TOUR GUIDE IN CARTAGENA

A fantastic journey What a wonderful experience during our walking tour of the city of Cartagena. It was most informative, with cultural... read moreWhat a wonderful experience during our walking tour of the city of Cartagena. It was most informative, with cultural and historical notes, such as, people, their customs and various art forms that makes traveling noteworthy. I am most appreciative that my daughter, Natalie, selected your services. Your guided tour was exciting, colorful and full of historical data. Given the opportunity, I will return and use your services again. read less

Getting to see Cartegena with a true cultural ambassador! Marevly provided my wife and I, as part of a small tour group, a unique and rewarding perspective of Columbian... read moreMarevly provided my wife and I, as part of a small tour group, a unique and rewarding perspective of Columbian culture steeped in Cartegena. She was very knowledgeable and attentive to the interests and questions of the group. She was very sensitive to the fact that we were from a cruise ship and had to be back to meet the ship before departure. A first class operation. If you do want to use her services, book as soon as you can! read less

Tour in Cartagena with Marelvy We were a group of 20 traveling on the Coral Princess which stopped in Cartagena. I had booked Marelvy... read moreWe were a group of 20 traveling on the Coral Princess which stopped in Cartagena. I had booked Marelvy as a guide for our group for the day. Her tour of the area was great. Marelvy is very knowledgeable and provided us with a great overview of the area as well as a walking tour of the Old City. She was always prompt with answering any questions via email prior to our tour, and had great instructions for finding her as we got off the ship to begin our tour. I would highly recommend her as a guide for anyone interested in an interesting and informative tour of the area.

Thanks Marelvy for a great day! read less

Outstanding Marelvy and her tour are wonderful and add so much to one's appreciation of Cartagena. We cannot recommend more highly.

Most informative tour guide We toured with Marelvy and our experience was exceptional. In my opinion, you could not find a guide with... read moreWe toured with Marelvy and our experience was exceptional. In my opinion, you could not find a guide with more knowledge of the history of her country. Her personality is engaging and we enjoyed our tour so much we plan to visit Cartegena again and again. read less

The best in Cartagena Thanks Mareivy, we had a great time in Cartagena. She is knowledge and she told us a lot about Cartagena,... read moreThanks Mareivy, we had a great time in Cartagena. She is knowledge and she told us a lot about Cartagena, its history and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. She also bought us to a very nice local restaurant.

Also, thanks for her poster, a great painting drawn by her husband. We found the poster posted in other restaurants and we then realized her husband is a famous painter. It is the best souvenir I've got innColumbia. read less

Cartagena...It's imposible not to fall in love with this seductive colombian colourful city!! Forgget the postcards!! Either you want a familly holiday, a cultural historical magnificent and very well preserved city, full of life, colour, smiles,... read moreEither you want a familly holiday, a cultural historical magnificent and very well preserved city, full of life, colour, smiles, music, local fruits and food, .Either you want romance and for sure these narrow colourfull houses and its wooden carved marvellous balconies with so many flowers that will make stop, again and again in every corner of that old city, you wont regret to stop by and visit for 3 to 5 days this CHARMING postcard and one of the "newest fashionable destinations" in the world.You have Central/South America culture, the caribean sea, an extremelly friendly population, a safe city were you can wall day or night.But do not stop next to the Torre del Reloj. Cartagena its much than the "must see places".You wont regret! read less

Fun, warm and informative My wife and I were greeted with a warm smile and hug from Marelvy She shared with us both... read moreMy wife and I were greeted with a warm smile and hug from Marelvy She shared with us both the history of Cartagena and present day life. We were impressed with her deep knowlege and enthusiasm as she unfolded the tales, facts and observations of this unique city. And we laughed together a lot. It will be one of the special memories we keep of this place. My wife and I highly recommend touring Cartegena with Marelvy. read less

A tour of Cartagena with Marelvy Peña-Hall We booked Marelvy solely on the basis of the many positive reviews on TripAdvisor. The reviews were absolute right. She... read moreWe booked Marelvy solely on the basis of the many positive reviews on TripAdvisor. The reviews were absolute right. She is outstanding and a delightful lady.

She met us on time, together with an air-conditioned car (so useful on such a hot day )and very polite driver. We began by walking around the Old Town. Marelvy has a deep love of Cartagena which shows in the knowledge both historical and political that she shared with us. All along the way people stopped to greet her- she is a very popular figure. We saw all the expected sites and drove up to La Popa as well as stopping at the Emerald Factory which is on everyone’s recommended list to visit and not a typical tour-guide tourist trap. The 4 hours overran but she didn’t mind at all. In our view the fee of $180 dollars (to include car , driver and entrance fees) was perfectly reasonable and well-earned. Highly recommended. read less

Small Group Experience As the owner of a boutique tour company, we travel all over the world and experience dozens of guides on... read moreAs the owner of a boutique tour company, we travel all over the world and experience dozens of guides on a single tour. Marelvy is in the 1% club, the type of guide that is everything you want from a guide. Knowledgeable, warm, enthusiastic and tireless in her effort to make it a great tour. We started communication almost 12 months out as with most tours, she always responded quickly and with suggestions and guidance where needed. We had 25 with us on this visit and she made an impression with everyone over the course of the 4 hour tour. If you are visiting Cartagena whether with a group or just a couple, have no worries, you will be in great hand! read less

Great Tour with Marelvy We booked this tour when we were going on a Panama Canal cruise in November 2014. Marelvy responded quickly... read moreWe booked this tour when we were going on a Panama Canal cruise in November 2014. Marelvy responded quickly to all my emails and gave me all the information we needed to meet up with her. Two other couples joined us from our ship as I had posted on the roll call about this tour. Marelvy is very passionate about her city and it showed through. She took us to all the "highlight" areas and I especially loved La Popa and the old city. She was very informative, relaxed and friendly (she greeted us with a hug). I would recommend going with a tour because the city is very busy and hard to get around. We had an air conditioned van which was very welcome because of the high temperatures. Marelvy made the tour very personal and we felt like "old friends" by the end. She gave us tips on dealing with the street vendors (there were more here than any place I've been and all selling the same things) and advice about the best stores for particular items and what would be the best dessert from the local bakery, etc Paying with US cash at the end was a bonus.It was a great tour! I highly recommend Marelvy! read less

High Points of the City Tour.....Excellent!! We visited Cartegena on the Celebrity Equinox. We actually had an overnight stop. Our tour with Marelvy was fantastic!... read moreWe visited Cartegena on the Celebrity Equinox. We actually had an overnight stop. Our tour with Marelvy was fantastic! She met us on the pier at 2:00 for a 4-5 hr tour. We were a group of 16 from the ship. All of us made our reservations independently on line. We boarded a very comfy air conditioned bus, which was wonderful because it was very hot outside! Our first stop would be LaPopa. Marelvy was very informative and gave us a lot of local history and information throughout the tour. She gave us each a poster that had artwork done by her husband. Beautiful!

