5.0 You have to go

ezanad2023, April 2026

Great tour! Authentic & led by a man who has lived there since birth along with his family. Amazing home cooked meal at the end was the perfect icing! Highly recommend!

5.0 Experience beautiful Cartagena!

szaszap, March 2026

I was so glad that we were able to book several excursions through Cesar. Cesar was very quick in responding, and put an itinerary together for the 4 days that we were in Cartagena. The first day, we got picked up from the airport and brought to our hotel. In the afternoon, Cesar picked us up and we did a city tour of Cartagena. Definitely learned a lot from Cesar. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas was definitely worth seeing. After having visited so many forts, this one definitely was worth seeing. Cesar showed us the different door knockers, and explained their meaning behind it. The following day we went to Volcán de Lodo El Totumo (mud volcano), and we had such an unforgettable time there. Our driver, Fabian and guide Katerine were incredible. We had so much fun with Katerine, and definitely would recommend her as your guide. In the afternoon, we did a city bike tour with Katerine again, and learned so much about beautiful Cartagena. Our last excursion we went to San Basilio de Palenque, and our guide was Victor, a native from Palenque, we learned so much about this African village, and this definitely was worth visiting. If you are planning to go to Cartagena, and wondering what excursions and which tour company to use, we highly recommend Peace Travel Colombia. Cesar is great in putting an itinerary together, and is is always available to talk to you.

5.0 Great tour!

kurtgw, March 2026

Excellent tour that provided a wide-ranging introduction to the life of this community, with examples of cultural performance, a school visit, etc, all explained very well by the tour guide.

5.0 This is the Palenque trip you want to take

jasoncE4626PJ, March 2026

If you’re visiting the Cartagena area, this is the Palenque trip you want to take. Our guide, Victor, who is from Palenque, was incredible. He created space for everyone on the tour to bring their own perspective to the experience while also doing a great job explaining the history of Palenque—from its origins to present day. What made the tour really special were the small touches that helped you feel connected to the community. We were welcomed with a dance performed by young Palenque residents, and there was even an opportunity to step into a boxing ring and learn a few techniques—something that added a fun and authentic cultural element to the visit. Overall, it was a great experience. The trip didn’t feel too long, but it was meaningful enough that you walk away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Palenque and its history. Highly recommend.

5.0 Highlight of my visit to Cartegena

takiiaa2022, January 2026

This was one of THE BEST parts of my trip to Cartegena. It was probably the highlight. Victor was an amazing guide and brought knowledge and humor to us. Thank you to EVERYONE who shared their culture with us from the boxing, candy making, to the dancing! I would HIGHLY recommend this tour.

5.0 Take the tour!

Ambassador774318, December 2025

Had a wonderful time on this tour. Victor and Carlos were very accommodating and helpful. The tour lasted a little longer than expected, but it was still very good and worth the experience.

5.0 History Tour Book It!

Venture58514811290, May 2025

Great history tour with Sofia and the homemade lunch was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS 😋 I'd book this tour again to have that homemade meal again. Book It!

5.0 The best tour company in Cartagena!

Liliana P, March 2025

Cesar and Fabian provided the complete cultural immersion tour during our stay in Cartagena. We visited Palenge and the 5 Islands. We also used their services to take our college kids to airport. They went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed, safe and taken care of. I've used many tour companies for my travels around Colombia and this has been by far the best experience. They will be on my speed dial for our next visit.

5.0 Must do!

Kathryn S, December 2024

Absolutely a 5 out of 5. The tour company, guides, and driver went well above and beyond to deliver excellent communication and service. The tour of Palenque started with gracious hospitality but also a very sobering reminder of how and why the village was established. Every stop in Palenque was entertaining, informative, and underscored the pride the Palenque people. And a great lunch too!

5.0 Anniversary Trip to Cartajena

Amercruiser, September 2023

What a great tour. Catherine was our guide to Palenque and Sophia did the local history tour part. The history of the village was explained and the walking tour was well done. The stops in the village with the explanations were great and the people we met we friendly. Lunch was out of this world.

5.0 Great day

giuliacA8534HW, September 2023

Out guides Catherine and Sofia were fantastic, telling us about Palenque’s history and culture. A very worthwile experience. Highly recommended!

5.0 You NEED to Visit Palenque

Travel572723, August 2023

This tour is a must. Cesar (our tour guide) was funny, informative, and considerate. Whatever we needed during the tour, we got (water, shelter from the sun, food—all of it). We got picked up in a spacious and air conditioned van, and on the way to Palenque, Cesar told us about the city and had amazing food and nightlife recommendations for the rest of our time in Cartagena). Once we got to Palenque, we were met by a tour guide from the town who shared so much about the history, the culture, the music, the food, and their affinity to boxing. We saw a group of young folks perform a few traditional dances, picked up some souvenirs, walked around the town, met an elder who makes candy and pastries (the SWEETEST older auntie who had a few samples for us), and got a quick boxing lesson. Also—food was AMAZING (fish was delicious). Overall, everyone we met was incredibly welcoming and kind. 10/10 recommend this experience.

