TOUR GUIDE IN CARTAGENA

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

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

Cartagena, Arepas, Botero, Beauty, Seaside Wonder, Colombian Coffee. What more can anyone ask for? What a wonderful tour and tour guide. Marelvy, who came highly recommeded was already busy with another group but... read moreWhat a wonderful tour and tour guide. Marelvy, who came highly recommeded was already busy with another group but was able to get us the most wonderful guide, Sylvia. She suited the tour to our desires, showing us the beautiful views from La Popa, the plazas and shopping, the Botero statue, the seaside wall and fort and best of all, at our request, took us to a lovely spot for a wonderful Colombian treat, arepas con huevos with the best Colombian coffee. The short stay, we were on a Celebrity cruise and only had a few hours, was truly memorable. Gracias. read less

Excellent Service After reading reviews on Trip Advisor, I contacted Marelvy by email to arrange for a private tour in Columbia on... read moreAfter reading reviews on Trip Advisor, I contacted Marelvy by email to arrange for a private tour in Columbia on our cruise through the Panama Canal on Princess in April. Since there were 3 ships in port that day and our ship was the last to arrive, Marelvy arranged to have her associate Sylvia as our guide. We were able to hit all the highlights and have time for a Columbian coffee break. Sylvia spoke perfect English and the tour was fabulous. We were back in plenty of time for the departure of our ship. read less

Private tour of Cartagena We are a group of 6, 2 families with teens, we visited Cartagena on MSC Divina. Our tour guide was... read moreWe are a group of 6, 2 families with teens, we visited Cartagena on MSC Divina. Our tour guide was Ester, Marelvy was already booked for that day. The tour lasted about 4 hours. Ester was awesome! We learned so much about history and people of Cartagena. We fell in love with the city through Ester's stories. She kept everyone in our group engaged, interested, and was very accommodating to our needs. She became out friend! Would love to return one day to see more of Colombia. Thank you Ester and Marelvy! read less

Excellent tour in Cartagena We were so fortunate to have Marelvy as our tour guide in Cartagena, she really made the day special. ... read moreWe were so fortunate to have Marelvy as our tour guide in Cartagena, she really made the day special. She was very easy to communicate with by email in advance, suggesting an excellent tour for our time available in Cartagena. She was there waiting as we got off the ship, we were a group of six and the minivan was perfect for us, with air conditioning and an exceptional driver. Marelvy is a wealth of information on culture, history and current issues. She was attentive to the interests of the group and even gave us the opportunity to shop for fabric. We were returned to the cruise ship with perfect timing and we felt as though we were leaving new-found friends in Marelvy and her driver. Highly recommend without any reservations at all. She is the best. read less

WOW - what a wonderful tour guide, perfect English! Marelvy is in and of herself, a "must see" attraction in Cartagena. Aside from her deep knowledge and love... read moreMarelvy is in and of herself, a "must see" attraction in Cartagena. Aside from her deep knowledge and love for the city, this woman knows EVERYONE...when you tour with her you get to meet many people who highly regard her, this woman was warm, friendly, and evokes the spirit and love of Cartagena. read less

Good to learn the culture and history of the city We did a walking tour through the old city of Cartagena with Marelvy's associate and she was great! She showed... read moreWe did a walking tour through the old city of Cartagena with Marelvy's associate and she was great! She showed us the different buildings accompanying with stories behind it. It is worth it, since they speak Eng very well, compare to others tour which was more geared towards local, Spanish-speaking. I learnt so much of the culture and history in this beautiful during the walking tour. She took us to different areas of Cartagena we may have not ventured into on our own....It was interesting to explore those relatively poor neighborhood outside the old city, we got to see the real life scenes of the locals. Last but not least, I received a very pretty poster sent by Marelvy one day later, and it was a beautiful poster. That was a great souvenir and good story to tell! read less

Splendid morning Marvelvy greeted our party with her signature bright smiles and heart-felt hugs. I knew instantly we were going to... read moreMarvelvy greeted our party with her signature bright smiles and heart-felt hugs. I knew instantly we were going to have a good time with her. She guided us carefully and thoughtfully through the streets of the city sharing stories and histories.

Someday, we hope to return and take a different tour with her of Cartagena. She is a gem of her city, a true treasure.

