Tour operator

1. Diving Planet

Dive centre and snorkelling tripsSan Diego

A PADI 5 Star dive centre on the Plaza de San Diego running dive and snorkelling trips to the coral reefs of the Rosario Islands national park.

View details — Diving Planet

Tour operator

2. Real City Tours

Walking and food toursCentro

A Medellín family-run tour company whose tip-based Free Walking Tour of the city centre has run twice daily since 2013, alongside food, fruit and neighbourhood tours.

View details — Real City Tours

Tour operator

3. Bendita Beach

Private boat toursIslas del Rosario

A Cartagena boat company with its own fleet, offering private day trips to the Rosario Islands and night tours of the Bay of Cartagena.

View details — Bendita Beach

Tour operator

4. Casa Kolacho Graffitour

Community-led graffiti and hip-hop tourComuna 13 (San Javier)

The Comuna 13 graffiti tour run since 2011 by Casa Kolacho, the hip-hop collective whose tour income funds a free hip-hop school for young people in the district.

View details — Casa Kolacho Graffitour

Tour operator

5. Ecotours Boquilla

Mangrove canoe and fishing toursLa Boquilla

A community-run outfit in La Boquilla offering canoe trips through mangrove tunnels, birdwatching and traditional fishing with local fishermen.

View details — Ecotours Boquilla

Tour operator

6. Secret Food Tours Medellín

Food tourEl Poblado

A three-hour walking food tour of El Poblado with five tasting stops, from patacones and bandeja paisa to arepa de chócolo, ending with coffee at Pergamino.

View details — Secret Food Tours Medellín

Tour operator

7. Beyond Colombia

Free walking tours and day tripsCiudad Amurallada

A Colombian tour company running a daily pay-what-you-want walking tour of the walled city, plus day trips to the Rosario Islands and San Basilio de Palenque.

View details — Beyond Colombia

Tour operator

8. DanceFree Salsa School

Salsa and dance classesEl Poblado

A Medellín dance school teaching salsa, bachata and more since 2011, with daily private lessons, evening group classes, socials and language-exchange nights.

View details — DanceFree Salsa School

Tour operator

9. Parque Arví Guided Hikes and Bike Tours

Guided nature hikes and cycling toursSanta Elena

Guided walks, bike rides, birdwatching and night tours in Parque Arví, run by the non-profit Corporación Parque Arví above Medellín and reached by Metrocable.

View details — Parque Arví Guided Hikes and Bike Tours

Tour operator

10. Secret Food Tours Cartagena

Food tourCiudad Amurallada

A three-hour walking food tour of the walled city with five stops and Caribbean classics such as arepas de huevo, carimañolas and patacones.

View details — Secret Food Tours Cartagena