TOUR GUIDE IN CARTAGENA

Everything you ever wanted to know about Cartagena Marelvy has an excellent website and I read every word. Not only was Cartagena well described in history, customs... read moreMarelvy has an excellent website and I read every word. Not only was Cartagena well described in history, customs and sites to see, but through the readings, I also got to know Marelvy. I felt that by knowing her, I would know the human side of Cartagena. This made the tour much more interesting and satisfying. With the study of the webpages completed, Sandra and I met Marelvy and her driver at our hotel at 9:00 AM. I recommend the early time for two reasons. The streets were not very crowded and the temperatures were cooler. We went to the old city and Marelvy offered the tour in English or Spanish. Sandra is from Medellin and wanted Marelvy to speak in English, so she could practice her English skills. I am from Alaska and wanted her to speak in Spanish so I could practice my Spanish skills. During the tour, Marelvy went back and forth between the languages and spoke slowly and Sandra and I were both pleased. You can visit Marelvy's website and it will describe the tour in detail. It is better than you could imagine. Marelvy is well know by the locals and we were allowed into places like beautiful hotel courtyards, that we normally would not be welcomed in. The best things about Marelvy is her charm, her smile, her energy and enthusiasm. At the end of the three hours, we felt like we really knew Cartagena. We also made a good friend in Marelvy. We had laughs and jokes and shared stories with each other. Marelvy put a human face on Cartagena and shared a warm heart. Sandra and I will always remember Marelvy when we think of Cartagena and will want to tour again with her when we return. One last thing to know about Marelvy. She used our camera and took great photos of us. Sandra and I had a perfect trip to Cartagena and very happy to have met Marelvy. It was very hot for us around noon and we welcomed the air conditioning during the last part of touring outside the old city by car. Marelvy adjusted her tour to our interests. Sandra and I were very please with our experience with Marelvy. read less

Tour_in_Cartagena_with_Marelvy_Pena_Hall-Cartagena.html our tour with Julio. All 9 of us had a great time. I just wish we had more time off... read moreour tour with Julio. All 9 of us had a great time. I just wish we had more time off the ship. It was easy to meet Berina. We visited La Popa first and then the fortress. Being the only cruise ship in port and one of the first groups to get to La Popa was an added benefit. Julio was an engaging fellow and shared so much information with us about the sights, history, customs, religion, home life, vegetation, famous people, neighborhoods. He made me yearn to come back for the procession of the Virgin. We then went to Las Bovedas ( which I personally could have done without as all of the merchandise could have been bought in the walled city which was our next stop). The walled city was beautiful and so many people knew Julio and he them as we walked through. Made a stop at the chocolate museum shop, saw many sights, art and sculptures, local craft vendors,churches, learned local history of men and the church. It was nice being able to tie in historic things Julio told us at La Popa with the city as well. After the city we stopped at the Emerald museum which for me was another highlight as I wanted to purchase a Columbian emerald for my daughter who has a May birthday. Seeing the jewelers working and the large sample emeralds was another plus.

Julio's knowledge and enthusiasm made for a really good day. I would recommend this tour to anyone I know going to Cartagena read less

Great tour We had a great tour. Marelvy was the guide on the tour and she was friendly and very knowledgeable.... read moreWe had a great tour. Marelvy was the guide on the tour and she was friendly and very knowledgeable. City was lovely and we also had some time to be on our own. We were on a small bus of 18 and we were very pleased. Would highly recommend. 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

A great way to tour the city of Cartegena Our party of 12 thoroughly enjoyed this relaxed and informative tour of a fascinating city. Ester, our guide was... read moreOur party of 12 thoroughly enjoyed this relaxed and informative tour of a fascinating city. Ester, our guide was very confident, fluent in English, informative and friendly.

Marelvy's responses to e-mails when arranging the visit were very prompt and the tour provides excellent value for money.

Highly recommended. 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

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

A Tour of Cartagena with Marelvy and Katty If you are going to Cartagena, make sure you take a tour with Marelvy's company. Although she personally was... read moreIf you are going to Cartagena, make sure you take a tour with Marelvy's company. Although she personally was not available for our tour, her daughter, Sheila, met us at the ship, and Marelvy greeted us before we had the all-inclusive trip with our very knowledgeable and gracious guide, Katty.