Thanks to her and her most excellent driver for such a splendid morning. read less

Best tour guide ever! Booked the tour in advance on line on a cruise critic suggestion. Marelvy was waiting for us with a... read moreBooked the tour in advance on line on a cruise critic suggestion. Marelvy was waiting for us with a new air conditioned bus-lots of room for our group of about 18. She was a lovely person and she treated us like her old friends from school visiting her country. Her choice of places to visit was perfect- The Poppa, the outside of the fort, the old town, and a shopping area that was once a barracks. Having her guide us through Cartagena was such a good decision. We learned alot and took lots of beautiful photos of the old town. I will definitely be back and will likely book another tour with the charming Marelvy. read less

Beautiful Cartagena Four of scheduled a private tour and were met at the ship by our tour guide. Cartagena has a very... read moreFour of scheduled a private tour and were met at the ship by our tour guide. Cartagena has a very lovely welcoming center with tropical trees and birds and good shopping. Our first stop was the San Felipe fortress. We then started our Route of Garcia Marquez. We had read his books some years ago. It helps to read them right before your visit. We visited many of the sites referred to in his books. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the city and the author. Although Marelvy was not available that day, our guide was excellent. It is such a lovely and welcoming city, we would like to return. read less

What a fantastic host Our trip with Marelvy (Pronounced.... Mar-el-v) was fantastic. We traveled with my Mobility challenged folks (one stayed on the... read moreOur trip with Marelvy (Pronounced.... Mar-el-v) was fantastic. We traveled with my Mobility challenged folks (one stayed on the bus and states she really enjoyed the drive through town) and she did everything to accommodate without detracting from the rest of the tour.

We visited some great sites and never felt rushed at any point. As I had arranged tours in the past and have had some bad experiences with others I was very apprehensive, Marelvy did not disappoint in any way. She sent us a map of where we would and met us as we got off the cruise ship at the exact spot. The Driver was friendly and helpful.

We had more people sign up for this tour than the bus would hold and Marelvy arraigned for another bus instead of packing us like sardines. As Cartagena is hot and humid, the buses were a great relief between sites.

Lastly, her English is fantastic, please enjoy. read less

Great tour guide I decided to book our tour of the city with Marelvy based on TripAdvisor reviews and what a great idea.... read moreI decided to book our tour of the city with Marelvy based on TripAdvisor reviews and what a great idea. She was on time and very friendly. Her knowledge of Colombia history, culture and overall general knowledge is outstanding. We are originally from Cuba and she was able to make association between our colonial history and Colombia. The tour was an old day. We never felt rushed and it was pretty complete. We had 2 kids (5 and 10) and they were both entertained. Highly recommend Marelvy to really get to know the city of Cartagena. read less

Trip with parents We contacted Marelvy, who emailed us promptly with tour information they were there to pick us up and she is... read moreWe contacted Marelvy, who emailed us promptly with tour information they were there to pick us up and she is an amazing tour guide. The places she took us to and the explanation of the history was amazing. Do not miss the excursion. She was prompt reasonable, informative and very flexible with older parents. I am a travel agent from Calgary and would recommend to all my clients, please make sure to email her and take her tour. She even gave us a gift after the tour, . When we go back I will be contacting her again read less

Does Marelvy NEED another 5 star review??....HA!!!!! Just a bit about me....I am NOT a travel agent, rather an avid "traveler" who, for the past 20... read moreJust a bit about me....I am NOT a travel agent, rather an avid "traveler" who, for the past 20 + years has gathered 15 - 25 friends around the country for adventures in the Caribbean, Europe, ALWAYS w/local guides......and this year a 15 night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego , ended up in Ft Lauderdale, less than 2 hrs from our "home" on the West Coast of FL, near Naples. Cartagena was the ONE port of all we visited that my husband & I agreed we want to return to for a longer visit.....and Marelvy SURELY is the main reason for that, as she "listens" to what YOU want to see , no "canned" tours (and NO worries if you are on a cruise ship for the day as they "scare" you into NOT taking local tours w/timing, etc....ignore them!!) ....our interests were history & art, being actively involved with a local art COOP, so our walking tour for about an hour in a local, artist filled area was just great, surely not something one would get on a cruise ship tour. The time we had in port was well spent, NO question we saw MUCH more than we could have w/a ship's tour & Marelvy was VERY attuned to making stops that would make everyone happy. The one comment, in addition, to how much we were able to sample & enjoy in this city in the short time we had there from our group was how totally "REAL, sincere, & caring" Marelvy was.....sharing her city is more than a job to her...it is her pleasure & honor!! In my many years of planning these excursions, she rises to the top. My husband & I cannot wait to return to Cartagena & you KNOW whom we'll contact first when we do that!! 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

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

Customized tour with Marelvy Pena We were a party of 8 from the ms Zuiderdam docked for the morning at Cartagena. Because we were in... read moreWe were a party of 8 from the ms Zuiderdam docked for the morning at Cartagena. Because we were in port such a short time I negotiated with Marelvy via email to shorten her standard 4 hour tour, and she was very amenable to doing this. We ended up dropping the Emerald Museum and some other small things and arranged a tour of 3 hours. She managed to pack a great deal in that three hours, so I felt we still saw the main highlights of Cartagena, but we were never rushed. She is a great guide, her rates are very reasonable, and I would recommend her to anyone wanting to see Cartagena. 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

