TOUR GUIDE IN CARTAGENA

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

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

Great program in Cartagena with Marelvy Our group of 34 people had a wonderful program in Cartagena. We were on the Celebrity Equinox and we... read moreOur group of 34 people had a wonderful program in Cartagena. We were on the Celebrity Equinox and we arranged for a specific cultural program including, folk dance and music performance, tour of the Old City, typical lunch and crafts shopping. Marelvy is fluent in English and has a vast knowledge of her city, its history and culture. She works hard at tailoring a program just right for you and she has a very nice and outgoing personality. You will love her. read less

Highpoints of Cartagena- Just what we needed My family and I had an awesome tour of Cartagena through the great service by MareIvy. We were on the... read moreMy family and I had an awesome tour of Cartagena through the great service by MareIvy. We were on the Pullmantur-Monarch Cruise making a port of call at Cartagena and wanted a tour on our own time rather than book with the ship excursion which used big buses.

I contacted MareIvy via email and our tour was set up a few days in advance. We were greeted by Katty at the port, who from the beginning was a breath of fresh air and had us excited for the tour. She gave us some history on the way to La Popa, which I enjoyed thoroughly, the view from la Popa is breathtaking. Then we went to Old shoes monument (one of my favourite pics of my whole cruise vacation was took there), Fortress of San Felipe, drove through some of the neighbors, walked the Old City, and stopped for a little shopping. Katty even took us to this little cafe when we told her we were hungry which had the best emapanadas and arepas in the Old city. Tours by MareIvy was very professional and Katty was such an excellent tour guide. I totally recommend them for a day in Cartagena. 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

Awesome tour Arrived by cruise ship, island princess. 12 were in our group. Lovely air conditioned van. Great driver. Marelvy was just... read moreArrived by cruise ship, island princess. 12 were in our group. Lovely air conditioned van. Great driver. Marelvy was just amazing. Great English, very knowledgeable about history, explained every site we visited. Would definitely recommend this tour. Very personalized experience with an awesome kind person. read less

When your guide loves their city it shows! Had a wonderful private tour for 8 of us while in Cartagena for the day off a cruise ship. ... read moreHad a wonderful private tour for 8 of us while in Cartagena for the day off a cruise ship. Everything was planned perfectly and MareIvy and Katy are so warm and kind. They truly love their city and it shows! We saw all the highlights, but the best part was lunch. We ordered everything recommended, fish, beans, rice and it was wonderful! Book with confidence! read less

Marelvy is More than a Tour Guide My wife and I just returned from Cartagena and had the pleasure of spending some time with Marelvy. Last fall... read moreMy wife and I just returned from Cartagena and had the pleasure of spending some time with Marelvy. Last fall I booked her private city tour and I couldn't have picked a better guide. When she first met us, she presented us with a gift - a poster that her husband created celebrating the city's bicentennial. The tour started with a driving tour of the city showing a few highlights , including a stop at La Popa (a convent on the highest point of the city - with an amazing view). After the driving portion of the excursion, we continued with a walking tour of the Old City. Marelvy is not only knowledgeable of the city, its architecture, and history; she displays a passion and pride in her city that second to none. During our walking tour, we mentioned that we were going to do some shopping in the old city and asked if she could provide some ideas where we could purchase some specific items (leather goods, emeralds, good coffee, rum). Not only did she give give us some ideas, she volunteered to take us to the suggested locations the following afternoon. In addition to to providing the city tour and shopping excursion, she arranged a couple other excursions for us - Totumo mud volcano, Rosario islands, and an evening Chiva tour.

In conclusion "Marelvy is More than a Tour Guide - She is a Friend!" read less

Two Thumbs Up!! Only way to tour Cartagena!

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

Wonderful day in Cartegena We were a group of 14 arriving by cruise ship. Marelvy met us at the port with a lovely... read moreWe were a group of 14 arriving by cruise ship. Marelvy met us at the port with a lovely air conditioned van. We took the City Highlights tour and it was a great day. We started at La Popa summit where Marelvy provided a very interesting overview of the history of the City and the views we were enjoying. We then did a drive around the City and walked through the Old Town where we enjoyed the best pineapple and papaya we had ever tasted. We did some souvenir shopping, took lots of photos and were back at the ship on time. Everyone agreed this was an excellent day; Marelvy is articulate, knowledgeable and a wonderful representative of her City and Country. We would all highly recommend Marelvy for tours in Cartagena. read less

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She knows it all Takes you to all the important sites and many insider locations as well

So smart. So warm and friendly.

Wish she... read moreTakes you to all the important sites and many insider locations as well

So smart. So warm and friendly.

Wish she was my history teacher

Made at all so interesting

Highly recommend her read less

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

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

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

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

A beautiful city, surprising and enchanting.

Great day! read less

Marelvy "A perfect Cartegena tour guide" Marelvy met our group of 10 at the cruise dock early and with a great air conditioned van.

We enjoyed a... read moreMarelvy met our group of 10 at the cruise dock early and with a great air conditioned van.