The view from LaPopa was gorgeous and the monastery was very interesting. We were there about 30 minutes and then boarded the bus and headed to the Fortress of San Felipe for a few photos. We did not enter the fort....which was good because it was so hot! Next we entered the Old Walled City! What a wonderful place. Beautiful! We walked around the Walled City for about an hour or so. Marelvy continually gave us great information and history. We entered several churches, which were amazing. We passed a lot of street vendors who had lovely items for sale and who were not overly aggressive.

We also, toured an Emerald museum.

We then boarded the bus and toured through some of the more modern areas.

My husband and I wanted to stay in the Walled City and not return to the ship because we wanted to have dinner off of the ship. Marelvy was so helpful giving us a great recommendation for dinner.

Our tour with Marelvy was fantastic and we would definitely do again. We loved Cartegena!! read less

Beautiful Easter Sunday!!! Unfortunately, Marelvy was already booked but she very graciously arranged for a tour with the wonderful Katty. This tour was... read moreUnfortunately, Marelvy was already booked but she very graciously arranged for a tour with the wonderful Katty. This tour was better than any cruise tour could be! Katty helped us make the most of our few hours in Cartagena. Marelvy and Katty are both so warm, accommodating and knowledgeable. You couldn't ask for better hosts. read less

Thank you, Merci, Gracias Marelvy....! I went to Cartagena for celebrating my weeding with 19 Belgian friends and relatives. I contacted Marelvy after reading the... read moreI went to Cartagena for celebrating my weeding with 19 Belgian friends and relatives. I contacted Marelvy after reading the very positive comments in Trip Advisor. We did 2 tours with her: the 2 hours Walking-Tour in the walled city and the 4 hours Bus-Tour visiting the San Felipe Castle and the Popa convent. As a Colombian who has already visited many times all these places I must say that she does an excellent work; I learned many new things with her. Marelvy is a very professional guide with a lot of knowledge about the city, history and culture. If you are reading this comment, do not hesitate anymore just call her; she is very nice. Besides, if you only have a little time for visiting Cartagena her tour will provide you a very nice overview of the city history, architecture, life, culture, tips, etc...

Je suis allé à Cartagena pour célébrer mon mariage avec 19 amis et famille belges. J'ai contacté Marelvy après avoir lu les commentaires très positifs sur Trip Advisor. Nous avons fait 2 tours en français avec elle: la balade dans la ville fortifiée (2 heures) et le Tour en Bus (4 heures) pour visiter le château de San Felipe et le couvent de la Popa, entre autres. Comme Colombien qui a déjà visité de nombreuses fois tous ces endroits, je dois dire qu'elle fait un excellent travail, j'ai appris beaucoup de nouvelles choses avec elle. Marelvy est un guide très professionnel avec beaucoup de connaissances sur la ville, l'histoire et la culture. Si vous lisez ce commentaire, n'hésitez plus pour l'appeler, elle est très agréable. D'ailleurs, si vous avez seulement un peu de temps pour visiter Cartagena ses tours vous donnera un aperçu global sur la ville, histoire, l'architecture, la vie, la culture, astuces, etc .. read less

Intelligent/insightful intelligent/insightful look into the history, culture and goings-on in Columbia Marelvy Pena offers an intelligent/insightful look into the history, culture and goings-on in Columbia, particulary Cartagena. She takes you... read moreMarelvy Pena offers an intelligent/insightful look into the history, culture and goings-on in Columbia, particulary Cartagena. She takes you through the city and explains the extraordinary transformations that are occurring in this country that was once thought of as a haven for drugs. After our tour of Cartagena, we came away with a deep appreciation of the country and its people. Marelvy is truly a joy.From the moment Marelvy met us with a big hug, we knew that we were in good hands. She went out of her way to find a wonderful restaurant for us that would accommodate us even though we wanted to eat when it is normally closed. We recommend her highly. read less

EXCELLENT TOUR GUIDE Marelvy Peña is an excellent tour guide and a well-cultivated person with much knowledge in the fields she´s developed: as... read moreMarelvy Peña is an excellent tour guide and a well-cultivated person with much knowledge in the fields she´s developed: as a teacher and a professional tour guide. She´s friendly, polite and very devoted to what she does. She´s also been a tireless traveler which is an experience that has contributed much in her personal growth. read less

Hi lites of Cartegena This was an excellent tour. Timely pickup from the cruise dock, moved thru the city at a reasonable pace, and... read moreThis was an excellent tour. Timely pickup from the cruise dock, moved thru the city at a reasonable pace, and visited interesting locations. Marelevy is very knowledgeable about the City and its history. Personable and easy to understand. Will answer questions on many topics. We had limited time from the Cruise ship so were unable to go inside the fort, museums, or any buildings. For a quick, hit it over the head quickly tour, this one was excellent. If you have more time, she will provide a more in-depth tour. read less

Faboulous tour of Cartagena Marelvy Pena-Hall is a national treasure! She is extremely knowlegable, welcoming, interesting, and fun! I took a van-tour... read moreMarelvy Pena-Hall is a national treasure! She is extremely knowlegable, welcoming, interesting, and fun! I took a van-tour with her in February (my mother had mobility issues). It was like being with a very interesting old friend! She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Colombia's history and culture. I highly recommend taking a tour with her! read less

Fantastic Private Tour We were met at the dock by a representative exactly as described by Marelvy. We were escorted outside the... read moreWe were met at the dock by a representative exactly as described by Marelvy. We were escorted outside the Cruise dock to Katty our tour guide waiting in her car. We toured all the normal tourist sites, skipped lines at the fortress and spent lots of time in the old city. We highly recommend doing a twilight tour to see the lights come up in the old city. Katty was fantastic as a guide and her English is perfect. Sometimes it is difficult to understand guides where English is a second or third language. Totally worth every penny for a private tour. We travel extensively throughout the world and this was one of the best experiences on tours ever! read less

A splendid day with Marelvy On 11/15/13, a group of 16, joined Marelvy for a guided tour of Cartagena. From her website we had... read moreOn 11/15/13, a group of 16, joined Marelvy for a guided tour of Cartagena. From her website we had chosen the city tour. We were met at the pier by Marelvy and boarded a comfortable mini bus that was our transportation for the day.

From the onset of our tour Marelvy provided a detailed description and historical data regarding Cartagena. At the request of one of our group members, Marelvy made an in scheduled stop at a restaurant so that his family could taste arepas. Of course most of the group took advantage of the opportunity to try one of the many kind offered.

From there we proceeded to La Popa to get a panoramic view of the city with a great description of the various parts of the city by Marelvy. From this vantage point we saw the Old Walled City the port and the new areas of development. We then proceeded to the Fortress of San Felipe, and the Old Walled City with Marelvy providing a detailed description of these sites as we walked around. Our group declined shopping opportunities to have more time touring with Marelvy. We then toured the Bocagrande area.

