San Basilio de Palenque History Tour
Description
In this experience, you will learn about the history of the first territory in the Americas free of slavery, San Basilio de Palenque, an Afro-Colombian community that, despite the passage of time—more than 400 years of history—still maintains African roots and customs, making this town a historical site of global significance. You will learn about the local culture, gastronomy, musical performances, traditional medicine, and much more, guided by a local expert who will provide you with all the information about Palenque, so that you can learn about our history, which is also your history, and feel like you belong. at home
Tour Options
Itinerary
This experience begins with a pick-up from your hotel. Our guide will collect you (if your hotel or address is not on the list, let us know, we can pick you up anywhere in Cartagena) and give you all the details of our experience. After a 1.5-hour drive, we will arrive in Palenque where you will be welcomed with a delicious salad of seasonal fruits from the region.
We continue with the historical talk of Palenque, from different points of view, there we learn about the struggle that Africans had in America to regain their freedom and the process of formation of what we now call Palenque, from the main square we will begin our tour of the community; the tour can be done on foot or by vehicle according to your preferences.
Monument to Benkos Bioho, founder of Palenque
In the Palenquero House of Knowledge we'll have the music and dancers presentation, where we will learn about the musical rhythms, traditional dances of Palenque and learn how to play the drums
At Doña Rupe's house, with Ruperta we will learn about the gastronomy of Palenque, and we will also learn how to prepare one of the ancestral recipes of the community.
Patio Sikito: In this place, with local doctors (herbalist), we will learn about plant-based medicine, how they faced the Covid pandemic in Palenque, and the importance of ancestral medicine in keeping the community healthy to this day.
"Kid Pambele" Boxing Gym: Here we learn about Antonio Cervantes Reyes, Colombia's first world boxing champion, and we'll also have a fun boxing class.
At the Masú Tejedor House Museum, we will explore a traditional house built using the same techniques our ancestors used in the creation of Palenque, and we will also learn about the daily activities that take place there.
Lunch time
Time when visitors can shop and support the local economy
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We offer pickup service throughout Cartagena. If your location isn't listed, please contact us; we'd be happy to assist you.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(345)
The tour was memorable! Victor and his family were warm and welcoming! He was very informative and engaging for both adults and children. We learned so much about Palenque and its history. While it was very hot, we were able to sit and travel for portions of the tour on the air conditioned bus. The activities we engaged in during the tour were both exciting and inclusive. Highly recommend!
I highly recommend this family-run tour! We learned so much about Palenque culture and history, and the tour was filled with unforgettable experiences. We had the opportunity to observe and participate in traditional cultural dancing, make native coconut and papaya candy, and learn about Benkos Biohó and the history of the first free African town in the Americas. We also visited a museum and gained a deeper understanding of how the community continues to preserve its traditions, including making medicine out of plants and preparing food by grinding corn and rice with a mallet. The highlight of the tour was enjoying a freshly cooked, authentic Colombian meal prepared by the tour guides sister at their grandmother’s home. We sat together and ate on grandma's porch and truly felt like part of the family. This was much more than a tour—it was an authentic and meaningful immersion into Palenque culture, history, traditions, and community. I highly recommend this tour, run by Victor and his family. Their warmth and hospitality made the experience truly unforgettable!
Our family trip to **Palenque, Colombia 🇨🇴🖤** was an experience we will never forget! From the moment Dani picked us up, everything was well organized and punctual. He started by giving us a great introduction and made the entire experience feel personal and meaningful. Dani is extremely professional, welcoming, and so knowledgeable about **Black history, culture, and the powerful story of Palenque**. As a parent, this experience meant so much to me. My kids barely get the opportunity in school to truly learn about their roots and Black history. Bringing them to Palenque and allowing them to **see, hear, interact, ask questions, and learn from someone who truly knows and understands the history** was TOP TIER for me. 🙌🏾❤️ This wasn’t just another excursion—it was an opportunity for my family to connect with history, culture, and our roots in a way a classroom simply cannot provide. If you’re visiting Cartagena, **please don’t hesitate to book with Dani! Take the time to interact with him, ask questions, and soak in the knowledge. You will leave with so much more than pictures—you’ll leave with a story, a connection, and a deeper appreciation for the history of Palenque 🇨🇴
We are very honored to read your words, thank you very much.
We loved the tour!!! Everything about it was amazing. The food, town, history, and culture were great, but the best part about it were the people. It is a community filled with talented and down to earth individuals that work hard to perserve their traditions and improve their towns conditions. We enjoyed every second of it. Our tour guides Victor and Martin were the best. We definetely recommend everyone to come visit San Basilio de Palenque if they want to enjoy and learn about Black Pride and History in Colombia.
The process was extremely well organized. We received communication from Victor about our pickup and preferences for lunch. When we arrived e we were greeted with music and dance and ate a delicious lunch before going the village and learning about Palenque culture. This was a daily immersive tour and very heartfelt. You can feel the pride, the history, and the resilience in every beat. I’m humbled and honored to have been able to be here and I highly recommend this as a must do experience.
It was a beautiful experience filled with History and culture. Our whole group enjoyed the tour. Our tour guide Sofia was amazing and very attentive and knowledgeable.
This was an excellent tour that I believe anyone visiting Cartagena should experience at least once. Our tour guide Victor was excellent, and encouraged discussion and education throughout the tour
It was a very thorough educational experience, my guide was Victor, and he maintained the experience interactive and an actual discussion from the beginning of the tour till the end, where we learned from each other. I do believe anyone visiting Cartagena should experience this tour at least once.
Sofia was our tour guide and she did an excellent job of explaining the history, and showing us the richness of the culture there. I would recommend to everyone who visits Columbia to RUN and book this tour. It is a must!
The tour was informative, fun, and authentic! We had a great group and the ABSOLUTE BEST guide with Victor! 10/10 recommend!