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

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

Personalized tour of Cartegena I had arranged for Marelvy's tour by email before our February cruise and she greeted us at the dock with... read moreI had arranged for Marelvy's tour by email before our February cruise and she greeted us at the dock with hugs all around and took us on a van tour of the highlights which she recommended. She had a driver for the 14 passenger van for our group of 9. After driving to the highlights from the van and stopping to walk around the old city, the ladies in our group wanted to get some Columbian coffee so she had the driver drive us to a supermarket where the price was not set for tourists and we also enjoyed an iced coffee at a nearby shop. She is well informed, easy to understand and listen to and has a very warm, engaging personality. We thoroughly enjoyed getting an understanding of this unique and historical city. read less

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

Gabriel Garcia Marquez Walking Tour in Cartagena I spent 3+ enjoyable hours with Marelvy on a GMM-themed walking tour in the walled old city of Cartagena. Her... read moreI spent 3+ enjoyable hours with Marelvy on a GMM-themed walking tour in the walled old city of Cartagena. Her knowledge of GMM's books - which she read in both Spanish and English - is encyclopedic and the time we spent together literally flew by. Highly recommended!! read less

Historic colonial city tour and Gabriel García Márquez We had two exciting tours conducted by Marelvy Peña-Hall. She was knowledgeable, personable and engaging. We visited highlights of... read moreWe had two exciting tours conducted by Marelvy Peña-Hall. She was knowledgeable, personable and engaging. We visited highlights of the old walled city with excellent historic and architectural commentary by Marelvy. The Route of García Márquez en Cartagena tour was outstanding. Marelvy is an expert on the life and literary works of Márquez. She vividly described his fictional characters in novels set in places in Cartegena, and also showed us significant venues in the life of Márquez, including his house. Marelvy was warm, charming and vivacious -muy simpática!

Madeline and Jeff Brown

Canada read less

Marelvy Pena-Hall What a wonderful guide. We took two tours with Marelvy. One was a walking tour of the old... read moreWhat a wonderful guide. We took two tours with Marelvy. One was a walking tour of the old city; the second was a combination auto-walking tour of Cartagena. Both were terrific. Marelvy's charm and easygoing personality made for lovely excursions. Her knowledge of the history of Cartagena, as well as a thorough knowledge of relevant literature, was impressive. She made the pirates come to life for us! I highly recommend Marelvy to show you her beautiful city. read less

NUMERO UNO I have travelled the world and have had numerous guides- Marelvy is certainly amongst the very best. She would be... read moreI have travelled the world and have had numerous guides- Marelvy is certainly amongst the very best. She would be a wise choice in Cartegena. read less

Cartagena tour with Marelvy My husband and I, along with three other couples, took Marelvy's tour of Cartagena in February. We sailed on the... read moreMy husband and I, along with three other couples, took Marelvy's tour of Cartagena in February. We sailed on the Celebrity Equinox, disembarked, and were met immediately by Marelvy's tour assistant who brought us over to her van. The tour was excellent, especially her knowledge of the old city. She answered everyone's questions enthusiastically and we gained a great appreciation of this interesting city. We were happy that she gave us a very short time to venture into one or two stores, especially one that had beautiful trays and vases made out of wood and painted wheat. She was professional but a lot of fun throughout the tour. You could tell that she had a great love for her city. We would absolutely recommend her tour to anyone who is planning to visit Cartagena. --Phyllis and Jeff, New York 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_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

This is an OUTSTANDING Tour!! Can't say enough about Marelvy. Excellent communications before the tour and what a wonderful person. She is extremely... read moreCan't say enough about Marelvy. Excellent communications before the tour and what a wonderful person. She is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of Cartagena. She tailored the tour to what the group wanted to see and even gave us all a gift when we left. Highly recommend!!! read less

Excellent tour, person and city We rarely, if ever, go on guided tours of the cities we visit but we read such great things about... read moreWe rarely, if ever, go on guided tours of the cities we visit but we read such great things about Marelvy that we decided to try the City tour she offers. We were not disappointed. This 2.5 hour walking tour of Cartagena was an excellent way to become situated with the city, learn its history, culture and also interact with Marelvy who is a wonderful person. She also does these walking tours in the late afternoon, when the heat is diminishing, which is very accommodating.