Throughout our tour Marelvy continued to provide the background information with a wealth of historical data to enrich our experience.

Upon our return to the port Marelvy gave each of us a poster of Cartagena as a souvenir of our tour. It was a generous gift that we all appreciated as we did our time spent with her.

From read less

Wonderful, Personal Tour with Marelvy Marelvy is an absolutely lovely guide to the city of Cartagena. She is warm, personable, and very kind. She has... read moreMarelvy is an absolutely lovely guide to the city of Cartagena. She is warm, personable, and very kind. She has an extensive knowledge of the city history and architecture. We spent a morning walking with Marelvy throughout the old city. She knows all the best places to stop (timing a pit stop for ice-cold coco juice perfectly) and being with her allowed us to visit one of the universities, the theatre (even when closed), and the lobbies of some beautiful old hotels that give you an idea of the original architecture and layout of the old city. There is much more to the tour as well, and she'll cater to your interests.

It was very easy to book the tour - we did so via email - and Marelvy even helped us arrange a tour of a mangrove swamp with a separate operator. When there was a mix-up with that tour operator, Marelvy personally corrected the issue. She really went above and beyond for us. We would be delighted to do another tour with her during another visit! read less

Knowledgeable host, great tour Marelvy knows her city, and her love for it shows. This was our first visit to Cartagena and we wanted... read moreMarelvy knows her city, and her love for it shows. This was our first visit to Cartagena and we wanted to get the most out of our time there. Marelvy sent two people to meet the guests at the pier (two ships in port the day we visited), and once everyone showed up we walked from near the ships out to the staging area where we boarded the comfortable air conditioned bus.

Nosing our way through morning traffic, we started our journey. First stop was La Popa, overlooking Cartagena with a near panoramic view of the city. Marelvy filled us in with information about the buildings, the architecture, and the history of La Popa.

We left through the pandemonium of the parking lot - as we had arrived we were one of about three vehicles there, when we left it was mayhem (a benefit of using a non-ship tour!) and went back down the hill to visit Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. This was a very brief stop for photos, rather than a longer stay to climb up on the fortress walls. It was pretty warm anyway, so we were better off saving our energy for later.

After San Felipe, we made our way to the walled city where Marelvy pointed out a number of landmarks, describing the history of each. We stopped at the dungeons (Las Bovedas) which are actually set up for shopping.. had to get some local crafts and Mrs.Loonboarder found an emerald ring that she HAD to have!

After this stop we rode a little further, then began the walking part of the tour in the walled city. Here we visited a few more landmarks including the gold museum and the customs house.

Finally we loaded back into the bus - and made a stop at a local supermarket so some of us could buy some Colombian coffee to bring back home. After this brief stop we toured a little more through an area with more modern feel (Bocagrande), then back to the ship area.

I cannot say enough about how much we enjoyed our time with Marelvy. What a pleasure to meet her and get her insights into Cartagena! read less

Wonderfull city tour The nicest way to get to know the city. Marelvy caters to your own interests in a very flexible manner.... read moreThe nicest way to get to know the city. Marelvy caters to your own interests in a very flexible manner. She shows you around in a beautifull city in a wonderfull country in a very personal and natural way. A must do!! read less

to good to belive or was it On October 30 we visited Cartagena Columbia, originally we had reserved the standard trip offered by Royal Caribbean. We where... read moreOn October 30 we visited Cartagena Columbia, originally we had reserved the standard trip offered by Royal Caribbean. We where informed by them a few weeks after that this particular tour was no longer offered. We then started to look on Tripadviser to see if the was anything available.

We came across “Tour in Cartagena with Marelvy Pena-Hall”. Reading the reviews we saw noting but 5 stars, we have traveled before to many parts of the world and are very sceptical of perfect reviews. I personally jump over them and go to the lesser one and see what people have to complain about. I used Tripadviser to contact Marelvy Pena-Hall directly to try and arrange a tour.

We got a quick response and were very please at the possibility of customising a tour to what interest us the most. After a few e-mail we booked her services for a half day. As agreed a pond she meet us at the gang way of the ship. We soon found out that the person with whom we had been exchanging e-mails with was a very gracious host. We had the luxury of a private vehicle that was clean and very comfortable. The head rest from the passenger seat had even been removed so that Marelvy could look at us face to face when explaining the different areas of the city and tour. The driver was also very polite and knows the city inside out, we did not waist or time in traffic jams.

Being a very experienced guide Marelvy took us to the most popular tourist spot first, this avoided the crowds from the tour buss that where arriving as we where departing. Being the type of people that are not into buying all the standard souvenir such as tee shirts and hats we had asked no to be taken to any such place. We did drive pass a building that was full of vendor but Marelvy explained to us the historical significance of this building but we did not stop and walk trough the wall of vendor, that was greatly appreciated and proved to us that she had listen to what we had said and in fact was giving us the tour we wanted.

We where very impressed with her knowledge of Cartagena and all of Columbia. There was not a question she did not answer to our full satisfaction. The nice thing is that since Marelvy had taken the time to find out our interest she also did not overload us with so much that everything became a burr.

I had also expressed my desire to maybe purchase a set of cuff links with Columbian emeralds. In the tour of the old town she pointed out a couple of jewellery store that maybe of interest to me. There was nothing that caught my eye and I could see Marelvy access my tastes. On the way back to the ship we stopped at a jewellery store that she said may have what I was looking for, she was right. I can tell you one thing unlike the stores recommended by the cruise line Marelvy was not on the take and she did not care if I bought or not just that I was happy with my visit.

What can I say more, this is a class operation and yes the 5 starts are all real….. I am a believer read less

Great overview of Cartegna Four of us were picked up at the cruise port by staff and escorted to the small, air conditioned van.... read moreFour of us were picked up at the cruise port by staff and escorted to the small, air conditioned van. We were in port with a lot of other ships and on New Year's Eve so it was very crowded. Marelvy was able to flex the order of sights and we beat the crowds to La Popa and were leaving as it got jam packed. We had a wonderful walking tour of the incredibly beautiful old town. Marelvy shared lots of information, kept close track of everyone in the crowds and gave us free time in the plaza to try some local foods and look around on our own. She answered questions and got us back with a little time to spare to our ship. This could have been a hard day with the holiday crowds but Marelvy delivered the tour and minimized the impact of the crowds. Would recommend her for sure. read less

Marelvy is a excellent bi-lingual guide We found Marelvy Peña-Hall on line and booked a four hour private tour. She is fantastic. She has lived in... read moreWe found Marelvy Peña-Hall on line and booked a four hour private tour. She is fantastic. She has lived in France spake perfect French. Her husband is American, so her English is also perfect. Mareley clearly loves Cartagena and loves sharing her city and its history with tourist. with many guides, if you ask a question you get an answer. When we asked he a question, it started a discussion. She found I like the author Gabriel García Márquez. Later in the tour she pointed out a park that was a setting in "Love in the Time of Cholera" and showed us the "almond" trees he wrote about. They not the almond trees we are familiar with and will make a rereading more personal. This is absolutely the best way to start off a visit to Cartagena. read less