5.0 Great!

Dp_One7, July 2023

Excellent and informative tour. It really shows the strength of the African diaspora. And very delicious food, best I had in Colombia so far.

5.0 BLM Tour to the first African Colony to be recognized as independent in The Americas after a long struggle for freedom

JemalJ2, June 2023

I don’t think my experience could’ve been any better. Katherine was excellent, very engaging, and knowledgeable guide

5.0 More than excellent.

bonniej936, May 2023

Ruberta the candy lady and sitting with her in her own backyard. Also outstanding was Sophia our Palanque guide. And our excellent guide Catherine was so incredibly wonderful that we will request her for any future tours. And the dancers. Wow.

4.0 So necessary

777marandaw, May 2023

The guides were personable and knowledgeable. The home cooked meal was EXCELLENT. We started late though

5.0 Amazing!

ebonieh480, March 2023

This tour was amazing. The heritage learned was worth it. The food OMG! delicious. The village really showed out!! Thank you to Peace Travel Tours for the wonderful experience. It’s a must do when your in Cartagena.

5.0 An Amazing experience

618niaw, March 2023

This was so amazing, I truly appreciate this experience. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and relatable. They were very nice and accommodating. It was a great lesson especially as a black woman and seeing people in South America cherish their black roots and our ancestors. The food was the best food and so was the lemonade. This was honestly the best part of my trip. The performances were also amazing!

4.0 Great tour but expensive

Ingrid P, March 2023

The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and Inlearned more about the history of slavery in one day than an entire k-12 education afforded me. What an amazing story of personal strength and the value of community. It was truly inspiring. I would have preferred if the price was lower or the tips included because there were so many stops with tip requests and it felt a little uncomfortable as I was not equipped to pay this extra. I would have preferred to be told that a percentage of the proceeds went directly to the dancers, musicians, athletes, medicine man and cook.

5.0 Do not miss this experience!

nattyskitchen, March 2023

This visit is something I will share for a long time to come. The experience began with our guide coming to get us from the doorstep of our hotel, which was very convenient. The ride was a little over an hour from where we were staying. The driver stopped and allowed us to pick up breakfast and snacks and use the restroom before the journey began. Our tour guide Victor was very charming and had so much pride in his community. Victor was also very knowledgeable and open to any questions. The community of Palenque has a rich history, and there is so much to learn about the people of Palenque. We experienced the culture through music, religion, medicine, and food. The community had plenty of artwork, food, and crafts for purchase. Be sure to bring cash to support the community and tip the performers! Please experience it for yourself.

5.0 Love Palenque!

221colleend, February 2023

I’m so glad I did this tour during my trip to Cartagena! The village is amazing - the lovely people, the food (omg), the music and dancing, the natural medicine, everything. Víctor was a wonderful guide! I learned so much about the history and culture of Palenque - it was very impactful. I also loved that it was so experiential. I highly recommend it!

5.0 Palenque was AMAZING!

OnAir15985177774, February 2023

The highlight of my trip to Cartegena! The history. The people. The music. The dancing. The culture. The food. Truly fantastic experience!

5.0 Hidden Treasure

TeamPassport, February 2023

Beautiful and educational experience. Caesar was knowledgeable and friendly. Sophia was pleasant and patient while she shared the history of Palenque. Oh and the food...muy delicioso lol The people of Palenque were warm and accommodating.

5.0 Our visit to Palenque

400charliew, January 2023

A fascinating tour of a proud and resilient community. Sophie, our guide, was both informed and personable as she steered us through the history and traditions of the Palenque, which included a music & dance performance and boxing lessons. The homemade lunch was fantastic. Also, we had an awesome driver, Katherine, who made the almost 2-hour drive fun. Would definitely recommend the tour.

5.0 Important Learning

nereobonomo, January 2023

This was such an important learning experience and yet also hard to digest when you are amongst the people who are direct descents of the slaves. We were fortunate to have Victor as our guide. He was very knowledgeable and so kind. Well done, Victor.

5.0 Great Tour Guide

adondevastravel, December 2022

Cesar is an amazing guide who makes your trip very personal and meaningful. He took us to Palenque and made sure we really felt the culture. On our way there we also stopped to get arepas! I highly recommend Peace Travels for any tours in Cartagena, Cesar makes sure the trip is made just for you an is very accomodating.