We really enjoyed this highly personal, private tour and would definitely advise others visiting Cartagena to get a tour from Marelvy! read less

Excellent tour of a great city! My wife and I contacted Marelvy via Internet and she was an excellent choice. She is a native of... read moreMy wife and I contacted Marelvy via Internet and she was an excellent choice. She is a native of Cartagena and gave us an excellent city tour. She is a very well educated lady with an excellent knowledge of the city. In fact, we went to a church and another guide with a group there, congratulated us for going around with "the very best tour guide in Cartagena". We flew into Cartagena Saturday afternoon and she picked us up Sunday morning at 9 AM. It was just the best decision we could have made. Got to know the whole city and its history in 4 hours. She was not looking at the clock and devoted all the time we needed, never rushing and very attentive to our needs. If anyone goes to Cartagena we would recommend to contact Marelvy beforehand and make sure her tour is the first thing you do there. There is nothing like her there! read less

One of the best tours you’ll ever take! I went on Marelvys tour a year ago and had a wonderful experience. I suggested this tour to my brother... read moreI went on Marelvys tour a year ago and had a wonderful experience. I suggested this tour to my brother and he said it was the best tour of their whole 14 day cruise! This tour guide is great! Very knowledgeable about the history of Cartagena. Very interesting and personable. She will also customize the tour to what your interests are. read less

Great Tour Guide! We had a port day in Cartagena and pre-booked Marelvy's associate Ester as Marelvy already had a tour that day.... read moreWe had a port day in Cartagena and pre-booked Marelvy's associate Ester as Marelvy already had a tour that day. We did the Highlights 4 hour tour. I can't say enough wonderful things about Ester. She was fluent in English, very knowledgeable and had a great personality. She grew up in Cartagena and clearly loved her town - it showed. . Four hours just barely touches the highlights as you could sightsee for a week there. Traffic is usually heavy as it was when we were there. Ester chose to do the tour backwards ( start at end attractions first) so we would have less traffic and crowds. It was a wonderful way of doing it and much appreciated since it was very hot that day. I highly recommend Ester. 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

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

Day tour of Cartagena Following other TripAdvisor ratings, we looked into booking a four hour tour of Cartagena with Marelvy and her team. We... read moreFollowing other TripAdvisor ratings, we looked into booking a four hour tour of Cartagena with Marelvy and her team. We were not disappointed.

Following several email exchanges that were helpful and informative, we met Katty at the pier. It was exactly as described and very simple to find her. The price was not exactly as agreed in our emails because there more people were on the bus. Although it wasn't a big difference, that was a bit of a disappointment. We had agreed on $69 for a group of eight and we ended up with a group of 12 which should have been $63. Still this was very competitive with any ship tour; the advantage was it was with only eight other people.

We had a small air-conditioned bus with the guide and driver. Our tour encompassed a stop at the Convento La Popa de la Galera with spectacular vistas of the city, a stop at the walled fort and a walking driving tour of the old and the new areas of Cartagena. It ended with a stop at an emerald jewelry factory which our group could have done without but others seemed to enjoy. Through it all Katty proved to be a charming and informed guide. She answered our questions with knowledge and humour.

Overall we were very pleased with the tour, other than improving our own negotiations about the price before hand and clearly defined upon arrival, we would recommend the tour to others. read less

A Great Tour Guide! We had booked our tour with Marelvy based on the strength of so many positive Tripadvisor reviews...and we were not... read moreWe had booked our tour with Marelvy based on the strength of so many positive Tripadvisor reviews...and we were not disappointed. In fact, her knowledge of Cartegena, the history of the area and her pleasant, accommodating nature far surpassed our expectations for this tour and made this Port of Call a highlight of our Christmastime Panama Cruise. Our tour included 7 people (my family of 4 and another family of 3) in a modern air-conditioned van with Marelvy and a 5-1/2 star (out of 6) driver. We covered a lot of ground and had a great rapport with our guide and fellow passengers right from the start. Aside from the highlights of Cartagena, Marelvy ensured that our two special requests were satisfied....a stop for coffee at Juan Valdez Coffeeshop and a stop so that my daughter could hold a sloth (a mother sloth with a tiny baby.....definitely a highlight for her!).

We have been on several cruises and we generally select private tours instead of the ship's offerings because we appreciate a more personal, less crowded tour. This was definitely one of the best private city tours we have taken....plus we were given a beautiful Cartagena Bicentennial poster, created by Marelvy's artist husband, to take home....a very nice touch indeed! read less

Cartagena tour with Marelvy Pina-Hall We were a cruise critic self formed group of 14 and I had contacted Marelvy by email weeks before the... read moreWe were a cruise critic self formed group of 14 and I had contacted Marelvy by email weeks before the New Years cruise on Norwegian Pearl. All communications were promptly responded to and Marelvy rep was there to meet us from the ship.

Catagena is very busy at that time of year so lots of traffic. We started at the top the highest point of Catagena for the tour of La Popa. Very informative. Marelvy clearly knows her country's history. Next we went to Castille San Filipe for a photo op. Finally we visited the old walled city, historical buildings and churches before having 1 hour free time to wonder the Plazas and grab a local beer and some empanadas in Plaza San Domingo. This lady goes above and beyond for her guests. She gave each of us a souvenir painting by her husband and after mentioning I wanted to pick up some special coffee brand my daughter in law had told me about I had ran out of time, I got back to the bus and this sweet lady had picked me up a large jar of it. Bless you Marelvy! A very well respected lady in Cartagena. read less

Best guided tour We are seasoned travelers and have used guides on most of our trips. We found Marelvy on tripadvisor and were... read moreWe are seasoned travelers and have used guides on most of our trips. We found Marelvy on tripadvisor and were not disappointed. We were in Cartagena for a medical meeting. She picked us up at the Las Americas hotel and gave us a very comprehensive and interesting city tour. Her driver was great and it was a treat to have an air conditioned car between walks. She also arranged for us to do an excursion to nearby volcano for a mud bath....

