Cartagena Food Tours
unique experience in Cartagena with La Mesa gastronomic tours
Cartagena street food tour
A walk through magical realism – with amazing food!
- From Monday to sunday
- Min 2 travelers
- Starts at 9:30 or 16:00
- 7 stops
- 3 hours
- Exotic fruits
- Arepa de huevo
- And more caribbean flavors!
- $68 USD per adult - Open groups
- $35 USD per child from age 6 to 8 (under age 6 are free)
Taste the best flavors of Cartagena through the colorful streets of Colombia’s colonial gem while exploring the amazing cultural and historical sights this city has to offer. Discover a side of Cartagena most tourists just don’t see as we wander through the walled city and beyond. We have selected 7 stops to highlight the Caribbean flavors of Colombia, including treats such as carimañolas, arepa de huevo, and a sampling of exotic fruits and beverages that can only be found on the coast. You will enjoy an interactive adventure filled with Colombian culture, customs, cuisine, and fun!
Cartagena foodie dream tour
A glam dinner a fun night!
- Everyday under booking
- For groups of 4 people or more
- Starts at 18:00
- 3 restaurants
- 3 hours
- $150 USD per person
Cartagena is known for its incredible culinary scene, but with all the restaurants to choose from it can be difficult to find that perfect little spot. Don’t worry, we’ve done all the work for you! Come join us to discover hidden treasures as we explore both the historical and gastronomic sides of this magical colonial city. You will start the evening sipping small batch Colombian rums paired with complimentary bites, sample an infused rum cocktail, and learn about the rum making process from barrel to bottle. Then we will visit two of the city’s top restaurants, to taste a variety of dishes highlighting Caribbean Colombian flavors, paired with our suggested cocktail, wine or beer. Throughout the evening, our gastronomic guide will chat about local flavors and ingredients and you will learn the stories behind the food and people of Cartagena. After the tour, you can stroll through the streets of Cartagena taking in this city of magical realism.
Explore Bazurto market
Come with us and discover a feast for the senses
- Everyday under booking
- Min 2 people
- Transportation one way from historical center
- Starts at 9:00
- 2 hours
- 6 tastings
- Drinks
- $68 USD per person
An immersion through the chaotic market of Cartagena, where you visit the most popular food spots and delight yourself with unique Caribbean flavors, such as the famous seafood rice dishes that Anthony Bourdain was also eating. Remember that it is a messy market, which has many social contrasts, we are interested in seeing another side of Cartagena and understanding the gastronomic culture around this space.
Bazurto Market + Cooking Class
Come with us and discover a feast for the senses and take a cooking class with tradicional cooks
- Everyday under booking
- Min 2 people
- Starts at 9:00
- 4 hours
- Transportation from meeting point
- $140 USD per adult
- If you want only the cooking class please send as a request
We begin our journey, exploring the chaotic Bazurto market, getting to know and trying some of the most representative flavors of Caribbean cuisine and its importance.
Later we enjoy a interactive class where the participants work hand in hand with the chef and learn about ingredients and traditional recipes from Colombian Caribbean Coast.
A two-hour cooking experience where you will learn recipes with coconut, the famous Caribbean fries pastries (Carimañola, bueñuelos) and much more!
FAQs
Are the tours private?
The prices you see on the page are for open groups, it is possible other people join to your tour. However, our local experts leads small groups for a highly personalized experiences.
If you request a date without open groups or prefer a private tour, an additional fee will apply.
When should I book my tour?
Due to the popularity of our tours we strongly suggest that you book well in advance. No less than two weeks is recommended to ensure you get the tour and time you want. We do not have open groups every day, so please check our availability in advance and inquire about the possibility of private tours. We do not accept last-minute bookings.
Check out our destinations: Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena and book your tour in our web page.
Is transportation included?
Transportation is not included in the prices, except for the Coffee Farm Experience and Comuna 13 tour in Medellín, and the Bazurto Market tour in Cartagena. These tours depart from designated meeting points, and we cover the cost of public transportation to the specific places. Once you book your tour online, you will receive an email from us with logistical information, including the meeting point. Our meeting points are in public areas that are easily accessible by foot, public transportation, or taxi/Uber.