Touring with MareIvy Pena-Hall We (4 adults) recently toured Cartagena with MareIvy. Sheila (daughter) met us just off the dock and took us out... read moreWe (4 adults) recently toured Cartagena with MareIvy. Sheila (daughter) met us just off the dock and took us out to the tour van.Both women speak very clear English, have lots of knowledge and are eager to share. MareIvy is flexible. There was a group of 8 in total. MareIvy was responsive to our questions and requests. We went to get Columbian coffee on warm day. Cartagena is a beautiful city with an interesting past - even on a warm, humid day. Do contact MareIvy if you want to be part of a small tour in the city. She is well worth the money - and was less than the cruise ship excursion. She offers other tours of different lengths, but we were confined by the ship's schedule so chose a city tour that was about 5 hours long. read less

The Best Marelvy in addition to being an excellent and knowledgable tour guide in Cartagena, she is extremely well organized, meet us... read moreMarelvy in addition to being an excellent and knowledgable tour guide in Cartagena, she is extremely well organized, meet us on time, and provided a clean, air conditioned mini van with clean windows through which one could take pictures. I would highly recommend her instead of the 50 passenger bus through the cruise line, you will get a better tour for less money! read less

Marelvy was Marvelous~~ So informative and positive. She really loves her city and knew exactly what we wanted to see!! Because... read moreSo informative and positive. She really loves her city and knew exactly what we wanted to see!! Because we had 14 or so on the tour, she even had a second tour guide to assist with some of the sites!! We felt totally safe and at ease with her. One of the highlights of our NCL cruise, even though she was not one of the "ship excursions". Would highly recommend her!!

Kathi read less

Absolutely charming We took a tour with Marelvy and my husband were very surprised at how the image we had of Columbia... read moreWe took a tour with Marelvy and my husband were very surprised at how the image we had of Columbia is not at all what we witnessed. We were a group of about 16 and got to visit all the main attractions. Our guide was wonderful and explained all about the country and the evolution of the city. read less

Fabulous! If you book one tour book with Marelvy Based on other Trip Advisor reviews I reached out to Marelvy to check the feasibility of a private tour when... read moreBased on other Trip Advisor reviews I reached out to Marelvy to check the feasibility of a private tour when our cruise ship was in port. I detailed our interests...off the beaten path walk about. And am I glad I did. Her response provide explicit details and a map of where to meet up once our ship docked. We were met by her associate who walked us to the meeting place. And there was Marelvy who greeted us with the warmest of hugs. And we were off. First up was a stop at the Fortress of San Felipe and a brief history. On to La Popa Monastery and a view of Cartagena. We then wandered the back streets of the Old walled city away from the tourists

and admired the fabulous street art. Through the Plaza Bolivar and a view of St Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral.

All the while Marelvy was enchanting us with information, answering our questions and gently guiding us about. Next thing I knew our time was up and back to the dock with time to spare before our ship sailed. You cannot go wrong. Highly recommend a tour with this lovely lady. Next time? Cartagena at night. I think it would be magical. read less

Tour with Marelvy! We booked a private tour for three couples (one member of our party is a Colombian native). Booking was... read moreWe booked a private tour for three couples (one member of our party is a Colombian native). Booking was easy through several email exchanges ahead of time, and we paid in US$.

Marelvy is simply wonderful. She shared the incredible history of the country with us. I fell in permanent love with Colombia when she explained that no document in the country will ever ask you to declare your race, as Colombians are truly a melting pot of native indigenous peoples, Spanish and other Europeans, Africans and Arabs.

We started with a tour to the fort (doing that in the morning based on the heat), a visit to the Caribe emerald museum and shop, we booked a lunch at a local spot for the famous cheese soup and Marelvy came with, then a walking tour in the walled city.

The air conditioned van and driver were first-rate.

Marelvy even followed-up via email on a personal recommendation for me, and she included a beautiful poster celebrating Colombian history featuring art by her Pittsburgh-born husband as a parting gift.

Cheers for Marelvy!! read less

Great tour! Marelvy was a great tour guide. She's very knowledgeable about the area and its history. And friendly too!

The best of the best Marelvy is a professional indeed. Intelligent, vey well educated, she showed us many interesting places and gave us precious information... read moreMarelvy is a professional indeed. Intelligent, vey well educated, she showed us many interesting places and gave us precious information about the city and its surroundings. We spent a very good day with her! And on top of it she was very helpful in organizing for us activities for next days. read less

MareIvy tour in Cartegena On a Panama Canal cruise, our stop in Cartegena provided many tour options. We rely heavily on cruise board... read moreOn a Panama Canal cruise, our stop in Cartegena provided many tour options. We rely heavily on cruise board reviews as well as TripAdvisor to help choose non-cruise sponsored tours.

A wonderful way to experience our first visit to South America..Cartegena is a richly historical city and Mare Ivy was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and intuitive to needs of the group. Highly recommend! read less

Tour with Marelvy Pena-Hall We just returned from a Panama Canal cruise, where we had a most WONDERFUL guide in Cartagena with Marelvy Pena-Hall.... read moreWe just returned from a Panama Canal cruise, where we had a most WONDERFUL guide in Cartagena with Marelvy Pena-Hall. Friends of ours had used her services and highly recommended her. We couldn't have been happier with the tour. There were 10 of us total, and she had a beautiful air-conditioned bus that drove us from location to location----she is a first-rate "teacher", a consummate host and most knowledgeable guide & historian. We learned so much about the city and would recommend her services to anyone without reservation! Her English is superb and she had excellent answers to every question that was asked. If we go back sometime, we will certainly use her services again. One of the BEST guides we've ever experienced! We love the beautiful poster (by her artist husband) that she gave to everyone after the tour. Her lovely daughter, Sheila, met us as we got off our cruise ship and took us directly to Marelvy who was waiting right on time at the bus. Everything was handled to perfection. read less

A wonderful day in Cartagena, with a fine guide. A letter to guide, Marelvy, after our trip:

"Dear Marelvy,

I want to thank you for the fine tour of Cartagena you... read moreA letter to guide, Marelvy, after our trip:

"Dear Marelvy,

I want to thank you for the fine tour of Cartagena you gave us when we were there on Feb. 28. All of us enjoyed your sight-seeing look at the city. We saw alot, considering the short time we had! You did a fine job, with lots of history & stories, and enthusiasm. We were very happy to have had you as our guide.

Also, thanks for the lovely poster! When I opened it on our ship, I saw YOU right down in front! What a nice surprise, but I'm sure that's right where your husband, the artist, wanted you! I'm going to frame it...then I'll think of you every time I look at it!

I'd like to come back to Cartagena again, & to see more of Columbia, too.

Best wishes, Paula & John K. & Friends."