We highly recommend Marelvy. read less

Marelvy Pena- Hall is a national treasure In Cartagena for the celebration of my daughter's wedding , I wanted to plan some special excursions for our wedding... read moreIn Cartagena for the celebration of my daughter's wedding , I wanted to plan some special excursions for our wedding guests . Luckily for us I came across Marelvy's reviews in Trip Advisor and was able to book the Gabriel Garcia Marquez walking tour and a city van tour (especially for my 86 year old mother who had some difficulty walking through the narrow streets of the Old City.) Marelvy is a wealth of information about this beautiful colonial city, its history and current state of affairs. . Her English is impeccable, her delivery fascinating and informative and her warmth and humor are infectious. I think we all came away from our experiences with a much greater understanding of Cartagena and Colombia. Marelvy not only leads these tours but with her contacts, she can book pretty much any activities available to visitors. We will definitely be repeat customers when we return to beautiful Cartagena. 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

No Better Way To Experience Cartagena in a Short Time 02 DEC 16. Ship arrived at 7a.m. Departed at 2 p.m. It is difficult to believe we saw so much... read more02 DEC 16. Ship arrived at 7a.m. Departed at 2 p.m. It is difficult to believe we saw so much and was told so much of Cartagena by someone who made it seem that we were just visiting about interesting things and taking in the high-lights while on leisurely walks and van rides.

We were greeted promptly at the appointed place and time. There were 4 of us. Somehow always we were ahead of the 50 passenger tour busses or arriving right after the busses cleared the parking lots. We never felt hurried. There was always time for another question. Never a rush to beat the next mob of 50 chasing an umbrella.

We said we were not shoppers, so we got no shopping stops and more time and details of statutes, churches, gardens, plazas, food, etc.

The amount of time for touring and cost depends on how long your ship is in port, how much time you want to tour and the number of people in the tour. I think Marelvy said she limits the group size to 16 or fewer. She had no problem with us being a group of 4.

What makes this tour 5 stars is Marelvy.

The ship had a shuttle from the gangway to the end of the pier. For the less mobile, the shuttle is valuable. However, some of the tours not associated with the ship's excursion offerings may have greeters on the pier close to the ship. Look for your greeter before using the shuttle. 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

A high point of our Panama Canal cruise We contacted MareIvy by email several months before our cruise and knew by her responsiveness we were in good hands.... read moreWe contacted MareIvy by email several months before our cruise and knew by her responsiveness we were in good hands. She was already booked for our day in port but kindly arranged for another tour guide, Silvia, to meet us. We were met at the harbor entrance by Silvia and driver Luis. They gave us a most wonderful tour of the Old Walled City and nearby sights by private car, which was important because my husband has some mobility issues. We also got to see a lot more than we would have on foot. We did make several stops to get out and move around, including at San Felipe de Barajas Castle, Las Bovedas for souvenir shopping, Plaza Santa Domingo (got a delicious fruit salad cut on the spot by vendor Angelica), and La Popa Monastery for panoramic views of the city.

Silvia is a Cartagena native. She spoke great English and was interesting, knowledgeable and a very nice person to spend time with. Luis did a marvelous job of navigating hectic traffic. We enjoyed our day with both of them. They also knew about the Independence Day parade later that day and reversed their normal pattern so that we could see the parade area early in the day before the crowds and traffic became more intense. We would contact either of them again if we were to revisit Colombia read less

Wonderful experience Our tour guide Katty was fantastic! We had a wonderful experience in Cartegena even though our tour was cut... read moreOur tour guide Katty was fantastic! We had a wonderful experience in Cartegena even though our tour was cut short because our sho was late getting into port. We did a highlight of the city tour which started with La Popa monastery and ended with a trip to see the sloths in the park. Katty did an excellent job weaving the history of Cartagena with current information throughout our visit. She set expectations for each stop and it was evident she enjoyed answering questions and giving us some local color. I highly recommend this company. read less

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

Charming, Knowledgable and Fun Besides We spent three days with Marelvy in Cartagena and found her delightful. She is adaptable and intuitive always making... read moreWe spent three days with Marelvy in Cartagena and found her delightful. She is adaptable and intuitive always making sure that you get the information you need but not giving way more than you want (a fault we often find with tour guides). She has a nice easy manner which provides flow to the day consistent with the city. Her ability to put all Columbian events into a global historical context is a pleasure and gives real value added. We can not recommend her highly enough and are thankful to have found her. 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

