A Wonderful Set of Tours; A+ Marelvy was so helpful in working with us leading up to our vacation to finalize our itinerary. And then during... read moreMarelvy was so helpful in working with us leading up to our vacation to finalize our itinerary. And then during our wonderful week in Cartagena she was very attentive to us to ensure we were connecting to our daily guides. We did a tour of Cartagena (van then walking) that was perfect for our first day. Next day was a high quality boat trip to Islas Rosarios. The following day was a very fun and educational tour of mangroves, along with a class in local music percussion and dancing. Afterward was a great local meal in a beachside cabana. I HIGHLY recommend her business and would certainly go with her on our next visit. She came recommended by word of mouth, I'm so grateful; Marelyv's tours were the highlights of our vacation. read less

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

Tour in Cartagena with Marelvy Pena-Hall--A DO NOT MISS Tour THANK YOU SO MUCH for the absolutely fabulous tour of Cartagena and your wonderful commentary throughout our tour. All... read moreTHANK YOU SO MUCH for the absolutely fabulous tour of Cartagena and your wonderful commentary throughout our tour. All 14 of the people who went on your tour stopped me from time to time on the ship and thanked me for arranging this tour. Your tour was the highest HIGHLIGHT of our cruise!!!! You gave us so much information about your city’s history as well as the current situation in Cartagena. I will be sure to pass your information along to anyone who is heading to Cartagena!!

This is a great tour for couples, families, friends, and business. read less

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

Ben Torres - Numero Uno Tour Guide for Cartagena Not a criticism as we were able to find her, but it would be more helpful if the tour company... read moreNot a criticism as we were able to find her, but it would be more helpful if the tour company could have a large sign so they stand out more on the dock as there are lots of tours being picked up at the same time. We were a group of 10 and we ordered a private tour which was well worth it. From the minute we met, Ben was very friendly and we quickly were able to joke around with him. The tour was organized in advance but because there were 4 ships in port that day, he reorganized the stops to avoid the mass of tourists arriving at the same time to the same destination which was a huge benefit for us. The stops were great (traveller's FYI if you take pictures of the ladies in costume at the fort you must pay them $1 which I didn't realize when I took her picture). Loved old town and we had the opportunity to sneak a peak in Donde Fedel for a quick salsa which really was a highlight for us as we all belong to a dance studio. Another FYI is there is lots of the same merchandise for sale by the streets vendors so if you can't get the price you want to pay keep looking. Ben was very knowledgeable and answered our questions easily. Unfortunately we were only in town for the day so there is so much more we would like to explore. We felt completely safe and in fact, Ben put such a good spin on the tour and the City that if the opportunity arises, we would most definitely go back to Cartagena which I would not say about the some of other stops on our cruise. 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

The Only Way to Experience Cartagena, Colombia We've been to Cartagena before but always have taken the ship's tour, no matter the cruise line. This time,... read moreWe've been to Cartagena before but always have taken the ship's tour, no matter the cruise line. This time, thanks to Trip Advisor reviews, we booked with Marelvy. We were fortunate to have booked in April for a November tour! Getting off the ship there were other couples who wanted to tour with her but I booked her first!

Marelvy was very accomodating for our group of seven, adjusting her tour schedule to satisfy our particular interests and capabilities. I can't imagine another tour operator with as much knowledge, patience, and capability than Marelvy.

She does dockside pickup in Cartagena, unlike some of the other tour operators you need to meet outside the gate.

You can't go wrong with Marelvy and i should mention that her driver was also one of the best we have ever had. read less

Awesome Tour! We found Marelvy on the internet and contacted her (a bit last minute) for a tour of the city. ... read moreWe found Marelvy on the internet and contacted her (a bit last minute) for a tour of the city. She took us all over part walking and part riding in a very nice air conditioned van - perfect for a visit to CT given it is STEAMY! There were 5 of us and we actually were a bit rowdy, but she took it all in stride. She was very patient and SUPER knowledgeable. She's from the city and knows everything. Also everyone knew her everywhere we went. We had a great time with her. I highly recommend using Marelvy if you visit Cartagena. 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

