Tour to San Basilio Palenque with Bilingual Native Guide

4.9 (28 reviews) Cartagena, Colombia
  1. Home
  2. Activities
  3. Cartagena
Duration4h - 5h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 15 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

With this great experience, you will learn about the culture, roots, and struggle of the Palenqueros to obtain their freedom, ensuring that their cultural and indigenous traditions continue to be a significant legacy for Colombia and the world. You will explore the streets of San Basilio de Palenque, visit iconic places, and discover a museum dedicated to Afro-Colombian heritage.

You will receive ancestral education about medicinal plants, savor the local cuisine and sweets, appreciate the typical houses, listen to Palenquera music, and learn about their dialect. The entire experience is an adventure called Palenque.

What's included

  • Free time to enjoy yourself, dance, etc.
  • Guide accompaniment (English and Spanish)
  • Lunch
  • Round-trip transportation from Cartagena
  • Service not included in the tour
  • Tips

What to expect

  1. San Basilio De Palenque
    2h
    You will be able to see the Palenquera culture live and in person, including their cultures, traditions, home museums, their native language, typical houses. This tour has an estimated duration of 2 hours, plus an additional 2-hour journey from Cartagena and back
  2. Monumento a Benkos Bioho
    15m · Admission ticket included
    The Benkos Biohó Monument honors the legacy of Benkos Biohó, an African slave who led a rebellion against Spanish colonial forces in the 17th century and founded San Basilio de Palenque, the first free African town in the Americas. The monument stands as a symbol of resistance, freedom, and the enduring spirit of the Palenquera people. It typically includes statues, plaques, and other commemorations to honor Biohó's courageous leadership and the community's struggle for emancipation.
  3. San Basilio De Palenque
    40m
    "Casa Kombilesa Mi" is a cultural center in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia, dedicated to preserving Afro-Colombian heritage. It serves as a gathering place for the renowned musical group "Kombilesa Mi," where they rehearse, perform, and engage with the community. The space is adorned with vibrant murals, traditional instruments, and artwork depicting local legends. Visitors can experience the energetic rhythms of Palenquera music, influenced by African and indigenous Colombian traditions. Members of the group offer demonstrations of drumming, dancing, and singing, inviting guests to join in the celebration. Casa Kombilesa Mi also hosts workshops, lectures, and educational programs, promoting cultural exchange and pride in Afro-Colombian identity.
  4. San Basilio De Palenque
    20m
    Boxing school Antonio Cervante gym San Basilio de Palenque
    "Gimnasio Antonio Cervantes" may refer to a boxing gym in San Basilio de Palenque. Antonio Cervantes, also known as "Kid Pambele," was a famous Colombian boxer. If this gym is named after him, it could be a tribute to his legacy. However, without more specific information, it's challenging to provide further details.
  5. San Basilio De Palenque
    1h
    San Basilio de Palenque medicinal house:
    In San Basilio de Palenque, traditional medicinal practices are often deeply rooted in the community's cultural heritage. While there might not be a specific establishment called "Casa Medicinal," residents may consult local healers or traditional medicine practitioners for remedies and treatments. These remedies often draw on knowledge passed down through generations and may include the use of medicinal plants, herbs, and rituals for healing various ailments. If you're interested in traditional healing practices in Palenque, connecting with local community members or organizations dedicated to preserving cultural heritage could provide valuable insights

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The guide will call you a few minutes prior to notify you of the exact time they will pick you up. For this, please provide a contact number/WhatsApp that we can reach you on.

End point

The guide will call you a few minutes prior to notify you of the exact time they will pick you up. For this, please provide a contact number/WhatsApp that we can reach you on.

Additional information

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This experience requires good weather. If canceled due to bad weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund
  • In this activity, it can be done for an individual or a group, depending on reservation requests
  • We require full name and passport number information to add it to the traveler insurance assistance.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.9 (28)
From
$140.00 per person
Check availability & book
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Unique Travel Colombia · Booked through Viator
More activities in Cartagena
From
$140.00 per person
Check availability