Cartagena Food Adventure: 10 Dishes, Street Food & Sit-Down stops
Description
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 Sherpa, your journey begins in the colorful, bohemian streets of Getsemaní, where street art tells stories of resistance and reinvention. From there, we cross into the Ciudad Amurallada (Walled City), the heart of the Caribbean, finishing inside the ancient walls. You'll sit down at two standout local restaurants for curated tastings of signature Cartagenero dishes and new Caribbean Fusion cuisine. Between them, taste exotic fruits from the iconic Palenqueras, the must-try arepa de huevo, a sweet stop at the historic Portal de los Dulces. It's not just a food tour. It's the Sherpa Way: woven with the history, culture, and street art that make Cartagena one of Latin America's most vibrant food destinations.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our tour begins in Getsemaní, Cartagena's most soulful and flavorful barrio. Once a working-class neighborhood, today its colorful streets are alive with the aromas of street food, fresh fruit carts, and sizzling fritos. We'll start at Plaza de la Trinidad, the lively gathering spot where Cartageneros come together each evening to eat, drink, and share stories, before wandering past murals and flag-draped alleys, sampling local bites from the vendors who've fed this community for generations.
Inside Cartagena's UNESCO-listed colonial old town, we'll trace 500 years of culinary history through its plazas and cobblestone streets. The Walled City is where Spanish, African, and Indigenous flavors first collided to create the Caribbean Colombian cuisine you'll taste today. Between bites, we'll share the stories behind iconic dishes, the markets that shaped them, and the cultural traditions still alive in every kitchen, fruit stand, and corner café.
No food tour of Cartagena is complete without a stop at Portal de los Dulces, a century-old sweets arcade beside Plaza de los Coches. Here, palenqueras and local vendors offer dozens of handmade Colombian candies in glass jars, coconut cocadas, tamarind balls, bocadillo, and fig preserves among them. You'll taste your way through a colorful lineup of treats while we share how each one reflects Cartagena's Afro-Caribbean and Spanish roots.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(98)
Liz was incredible helpful, knowledgeable, and comforting as she led this tour. 100% would do again and recommend. The group size is perfect for chatting with everyone.
I had an excellent experience with Andres, he was nice and explained all the history behind the dishes and snacks we had during the tour of 3h.
Andres was a great tour guide. The gastronomical tour was excellent and he explained all the history as we walked around getsemani and cuidad amurallada. Also the selection of places and food was outstanding. I Will definitely comeback.
Andres was such a great tour guide. He was really engaging and informative over the food we ate and the history behind them. I would definitely recommend him!
Super fun food tour! Very interactive and conversational. More than just a food tour, Liz gave a tour of the city and shared a history.
Absolutely loved this food tour! Every stop was a delicious way to experience the local culture and flavors. And Liz made the whole experience even more special , she’s wonderful, knowledgeable, warm, and so much fun to be around. You can truly feel her passion for what she does. Highly recommend this tour! ❤️✨
Super awesome! This is not just a food tour, it’s like a walking tour and we learned a lot about the city. Very interactive and we met lots of new friends. Thanks Liz!!!!
We had a wonderful time with our guide Liz. She was so nice, THE perfect guide for this tour. She explained the origins of every dish but also gave information and history about the city of Cartagena. TOP experience, thanks a lot.
Liz was a spectacular guide giving us all of the rich history and story behind everything that we tried. She answered all questions attentively and explained everything thoroughly. The tour itself was full of amazing flavors showcasing the Colombian coast’s flavor with each stop outdoing the other. It was super lovely to connect with people and make friends as well. 10/10 recommend.
Liz is the best! it feels like a get together with friends! we had a great group and lots of explanations on cartagena and the food!