5.0 Palenque gave me a new meaning of life..

486jasmynr, December 2022

Literally have no words to describe this tour! I am still in awe at how awesome this tour was. I had the honor learning about palenque history, partaking in the dances, and eating the most amazing food ever! My tour guide Victor was the sweetest and in tune with his roots. The people of Palenque are truly the sweetest!

5.0 Amazing

nicgorn, December 2022

Cesar and all of his group were incredible. This day tour was such an incredible experience start to finish. Do not miss this experience.

5.0 Amazing experience

Passenger465485, December 2022

My family and I really enjoyed this entire experience. I don’t even want to call it just a tour as it was a truly memorable experience and day. You start with Cesar providing insights and history in the ride to Palenque. In Palenque, you have a cultural, historical, interactive experience and truly feel the warmth and welcome. The history of Palenque and the people is a source of pride and should be told everywhere. A highlight for me was making cocadas with the Queen herself. It wasn’t just a tour, it’s interactive, welcoming, experience that warmed our minds, hearts, souls and left us feeling so fulfilled. Thank you for such an amazing experience.

5.0 THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

MarinitoP, December 2022

I live in the U.S. but I was born and raised in Colombia, and this is a part of history of my country that I am absolutely thankful I got to experience! First I must point out the van ride was safe and comfortable, but with César riding along the trip felt like 15 minutes. Once we were there one of the community leaders met us and guided us through the town. He took us to key spots in Palenque and had us meet some people that received us with open arms and had incredible stories. But to me the more powerful moment of the tour for me was the drum and dance show at the middle of the tour. It was an exhibition of the Palenque culture that gave me an even stronger connection to my roots as a Colombian. This is THE tour to take to experience and learn about such an important part of world history.

5.0 Top 1% Tour Guide

petem319, October 2022

We have traveled the world, experienced different English speaking guides, and experienced different types of tours. Without question César ranks in the top 1% of all guides. He customized our tour to see what we asked and provided a cultural and historical perspective that enriched our understanding of Colombia. He speaks nearly flawless English. His detailed planning, knowledge of the local area, and willingness to make adjustments to the itinerary on the fly resulted in a tour experience second to none. We strongly recommend César to anyone planning on a visit to Cartagena.

5.0 Exceptional Experience

msashliej, June 2022

Cesar's clear and consistent communication leading up to our arrival was reassuring and let me know we would be in good hands with him as our guide. He greeted us with a warm welcome - very personable. He communicated through WhatsApp every step of the way, respected our time (actually arriving early), was extremely knowledgeable, and gave us great tips for our time in Cartagena. In addition to serving as our guide for the the Tour to San Basilio de Palenque, Cesar made other arrangements for us as well. He sorted out details in a way that we would not have known/been able to, and his attention to details facilitated personalized experiences that met and exceeded the needs of my family. My parents are still raving about how amazing he was!

5.0 5 star tour

dawniaw1986, April 2022

What an amazing tour! Cesar was such a great tour guide. He was knowledgeable and made us feel safe the entire time. I learned and saw so much on the tour. What an experience! The dancers were lively, we had a great time dancing with them and the food was so good I had seconds.

5.0 So much history and wonderful people

jessehS4794YJ, March 2022

This is a must do tour. Cesar explained so much on our way there. Victor (not sure on spelling) was our local guide and he gave us so much information on the history. I had sun poisoning just starting and they were patient with me needing to get out of the sun often. My husband, Jesse, and I were the only people on the tour and I feel like we got to ask more questions than if there were others. What we learned just made us want to research and learn more. The people were all nice. The dancing was incredible. There were so many good things that I can't mention them all. The guides were both the standouts though. They were so kind and we both learned so much while we were there. I highly recommend taking this tour if you're in Cartagena. I may have looked miserable and super red while I was there, but I promise that I had a great time and loved it.

5.0 Wonderful Experience!

katrey818, October 2021

Our visit to Palanque was a wonderful and beautiful experience. We walked through their community and met and communicated with some of the locals, who are very welcoming. Cesar and the local tour guides of Palenque were very informative and very passionate in telling us about their culture , story and history. We were amazed by the dances that was performed for us as well. Also the food they prepared was delicious! We appreciated every moment. My husband and I enjoyed every minute! Thank you Cesar for this experience!

5.0 Phenomenal Service

KrystalRS385, September 2019

The Palenque Tour was wonderfully enriching. A great mixture of History and current lifestyle & community. The people were very welcoming and gracious to our presence. We very much enjoyed the cultural dancing and the food! Cesar Rida was a phenomenal host from the planning & implementation of the tour to his patience and the safe and comfortable travel to & from our accommodations.