If I have to cancel my tour will I be reimbursed?
If you cancel 10 days or more before the day of the tour there will be no cancellation fee and we will send you a 100% refund. If you cancel between 9 and 4 days before the start of the tour there will be a 20% cancellation fee. For cancellations 3 days or less before the day of the tour there is a 100% cancellation fee as it is very difficult to find replacements for the tour at such short notice.
What if I miss my tour?
No shows are not reimbursed or rescheduled. When you book your tour, we immediately begin making arrangements for the tour. These costs are not recoverable and there are certain expenses associated with no show tours, such as paying our tour guide.
What do I need to do yo reserve my spot on a tour?
Just decide which food tour and date you want to experience, and contacting us through the form in Bogotá, Medellín or Cartagena. We request 100% payment in order to hold a specific date and tour. Once we receive your payment, we will send you additional details about the logistics of the tour such as where we will be meeting on the day of your tour.
How much food is served on the food tours?
La Mesa Food Tours provide enough food and drink that for most of our guests a meal afterwards is definitely not necessary. With the combination of drink and food tastings along with breaks for cultural and historical insights, most people are comfortably full after our food tours.
What happens if it is raining on the day of our tour?
Tours will be held rain or shine. Don’t worry, our tours are designed to be a rich and wonderful experience even if the weather is less than perfect. Food can be enjoyed in any weather! We do highly suggest you take a look at the forecast and bring along an umbrella or raincoat if needed. Weather can change fast, so even if it looks sunny outside it might be good to come prepared for rain just in case.
How much walking is involved? Are tours fast-paced or leisurely?
Our tours vary in the amount of walking that is done by the group depending on the tour selected. In general, tours last between 3 to 4 hours, and participants can expect to be standing or walking for a good portion of the time. We walk at a moderate pace and also provide opportunities to sit-down and rest for any long walking periods.
If I want a private tour it is possible? Has an extra cost?
We can privatize your group if there are 4 or more people and keep the regular price. If there are less than 4 people, we will charge an additional fee to close the other spots and run the tour just for you.
Will you do tours for just one person?
We are not able to offer a food tour for just one person with regular price. If you are booking one spot on a tour, please do so and then as long as other people book we will go ahead with the tour. If no one else books on that day, you can pay for two spots and we will run the tour just for you.
What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?
Please reach out to us and let us know if you (or anyone in your group) has a dietary restriction (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic, allergy, etc.). If you have questions, just send us a quick message and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. For vegetarians, we highly suggest the Foodie Dream tour, anyways we can adjust any tour for vegetarians for vegans is not possible. It’s a ton of fun and a ton of delicious food, and is easier to find veggie options than on the Street Food Tour.
Does the tour group leader accept gratuities at the end of the tour?
Gratuities are greatly appreciated, although certainly not mandatory. The standard gratuity in the service industry here is 10%-15%. If you feel your tour leader did an excellent job and you enjoyed your time on the tour, please feel free to show your appreciation.
Can I book a private event for my company or family?
Yes, La Mesa has private events that are customized for your group or corporate event. All of our tours are available as well as additional options according to what you want to see and do. To learn more or to go ahead and set up your tour, please send us an email to [email protected] with your request. A member of La Mesa’s staff will respond within 24 hours and work with you to put together the tour you want.
Do Private Events follow the same terms as other tours?
Due to the large amount of time and commitment involved in creating the Private Events, deposits and payments are non-refundable and tours cannot be rescheduled.
Terms & Conditions
La Mesa Food Tours does not assume liability for any accidents, delays, injuries, loss or damage due to any act or default of any company, organization, or person engaged in rendering services or carrying out arrangements during food tours.
We reserve the right to remove anyone from a tour for harassment of a tour guide or staff of any of the establishments we visit, abuse of alcohol, or the use of drugs of any kind on the tour.