I have been on hundreds of tours all over the world. This was indeed one of the very best! read less

Great Intro to a beautiful city Marelvy was the perfect host to introduce us to the beauty and history of Cartagena. She was intune to our... read moreMarelvy was the perfect host to introduce us to the beauty and history of Cartagena. She was intune to our interest in art, and the literature of GG Marquez and did a wonderful job of sprinkling many aspects of her tour with stories and facts related to these topics. She was a delight to spend time with and we finished the afternoon feeling like we were well poised to continue in more depth on our own. I would highly recommend Marelvy for anyone! 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

Excellent Tour and Experience! We (my husband and I along w/ my parents) just returned from visiting Cartagena and had the pleasure of having... read moreWe (my husband and I along w/ my parents) just returned from visiting Cartagena and had the pleasure of having Marelvy as our Tour Guide - she was not only knowledgeable about the history and culture of the city but was a wonderful person who made us feel so very comfortable and she genuinely cared whether we had a great experience. We would highly recommend Marelvy to anyone who visits Cartagena! We will always remember her and our time in Cartagena! read less

The BEST Way to Experience Cartagena! Instead of choosing the standard cruise-ship excursion, we opted to see Cartagena with Marelvy. An excellent move! ... read moreInstead of choosing the standard cruise-ship excursion, we opted to see Cartagena with Marelvy. An excellent move! Marelvy is a native who truly loves her city and makes it her mission to assure that those touring with her see as much as possible and learn the story of this beautiful old city. We spent a very special April 1st with her. She met us at our dock and took us to a very comfortable, air conditioned van. From our first stop high above the city at La Popa with its gorgeous views, to the old city with it's great shopping and beautiful narrow streets she showed us her world. A history and current events lesson, shopping (and negotiating) advice, and the opportunity to meet the "real" people of the city (who all seem to know her)...these are the reasons to see Cartagena with Marelvy. We are very grateful to her for a terrific day! read less

super guide She has been a fantastic guide and made us love this beautiful city. She took us along the beautiful streets... read moreShe has been a fantastic guide and made us love this beautiful city. She took us along the beautiful streets of this historic place. and made us so interested read less

An inside look at Cartagena We had such a nice time with Marelvy. My wife and I booked an afternoon old city tour with... read moreWe had such a nice time with Marelvy. My wife and I booked an afternoon old city tour with Marelvy. She was waiting at our hotel lobby right on time. She even brought us a thoughtful gift.

We had a wonderful time walking all over the city, learning about Cartagena's history. It seems like she knows just about everyone, random people greeting her as we walk by. It's obvious she enjoys sharing her knowledge with others. We talked about everything - history, daily life, politics, family.

At one point we stopped for some fresh coconut, which she bought for us. Just what we needed on a hot humid day. After talking about emeralds, we asked her for a reputable jeweler and she brought us to someone she knows. However before going in, she gave us advice on negotiating and pricing.

It was sad to say goodbye, and she really made Cartagena more than just a tourist destination for us. Definitely recommend a tour with her to gain a richer experience in Cartagena. read less

Marelvy is a treasure! Marelvy and her warmth made this tour one of our most favourite experiences on our cruise. We were lucky... read moreMarelvy and her warmth made this tour one of our most favourite experiences on our cruise. We were lucky to have Sheila, Marelvy's daughter join us and she is a lovely as her mother. Marelvy's knowledge of the history of her country is extensive, and she had answers to all of our questions. We loved the leisurely and relaxed pace of the tour, and all of the sites and sounds of Cartegena that Marelvy introduced us too. We mentioned to Marelvy early in the day that we wanted to find cheese buns that we had read about and try them from a street vendor. What a lovely surprise it was to have these treats waiting for us when we got back to the van after wandering the market! Sheila had tracked down the buns and purchased them for our group of 6. Such a nice, personal touch to the tour! I can't wait to return to Cartagena, where I would defnitely love tour with Marelvy again. 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

Exceptional, informative, enlightening portrait of an ancient, yet vibrant metropolis - Cartagena. I was truly fortunate having delved into Tripadvisor before visiting Cartagena. I was more fortunate to have discovered the fascinating... read moreI was truly fortunate having delved into Tripadvisor before visiting Cartagena. I was more fortunate to have discovered the fascinating "Marelvy" Although she was highly recommended I never expected to fall in love with a culture as quickly as I did. She brought the sights, the sounds, and the colors alive with her factual and often humorous tales of lively Colombian characters- political and religious. Marelvy's knowledge of past, present and future Colombia is incredible. She made you feel as if you were part of the country's history. The architecture, the stoned-walled city, the Spanish speaking remarkable people have made a lasting impression on me. Because of Marelvy's passion, her pride for her country and her story telling abilities I will someday return to the charm of old Cartagena. I encourage you to visit her website and become absorbed in the information she has to offer. An incredible lady with an infectious "joi de vivre". She deserves a 5+++. read less

Delightful tour On our HAL cruise, Nov. 17-28th, we decided to do a tour with Marelvy. Directions on e-mail on where... read moreOn our HAL cruise, Nov. 17-28th, we decided to do a tour with Marelvy. Directions on e-mail on where to meet were not right in my opinion (I was expecting to find our guide right off the ship - very close), but a ship tour director told us to go down toward some containers and turn right and all independent tours would be there. They do not let independent tours be next to ship. Sheila was there, with paper with our names in red (as stated) to greet us. She's such a nice young lady. We were told to meet at 7:30 a.m. and we were there. We had to wait more than 30 minutes for the other group of people to show up so that wasted 1/2 hour of our time.