Great tour! On a Monday morning outside our apartment building, Marelvy greeted me and my two girlfriends with warm hugs, immediately setting... read moreOn a Monday morning outside our apartment building, Marelvy greeted me and my two girlfriends with warm hugs, immediately setting the tone of our delightful tour of Cartagena. Marlevy's commentary and tips were delivered in an educational, conversational format. She responded to our off-the-cuff questions and was genuinely curious about us and our travels. It was a wonderful private tour in a nicely air-conditioned van. I highly recommend! read less

Day tour of Cartagena with Marelvy Pena-Hall We visited Cartagena by cruise ship and joined 6 others for a tour of the city. Marelvy picked us up... read moreWe visited Cartagena by cruise ship and joined 6 others for a tour of the city. Marelvy picked us up at the pier and we went to La Popa, the fortress, the gold museum, a photography exhibit with a short half hour stop for shopping at the Dungeons. We went for a wonderful walking tour through the old city. Her knowledge of the history was exhaustive. We went through city parks, restaurants, gardens, sculpture exhibits. An excellent tour. read less

excellent tour of the city highlights on a short visit A group booked a tour with Marelvy for several hours in an afternoon. She is very easy to contact... read moreA group booked a tour with Marelvy for several hours in an afternoon. She is very easy to contact via e-mail with prompt replies and attention to detail. This warm lady planned a wonderful afternoon to enjoy the views, learn about the people of the area, the of the highlights its history and visit the historic sights. Old town was a favorite of mine with interesting people and sights. As a group we decided that seeing the town was more important to us than shopping. Great place for photography. Beautiful beaches.

Overall a great day!!! read less

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great Port Day in Cartagena We were a small, self-formed group from a cruise ship in town for one day, and we were delighted with... read moreWe were a small, self-formed group from a cruise ship in town for one day, and we were delighted with Marelvy Pena Hall's tour. From being greeted with a big hug, to riding in a comfortable mini-bus, to the variety of stops and activities, everything was perfect. We spent just the right amount of time at the fort and the monastery, before heading to the old town for a nice walk through the city. We stopped at three museums, though one is really an emerald store posing as a museum, and each was interesting and informative. Upon our departure, Marelvy gave us each a commemorative poster of the city, which had been designed by her husband. We loved Cartagena, and hope to return one day soon. read less

My kind of tour I was traveling to Cartagena on vacation and found Marelvy on TripAdvisor when looking into tour options. After doing... read moreI was traveling to Cartagena on vacation and found Marelvy on TripAdvisor when looking into tour options. After doing two tours with her--one was a Gabriel García Márquez themed tour of the city (I enjoy his writing and some of his books are based in the city) and the other was a tour of the San Felipe fort, La Popa and La Manga--I can confirm that her high rating here is well-deserved. She is responsive, punctual, professional and very knowledgeable about the city's long history. Marelvy is also very personable and she clearly enjoys sharing her knowledge with others which makes the time spent with her very worthwhile and enjoyable. 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

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

Best way to see Cartagena - a personal tour guide Thanks to the reviews on tripadvisor we booked a city walking tour with Marelvy. Right from the beginning she... read moreThanks to the reviews on tripadvisor we booked a city walking tour with Marelvy. Right from the beginning she was extremely friendly welcoming us with a poster of Cartagena that her husband painted and hugs all round. She has a deep passion and knowledge for the city and answered every question we had regarding Cartegena and Colombia. We walked for 4 hours throughout the city and learnt a great deal about the local traditions, history, tourism sites, architecture, local restaurants and even where to buy good emeralds. Great value for money and a much better way to see the city than on a City Tour bus. She was a wonderful tour guide and we would not hesitate in recommending her to other visitors. 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

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

Three hours of delight! The time we spent touring Cartagena's walled city with Marelvy was absolutely wonderful. Not only did she satiate my craving... read moreThe time we spent touring Cartagena's walled city with Marelvy was absolutely wonderful. Not only did she satiate my craving for Gabo trivia, but she also brought the city to life so vividly. From the very first email correspondence with her to the goodbye hug, it was a real pleasure to interact with Marelvy. She was a wealth of knowledge, full of helpful tips, and even gifted us a poster depicting Cartagena that her husband had designed (he is an artist). I would not hesitate to recommend this tour to anyone! read less