It was a fine tour, with a small group in an air-conditioned mini-bus. About the same price each as the Ship tour would have been in a 40-passenger bus. Much more personal attention. Be sure to wear walking shoes or sandals, bring a bottle of water, & a hat...&, of course, your camera. The city is very photogenic!

I'd hire Merelvy again, if we have the opportunity to return! read less

Two Thumbs Up!! Only way to tour Cartagena!

We were in Cartagena for 6 days and couldn't book our tour with Marelvy... read moreOnly way to tour Cartagena!

We were in Cartagena for 6 days and couldn't book our tour with Marelvy until day 4. So I would recommend booking early with her!! So we toured the city on our own for the first few days plus we went to beaches in playa blanco. Our 1/2 day tour with Marelvy was the most productive part of the trip. She took us not to just the tourist places but the local areas too. Plus shared tons of colombian history.

Personally, I love private tour guides in cities, where they can cater to your needs and take to places off the beaten path. We were so blessed to have Marelvy as she recommended amazing resturants, record shops, boats rides back to playa blanco ( for 1/2 the cost we paid when booking our tickets on our own).



Hands down the best way to see all of Cartegena!! read less

City tour in Cartagena The tour guide, Katty, was very personable and knowledgeable. She was able to answer easily the many questions we... read moreThe tour guide, Katty, was very personable and knowledgeable. She was able to answer easily the many questions we had for her. We learned a great deal from her about the history of the old and new Cartagena. It was very interesting to learn about the various areas of the city, the buildings and homes in each, and the people and culture. We recommend highly the City Tour of Marelvy. read less

Excellent We don't really like tours and would never normally choose to go on one, but Marelvy's Gabriel Garcia Marquez tour... read moreWe don't really like tours and would never normally choose to go on one, but Marelvy's Gabriel Garcia Marquez tour around Cartagena caught our eye. We were in luck, we emailed her at short notice and she managed to fit us in the following day. Marelvy is intelligent, charming and extremely knowledgeable as well as passionate about the city and Gabo. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and her company. I can not recommend Marelvy highly enough and her Marquez tour. read less

Brilliant Tour of Cartagena My wife and I had a 4 hour private tour of Cartagena after arriving on Princess Cruise. Chose Marelvy over... read moreMy wife and I had a 4 hour private tour of Cartagena after arriving on Princess Cruise. Chose Marelvy over Princess Shore Excursion so we could bet a personalized view of this beautiful city. Marelvy met us promptly at the dock and first showed us around the neighborhoods in Old Town Cartagena were we saw how people actually live, worked, ate and played. Next Marelvy gave us an exhaustive tour of the squares, important buildings, and lovely churches. Went to an emerald museum. Finally we travelled to the highest point in Cartagena unavailable to large group tours and visited La Popa Monastery, a 17th century beautifully restored chapel and museum with breathtaking views of the Caribbean and city. Marelvy treated us to freshly cut pineapple for a refreshment break. What made this tour so special was Marelvy's knowledge of the city and its people along with exhaustive history of Cartagena over the centuries. Everyone seemed to know her and spoke to us. We loved this city and its people and their culture more than anywhere else we have visited. This was the highlight of our 10 day Caribbean cruise. Please do not miss a chance to see Cartagena the right way with a wonderful, friendly, kind and enthusiastic guide-Marelvy. Just FYI we were shocked to discover that she has been married for many years to a Pittsburgher who is graduate of Univ of Pittsburgh. We are also from Pittsburgh and graduated Univ of PIttsubgh, small world!!! read less

Perfect Cartagena Guide My friend and I recently hired Marelvy to take us on a city tour of Cartagena. She was fantastic.... read moreMy friend and I recently hired Marelvy to take us on a city tour of Cartagena. She was fantastic. Her English was superb and she knew everything that needed to be known about the city. She has a great disposition. She welcomed us with a hug and presented us with these fantastic posters from her husbands art collection! Don't forget to ask her for a restaurant recommendation! read less

Cartagena Shore Excursion Hi Marelvy,

It was a pleasure meeting you, Marcela and the driver. Thank you very much Marelvy for arranging the... read moreHi Marelvy,

It was a pleasure meeting you, Marcela and the driver. Thank you very much Marelvy for arranging the best itinerary and fantastic fruits and juice tasting. We all had a great time in Cartagena. We felt safe and secure at all time. People there are very friendly. Cartagena is a beautiful city and we loved the architectures. Definitely, we will return to Cartagena .

Marcela is a wonderful tour guide. She is friendly, knowledgeable and kind. We were very pleased with her, great job.

We were happy with the driver. She is nice, friendly and funny.



Lastly, we cannot forget Lucho. He made our visit to Cartagena unforgettable. He is such a wonderful man, so friendly, kind and accommodating. He talked highly about Columbia that we thought he was the Mayor/ Tourism or President of Columbia. He and his staffs treated us like Kings and Queens. We felt very welcome here. We enjoyed tasting and drinking the exotic fruits. Please let Lucho know we said " Hi. and thanks for the warm welcome.

We are so glad that we booked our shore excursion with you.

Marelvy, thank you very much for arranging all this and made our visit memorable.

Best regards,

Angela read less

The best tour in Cartagena On November 7th, my wife, 2 friends and I took the city tour with Sylvia. She was very nice and... read moreOn November 7th, my wife, 2 friends and I took the city tour with Sylvia. She was very nice and informative. We came in by cruise she and pre-booked this tour 6 months in advance. Finding Sylvia at first on the dock pier was stressful. She was late by 15 minutes. NOTE: be very careful who you ask or go with on tours. Their are numerous carnival hawkers, aka aggressive vendors coming at you from all directions wanting you to go with them. Once we finally found Sylvia, we had here verify our parties name to us first. The tour is done by private van and she took us to the church on top the mountain which over looks the entire city. Then we went to the old fort. After that was a tour of the old city. Again, there is not much else to do in this port if you are in by cruise ship for the day. I would recommend the tour with Marelvy Pena-Hall and Sylvia. Only complaint is no refreshments on the tour, so make sure you bring some bottle water with you! read less

Great tour of city Marelvy is a jewal! Very knowledgeable, excellent command of English and a really nice person. The transportation was comfortable and... read moreMarelvy is a jewal! Very knowledgeable, excellent command of English and a really nice person. The transportation was comfortable and safe. Don't book through the cruise line, book with Marelvy, you won't be sorry! read less

Cartagena, what a beautiful city, Marelvy, what a marvelous guide! We were 1 day in Cartagena with a cruise ship and didn't know really what to expect from this city.

It... read moreWe were 1 day in Cartagena with a cruise ship and didn't know really what to expect from this city.

It was a pleasant surprise in a very nice city. Also our tour guide Marelvy was extremely good and informative.

We've booked this trip online (no need for deposit) and she always responded very fast to our questions. One week prior to our cruise she mailed us the final arrangements for the tour.

When we got of the ship Marelvy was there to point us to the brand new mini bus she was using and off we went to La Poppa.

