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The Cartagena Experience

5 Days (4 Nights)
The Cartagena Experience

Overview

Cartagena, the breathtaking town located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, is one of the most appealing spots to visit in Colombia. It’s colonial houses, squares, flower-full balconies, and pastel colored facades are the essence of Cartagena. Walk the cobblestone streets, watch as the wall colors change in the sunlight, and witness how its protective walls defended the city from pirate attacks.

Itinerary

Itinerary

DAY 1
CARTAGENA

Arrival to Cartagena

  • Reception, and transfer with assistance in private service, from Rafael Nuñez International Airport to the chosen hotel.
  • Check-in and Accommodation.
DAY 2
CARTAGENA

City tour of Cartagena

Cartagena Streets
Cartagena Streets
  •  
  • At the agreed time, departure from the hotel to start touring the historic center and get to know the main squares of the city, such as the San Pedro Square that bears his name in homage to San Pedro Claver known as the slave of the slaves. The customs plaza, where trade was carried out in colonial times, the plaza of the proclamation where the Cartagenian people met on November 11, 1811 to support the act of independence and other places of great historical and cultural importance. Ends with a visit to a jewelry store where you can learn about the Colombian Emeralds and Gold Museum.
  • Duration: 3 hours approx.
DAY 3
CARTAGENA

Rosario Islands

Soak up the sun at Rosario Islands
Soak up the sun at Rosario Islands
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  •  
  • Transfer from the hotel to the pier, to take a boat in shared service to visit the Rosario Islands, an archipelago where you can enjoy crystal clear waters and small white sand beaches, located just 60 minutes by speedboat from Cartagena.
  • In this place you can enjoy a typical lunch and have the possibility of doing other activities besides spending beach time you can hire directly, such as visiting the aquarium, snorkeling, among others.
  • Duration 7 hours approx
  • The return ends at the dock. Does not include return transfer from the pier to the hotel
DAY 4
CARTAGENA

Day at Leisure in Cartagena

This day is all about you! Enjoy your breakfast, hotel facilities, and spend the day at leisure.

DAY 5
CARTAGENA

Transfer Out

Check out from the hotel after breakfast, after which you are transferred to the Airport for your return to your destination of origin.

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Terms & Conditions

  • 20% due at time of booking
  • 80% due at 45 days prior to departure

Cancellation Fees:

  • 10% of official price refundable up to 45 days prior to departure
  • 25% of official price refundable up to 30 days prior to departure
  • 100% of the total is payable within 30 days prior to departure

Note:

  • Rates per person in Dollars
  • Rates are subject to changes in availability
  • Maximum of 2 children may share a room with their parents
  • Suggested activities are not included in program price
  • If selected hotel is not available at the time of booking, a hotel of a similar category will be found 

All cancellation, change, or update requests must be submitted in writing by email to travel@palacetours.com. Please allow at least 48 hours (and in some cases longer) for us to review, confirm, and process the request and advise any applicable fees. A cancellation, change, or update takes effect only once we have received and processed the request, and we will confirm the outcome to you once it has been processed. Cancellation timeframes and the applicable fee are calculated by reference to the local time and normal business hours at the destination where the tour is provided; a request received outside those business hours (including evenings, weekends, and public holidays at the destination) is treated as received on the next business day at the destination, and a further processing period of at least 48 hours (and in some cases longer) then applies before the request takes effect.

Guests need to add 3 business days to the above time frames. An administration fee of 15% on any monies paid by the client will be charged prior to refund.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover the losses incurred in case of cancellation. For information on available plans or to purchase travel insurance, please visit www.palacetours.com/insurance.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Includes

  • 4-night accommodation at the selected hotel
  • Breakfast
  • Hotel insurance
  • Airport to hotel and hotel to airport transfer
  • Regular city tour and the magic of its squares
  • Day tour to Isla del Sol in the Islas del Rosario archipelago, lunch included

Not Included

  • Airline tickets
  • Travel insurance or visa fees
  • Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and souvenirs
  • Services not described in the itinerary
  • Additional expenses if you have them as minibar, roomservice, calls, laundry, among others.

  • For the Tour to Isla del Sol: Departure tax (USD6 per person), return transfer from the dock to the hotel (USD11.5 per person)  

Frequently Asked Questions & Tips

1 Do i need a Visa?

Colombia has a relaxed policy towards visas and there are few nationals visiting Colombia that actually need one. Entry is permitted visa-free to citizens from most of Europe and the Americas, as well as Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa and Japan. A 90-day stay is permitted upon arrival.

2 What currency is used?

The Colombian currency is the peso. US dollars are rarely accepted so it's best to exchange you cash for pesos. $1 = 3028 pesos.  

