San Basilio de Palenque History Tour

Incredible experience with highly knowledgable tour guides. We had a tour of the whole town of Palenque and spoke to locals about what they do. We also saw a performance from the dance school. Sophia our guide was amazing!

Our tour to Palenque was, without a doubt, one of the most meaningful experiences of our trip to Cartagena. It was so much more than a typical excursion—it gave us the opportunity to truly immerse ourselves in the culture, history, and community of Palenque. Our tour guide, Victor, was incredibly personable, welcoming, and extremely knowledgeable. What made the experience especially special was how genuine and personal he made everything feel. He even welcomed us into his family’s home and introduced us to his family, giving us a beautiful glimpse into just how tightly knit and connected their community is. The homemade lunch was absolutely delicious and added another layer to the experience. Everything felt authentic, intentional, and rooted in tradition. Connecting with the history and culture of Palenque—and learning more about the African heritage that is so deeply woven into the community—was incredibly meaningful. There was something powerful about seeing, learning, and experiencing this culture firsthand. We left with a deeper appreciation for the resilience, traditions, history, and sense of community that make Palenque so unique. If you’re visiting Cartagena, I highly recommend stepping away from the beach for a day and taking the time to experience Palenque. You’ll come back with more than just photos—you’ll leave with memories, knowledge, and a genuine connection to an incredible culture and community. Absolutely unforgettable. A must-do experience!

A changed perspective is one of the best things you can walk away with; and that is what I walked away with. A revitalized view of my ancestor’s history, and by extension mine. Palenque felt like a snapshot of history. We saw farmers with their horses and produce, women braiding each other’s hair, we grated coconuts, and spoke with a traditional doctor. But the FOOD, the FOOD was the absolute best part. My heart remained in Colombia. Victor explains things in such a simple and granular way and uses real life and current movies etc. to help you grasp concepts. I highly recommend!

The tour provided a deeper understanding of the struggles, resilience, and determination of the Palenque community. Hearing about their history, traditions, language, music, and cultural heritage made the visit much more than a typical sightseeing excursion. Our guide shared stories that helped bring the past to life and gave us a genuine appreciation for the people and traditions that have been preserved through generations. This was my favorite excursion during my entire trip. Get ready to join the dance troupe after their performance.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Victor was informative and entertaining . The village was welcoming and the food prepared for us was amazing . I would visit again

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!

+6

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 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.