Beyond Colombia

Beyond Colombia is a Colombian tour company, registered as Beyond Colombia BC SAS with its head office in Bogotá, that runs a busy programme of tours in Cartagena. Its best-known product in the city is a pay-what-you-want walking tour of the walled city, which it has been guiding since 2019, and it also runs day trips from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands and to San Basilio de Palenque.

The walking tour lasts around two and a quarter to two and a half hours and has 12 stops. The route starts at the Torre del Reloj, the historic entrance to the city, and continues to the Plaza de la Aduana, once the centre of colonial trade, the Plaza de Bolívar and the Palacio de la Inquisición, the San Pedro Claver area and the walls, with their bastions and cannon viewpoints. Guides speak English and Spanish, and the group uses wireless audio receivers, which makes it easier to hear in busy streets.

There are two meeting points. From Monday to Friday, the 10:00 tour meets at the Plaza de la Proclamación, next to the statue of the Pope; the 16:00 tour on weekdays and all weekend tours meet on the Plaza de Santo Domingo, next to Botero's statue known as Gertrudis. Arrive five minutes early, as the group walks two blocks to the start.

The tour is free to join and you pay what you think it was worth at the end; GuruWalk, where it is booked, suggests a contribution and notes that payment is in cash only. It is not suitable for people with reduced mobility, and the audio system is not suitable for children under 15. It is a good first-day activity for independent travellers who want an overview of the old town before visiting the museums.

For longer outings, the company lists daily group tours to five islands in the Rosario archipelago, leaving at 07:30, a beach day at the Rosario Islands with an open bar, also at 07:30, and a day trip at 08:00 to the town of San Basilio de Palenque. Bookings and questions can go to [email protected] or +57 322 898 8557, and the company's tourism registration number is RNT 49047.