Lunch
Experience this unique Cartagena fishing and crabbing adventure in the capable hands of a skilled local fisherman and guide. Immerse yourself in a shallow lagoon teeming with wildlife and stunning mangroves, a rarity in
4h from $89 - 07
SkyKitchen 4 Course Cooking Class
With the help of our instructors you will cook typical Colombian Food. We teach you traditional cooking methods with very fresh ingredients and a nice presentation. You will be able to cook these dishes at home and we wi
3h - 08
Tour a san Basilio de Palenque desde cartagena
Meet the native decendents of africans in colombia who have preserved their African customs over several centuries. with a unique language derived from African languages the way they used to live thousands of years ago,
4h from $110 - 09
Brunch And Paint in a secret rooftop
We will be on the private rooftop of our house located in the neighborhood Getsemani! with a beautiful view of the castle San Felipe! a cool place since being on a third floor there is always a relaxing wind blowing!
2.5h from $36 - 10
Cooking Class In A Real Restaurant At Old City
We will be in the kitchen of our family restaurant, which meant a lot to us. in the historic center of Cartagena, a kitchen with music, air conditioning, and we have decorated with photos of all the people who have visit
2h from $43 - 11
Street Food Tour with a local Foodie in Cartagena
This is not just a food tour—it’s a journey into the heart of Cartagena’s culture. Guided by locals who know the city’s hidden corners and culinary secrets, you’ll taste authentic flavors that go beyond the typical touri
1h - 12
Cartagena Urban Party Boat to Cholón: 5 Stops with Lunch & Drinks
Sail through the Caribbean and explore 5 incredible stops, including the Rosario Islands, Barú, and the legendary Cholón. Enjoy refreshing drinks, a delicious Caribbean lunch, and an energetic soundtrack featuring the be
7.5h - 13
Island Hopping Party Boat Tour: 5 Stops with Lunch, Cholon & Baru
This is an adults-only island-hopping boat party tour that includes 5 stops across various the stunning Rosario Islands for the beach parties. Perfect for social solo travelers, couples, and groups of friends looking to
7h from $70 - 14
Specialty Coffee Workshops in Cartagena
This walking route of some of Cartagena’s best cafés takes place within Cartagena's historic area. Your guide, a certified coffee expert, will take you on a journey of discovery as you learn all there is to know about Co
2h from $42 - 15
Bazurto Market Tour and Cooking Class in Cartagena
The cooking class Cartagena tour is a unique experience. See and taste exotic ingredients and fruits with great flavors, colors and all sort of shapes and get to know the local coconut rice or try the delicious “empandas
4.5h - 16
4h Cooking Class in Cartagena with 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks
Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors and culture of Colombia with this lively, boozy cooking experience featuring 10 mouthwatering recipes! Join our warm and entertaining host, Winnie, as you discover how to craft au
3.5h from $77 - 17
BIKE TOUR and LUNCH at ANTHONY BOURDAIN'S FAVORITE SPOT
DON’T WALK, AND DON’T BOTHER WITH BUSES OR TAXIS... EXPERIENCE A TRUE ADVENTURE! (An ideal meeting point! Just minutes away from the Walled City, Getsemaní, and the Cartagena Cruise Terminal.) Get ready for an authentic
3h from $67 - 18
Fenix Beach Full Day Pass - Private Island & Lunch Included
1. Location. Most beach clubs send you 40 minutes away. Fénix is 15 minutes from Bodeguita Dock. You spend your day on the island, not on a boat. A real white sand private island, no vendors walking past your towel. Féni
4h from $84 - 19
Private Colombian Rums and Chocolate Tasting in Cartagena
Experience two of Colombia's finest products showcased to the world: Rum and Chocolate, awaiting to delight your senses in this experience. Explore the diversity of 8 Premiums Colombian Rums, each with its own distinctiv
1.8h from $107 - 20
Cartagena's Rosario Islands 5-Site Boat Tour with Lunch & Snorkel
What sets the full-day Eco and VIP tours apart is a focus on serene relaxation, pristine Caribbean nature, and family-friendly comfort. Tailored specifically for families, couples, and travelers seeking tranquil escapes,
7h from $75
Frequently asked
- How much do food tours in Cartagena cost?
- Roughly $36–$110 per person, with the median around $77.
- When should I book?
- One to two weeks ahead in peak season; same-day is sometimes possible off-peak but limits choice.