Best Tour of Our Cruise She was terrifically flexible, cheerful and knowledgeable. You could not ask for more! Book her if you want... read moreShe was terrifically flexible, cheerful and knowledgeable. You could not ask for more! Book her if you want to see Cartegena's Old Town, El Popa (Jesuit monastery with incredible views), and other places. She is very, very good. read less

Private city tour with Marelvy Pena My wife and I booked, via internet, Marelvy for a 4 hour visit of Catagena; we were with 4 other... read moreMy wife and I booked, via internet, Marelvy for a 4 hour visit of Catagena; we were with 4 other passengers off a Princess cruise. We had a small clean mini van with A/C, a driver and Marelvy as our guide. It was great; she speaks 3 languages, knows the place and provided us with lots of information. We visited the walled city, the La Popa summit, San Felipe fortress, the plaza, and some stores for shopping. Its perfect...6 passengers not 50 people so the stops and visits are not stressful....Definitely 5 Stars*****. Worth it.

Thanks Marelvy. read less

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

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

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

Exceptional tour!!! There were 4 of us off the Azamara Journey. We were fortunate enough to have Marelvy as our guide.... read moreThere were 4 of us off the Azamara Journey. We were fortunate enough to have Marelvy as our guide. She was truly exceptional. She knew everything there was to know about the city of Cartagena and the country of Columbia; and presented the information in an easy thorough manner. We spent quite a bit of the time on a walking tour of the old city soaking up its amazing history. Marelvy made us feel comfortable and right at home. She is a wonderful human being. 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

Cartagena Must Do List!!! We utilized the fabulous reviews provided by TripAdvisor customers to select Touring Cartagena with Marelvy. The reviews were 100%... read moreWe utilized the fabulous reviews provided by TripAdvisor customers to select Touring Cartagena with Marelvy. The reviews were 100% correct. She is an amazing person with incredible knowledge of Cartagena and its long history. Our vacation began with a private walking tour of the Walled City to provide the history, architecture, recommendations for dining, shopping, and dancing (great fun) for the rest of your vacation. We also ventured to the emerald museum and ending with a drive La Popa for an amazing view of the city. We would not have enjoyed Cartagena as much as we did on vacation without the knowledge Marelvy provided. She also booked our trip to the mud bath at Totumo Volcano which was also an adventure....another must do while in Cartagena. Thanks Marelvy!!! 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

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

Magnificent! From the start when booking to the end of the tour, everything is handled so professionally. We were a group... read moreFrom the start when booking to the end of the tour, everything is handled so professionally. We were a group of two and our guide was the lovely Ester, whose love of her city added so much more to the history we learned from her. Cartagena has so many hidden treasures and some history that you don't learn in school books. An underwater defense barrier, the escaped Slave King and a general with only a single arm and leg who defeated the British navy!

There's no doubt, this is THE tour of Cartagena! 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

Great day out in Cartagena We were on a cruise ship and had a short day in Cartagena. Marelvy met us and accommodated our... read moreWe were on a cruise ship and had a short day in Cartagena. Marelvy met us and accommodated our needs showing us all the essential sites including a walk through the old town. We were delivered back to the wharf in plenty of time to board our ship. We had a biggish air conditioned bus which worked well for the largish group. A great day was had by all. Marelvy was very knowledgeable and conducted the tour in a professional manner. I would have no hesitation in recommending Marelvy for your private tour in Cartagena. read less

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

Walking with a friend We were met off our HAL cruise as arranged, and taken to meet Marelvy aboard the small air conditioned coach.... read moreWe were met off our HAL cruise as arranged, and taken to meet Marelvy aboard the small air conditioned coach. Immediately there was a rapport with her, Marelvy is warm and friendly , she made us all feel very welcome. The tour was comprehensive yet we never felt rushed or under pressure to be somewhere. At one point we stopped at some shops, but for those who weren't interested Marelvy gave directions to a beautiful little square. The rest of the time was spent strolling through Cartagena, looking at the gorgeous flower filled streets, beautiful buildings, and for those curious enough, sampling local food. I'd read many reports about safety and how dangerous Cartagena is, yet at no time did we feel in danger, I've felt more uneasy in some European countries! All too soon one of the best private tours I've experienced was over. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her. read less

Higlight of our Cruise We traveled to Cartagena on a cruise and I had contacted Marelvy about a tour. We were a self formed... read moreWe traveled to Cartagena on a cruise and I had contacted Marelvy about a tour. We were a self formed small group of 12 and the tour started with friendly greetings and hugs- I knew it would be great! Her plan to visit La Popa first, before the crowds, gave us plenty of time to view Cartagena from its highest point and also saved us the need to climb the Fortress of San Felipe for the view. The itinerary also included a walk along the sea wall, various sights in the Old Walled City including the main Plaza, historic buildings, quaint alleyways and ending with shopping.