We had to walk out of the dock area through a little flamingo area so it was fun to see those. Then through the obligatory gift shop (a beautiful one for sure) to our waiting transportation. We had 8 people I think, plus Marelvy and Sheila and driver too. It was very crowded, I had to get on the seat and scoot my butt over the seat and then carefully put my feet down in between the other persons feet (her foot, my foot, etc). Some people might not be fit enough to do this. It was hard not to step on toes and people were literally knee to knee. The van was barely cool and it was a hot day. In other words we were pretty much stuffed in. My seat leaned back and was not comfortable. I was just glad this was a short 4 hour tour. I don't think I could have made it all day in there.

That all being said, discomfort for a spoiled American, the rest was stunning. There is not a prettier city than Cartagena. Just when we pulled into port it took my breath away. When you see the city from the top it is spectacular.

We did all the typical things inside the wall. Walked around a bit and Marelvy explained everything to us and answered all our questions.

Our main goal was to see the small Gold Museum which is why we took this tour and had requested that. The Museum was wonderful. We walked some city streets, had a little time for shopping, saw neighborhoods, parks, views. A very good taste of the city. It is a place you could stay for a month as just a tourist to discover. I think our tour touched all necessary sights in the limited time we had.

So great guide, driver, sights. My only caution would be if you have handicapped or disabled this would be hard for you to get in and out of the van. Definitely worth the price and I'd go again.

Oh yes, can't forget this. Marelvy answered my e-mails with lightening speed, being responsive and I really appreciated that. She's a super nice lady. read less

Wonderful Tour and Guide Marelvey did not disappoint our 14 person tour organized online among Celebrity Infinity travelers. She quickly assessed our group's... read moreMarelvey did not disappoint our 14 person tour organized online among Celebrity Infinity travelers. She quickly assessed our group's wants, desires, and capabilities. We had a great time at el Popa and learned about the Fortress of San Felipe before disembarking for some photos. Very conscious of the heat and humidity, Marelvey planned our walking tour of old town to include a few refreshing air-conditioned sites with convenient bathroom breaks. It was an excellent tour covering all the advertised points. As the tour organizer, I found her very responsive to email requests. There is no doubt why she has such a high TA rating. read less

Highly recommend Marelvy!! We were in Cartagena for 2 days and did an evening tour one day and a full day tour the... read moreWe were in Cartagena for 2 days and did an evening tour one day and a full day tour the next with Marelvy. It is obvious that she loves her city and is so happy to share it with you. She is a wealth of knowledge and takes you to some out of the way places you would not otherwise see. Cartagena is a beautiful city...thank you Marelvy for being such an amazing tour guide. read less

Great city Tour Marelvy was an excellent guide who had a great historical knowledge of her city. The tour was promoted... read moreMarelvy was an excellent guide who had a great historical knowledge of her city. The tour was promoted as being 4 1/2 hours but actually extended to six, which was great for our one day stop on the Equinox. 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

thoroughly enjoyed our tour in Cartagena with Marelvy I set up a tour with Marelvy after reading trip Advisor reviews. I formed a group of 14 through... read moreI set up a tour with Marelvy after reading trip Advisor reviews. I formed a group of 14 through Cruise Critic and then added a few more after getting on our ship. The hardest part was finding her and the bus once we got off the ship in Cartagena! Once we got going it was great. She showed us all the highlights of the city in a limited amount of time but we didn't feel rushed. We started at La Popa and got a great view of the city from the highest point, visited the Fortress, toured the old walled city and had a chance to do a little shopping in the plazas.. Marelvy had a tremendous knowledge of her city, was easy to understand and very personable. 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

Outstanding tour and guide Surprisingly, Cartegena was my favorite port on our Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. And Marelvy's tour... read moreSurprisingly, Cartegena was my favorite port on our Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. And Marelvy's tour was also one of the best I experienced on the cruise. She was a great communicator by e-mail, giving us easy instructions on meeting her as well as clear information on what we could expect on the tour.

Marelvy was right on time and a group of eight of us met her at the pier as scheduled. Right away I knew we made the right decision, she exudes warmth and intelligence and made us all feel comfortable as she guided us to the large passenger van located on the dock parking lot. The van was new -- comfortable and very clean. The driver was pleasant and professional.

She expertly guided us around her city giving is insights into its history and people in contemporary Cartegena -- the good bad and ugly. Not only was Marelvy a great guide for the history and architecture of the city, she was an expert guide to buying at the various shops in the city.

She took us to an area that she buys her jewelry and gifts. I purchased a wonderful pre-Colombian statue for my collection of pottery and I bought my wife a very nice set of emerald ear rings. Both from certified stores with great reputations.