There you have a magnificent sight of Cartagena. The drive is narrated so you learn a lot about the city.

After La Poppa we visited the Fortress (from the outside), went to a local place where we could buy souvenirs and emeralds and than did a nice walk to the old city.

The old city is a treasure. Very nice city with a lot of nice houses and squares to be seen!

This tour was a very nice surprise, Cartagena is really a nice destination and also the tour guide was extremely good. A+++ read less

Fabuloso! The tour with Marelvy was perfect. In a few short hours we saw the old architecture, side streets with... read moreThe tour with Marelvy was perfect. In a few short hours we saw the old architecture, side streets with cafes & musicians and artists' work. La Popa was a very special place to see the city from up high and inside were amazing artifacts. Marelvy is so knowledgeable, outgoing and patient. Would love to do it again! read less

Safe, Informative, No Rushing, Yet We Saw So Much of Cartagena with MareIvy As a frequent TripAdvisor user, I was a bit skeptical that this tour guide had 80+ reviews and they were... read moreAs a frequent TripAdvisor user, I was a bit skeptical that this tour guide had 80+ reviews and they were all 5 stars. Not a single review less than that? Surely not?

Surely SO. MareIvy Pena-Hall is the consumate host of Cartagena: educated, well spoken, passionate about her land and her community, and a generous soul who genuinely loves to show off Cartagena.

MareIvy met us right at our cruise ship, within feet of the gangway, holding a sign with our names so we saw her as we disembarked the Coral Princess. She herded us gently to a waiting air conditioned van with plenty of room, chauffered by an experienced and pleasant driver. Our tour included two other Coral Princess couples unknown to us. Before the day was out, we felt like old friends, so relaxed and enjoyable was the tour experience that MareIvy established from the first 10 minutes in the van.

Our tour began with La Popa Monastery, and Marelvy took us there first, so we had the site to ourselves to experience the sweeping vista of the city from the hill for a few precious minutes before the cruise ship hordes descended. Here she took the opportunity to use a large map of Columbia to introduce us to the country, current and historical, industry and culture. She spoke about current events, putting the city of Cartagena in context of our American experiences.

She did not simply usher us through each stop, but included short vignettes or colorful anecdotes of important people or key events in the city's history. I'm not sure how she did it, but without rushing us, her tour included most key points of interest in Cartagena: the Old Walled City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its colorful Spanish Colonial architecture; Las Murallas (the most impressive city walls in the world), the Museo de Oro y Arqueloguia (the Gold Museum), a drive by of Las Bo'vedas (we opted not to stop at the tourist-slanted boutiques), and the Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara, once a convent of some fame. Marelvy presented her knowledge of each location with passion and an obvious joy for her homeland.

But Marelvy also shared the little memory-making stops. For example, in the Sofitel, she allowed time for photos of a toucan I found croaking inside the courtyard garden. Someone in our tour mentioned their love of a local street food, and the next thing we knew, she'd shepherded us to a corner that served just THAT delicacy, and she purchased the food and shared it among us.

She explained how to deal (or not deal) with the street vendors, and helped us with purchases in local currency. She introduced us to a local park with fountains to cool off, and told us the story of the park vendor who smiled at us from behind his cart of books: he doesn't sell anything, but actually lends books to those who rest in the park area. A dancer in her earlier day, Marelvy's gestures and movement are as graceful as the pictures she paints with her amazing English fluency.

When someone asked for a good place to purchase Columbian coffee, she asked the driver to wisk us off to the Columbian equivalent of Starbucks, a neighborhood Juan Valdez Cafe (I kid you not). We purchased something to drink there, and the other couples purchased whole coffee to take home. While I am not a coffee connessieur, I believe the latte I had there was the best I've had in my life.

I admit to some trepidations about the safety of touring in Cartagena. At all times I felt safe with MareIvy. The local vendors were persistent, but not pesky, probably thanks to MareIvy's presence.

We've toured from Cancun to Venice, and we've had many fine tour guides. MareIvy may be at the top of the list. Of course we will be buying her book when it is published. Ask her about it! So much more to say about the tour, but so little room. Please consider booking this Columbian's tour so that you get the real flavor of Columbia. read less

Fantastic tour, excellent guide! In Cartagena mid-November 2013. Arrived late Saturday night, called Marelvy Sunday morning and able to arrange a tour for... read moreIn Cartagena mid-November 2013. Arrived late Saturday night, called Marelvy Sunday morning and able to arrange a tour for that afternoon/evening. Marelvy was on time for meeting and met us where we were staying. She is knowledgeable, funny, tireless, and engaging. She was responsive to all of our questions, modified the tour to accommodate our needs (we were traveling with an infant), and did everything with a smile and a great sense of humor. Her English is excellent. We were in Cartagena for four more days and our trip was made that much more enjoyable because of the excellent introduction we had with Marelvy. Recommend her highly, and would suggest scheduling a tour at the beginning of your trip if possible! read less

Perfect city tour Marelvy was our guide, not only is she very enthusiastic about her work, she cares that the people she is... read moreMarelvy was our guide, not only is she very enthusiastic about her work, she cares that the people she is with enjoy every part of the tour. She was responsive to our needs and seemed only happy to oblige. The overall experience was very satisfying, we leaned A LOT! me and my family will be happily recommending her to all our friends! Thanks read less

A Short Tour From the moment that we met Marelvy inside the lobby of our hotel, she made us feel special and taken... read moreFrom the moment that we met Marelvy inside the lobby of our hotel, she made us feel special and taken care of. My two friends and I booked a city tour with her which took us to the most historical parts in Cartagena.

Her style is very conversational and somewhat personal. My two friends were history buffs and they had asked lots of questions which Marelvy enjoyed answering with enthusiasm and passion. Within a matter of an hour, Marelvy made me feel so comfortable that I felt that I could tell and ask her anything. And just as a friendship was forming, our tour came to end. Four hours with Marelvy was apparently not enough. read less

Great Tour Our friends and I booked a last minute tour with Marelvy. She picked us up on time, had private transportation... read moreOur friends and I booked a last minute tour with Marelvy. She picked us up on time, had private transportation with a driver, she is very knowledgable and absolutely the nicest person ever.

We really enjoyed our tour and learning about the country! Thanks again, Marelvy! read less

Tour of Cartagena with Marvely Our tour of Cartagena with Marvely was excellent. She picked us up right at the ship in a comfortable,... read moreOur tour of Cartagena with Marvely was excellent. She picked us up right at the ship in a comfortable, airconditioned bus. Her English is excellent. Her knowledge of the history is excellent. She listened to the group and when we didn't want to shop she skipped that part of the tour. She made the city come alive for us and gave us a wonderful overview of the city, the people, the history, the art. As a result of her wonderful tour, Cartagena was our favorite port on our cruise. Anyone would be fortunate to be able to book a tour with Marvely.