Truly a memorable experience- Gracias Marelvy!

Her personality, kind nature and vast knowledge of HER Cartagena gave us an amazing view of the old and new City. Everywhere we went, she greeted people and was greeted by people- which to he she is well respected in this City. read less

Amazing tour - out of 104 days away - this was one of two of the best. Marelvy picked us up at the port from the Sea Princess. In a small mini van for... read moreMarelvy picked us up at the port from the Sea Princess. In a small mini van for about 10 of us. We went to La Papa monastery which gave us a beautiful view of the city, and we looked at the map, and saw how vast Colombia was. Down to the fort, and the Hawkers, which Marelvy helped us deal with. The old town was magic, and although it was full of tours from the ship, our guide managed to direct us to the parts of the town that mattered historically. We had time for shopping/eating, etc. At the end of the tour we were given the most amazing poster of Cartagena. Please use Marelvy if you visit here. She was excellent as a guide, with good English and historical knowledge. Had a wonderful day. 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

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

How to see the best of Cartagena when only 5 hours available We chose Marelvy because of the many excellent reviews on TA and all 9 in our group were delighted with... read moreWe chose Marelvy because of the many excellent reviews on TA and all 9 in our group were delighted with both the reception she gave us at the pier and the way in which she guided us through the highlights of Cartagena. We felt that in the small air conditioned mini bus we were able to visit the old neighborhoods where large tourist buses could not go.

Our tour began with Marelvy presenting each couple with a print of a painting which her husband had done for the Bicentennial of the independence of Cartagena. The painting was titled "A Touch ( or drumbeat ) of the Caribbean" oil painting by John Timothy Hall.

We then went to the summit of La Popa to both see the former convent and the magnificent views over the city and coast.

Another highlight was an extended walk of the Old City where we saw the main plazas old cloisters and lots of Spanish architecture.

Marelvy knew just the right shops where we could buy beautiful dresses for our grand daughters and of course emeralds for loved ones!!!

We were so pleased we chose Marelvy. read less

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

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

Nice private tour experience We had a group of 12 from the Island Princess on March 18. MUCH nicer than the gigantic cruise buses.... read moreWe had a group of 12 from the Island Princess on March 18. MUCH nicer than the gigantic cruise buses. We met on the pier - right on time - and strolled past the flamingos to our van. Marelvy is quite friendly and knowledgeable. (And well known to all of the other tour operators and guides.)

We picked a winner. read less

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

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

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

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

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

From read less

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

Super tour We had a fantastic tour of Cartagena with Marelvy Pena at the end of May. We knew right away... read moreWe had a fantastic tour of Cartagena with Marelvy Pena at the end of May. We knew right away how good she was when she suggested that we start at 2pm so that by the time we got to the walking portion in Old Town, it would be cooler. How right she was! We had a wonderful breeze. I think we were the only tour group walking at that time. It was cool and uncrowded. This made it so much more enjoyable. On the way back to the ship, we even stopped at the market for various items, and Marelvy helped us with the Spanish we needed. hank you Marelvy! 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

THE BEST YOU COULD ASK FOR Hi Marelvy, I just wanted to say thank you for such a great tour on November 17th, 2012 with... read moreHi Marelvy, I just wanted to say thank you for such a great tour on November 17th, 2012 with the cruise critic group with RON. Before your tour was mentioned to us we were not going to do anything in Cartagena due to being worried about safety. Well If anyone is ready this I felt safe the entrie time and She sure puts on a great tour,. You will not be disapointed. Thanks again for the memorable time i will never forget!