Her tour is much superior to the cruise ship tours and cost much less. it was fun and fact filled. Like having a friend guide you around their town. I would recommend the tour without reservation. It's one of the best. read less

Delightful tour We were able to join a late afternoon walking tour that had been organized by one of the participants on... read moreWe were able to join a late afternoon walking tour that had been organized by one of the participants on the Celebrity Cruise Critic message board. Ester was our informative guide. She insured that we saw many areas of the old city, and was able to arrange our entry into unexpected sites as well. Ester provided us with history that truly enriched our visit to her beautiful city. She arranged for a rooftop bar/restaurant visit timed perfectly for the sunset. read less

Great tour! We were a small group from a cruise ship, only in Cartagena for the afternoon. We were well-managed from... read moreWe were a small group from a cruise ship, only in Cartagena for the afternoon. We were well-managed from the start and had a wonderful tour of so many sights! We also got a sense of its cultural and political history. It was excellent and made us want to return! read less

like having a friend guide you along Marelvy Pena-Hall was a great guide in a great city---she met us at the ship and took us around the... read moreMarelvy Pena-Hall was a great guide in a great city---she met us at the ship and took us around the city in her bus--she is very knowledgeable and personable and very accommodating. She was like a friend showing you around. Opted for her tour rather than the ones the ship offered. We were on a Panama Canal cruise on the Staatendam. Did my homework for this Cartagena tour and found her and glad I did--everyone loved her--thanks Marelvy--sorry I waited so long to write this review. read less

See hidden gems We went on a 2-3 hour walking tour with Marelvy, and it was excellent. She took us to places we... read moreWe went on a 2-3 hour walking tour with Marelvy, and it was excellent. She took us to places we definitely would not have found on our own. One was a really cool art/cafe space. She also clearly explained the history of Cartegena and how it has changed over the years. We had a great time, and it set us up well for the next few days of exploring. 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

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

Sightseeing in Cartagena de los Indias -answers Sightseeing in Cartagena de los Indias with Marelvy was excellent in any cases for viewing, questions -answers and very friendships... read moreSightseeing in Cartagena de los Indias with Marelvy was excellent in any cases for viewing, questions -answers and very friendships - quality prices very good too read less

Top notch Marelvy picked up our group at the end of the cruise dock, and we were off on a city tour... read moreMarelvy picked up our group at the end of the cruise dock, and we were off on a city tour that busted any preconceived ideas we may have had about Columbia. She was interesting, and provided information on the history, peoples, religions, art & regions of Columbia and more. Be aware that the climate can be hot & humid - wear sunscreen & head covering & bring water. The street vendors were the most aggressive we've encountered anywhere, particularly near the Old Fort. As a parting gift, she gave us a poster her husband had designed for a festival. Highly recommend. read less

What a Surprise . . . I had arranged for Marelvy to do a special tour for my group before leaving on our cruise. We... read moreI had arranged for Marelvy to do a special tour for my group before leaving on our cruise. We had a very short stop in Cartagena and needed a specialize tour for the group. I arranged it all via Email after reading the reviews on Tripadvisor from previous travelers. We were met at the port and escorted through the visitors center to our awaiting minicoach by Marelvy's daughter. Marelvy was very welcoming to a distance land I had never visited before. Off we went for the sightseeing tour of historic Cartagena and the surrounding areas. We stopped for shopping in a wonderful marketplace, I never would have found. We did a short walking tour of the historic district, visiting several of the beautiful courtyards. She gave us time to rest along the way. Marelvy is very informed and can easily project her love for Cartagena and Columbia. Everyone on our tour thought she was great, and easily heard on a moving coach. If you are looking for a great personal tour of this wonderful city, don't look anywhere else . . . you have found the best. Marelvy . . . . Thank You read less

Good experience Knowledgable. Good English. Warm and friendly.

We did the 4 hour tour of the fortress, monestaries, and... read moreKnowledgable. Good English. Warm and friendly.

We did the 4 hour tour of the fortress, monestaries, and the old city. $195 included private car from our hotel, entrance fees and explanations.

She is from Cartagena but spent time in the USA and France. I think her favorite subject in school must have been history as she tells it with excitement. read less

Great Tour MareIvy is a wonderful person who knows a lot about her city and its people. Contacting her was easy: she... read moreMareIvy is a wonderful person who knows a lot about her city and its people. Contacting her was easy: she was very responsive to email. Our afternoon with her was delightful. She took us to many of the main sites in the walled city as well as a few hidden gems. Would highly recommend. read less

Warm and Knowledgeable Tour Guide -Recommended Marelvy REALLY knows her history and is willing to share. She has a warm personality and is patient and gentle.... read moreMarelvy REALLY knows her history and is willing to share. She has a warm personality and is patient and gentle. She had a terrific van with a driver that could compete in NASCAR. We signed up for the her "Highlights" tour. There was a long drive to a old church with a city overlook. The view was great from the church -but if I were to go again, I'd spend more time in the old town. And maybe have her take me to a good restaurant... The old town is charming and is a little like New Orleans. read less