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

History Buff We took the "High points of the city" tour with Marelvy on our first full day in Cartagena. She picked... read moreWe took the "High points of the city" tour with Marelvy on our first full day in Cartagena. She picked us up at the hotel at 8 am, and we began our tour promptly within the walled city. I think this is the best way to begin your vacation in Cartagena, you see all the main points of the city first and if you wish to further explore them in the future it makes it easier cause now you know what and where it was. Marelvy is very knowledgeable and quite the history buff, she is clear in both english and spanish and very well spoken. She is passionate about what she does and demonstrates it through her work, we really enjoyed this tour with her. I would highly recommend booking in advance as well because I hear she is in high demand during high season. read less

Highlights of the City tour We were on the Celebrity Reflection in Cartagena on November 11th and 12th Because of the fact that... read moreWe were on the Celebrity Reflection in Cartagena on November 11th and 12th Because of the fact that November 11th was Cartagena's Independence Day, we did our tour the next day. Marelvy had two tours organized that day because of it, so we were on the tour run by one of her associates. There was a nice view of the city from La Popa. I have issues walking too far and from the description we had been given, there would only be one time we'd be walking. It turned out that after we toured Getsemani, there was still another long walking tour. Fortunately I was able to wait in the air-conditioned bus and then met up with the group for lunch, missing the Emerald Museum and Old City. The lunch could have been organized better. I mentioned to the guide that I had health issues that didn't allow me to eat fried foods but I ended up getting a fried fish. We had ordered fish in marinara sauce which in North America means cooked in marinara sauce, not fried - but somehow their version was fried. We were all given a poster of Marelvy dancing. Otherwise, our guide was well-informed and pleasant. read less

Highly Recommended Guide We used Trip Advisor to find this wonderful guide. She promptly met us at the cruise dock with a... read moreWe used Trip Advisor to find this wonderful guide. She promptly met us at the cruise dock with a smile on her face. Our two couples joined another two couples for a wonderful city tour. We highly recommend her. read less

Superior over the top, above and beyond I first contacted Marelvy via email. Knew right away I had made good choice. Knowledgeable, helpful and a sense of... read moreI first contacted Marelvy via email. Knew right away I had made good choice. Knowledgeable, helpful and a sense of humor. Answered all my email questions (and I had a lot). She met us at the bottom of the gang way dressed in white. Smile, warm welcome hug. There were 12 of us. The tour was fantastic. She is very knowledgeable, pleasant, communicates well and relates to her guests. Catered the tour to our interests and at our pace.Talking to fellow cruisers upon return to ship, feel we had BEST tour and great price/value ratio. Her fee includes all admissions. There is none better. AND, she had a surprise for each of us. Won't tell, but was a very nice memory of her and of Cartagena. Book early, as our tour was sold out. Bob R, Rule 240 read less

Wonderful tour! We visited Cartagena in early June, 2017 and had Marelvy as our tour guide. We asked her to combine two... read moreWe visited Cartagena in early June, 2017 and had Marelvy as our tour guide. We asked her to combine two tours so we could maximize our time. She was absolutely wonderful, very knowledgeable, funny, witty and full of incredible stories. She gave us a very personal view of her own city and her undivided attention. I would highly recommend Marelvy to any one traveling to Cartagena! read less

Best time possible in Cartegna We contacted Marelvy via email only days before our ship arrived in Cartegna. But everything went well- saw the... read moreWe contacted Marelvy via email only days before our ship arrived in Cartegna. But everything went well- saw the Gold Museum, "emerald mine" walk thru and major squares in the old town before a visit to the Convent and Church for a visit and the panoramic view of Cartegna. We felt we learned a lot about the city and country.in a few hours. Too bad we didn't have more time. read less

The Best Marelvy We went on a cruise to the Panama Canal and booked a private tour with Marelvy for Cartagena (22nd Jan... read moreWe went on a cruise to the Panama Canal and booked a private tour with Marelvy for Cartagena (22nd Jan 2014) what a wonderful time we had. Not only was it cheaper than the cruise ship excursion but we went to places that the cruise trip didn't. We were met by Marelvy's daughter who escorted us to our mini bus. This was great as there was only 10 of us and we left two hours before the cruise tour so had a head start. The places Marelvy took us to was great and her knowledge does her proud. We were taken inside a vault that houses old pieces of gold and a wonderful art exhibition which was amazing. I cannot tell you enough about Marelvy and agree with everyone else's comments. If you go please try to book her as I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. We are going back to Cartagena for a holiday and would book Marelvy for another tour of places we didn't get to visit due to the time the ship was in port.