3 How widely accepted are credit cards?

Credit cards are widely accepted at restaurants, hotels, shops and other services such as tour companies. However, it’s a good idea to get some Colombian pesos (COP) from an ATM (bring a debit card for this) after arrival to pay for budget meals, bus tickets, small souvenirs, and taxis.

4 When is the best time to visit Colombia?

Colombia is a year-round destination, so there is no single best time to visit the country. Due to its close proximity to the equator, the weather in Colombia won’t change much over the year.

5 What vaccines do I need before going to Colombia?

Along with routine vaccinations like chickenpox and polio, it’s recommended that all travelers to Colombia get vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid before visiting. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that certain travelers to Colombia be vaccinated against hepatitis B, rabies, malaria, and yellow fever, depending on where in the country they’re traveling and what they’ll be doing there. For a complete list of Colombia vaccine recommendations, visit the CDC’s pag

6 What's the best way to exchange currency in Colombia?

ATMs are your best bet for exchanging money.

7 What does The Cartagena Experience include day by day?

This 4-night Cartagena package starts with a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Day 2 is a city tour of the historic center, day 3 is a full-day boat trip to the Rosario Islands, day 4 is at leisure, and on day 5 you are transferred back to the airport after breakfast.

8 What is included in The Cartagena Experience fare?

The fare includes 4 nights at your selected hotel with daily breakfast, hotel insurance, airport to hotel and hotel to airport transfers, the regular Cartagena city tour, and the day tour to Isla del Sol in the Rosario Islands archipelago with lunch included.

9 What is not included in The Cartagena Experience?

Airline tickets, travel insurance, visa fees, personal items such as laundry and souvenirs, and services not described in the itinerary are not included. Hotel extras such as minibar, room service and phone calls are also paid directly at the hotel.

10 Are there any extra charges on the Rosario Islands day?

Yes, two small costs are paid locally for the Isla del Sol tour: a departure tax of USD 6 per person, and the return transfer from the dock to your hotel at USD 11.50 per person, because the included tour ends at the dock. Optional activities on the island are also extra.

11 What does the Cartagena city tour cover?

The roughly 3-hour tour visits the main squares of the historic center, including San Pedro Claver Square, the Customs Plaza where colonial trade took place, and the Plaza of the Proclamation where the people of Cartagena gathered on November 11, 1811 to support independence. It ends at a jewelry store where you learn about Colombian emeralds and the Gold Museum.

12 How long is the Rosario Islands excursion and how do you get there?

The Rosario Islands are about 60 minutes from Cartagena by speedboat. You are transferred from your hotel to the pier and travel on a shared boat to Isla del Sol, where you enjoy crystal clear water, small white sand beaches and a typical lunch. The excursion lasts about 7 hours.

13 Can I go snorkelling or visit the aquarium in the Rosario Islands?

Yes, besides beach time you can arrange optional activities such as snorkelling or a visit to the aquarium. These are hired and paid directly on the day and are not part of the package price.

14 What is the difference between the Silver, Gold and Platinum options?

The Cartagena Experience is offered at three levels, Silver, Gold and Platinum, which relate to the hotel you select for your 4 nights; the sightseeing and transfers follow the same itinerary. The price for each level is shown on this page, and we can tell you which hotels are available at each level for your dates.

15 Which airport do I arrive at for The Cartagena Experience?

You arrive at Rafael Nunez International Airport in Cartagena, where you are met and transferred with assistance in a private service to your hotel. International flights are not included, so book flights that arrive on day 1 and leave on day 5 of the package.

16 Are the tours in The Cartagena Experience private or shared?

The airport transfers on arrival and departure are private with assistance. The city tour is a regular tour and the boat to the Rosario Islands is a shared service. If you would prefer private sightseeing, ask us and we can quote it.

17 What can I do on the free day in Cartagena?

Day 4 is entirely at leisure after breakfast, so you can enjoy the hotel facilities or wander the cobblestone streets, colonial squares, flower-filled balconies and city walls on your own. Meals and activities on this day are at your own expense.

18 What deposit is needed for The Cartagena Experience and when is the balance due?

A deposit of 25% of the package price confirms your booking, and the balance is due 65 days before arrival. International flights and the small local charges on the Rosario Islands day are paid separately.

19 Are there child rates for The Cartagena Experience?

Yes, there are two child bands based on age on the day of arrival: under 5, and from 5 up to 12. Children share a room with adults, and we will confirm the child price and room setup at your chosen hotel level.

20 How do I ask a question or book the Cartagena Experience?

You can email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610, where a travel specialist or our AI assistant will reply. When departures for the Cartagena Experience are listed on this page they can be booked directly from the departure list, and the exact fare for each departure is shown there. If no date suits you yet, send us your preferred travel month and cabin type and we will check availability for you.

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