The very best way to experience this city Marelvy and her daughter provided a tailored, fascinating, and highly varied look at Cartegena in just a little over a... read moreMarelvy and her daughter provided a tailored, fascinating, and highly varied look at Cartegena in just a little over a half day. Her historical knowledge sets her apart, and she adapted the itinerary to our artistic interests, showing us street sculptures and a gold museum as well as the expected forts, churches, gardens, and shopping stops. The tour started at La Popa, a historical and religious site with sweeping city views. We visited two lovely churches, strolled through a city neighborhood with marvelous shops, cafes, artwork, and cheerful vendors. We saw tropical birds near the pier at the end of our tour, a nice "extra". There were six of us, two with some mobility issues, and we all were well served and delighted by the experience. read less

Excellent tour; knowledgeable, friendly guide Katty showed us her beautiful city of Cartagena. She made the tour very pleasant in a more intimate experience,... read moreKatty showed us her beautiful city of Cartagena. She made the tour very pleasant in a more intimate experience, where she shared with us more details about life in Colombia. Very well though out itinerary and accommodating of our requests. read less

Knowledgeable, Warm, A Wonderful Tour After a lot of research we chose to go with Marlevy and we were so glad we did. Marlevy has... read moreAfter a lot of research we chose to go with Marlevy and we were so glad we did. Marlevy has a passion for her city that shows throughout the tour. We were on a cruise ship with two teenaged sons; while my wife and were eagerly looking forward to the trip we were worried that our sons who had not had great experiences on earlier and soppusedly similar tours would be less than thrilled. However we all agreed it was our favorite stop. In part because the city is so beautiful and in equal measure because of Marlevy.

She took us to places others didn't go and while our time was much too short (the cruise ship curse) every minute was well spent.

We look forward to returning something I can't say about all our other stops. read less

A Spectacular Tour with a Terrific Guide - Marelvy I first want to thank you for the wonderful tour . You have such great knowledge and a great... read moreI first want to thank you for the wonderful tour . You have such great knowledge and a great talent for story telling. You weave interesting facts from the past into the present as well as the future. We certainly came away with a feel for the people, the history and the beautiful city of Cartegena. Thank you for sharing all of this and yourself with us. You made each one of us feel special. read less

A perfect tour guide if you want to know about the city. Marelvy has a good knowledge about the history and places of the city of Cartagena. It is worthy to hire... read moreMarelvy has a good knowledge about the history and places of the city of Cartagena. It is worthy to hire her for a tour if you have the interest to know more things than the usual typical stuff. She will explain you all you want and will give you good tips about where to eat good and cheap meals of traditional colombian food and many other things. Gracias Marelvy. I enjoyed a lot in the tour and learnt many things. All the best!! Fran. read less

Great tour in Cartagena... What more can I say that hasn't already been said about the tour operator.....she deserves all the wonderful comments that... read moreWhat more can I say that hasn't already been said about the tour operator.....she deserves all the wonderful comments that are posted on this thread and I agree with every one of them.

Marelvy's daughter was with us the entire day and we enjoyed sharing great conversation with her....she could easily follow in her mother's footsteps. read less

A Brief But Thoroughly Satisfactory Visit in Cartagena Thanks to a cruise mate who had arranged a tour with Marelvy Pena-Hall in advance through tripadvisor.com, my wife and... read moreThanks to a cruise mate who had arranged a tour with Marelvy Pena-Hall in advance through tripadvisor.com, my wife and I enjoyed about five hours in both of Cartagena's new and old cities. The experience was most pleasurable, thanks in large part to Marelvy's observations and comments, in flawless English, about Cartagena and Colombia. read less

Old Town Cartagena Contacted Marelvy via email to inquire about private tours and received immediate response. Confirmed pricing and date/times, etc. Contacted again... read moreContacted Marelvy via email to inquire about private tours and received immediate response. Confirmed pricing and date/times, etc. Contacted again via email a few days prior to ship arrival to reconfirm.

Was met at pier at stated time and were escorted to meet the van, driver, and guide.

Van was neat and clean, and very comfortable for a party of four.

Driver Manuel was extremely courteous and careful with his driving.

Our guide "Bienvenido" (Ben) was outstanding. His English was fabulous and his explanations of what we were seeing was exactly what we were looking for - very factual and loaded with anecdotes and history.

Even though we followed the typical tourist circle Bienvenido always kept us at a distance from the massive tour groups. Tour pace was just right for a warmish day.

We were even lucky enough to get a private tour of the best Salsa bar in Cartagena - Fidel's. And to top it off, we actually met Fidel himself!

Will certainly contact Marelvy if travels once again bring us to Cartagena in the future. The very best in my opinion!

Oh, and we did get to meet Marelvy in person as we were half way through our tour while she was leading another group! read less

Excellent tour guide and so much more! I was in Cartagena last September, and booked a tour with MareIvy. What I got was a Cartagenan family... read moreI was in Cartagena last September, and booked a tour with MareIvy. What I got was a Cartagenan family experience that will stay with me the rest of my life. First, MareIvy is a solid professional who was able to answer my ample and complex questions about her amazing city. She is fluent in many languages, she is patient, flexible and will adjust to whatever your interests are. You will not be disappointed with her guiding skills and knowledge. As others have noted however, you will get much more than simply a tour with MareIvy.