All of our entry fees were included in the tour. read less

Cartagena tapas tour Lucky us! We got a great tour. ..only 2 of us and Jordi's sister, Ana , and Jordi who... read moreLucky us! We got a great tour. ..only 2 of us and Jordi's sister, Ana , and Jordi who treated us to a history / tapas tour.

We went to 4 tapas spots drank beer and lemonade with Spanish Jambon and omelette followed by local wine from hundred year old vines with fried cheese topped with red pepper jelly then Russian salad topped with anchovie (yum) ...and to top it off we were allowed to sport a conquistador helmet and brandish a for real Spanish sword whilst drinking award winning coffee dessert!

Great tour great day...thank you Ana and Jordi from the Canadian cruisers. read less

An excellent cruise excursion. Marelvy was a wonderful tour guide. She was polite, knowledgeable, and spoke good English. The itinerary provided excellent coverage of... read moreMarelvy was a wonderful tour guide. She was polite, knowledgeable, and spoke good English. The itinerary provided excellent coverage of Cartegena within the allotted time available. The tour arrangement with Marelvy was easily made via email. Marelvy met us with a van as we disembarked from the cruise ship and returned us to the ship as well. The van and the small tour group made the excursion enjoyable, flexible, and intimate.. read less

Enlightening experience of old Cartegena Marelvy,

What a wonderful experience of exploring Cartegena with you! Herb and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to see the sights... read moreMarelvy,

What a wonderful experience of exploring Cartegena with you! Herb and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to see the sights with the advantage of your knowledge of the area, history, and architecture of the old city, La Popa, and surrounding neighborhoods. Like many other first time visitors, we were concerned about taking a non-cruise-sponsored tour and had considered attempting to do this ourselves, but happily for us, we found you. We could never have learned or seen as much as we did without your guidance and Luis' expert driving! Thank you again for the lovely tour. And thanks to your husband for the bicentennial prints as well. It, along with our many photos, will be a great reminder of our short time together.

Mary Schmidt

Phoenix, AZ read less

Cartagena tour with Marelvy Pena- Hall While on a Southern Caribbean Cruise with my husband & long time friend. We toured the beautiful city of... read moreWhile on a Southern Caribbean Cruise with my husband & long time friend. We toured the beautiful city of Cartagena with Marelvy. It was truly the highlight of our trip! I don't believe we would have experienced the "true" Cartagena without Marelvy & her fantastic driver "Bene"

If given the opportunity to visit Cartagena, DON'T MISS THIS FANTASTIC TOUR GUIDE!!! She only tours in small groups & can go where the large tour buses can't go. All entry fees are covered in tour price which is very reasonable. You at least owe yourself an inquiry, go ahead call her, you won't be disappointed!! read less

Excellent walking tour My friend And I visited Cartagena in August and the first thing we did was take a walking tour with... read moreMy friend And I visited Cartagena in August and the first thing we did was take a walking tour with Marelvy. This was an amazing introduction to the old city. Marelvy is well versed and loves her city which only made us fall in love with it as well. The tour was the right amount of time. Marelvy made sure that we were fine throughout the entire time. Honestly, it felt like we were walking with a good friend showing us her city. This is a must do! read less

Viva Cartagena and MareIvy We were in Cartagena on a cruise and had a short day. Decided to use MareIvy's company and so... read moreWe were in Cartagena on a cruise and had a short day. Decided to use MareIvy's company and so glad we did! Katti was our guide on the City Tour. She was amazing: knowledgeable, humorous and kind. I was surprised what an interesting city Cartagena was. This tour definitely gives you a great overview of it and makes you want to come back to spend more time. The highlight for us was definitely the walk through the old section but the view from La Popa was pretty spectacular too. If you are going to Cartagena be sure to book with MareIvy. You will not be disappointed! read less

Marelvy is fantastic and interesting Marely is very intelligent ,full of info and makes the tour very interesting. She also gave us the names of3... read moreMarely is very intelligent ,full of info and makes the tour very interesting. She also gave us the names of3 restaurants and each was excellent. Also told us about a free concert that nite. Sheila dotan read less

Day out in Cartagena My partner and I had booked for a Panama Canal cruise with Holland America and had looked at tripadvisor for... read moreMy partner and I had booked for a Panama Canal cruise with Holland America and had looked at tripadvisor for some information on the ports we were visiting. We found Marelvy Pena-Hall mentioned, several times, for seeing the sights in Cartagena Colombia, so we booked before leaving home.

Marelvy confirmed all details by e mail and we followed her instructions and everything went as planned, Marelvy was waiting for us with an air conditioned bus (which was wonderful as it was so hot).

We has a great afternoon, Marelvy gave us a good insight into Cartagen, she was funny as well as so full of information about the history and the people living in her city. We were able to leave the bus for a walking tour of the old city which gave us a closer look at our surroundings, we also had time on our own to wander round at leisure and we could leave belongings on the bus.

So glad we took the chance and went with Marelvy rather than the ship's excursion. read less

Super Escort My party of four took a tour of Cartagena in early January. Sorry it has taken so long to... read moreMy party of four took a tour of Cartagena in early January. Sorry it has taken so long to give the review. I had booked on line after reading the excellent reviews and we were not disappointed. Marelvy showed a good grasp of the locality and we are pleased that we didn't use the ship's organised excursion. read less

excellent private tour opened our eyes The tour was excellent. We came to understand how the Od City functioned in its heyday, how it entered... read moreThe tour was excellent. We came to understand how the Od City functioned in its heyday, how it entered into decay in the 20th century, and how it came to be treasured, restored, and rejuvenated as a tourist mecca in the last couple of decades. We learned of the different neighborhoods and how the city was built to defend primarily against pirates. It was chilling to imagine the arrival of slaves through the main gates.

Marelvy described what a terrible state of decay the city was in prior to the 1990's and showed us an unrestored building so we could get some feel for what it would have been like. And we heard stories of people of vision who valued the dilapidated Old City and were the first to invest in its restoration.

Marelvy showed us shopping opportunities we likely would not have found without her assistance. She got us into historical buildings through her connections that we would have been unable to enter let alone appreciate without her guidance. Marelvy got us a good spot to watch an authentic local dance troupe in one of the main squares.

Marelvy speaks English very well and I had no trouble understanding her. My wife and I ended up feeling very happy that we had made this investment toward our appreciation of Cartagena.

Marelvy was very generous with her time. We booked on short notice over the phone and then through email. Marelvy said we were lucky she wasn't busy. Booking well in advance is advisable. read less

Cartagena highlights with Marelvy What more can I add to the positive reviews for Marelvy Pena-Hall than what is already said about her? I... read moreWhat more can I add to the positive reviews for Marelvy Pena-Hall than what is already said about her? I arranged a tour of Cartagena city highlights with Marelvy prior to our Panama Canal cruise with a stop in Cartagena after reading the rave reviews on Tripadvisor.com.