Steve 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

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

Very Good Tour We took a tour in Cartagena at the end of June 2012. Marelvy was a wonderful guide. She was... read moreWe took a tour in Cartagena at the end of June 2012. Marelvy was a wonderful guide. She was able to give us a tour that was interesting to a 12 year old, 15 year old a 2 adults. She also worked with us to adapt the tour for the best time for the kids. Her English is very good and she gave us great commentary on the culture and background of Colombia as well as the history surrounding the tour. She gave us very good restaurant recommendations as well! I have taken tours in many other cities and for me Marevly's tour was of the highest quality. read less

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

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

Fabulous.... We booked Marelvy using her website and e-mail address before we arrived at the Occidential Grand in February. We... read moreWe booked Marelvy using her website and e-mail address before we arrived at the Occidential Grand in February. We corresponded several times prior to arriving. My girlfriend and I had the best time, lots of laughs including a great recommendation for lunch. All the reviews that you have read contained within TA are plus positive. I have added a couple of pictures of Marelvy with my bff. read less

Enjoyable trip to Cartagena We had a very interesting tour of the city. Everything went very smoothly from the pick up at the... read moreWe had a very interesting tour of the city. Everything went very smoothly from the pick up at the port (which by the way is very nice) to the relaxing way Marelvy showed us round the city. Although it was a hot day we did not feet tired at the end of a very good tour. 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

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

Outstanding tour in Cartegena We had been to Cartagena in 2002 on a ship excursion. A group of 10 of us went on... read moreWe had been to Cartagena in 2002 on a ship excursion. A group of 10 of us went on a tour with Marelvy. It was such a pleasure. Her van was large and comfortable for all of us. She was able to tell us so much about her lovely city in a way that kept us most interested. She took us to so many more places than we had gone when on a big bus ship tour. Marelvy is a gem and I hope others can experience her great tour. read less

Great tour and fantastic knowledge of Old Cartagena Four of us took a walking tour of Old Cartagena today. Marelevy is a great tour guide and extremely... read moreFour of us took a walking tour of Old Cartagena today. Marelevy is a great tour guide and extremely knowledgable of Cartagena's history and its architectural history. Lots of good information about the impact of the Spanish and even some fun pirate history. My Mum who is 78 was with us and Marelevy was very patient with getting her to places to sit here and there and have a cold drink. I highly recommend Marelevy especially if you are interested in history and historic architecture. ..and one more thing..if you have read Love in the Time of Cholera Marelevy will point out all the places in the novel. Very fun morning tour!!! 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

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

Perfect Marelvy was everything we wanted and more. Arrives on time - charges very reasonable price. She is a fluent in... read moreMarelvy was everything we wanted and more. Arrives on time - charges very reasonable price. She is a fluent in English, has a complete and total knowledge of all things Cartagena and is also great fun to be with. She is obviously passionate about her home town and this enthusiasm made us want to experience everything and more. We are here on a long term basis and Marelvy easily rose to the challenge of helping us with all the things needed to set us up for our stay. We strongly recommend her to you. Great tour guide - really great lady! read less

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

Great day with Catty our guide. We booked this tour in advance for our family of 4 to get a good feel for the city of... read moreWe booked this tour in advance for our family of 4 to get a good feel for the city of Cartagena. The tour was a solid 4+ hours and we did the afternoon option starting at 2 pm. It is a mixture of both walking and driving in an a/c van. Our guide Catty was very informative and we really enjoyed learning about the history of the this city. You drive around to see the various neighborhoods as well as a trip up to La Pulpo with an amazing view of all of Cartagena. The only reason we gave a 4 instead of a 5 is for the price. It's on the expensive side for what you get--might be able to find it cheaper but if you want to guarantee an organized, well informative tour this is your place. read less

Very Interesting; Efficient, and Safe We booked our tour in advance of our Celebrity Equinox cruise. Marelvy met us at the cruise port where... read moreWe booked our tour in advance of our Celebrity Equinox cruise. Marelvy met us at the cruise port where we boarded the mid sized tour bus. Our first stop was the monastery on the top of the hill overlooking Cartagena. The views of the city were fantastic and the restored monastery was very interesting and beautiful with very clean restrooms. Our next stop was the Spanish fort for which Cartagena is known. We only stayed at the fort long enough to take a couple of pictures. I was under the impression that we would be able to climb to top of the fort and see it up close but that was not the case. We proceeded to the old walled city with its many Spanish colonial era buildings. Our first stop in the old town was a bunch of souvenir shops which all contained more or less the same touristy stuff which were of little interest. The next stop in the old city was an old church built out of coral which we entered and spent a little time in. We crossed the town square and went to gold museum which is a local tourist attraction. We walked around the old town a little longer and visited another church. I asked Marelvy if we could stop at a local supermarket to buy some coffee and beer and she accommodated my request.