For example, I expressed interest in learning more about the history of emeralds, so we visited a factory and did a bit of shopping. Also, I am a dancer, and said that I wanted to take some salsa lessons. Her daughter is a professional dancer, starring in a daily show about traditional dance customs in Colombia. They arranged for me to watch the show, and then her daughter organized private salsa lessons for me with one of the performers.

I was traveling alone, and at the show I met the rest of her family. They kindly adopted me, and I had the great fortune to get to spend some time with a lovely, warm, interesting group of folks while I was in the city. Booking the tour with MareIvy was the smartest decision I made, because in addition to the history I learned, I had one of those amazing travel experiences that impact your life. MareIvey is simply one of those people who want to share her city (and in my very lucky case, her family) with foreigners to make sure they fall in love with Cartagena. read less

Fantastic tour - would highly recommend! We booked this tour with a large group from Cruise Critic on the Island Princess. I coordinated the tour and... read moreWe booked this tour with a large group from Cruise Critic on the Island Princess. I coordinated the tour and ended up with 31 people on the tour. We were met not far from the dock and escorted to two very nice air conditioned buses. Marelvy was our guide and I heard from the other group that they loved their guide as well. We truly enjoyed all the areas we were taken to see and all the new information we learned about Cartagena. They also kept a close eye on the time and made sure we were back to the dock with plenty of time to be back on the ship prior to sailing. I would highly recommend this tour company to anyone coming into Cartagena on a tour ship. Much cheaper than going on a ship tour, plus a lot fewer people to get on/off the buses. This results in a lot more attention per passenger and you can have extra time in the areas to see things when you don't have to spend so much time gathering everyone back up again to get on the bus. You will not regret this decision.

Marelvy - Thanks for a memorable, wonderful day!!! read less

Excellent guide We had booked a private tour which was just excellent. Marelvy know what she is talking about. We learned and... read moreWe had booked a private tour which was just excellent. Marelvy know what she is talking about. We learned and enjoyed it a lot. read less

The best tour on our trip We took a tour with two other guests, the price worked out cheaper than the ship’s tour which had about... read moreWe took a tour with two other guests, the price worked out cheaper than the ship’s tour which had about 40 in each group!

An excellent tour from start to finish. Loved walking through the narrow streets. Lots of variety in what we saw. Marelvy was a great guide. Highly recommended. read less

Wonderful tour experience We were traveling on the Coral Princess March 6-16 and chose this private tour over those offered by the cruise... read moreWe were traveling on the Coral Princess March 6-16 and chose this private tour over those offered by the cruise line. My sister, who was also traveling with us, had gotten this recommendation from a friend that had gone on the tour before. It was a great choice as we all enjoyed it. We were picked up in a smaller bus (14 people as we requested) right as we came off the ship. Marelvy was very informative & easy to understand (often not the norm in foreign locations). We traveled by bus through a large part of the city and then met up with another guide, Cathy, who took us on a walking tour of the Old City before meeting back up with Marelvy. She was also very informative....a side note.....Cathy was on the Amazing Race when one of the teams asked her a question on a certain location. Are favorite place was the first stop at La Popa which was fantastic. A must if you stop here. read less

Great Tour with Marelvy..... Great walking tour......... my husband has Parkinsons but she was always looking for a place for him to rest. ... read moreGreat walking tour......... my husband has Parkinsons but she was always looking for a place for him to rest. Highlights of the City tour was well worth it. She knows her stuff. read less

Wonderful Gide and Cartagena Touring Companion Last week my wife and I spent two thoroughly enjoyable and educational half days touring beautiful Cartagena with Marelvy. The... read moreLast week my wife and I spent two thoroughly enjoyable and educational half days touring beautiful Cartagena with Marelvy. The first was an afternoon walking tour of the old city followed on the second day by a more expansive city tour covered by car and, of course, walking. Marelvy is thoroughly knowledgeable and fun to spend time with. She was open to tailoring our time together to make sure that we were seeing and doing what was important to us. And, to be honest, this included a bit of shopping along the way. She's highly recommended for private touring. read less

Book it, especially if on a cruise! Excellent information during the booking process. We were met punctually off the ship by MarelIvy, a delightful, informative lady who... read moreExcellent information during the booking process. We were met punctually off the ship by MarelIvy, a delightful, informative lady who gave us a good insight into living in Cartagena and its architecture. Her enthusiasm for the city and what she does is infectious, and the time flew by! It's a great trip so don't hesitate to book. 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

