San Basilio de Palenque History Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. 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.

   30 min

2. 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.

   1 h

3. Monument to Benkos Bioho, founder of Palenque

   10 min

4. 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

   40 min

5. 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.

   30 min

6. 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.

   30 min

7. "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.

   30 min

8. 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.

   40 min

9. Lunch time

   1 hAdmission included

10. Time when visitors can shop and support the local economy

    20 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 348 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Kumo Kusa Ta?

  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.

  Sandra_SSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5I thoroughly enjoyed the...

  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

  Jenaisha_WAugust 2026via Viator

• 5Family Trip

  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!

  Jessica_MAugust 2026via Viator

• 5Phenomenal Cultural Experience

  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!

  Leslie_FAugust 2026via Viator

• 5More Than a Tour—An Experience I Highly Recommend 🖤

  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 🇨🇴

  Shirley_CAugust 2026via Viator

• 5Beautiful History and Community

  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.

  Daniel_LAugust 2026via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in Cartagena

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 316 day trips we list in Cartagena.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 14 of 316.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Cartagena

Cartagena, on Colombia's Caribbean coast, is a walled colonial port of flower-draped balconies, colourful plazas and warm, music-filled evenings.

The walled old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of cobbled streets and squares lined with pastel houses, churches and bougainvillea. The Clock Tower gate leads into Plaza de los Coches, and the cathedral, the Church of San Pedro Claver and the Palace of the Inquisition are all within a few blocks. Walking the thick ramparts at sunset is a local ritual.

Top-ranked sights in Cartagena: Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario), Old Town Cartagena, Santo Domingo Church (Iglesia de Santo Domingo).

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