Marlvy will contact you soon for this best wishes to you and your family. read less

Great lady and great city tour From the moment she greeted us, Marelvy Pena-Hall was gracious, kind, interesting and fun to be with. She gave... read moreFrom the moment she greeted us, Marelvy Pena-Hall was gracious, kind, interesting and fun to be with. She gave us a very nice "highpoints" of Cartagena tour that all 6 of us enjoyed and would highly recommend. Because the King of Spain was in town, everything was crowded, but Marelvy guided thru it all, adapted when we couldn't get into one museum because the King was on a private tour and just made the entire day special. read less

What a pleasant surprise We took this tour while in port on our cruise. What a pleasant surprise! I think that our... read moreWe took this tour while in port on our cruise. What a pleasant surprise! I think that our perception of Columbia did a 180 degree turn for the better. Marelvy met us at the gangway and we waited for a extra few minutes as one couple did not show. The vehicle she uses is new, air conditioned and very comfortable. Our tour started with The Poppa. It was very helpful to have her explain to us how to deal with the vendors prior to getting off at this stop. After walking through the Poppa and seeing the views we were back on the road. We did a quick stop at the fort but did not enter as it was not part of our tour. Then we headed for some shopping and then off to the old town for a walking tour. Marelvy was an excellent guide and we had no language issues as her command of English is excellent. This was our highlight of our cruise and we will likely go back to Cartegena as it is safe and beautiful. read less

Great tour by MareIvy We were recently visited Cartagena with the Coral Princess.

I made arrangements online with MareIvy for a general overview tour of... read moreWe were recently visited Cartagena with the Coral Princess.

I made arrangements online with MareIvy for a general overview tour of the city.

It was great--we started at La Popa that has great views and an interesting history. Then on for a quick stop of the fort to hear about the history--but we did not go into the fort. Based on a past visit, you really need two hours or more to see everything there. We then did a walking tour of the old walled city and a brief shopping stop a Pierino Gallo (sp?). Feedback from the other 8 couples on this tour said that this was one of the best of the cruise.

MareIvy has excellent command of English with almost no accent. Very knowledgeable of her city and its history. Highly recommended.

There were 3 ships in port the day we were there. Our table mates at dinner who used ship's excursions, said their tour guides (they were all on 3 different tours) had poor command of the English language and very heavy accents which made it very difficult to understand on the poor speaker system on their bus.

People seem to be concerned about safety--I saw no reason to be concerned. Unlike a past visit in the mid-90s, there were no "federales" standing around through out the city with AK-47s. I didn't think the vendors were overly aggressive either--but perhaps with the 3 ships in port, the tourists significantly outnumbered the vendors. read less

One of the highlights of our trip to Cartagena Marelvy is an absolute must for a trip to Cartagena. I discovered her on Tripadvisor and am here to tell... read moreMarelvy is an absolute must for a trip to Cartagena. I discovered her on Tripadvisor and am here to tell you to believe these reviews- she is all of this and more!

I recently went to Cartagena with a group of girlfriends - we had no sense of Cartagena, but previous Tripadvisor reviews pointed us toward Marelvy. I emailed her for more information, and she was both warm and generous with her time in our email exchange. After just a couple of emails I felt I would be arriving, not to a strange country, but into the arms of a local friend!

She offers customized tours to suit your interests -- we wanted sunset at La Popa, a cup of delicious coffee, etc; not the usual tourist fare, and she made it all come true. Don't be afraid to share your interests with her- this woman knows it ALL. She is fluent in a number of languages, and her knowledge of Colombian and local history can come out in any one of them.

If you are going to Cartagena, time spent with her is the best investment you could make! I look forward to future trips back to this beautiful city, and to spending more time learning from her. A gem! read less

A wonderful guide in Cartagena We thoroughly enjoyed Marelvy's wonderful review of Cartagena. She is extremely knowledgeable of the city. We hadn't really done a... read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed Marelvy's wonderful review of Cartagena. She is extremely knowledgeable of the city. We hadn't really done a tour before and it was well worth the investment. Marelvy was able to talk not only about the history of the town but also the current situation and reality of what is developing in the place. That to us is something we couldn't find in reading books of any sort. It was also so helpful to hear about some of the key homes of the city and the history behind them. We would highly recommend a tour with her. Thank you Marelvy. read less

Fantastic Tour with Marelvy!! My family of 4 adults and 2 children arrived on the Coral Princess in March 2013. Marelvy greeted us... read moreMy family of 4 adults and 2 children arrived on the Coral Princess in March 2013. Marelvy greeted us on the gangway! Our driver was waiting with a clean air conditioned bus and we were on our way to tour the city!! We made our way through the city and to the local market for some souvenirs. The highlight of the tour was the opportunity to watch Marelvy's daughter perform with her local dance team! Truly fabulous! As we headed back to the ship, my 10 year old daughter realized that the little emerald ring she bought at the local market had a stone missing. As you can imagine, she was very disappointed. As we did not have time to return to the the market, Marelvy said that she would have it fixed and sent to the states. A few weeks later, my daughter was thriled to receive her ring in the mail! Amazing! Marelvy went above and beyond to ensure our daughter received her special emerald ring from Cartagena! Marelvy is a very special person and a fantastic tour guide! Her knowledge and passion for her country are inspiring! Be sure to book early so you can experience this fabulous tour! 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