“Marelvy Pena conducts a n excellent tour tour Beginning with quick emails and clear communication.. I KNEW this would be a wonderful experience. We had 8 of us... read moreBeginning with quick emails and clear communication.. I KNEW this would be a wonderful experience. We had 8 of us on tour. W were met outside the ship exactly where she said to meet. quick walk thru an unexpected walk past thru an animal sanctuary and we were leaded on the new and air conditioned bus. Marelvy greeted us with a hug and a promise to make sure we enjoyed the day. We took the city tour. By the end of our 6 hour day I felt we were informed and enthralled with her beautiful city. She did not have us pay until the tour was completed..."to make sure we were happy." and of course we were. She sent us home with a beautiful poster that was a copy of one her husband was commissioned to make a coupe years ago for a local event. She was easy to understand end was a wealth of knowledge. I can understand why she comes so highly recommended. She encouraged us to purchase local and I watched her invest in her community as well. She let us know when she felt something was a good price or let us know to wait. 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

Very knowledgable and terrific English We took a group to Cartagena and were lucky to have Marly guide us through the walled city. she... read moreWe took a group to Cartagena and were lucky to have Marly guide us through the walled city. she was very knowledgable and patient with all of our questions. The streets of the walled city are narrow so she used headsets so that everyone could hear her--it was a great idea. read less

Cartagena with Marelvy made a difference She was on time, very nice, has a large knowledgy of the history of Catagena de Indias. If you want... read moreShe was on time, very nice, has a large knowledgy of the history of Catagena de Indias. If you want a city guide i highly recomend. read less

Colonial city Beautiful, colorful, friendly, safe. A great place to do shopping. From jewelry to crafts, clothing, and paints.

Cartegena highlights Earlier this month I booked a tour of Cartegena through Marelvy Peña-Hall. Since she was already going to be... read moreEarlier this month I booked a tour of Cartegena through Marelvy Peña-Hall. Since she was already going to be leading another tour she scheduled her colleague Ben Torres to our group of 17. Ben was an incredible, charming and knowledgeable tour guide and historian, and our driver was skilled, friendly and took great care of us.

Cartegena is a charming jewel of a city! Ben took us to the highlights of this stunning place including La Popa and several other stops including the old walled city.

Ben is an incredibly passionate historian with a deep knowledge and love for his country which was contagious. I love Colombia and I hope I can return someday.

Thank you to Ben and company for a wonderful day,

I highly recommend booking your Cartegena tour through this company. 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

City Highlights tour Rather than take a less personal cruise sponsored tour, we joined 10 others for an excellent and informative city highlights... read moreRather than take a less personal cruise sponsored tour, we joined 10 others for an excellent and informative city highlights tour of Cartagena with Marelvy Tours. What others have said about this tour and Marelvy are postively true! Marelvy was an engaging,friendly and knowledgeable guide, delivering exactly what was proposed in very understandable English. I'm sure being married to an American artist has helped her English fluency. We were met at the gangway and taken around the city in an air conditioned van and then for a most interesting walking tour of the old city core, including a tour of a pre-Columbian gold museum. Customized stops were welcomed which the flexibility a private tour allows. Knowing we wanted to take advantage of the lower price offered for 10+ group, Marelvy kept in constant touch with us via email, informing us when the required number was reached to get the lower fee which was very competitive with the cruise sponsored tour. In response to our request, Marelvy also made sure we stopped at a local coffee vendor to get the best prices for Colombian coffee even though she does not drink the beverage. What also distinguished this tour from the larger cruise tour was a visit to the La Popa former convent for an impressive panarama view of the city and tour of this special religious institution. There was also a photo op there with a sloth. Marelvy also gave us a welcoming gift to take home which was a lovely poster print by her husband commemorating Cartagena's independence bicentennial. A memorable touch indeed! read less

Friendly, Knowledgeable and Pleasant Tour Guide We took a private tour with Marelvy on February 8 when our ship docked in Cartagena. Marelvy's daughter was... read moreWe took a private tour with Marelvy on February 8 when our ship docked in Cartagena. Marelvy's daughter was there to greet us as soon as we reached the dock entrance. We visited all the places that Marelvy had mentioned on her email. The tour was a pleasant one. Although we can only spend 3-1/2 hours for the tour because our ship leaves at 1:00 p.m., we do not feel that we were rushed through the sites. Tour of the old city by foot is nice. If we have more time, it would be nice to visit the Dungeon to look at some local crafts. Marelvy gave each family a poster of her husband's oil painting that was chosen for the bincentennial of the independence of Cartagena. A beautiful poster. We would definitely recommend her for any private tour in Cartagena. If we go back to this place again, we will definitely contact Marelvy again. read less

Excellent day with Marelvy We really enjoyed our day with Marelvy. She is an excellent guide.

The only issue we had was that we... read moreWe really enjoyed our day with Marelvy. She is an excellent guide.

The only issue we had was that we were told not to take the ship's shuttle and we would be met and escorted to her van. While not an issue for us, it is quite a walk (pretty) to the meeting point and for those with mobility issues, I think they would have been better off in the shuttle. (this is why it gets 4* instead of 5*)

Other than that our day was fabulous. Marelvy did a great job of avoiding the big tours. We had a short time in this lovely port and she made sure that we maximized our time without rushing us at any point.

A beautiful city, surprising and enchanting.