Marelvy is a very well educated and friendly guide knowledgeable with lots of history and information on Cartagena. We only had a very limited sightseeing time allowed by the cruise ship. Marelvy did not disappoint and was able to sqeeze lots of highlights and information into a few hours with much enthusiasm. We were very impressed with her tour and would recommend her highly. read less

Book It! Almost every country I visit, I always start off with a private tour. This is one of the best... read moreAlmost every country I visit, I always start off with a private tour. This is one of the best I've been on so far.

Marelvy was booked the day I was free; however, she recommended her colleague, Katty, who was outstanding.

First, let me say how wonderful Marelvy was on setting up my tour. She is fast to respond to emails and is very organized. She offered me several options to choose from which I appreciated.

Katty is incredibly sweet. She picked us up at our condo right on time and gave us an excellent tour. She told us interesting historical facts, took us to see all the highlights, provided recommendations for other things to do while in Cartagena, suggested a great restaurant, and even was kind enough to join us for lunch.

Wonderful experience. read less

A "Must Do" Tour There is more to see in Cartagena than can be achieved over several days, let alone a few hours. ... read moreThere is more to see in Cartagena than can be achieved over several days, let alone a few hours. However, Marelvy Pena-Hall's guided small group tours of the city's highlights was extraordinary. Her knowledge of the city and its culture supported a very comprehensive tour at a very comfortable pace. Her personable manner and casual interaction with both the tour guests and the locals created a very positive comfort level not always found in larger travel groups. I strongly recommend Marelvy to anyone wishing to get the most out of their visit in the time limited by most cruise ship schedules. I came away from the tour with a real appreciation for the people and history of Cartagena. read less

Had a great time I usually do not use guides but decided to take the plunge given that I had two short days in... read moreI usually do not use guides but decided to take the plunge given that I had two short days in Cartagena and wanted to see as much as possible. The walled city is relatively small and safe to walk around, so it would have been possible to do without. However, I am very happy with the outcome of engaging Marelvy. She is highly fluent in English, knew many people and was extremely knowledgeable about Cartagena (and Marquez, for those who are fans) which made many of the sights more interesting. I was a little concerned that a 1 - 1 tour may be awkward, but Marelvy was very warm and chatty so my concerns were completely unfounded in the end. read less

Great way to see the city We did the Highpoints of the City tour and it was perfect. Marelvy not only showed us around the walled... read moreWe did the Highpoints of the City tour and it was perfect. Marelvy not only showed us around the walled city but took us up to La Popa for the amazing view of all of Cartagena. Marelvy had a driver who took us all around so the tour was very efficient and for $195 I would definitely recommend this nearly 5 hour tour. read less

One of the best tours I've ever experienced ! We stopped here with the NCL "Pearl" .we had booked much earlier when one on the Cruise crtic thread re... read moreWe stopped here with the NCL "Pearl" .we had booked much earlier when one on the Cruise crtic thread re the Pearl recommended it.The tour we had was geared that we would be back to the ship way before departure ( so no worries there)

***Very very reasonable in price

We were a group of 10 in a air conditioned modern van. Water was offered

Lots of walking so wear appropriate shoes ,

Marelvy was a history teacher for me! Well informed and actual facts ( unlike a few tours I've been on)

It was an early start 7:30 which meant we started before the extreme heat of the day ahead.

Our tour began with touring the 17th century Santa Cruez Monastry at the top of La Popa, next , stopped at the Castillo San Felippe then on to the Old walled town for more exploring, touring ., lots of walking, history , culture

We also stopped at an area that has shopping souvenirs, "made in Cartagena " articles ,etc

Back at the Port there was a mini zoo.. Peacocks, parrots etc .. I loved the whole tour and was I tired when we got back to the ship .!

Marely was an awesome"leader" read less

Very comprehensive tour with a wonderful guide! Marelvy knows Cartagena inside and out! She gives a very informative and interesting tour of the city, from the perspective... read moreMarelvy knows Cartagena inside and out! She gives a very informative and interesting tour of the city, from the perspective of a native Columbian! Marelvy is a wonderful guide, charming and funny, and she shows you all the corners of the city, explaining about each very thoroughly. We did an evening tour, followed the next morning by a morning tour, so we could avoid the heat of the day. Marelvy even helped me by negotiating a great deal for me on some souvenirs I was looking for! I'm sure I got a much better price than I could have negotiated myself. All in all, a very enjoyable tour. I would highly recommend Marelvy to anyone who wants to see everything Cartagena has to offer! read less

Terrific day in Cartagena with Marelvy This was our third visit to Cartagena and we enjoyed Marelvy's tour as well, or better than the first! ... read moreThis was our third visit to Cartagena and we enjoyed Marelvy's tour as well, or better than the first! We had no problems meeting up with the tour and the day was very, very pleasant. Marelvy is a very experienced and kind tour guide and she is very well known in Caragena. We highly recommend Marelvy. read less

Very informative walking tour of Cartagena Our guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the history of the city and buildings. He also pointed out lots... read moreOur guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the history of the city and buildings. He also pointed out lots of good bars and salsa joints. read less

Cartagena Columbia This was a new destination for us and of course we were very excited to dimiss some of the myths... read moreThis was a new destination for us and of course we were very excited to dimiss some of the myths that are associated with Columbia. Once known as the drug capital of the world a day experience and tour with Marelvy shows what Cartagena has to offer. She is so very efficient, professional informative, courteous and generous. Our day started at the cruise terminal with a very efficient pickup we met Marelvy early in the morning as she had a jam packed day planned for us. The weather was bright sunny and very warm even by local standards we saw some amazing sights, sampled local food and drink. Marelvy is the go to tour guide in Cartegena her services are the best. Thank you Marelvy for showing us what a beautiful city you have and we will no doubt return someday. read less

Excellent guide - knowledgeable and fun We went on the Highpoints of the City tour with MareIvy today. She was very friendly and incredibly full... read moreWe went on the Highpoints of the City tour with MareIvy today. She was very friendly and incredibly full of knowledge about history and culture, and well, _everything_! We enjoyed our time with her immensely and would highly recommend her to others. We particularly appreciated the opportunity to meet a real person, and have to have discussions with her about her perspective on Cartagena, Colombia, and the surrounding region. We learned a lot!! read less

Amazing tour by a true professional I contacted MareIvy about organizing a tour during a stop in Cartagena on a cruise. She responded promptly to... read moreI contacted MareIvy about organizing a tour during a stop in Cartagena on a cruise. She responded promptly to each email and always answered questions clearly. The tour she provided was the Highlights tour and it was definitely a big hit. MareIvy went above and beyond in providing a quality tour that adapted to the needs of the tour group. We were met at the port exactly as we had been directed to. The bus was comfortable and nicely air conditioned. The driver was excellent and I felt relaxed during the drive. Cartagena is a beautiful city with a rich history. I could not have chosen a better way to explore the area. Thanks to MareIvy I hope to return to Cartagena again one day, and when I do I will again contact her. read less