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Secret Food Tours Cartagena
A three-hour walking food tour of the walled city with five stops and Caribbean classics such as arepas de huevo, carimañolas and patacones.
At a glance
- Type
- Food tour
- Area
- Ciudad Amurallada, Cartagena, Colombia
- Official site
- secretfoodtours.com
Good to know
- Small groups (max 14)
- English-speaking guide
- Five food stops
- Drinks upgrade
Why we recommend it
Secret Food Tours runs a three-hour walking food tour of Cartagena's walled city, part of an international brand of food tours founded in 2013. It is a straightforward way to try the everyday dishes of the Caribbean coast in one go, with a guide to explain what you are eating and where it comes from.
The tour meets at the Museum of Cartagena de Indias on the Plaza de Bolívar, the historical museum in the Palacio de la Inquisición, where the guide waits with an orange umbrella. It finishes in San Diego, at the Institución Universitaria Bellas Artes y Ciencias de Bolívar on Carrera 9. Along the way there are five stops and about 45 minutes of walking in total, so the pace is gentle.
The tasting list reads like a guide to Cartagena street food. It includes jugo de limón, arepas de huevo, carimañola filled with meat, a shrimp cocktail, pan de bono, Kola Román, patacones and a rice dish with shrimp, plus a secret dish revealed only on the day. Guests aged 18 and over with valid ID can add a drinks upgrade. Groups are capped at 14 people, and the tour is conducted in English; larger groups can contact the company by email to ask about special arrangements.
Tours run every day at 12:00 and 16:00. The midday departure suits those who want the tour to be lunch, while the afternoon one works as an early dinner before an evening in the old town. It suits first-time visitors, families with older children and solo travellers who want company, and it is a useful introduction before you explore restaurants such as La Cocina de Pepina or La Cevichería on your own.
Book online through the company's website, where the current price and the full menu are shown. Contact is through the website and a WhatsApp line. Tell the company about allergies or dietary restrictions when booking, as several of the dishes contain egg or seafood. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sun protection for the walking sections. The meeting point is easy to find in the centre of the walled city, next to the Museo del Oro Zenú and the cathedral.
Secret Food Tours Cartagena FAQs
Where does the Secret Food Tours Cartagena tour meet?
At the Museum of Cartagena de Indias on the Plaza de Bolívar. Look for the guide with an orange umbrella.
How long is the tour?
About three hours, with roughly 45 minutes of walking.
What times does it run?
Daily at 12:00 and 16:00.
What will I eat?
Dishes such as arepas de huevo, carimañola, patacones, pan de bono and a shrimp cocktail, plus a secret dish.
How big are the groups?
A maximum of 14 people.
Is alcohol included?
A drinks upgrade is available for guests aged 18 and over with valid ID.
Where does it finish?
At the Bellas Artes institution on Carrera 9 in San Diego.
What language is the tour in?
English.