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

Amazing Day with Marelvy Last October, we spent the most grand day touring Cartagena with this articulate & charming woman. Not only does... read moreLast October, we spent the most grand day touring Cartagena with this articulate & charming woman. Not only does she know the city but she makes you love it. Marelvy shared stories & histories yet never bored us. I urge anyone to connect with her to enjoy this city & her wonderful hugs. 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

Excellent tour with an outstanding guide! After reading many Trip Advisor comments about Marelvy, we booked a tour with her and we are so glad we... read moreAfter reading many Trip Advisor comments about Marelvy, we booked a tour with her and we are so glad we did! She answered all our emails quickly and it was easy to find her once we arrived in Cartagena. Marelvy speaks perfect English, is extremely knowledgeable about her city and country, is fun and very kind. She answered all our questions.

Marelvy suggested the Highlights tour and it was perfect for the time we had in town. We were in an air conditioned van, which was quite comfortable. She and her driver gave special attention to my husband, due to his need for walking sticks. At the end of our tour, she gave each couple a copy of a print created for the City's bicentennial celebration by her artist husband, in a durable tube for protection during the trip back home. I would highly recommend Marelvy! read less

Cartagena Tour with Marelvy Pena-Hall We thoroughly enjoyed a one day tour of Cartagena with Marelvy. Her English is excellent, her knowledge of the... read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed a one day tour of Cartagena with Marelvy. Her English is excellent, her knowledge of the city extensive, her sensitivity to her customers impressive. We were part of a diverse group of six (including my 12 year old daughter) who had made arrangements individually, on line, with Marelvy. She managed to keep a good pace, addressing everyone's interests, engaging each person in her group. The itinerary was well thought out, taking in to consideration avoiding crowds and the heat! Marelvy is one of the finest guides I have met. I will highly recommend her to friends traveling to Colombia. read less

Wonderful My second visit to Cartagena while on a cruise ship and Marelvy's tour was by far superior to the first... read moreMy second visit to Cartagena while on a cruise ship and Marelvy's tour was by far superior to the first tour and port visit. Her knowledge of the city and history was just so informative. Her excellent manner of blending humor and history brought you back in time and you felt like you were really there living it all. Our tour took us to La Popa, the gold museum, a brief stop at the Fortress, a little shopping time, a photography exhibit and of course an Old City tour. It was just such a relaxful and enjoyable tour we didn't want the day to end. A wonderful tour! read less

A great day with a knowledable friendly guide Thanks Marelvy for a great day (1st APRIL) in Cartagena old city, which we loved and your knowledge brought the... read moreThanks Marelvy for a great day (1st APRIL) in Cartagena old city, which we loved and your knowledge brought the old city alive. THANK YOU for a great day to remember. Catriona & Andy 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

An Evening in Cartagena In Cartagena, Columbia, SA, I arranged for a private tour for our group of 27 people with Marelvy Pena-Hall. We... read moreIn Cartagena, Columbia, SA, I arranged for a private tour for our group of 27 people with Marelvy Pena-Hall. We were on a Celebrity cruise with an overnight stay in Cartegena. Most cruise excursions begin early in the morning but because we were over night in Cartagena I arranged for an evening tour. We met Marelvy’s daughter on the dock at 3:30 PM. Our group was very comfortably accommodated in two mini buses. Each bus could hold 20 people so having 2 buses allowed us more than comfortable transportation. Marelvy was the tour guide on one bus and her very capable side kick named Katty was the tour guide on the second bus. Both Marelvy and Katty pointed out the historic sights of the city as we drove along. Our first stop was La Popa (the highest hill in Cartagena) with its 360 degree views of the city. While there we toured the Convento de la Popa. Next stop was the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. If we had a younger group we would have walked up to the top of the fort. However, walking to the top of the fort did not interest anyone in our group of retirees. We then ventured into the old walled city. Leaving our buses behind we walked to the park that had a statue of Simon Bolivar. While there Marelvy arranged for a street dancing troupe to dance for our group. The troupe entertained our group with 5 or 6 very energetic dances. Marelvy has all the good contacts. We again boarded our buses for a short ride to our pre-arranged restaurant for dinner. Marelvy’s recommendation was a restaurant called La Cucina de Cartagena. Another excellent recommendation! Our group truly enjoyed the dining experience. After dinner we were driven back to the cruise pier where we rejoined our ship. Marelvy’s evening tour was a huge success and everyone of our group agreed that this Cartagena tour was the highlight of our cruise. 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