In summary, Marelvy is a very good tour guide with great English speaking skills. Her bus driver knew how to efficiently maneuver through the city of Cartagena without getting stuck in traffic. Marelvy answered a lot of questions and demonstrated her knowledge and love of Columbia and its people and culture.

I would definitely recommend this tour. read less

Absolutely the best tour in Cartagena I found Marelvy through Tripadvisor, and, if you've found a bad review, IGNORE IT!!! She is everything the five star... read moreI found Marelvy through Tripadvisor, and, if you've found a bad review, IGNORE IT!!! She is everything the five star reviews say and more. Arived on time; took us everywhere we could think of going in our limited amount of time on shore; made us feel like "homies"; and got us back to the ship on time. If you're in Cartagena for ANY length of time, you owe it to yourself to book a tour with Marelvy. read less

Fantastic experience Four of us toured with Marelvy and were amazed by the breath and depth of her knowledge. Her friendly manner... read moreFour of us toured with Marelvy and were amazed by the breath and depth of her knowledge. Her friendly manner just added to our enjoyment. You can't go wrong with Marelvy. 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

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

Loved Marelvy! I found Marelvy while searching for a tour for our party of four during a cruise stop in Cartagena. She... read moreI found Marelvy while searching for a tour for our party of four during a cruise stop in Cartagena. She was prompt to respond to my emails and even managed to add two more travelers to our group so the cost was a little more to my liking. She was ready for us as we disembarked and the van (air conditioned) and the driver were awesome. We did the Highpoints of the City Tour, where she took us to La Popa first and then to several other stops, including a walking tour in the old city. The whole time traveling and walking, she explained everything about her country. Her english is great and it was so evident she loves her country - she answered every question we asked and was so pleasant and kind. At every stop, she got off with us and told us all the high points of each destination. When I told her we wanted to be 'hooked up' with some yummy pineapple, she bought us some right off the street from a vendor. We also got to try some new fruits we had never tasted. She got us back to the ship with time to spare and even gave us a very sweet parting gift. I would use her again in a heartbeat! read less

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

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

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

The air conditioned van and driver were first-rate.

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

Cheers for Marelvy!! read less

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

A Great Day in Cartagena with Ester as our Guide My wife and I were in Cartagena for Christmas Eve, 2014, on the Island Princess. We arranged the city... read moreMy wife and I were in Cartagena for Christmas Eve, 2014, on the Island Princess. We arranged the city tour with Marelvy about a month in advance, although our guide ended up being her partner, Ester.

In short, Ester was friendly, knowledgeable, and a great tour guide. The transportation was excellent, as well, as we were chauffeured around in a clean van with excellent A/C.

The tour went from the Fort of San Felipe to La Popa Monastery to an Emerald Museum Tour to the Walled City (a.k.a, Old City). If interested, visit www.youtube.com/jocatman for videos of our day in Cartagena, as well as 4K UHD Slideshows of the same.

Like everyone else here, we highly recommend contacting Marelvy for a tour of Cartagena, and if you get Ester as your guide, know it will be a truly informative, professional, and relaxing experience. 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

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 Made It Magical We greeted her as many did with a warm hug at the end of our cruise dock. We had a... read moreWe greeted her as many did with a warm hug at the end of our cruise dock. We had a delightful tour as described below, but what was so fantastic about her tour is that we felt like we were just exploring the old city in a spontaneous way, poking our heads into shops and inns, as well as learning about the big sights. It felt so unrushed and serendipitous, and Cartegena is so beautiful and magical, especially with the Christmas decorations we saw.

She was so special, especially with our two hungry teenagers. We sampled street fare (to keep them satisfied) and wandered through a quiet street with local vendors (to keep me satisfied!) She steered us toward the shops we never would have found, and opened doors to some wonderful tranquil courtyards and inns we would have passed by without seeing!

We are definitely returning here. It blew all of my preconceived notions about Colombia away.....don't miss the city, and don't miss Marelvy! read less