Tour operator
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Ecotours Boquilla
A community-run outfit in La Boquilla offering canoe trips through mangrove tunnels, birdwatching and traditional fishing with local fishermen.
At a glance
- Type
- Mangrove canoe and fishing tours
- Area
- La Boquilla, Cartagena, Colombia
Good to know
- Canoe trips
- Birdwatching
- Traditional fishing
- Community tourism
Why we recommend it
Ecotours Boquilla takes visitors into the mangroves around La Boquilla, a fishing village on the northern edge of Cartagena, about 15 to 20 minutes by taxi from the walled city. La Boquilla is a mainly Afro-Colombian fishing community, and tours here are designed to give visitors a glimpse of local life while bringing income to families whose traditions are under pressure from the city's expansion, according to Tourism Cares, which has featured mangrove and fishing trips with the community.
The classic trip is a canoe ride of about 90 minutes through narrow tunnels of mangroves, with a local guide explaining the three species of mangrove that grow here and the role of the ecosystem. The lagoons, the Ciénaga de Juan Polo and the Ciénaga de la Virgen, are rich in birdlife: Cartagena Explorer, which took the tour in 2024, mentions herons, kingfishers, cormorants and boobies. In the Ciénaga de Juan Polo the water is only about shin-deep, and visitors can step into the mud and watch local fishermen gathering snails.
Optional extras include a stop at the Isla del Pescador, crabbing with traps, net fishing and longer packages with lunch or music and dance. Tourism Cares describes fishing demonstrations using three methods, line, net and trap, with catches such as robalo, sábalo and mojarra, as well as clams, shrimp and crayfish in the lagoons. Cartagena Explorer's trip ended with a fresh coconut.
The tour suits birdwatchers, families and anyone curious about life beyond the old town. Bring a good hat, sunscreen, water and a camera, and wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy. Some Spanish is useful: when Cartagena Explorer booked directly by WhatsApp, the guide did not speak English and payment was in cash, and the operator could be slow to reply. Bilingual options are also sold through larger booking platforms and agencies.
The meeting point is at the far end of La Boquilla, where the road ends on the beach and buses drive onto the sand; look for the dock with a mural, which some taxi drivers find hard to locate. Cartagena Explorer's writer set off early in the morning by taxi and afterwards walked back along the beach; for lunch, the same guide recommends El Pescador de mi Tierra for fish soup and fried fish, with the advice to confirm prices before ordering.
Ecotours Boquilla FAQs
Where do Ecotours Boquilla tours start?
At the far end of La Boquilla, where the road ends on the beach, at a dock with a mural.
How long is the mangrove tour?
The standard canoe tour lasts about 90 minutes.
What will I see?
Mangrove tunnels, three species of mangrove and birds such as herons, kingfishers and cormorants.
Can I try fishing?
Yes, optional extras include net fishing and crabbing with traps.
Do the guides speak English?
Not always. Cartagena Explorer's guide spoke only Spanish, so book a bilingual option if needed.
How do I pay?
Direct bookings by WhatsApp were paid in cash, according to Cartagena Explorer.
How far is La Boquilla from the old town?
About 15 to 20 minutes by taxi from the walled city.
What should I bring?
A hat, sunscreen, water and a camera.