Great day! read less

Day Excursion with MareIvy Pena Our day tour of Cartagena, Columbia with MareIvy Pena was wonderful. From the planning, MareIvy immediately responded to my emails... read moreOur day tour of Cartagena, Columbia with MareIvy Pena was wonderful. From the planning, MareIvy immediately responded to my emails with answers to all my questions. We were on a Celebrity Cruise with a port visit in Cartegena. MareIvy met us right on the dock with a big warm smile and the rest of the day just got better. Everything previously written I confirm. Additionally, she addressed personal requests and our entire group of 12 were thrilled with the individual and group attention we received from MareIvy. I highly recommend her services! read less

Highlights of the City tour This was a fantastic tour! Marelvy loves Cartagena and has so much knowledge to share. Her enthusiasm was infectious and... read moreThis was a fantastic tour! Marelvy loves Cartagena and has so much knowledge to share. Her enthusiasm was infectious and we gained a whole new appreciation for this wonderful city. We would not hesitate to recommend her tours - it was such a great experience! read less

Tour of Cartagena de Indias with Marelvy Pena-Hall My family and I had a wonderful experience with Marelvy on a recent trip to Cartagena. We know the... read moreMy family and I had a wonderful experience with Marelvy on a recent trip to Cartagena. We know the city well, however, she was able to point out many helpful hints (ie: where to eat, reputable tours, tipping guidelines, etc). She was warm, funny, and patient with a large family of all ages. She is also extraordinarily well versed on the cities culture, history, and contemporary trends. Her bus was comfortable, safe, and well equipped with A/C, and the driver was very pleasant. If you are considering a city tour in Cartagena, and have a real thirst for knowledge, you will be very pleased with Marelvy. read less

Cartegena Tour off Cruise Ship In November, 2016 our tour ship was going to be in Cartagena for only 6 hours. We didn't like... read moreIn November, 2016 our tour ship was going to be in Cartagena for only 6 hours. We didn't like any of the ship's excursions and got Marelvy's name from Trip Advisor and the high ratings. We were looking for a customized tour of Cartagena that maximized our short time in the city. We also wanted more control over our itinerary than a structured tour. This was for 4 people. Marelvy arranged us to meet her associate, Ester and her driver after we got off the ship. Ester was perfect, getting us to all the attractions, listening to what we wanted to do and making it happen. We finished up the day being brought to the roof of a boutique hotel in the middle of the Old City. Drinks, appetizer and a killer view was a great way to finish up the day. This company is highly recommended and Marelvy is very responsive to email inquiries. read less

Excellent! Marelvy is a wonderful tour guide. So knowledgeable and friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Would highly recommend it.

The... read moreMarelvy is a wonderful tour guide. So knowledgeable and friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Would highly recommend it.

The tour was exactly as promised and far exceeded our expectations. read less

Believe it - she is fabulous! I can't say enough about MareIvy. She gives a great tour; her English is outstanding; her knowledge is broad;... read moreI can't say enough about MareIvy. She gives a great tour; her English is outstanding; her knowledge is broad; the van is nicely air conditioned; she responds promptly to emails and keeps in touch; she's got a great sense of humor and is very friendly. We all got a poster designed by her husband at the end of the tour; ours is out being framed as I write this. read less

Excellent experience with Silvia Marelvy was unavailable for our desired date, so she kindly arranged for her colleague Silvia to give us a city... read moreMarelvy was unavailable for our desired date, so she kindly arranged for her colleague Silvia to give us a city tour. It was a wonderful experience. Siliva was knowledgeable and pleasant to spend the day with. She even helped us get prescriptions we needed from the pharmacy. Thank you! read less

Best Guide in Cartagena. Dear Marelvy, There are barely words to tell you how much we enjoyed our time with you and seeing... read moreDear Marelvy, There are barely words to tell you how much we enjoyed our time with you and seeing Cartagena through your eyes. Being with you was like being with an old friend, and we fell in love with Cartagena because of you and your magnificent way of expressing the history, culture, and life of this wonderful city. We thank you for the gifts of your husband's poster, which we will always treasure. We would so like to meet him someday and see more of his work. He is greatly talented. In the meantime, thank you again for a most wonderful day, and we so hope we meet again.

Affectionately,

Keith and Brian 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

Great off the beaten track tour We booked last minute but they were able to accommodate us which was nice. Our tour guide Esther was... read moreWe booked last minute but they were able to accommodate us which was nice. Our tour guide Esther was great! She gave a very informative tour of the city sharing with us stories of her childhood there and taking us to places that only locals would know such as seeing the nice view from a hotel terrace and showing us the beautiful courtyard of the university. It was a wonderful way to get aquatinted with the city and I would highly recommend it. read less

Informative, personal and fun tour Marelvy is so personable that we felt very comfortable with our surroundings, and learnt a great deal about the society,... read moreMarelvy is so personable that we felt very comfortable with our surroundings, and learnt a great deal about the society, language, history and customs of Cartagena. It was as easy as having coffee with a good friend. read less