We enjoyed a very special day touring and learning about the history of Cartagena. Her love of her country was evident thru all her knowledge and wonderful personality. We were all so glad we had this terrific tour guide to introduce us to Cartagena. We all left only hoping to return again. 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

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

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

Highlights of the City and Crepuscule combination tour We met Marelvy for our tour with her. She is the best. We met in the afternoon per... read moreWe met Marelvy for our tour with her. She is the best. We met in the afternoon per her suggestion because it would be cooler in the afternoon/evening. Spend spent the best 6 hours with her. We toured La Popa, the monastery at the highest point of the city, then onward to a tour of the newer city, got out and walked on one of the walls that surround the old city. She explained everything that we saw and had answers for all of the questions anyone had.. After a while we got out of the bus and had a leisurely walk around the old part of the city, stopped in at the Emerald Museum, watched a folkloric dance in one of the squares. From there we stopped at a small local restaurant for a little snack. It was quite hectic in the restaurant because there were 20 non-spanish speaking customers in at one time. Marelvy was very helpful in helping everyone pick out what they wanted to eat and translated to the people in the restaurant. Wonderful day. Don't hesitate to book a tour with her, she won't disappoint 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

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

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

Fantastic Walking Tour of the Old City of Cartagena I highly recommend Marelvy's walking tour of old Cartagena! My husband, adult son and I have just returned from a... read moreI highly recommend Marelvy's walking tour of old Cartagena! My husband, adult son and I have just returned from a week in Cartagena and one of the highlights of this trip was our tour with Marelvy. Her historical and political knowledge is astounding and yet it is all presented in a very down to earth manner. My husband and I had lived in Colombia 25 years ago and we had a lot of questions about the positive changes we saw throughout the country- Marelvy was so patient about answering all of these questions. She also gave us very practical advice about where to eat, where to get the best juice, the best coffee etc. I can't say enough positive things about our experience with her and should we return to Cartagena we will definitely contact her again! thank you Marelvy for making our trip to Cartagena so memorable! read less

A Gem Of An Excursion My husband and I just returned home from a Panama Canal cruise. Many months before the trip I contacted... read moreMy husband and I just returned home from a Panama Canal cruise. Many months before the trip I contacted Marelvy Pena for a private tour of toursincartagens.com after reading the reviews on Cruise Critic. Now it is time for me to join the reviewers who were so enthusiastic after their tours.

I was very disappointed when I found out that Marelvy was already booked for the date that we would be in Cartagena, but she recommended Katty as a tour guide. I trusted her and she arranged our tour with Katty . I guess gems hang out with gems, because Katty gave us a wonderful tour. She is very knowledgeable about the history and geography of Cartagena and covered a diverse selection of the city's highlights. I don't know how she did it in the limited time we had, but we felt we had a very good overview of Cartagena past and present. Time on the van was well utilized as she prepared us for each place we visited. Her sense of humor and quick wit made time with her delightful. If only we could have spent more time...

Towards the end of the tour, Marelvy and her lovely daughter Sheila surprised us by boarding the bus.

Thank you Marelvy for making the connection, and thank you Katty for giving us such a great tour. We would recommend you to anyone who is looking for a wonderful visit to Cartagena (which we loved)! read less

You will not regret this experience! Marelvy is beyond a tour guide - she is a historian, educator, and ethnographer. We highly recommend that you... read moreMarelvy is beyond a tour guide - she is a historian, educator, and ethnographer. We highly recommend that you use Marelvy for your Cartagena experience.

Char and Hope 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

High points of the city tour Wife and I went on the High Points of the City Tour guided by Marelvy. There were about 20 people... read moreWife and I went on the High Points of the City Tour guided by Marelvy. There were about 20 people from the cruise ship who had signed up through her website. I appreciated the fact that we all got her group discount, even though we had signed up separately. We had a comfortable bus with good air conditioning and a skilled driver. Really glad I wasn't driving, the traffic was a mess. The tour is just as described on the web site and it met our expectations. The view from the hill top church was spectacular, and the walk thru the old town was very interesting. But the best part was Marelvy herself. Relaxed, friendly, and full of information. A tour that fit perfectly into the time frame for our time in port. Well deserving of a top rating.

Regarding issues raised here about the meet up at the dock, I usually book excursions outside the cruise line offerings, and know that those tour operators are not allowed by the cruise lines to wait right on the dock. So I had e-mailed Marelvy for specific directions to the meeting place, and the directions where clear and correct. She is very prompt in her responses to e-mail. 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

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

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

Enlightening experience of old Cartegena Marelvy,

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

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

Mary Schmidt

Phoenix, AZ read less

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

A great introduction to the city We had booked this tour (very efficiently) by email well ahead of our visit and were really pleased that we... read moreWe had booked this tour (very efficiently) by email well ahead of our visit and were really pleased that we had. There is nothing like being introduced to a new city by a local resident who loves their home and is both very knowledgable about it and able to communicate their enthusiasm. Unfortunately, quite often the experience can fall short. This certainly was not the case with Marelvy, who takes pains to find out your interests and adapt the tour accordingly and both has the knowledge, whether historical, literary, architectural, political or artistic to answer all questions and can also convey information in an enthusiastic and accessible way (in perfect English). In short, the tour was eye opening and great fun. It was a little expensive, as there were just 2 of us - but if you are in a larger group it would be very good value. It helped that we loved Colombia and Cartagena and were lucky that we had several days afterwards to continue exploring Cartagena on the great base that Marelvy gave us. Highly recommended. 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

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

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

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

How to meet the best and most knowledgeable lady guide in Cartagena Marelvy is the ultimate companion to walk around the old city of Cartagena, to meet the colorful inhabitants of Getsemani,... read moreMarelvy is the ultimate companion to walk around the old city of Cartagena, to meet the colorful inhabitants of Getsemani, to have dinner with in a posh restaurant where she will know the best -and less good- food to order,but most of all to feel the vibrant heart of the city through her many tales of its magical history.

Marelvy will know the tourist traps and the off the beaten track treasures,the right places and the wrong destinations,and will supplement all these cartageneros gifts with an universal

" joie de vivre" who does not suffer fools gladly. read less

Amazing Day in a Stunning City We had a one day cruise ship stop in Cartagena. We arranged a private tour with Marelvy's company. The initial... read moreWe had a one day cruise ship stop in Cartagena. We arranged a private tour with Marelvy's company. The initial plan was that Marelvy herself was to be our guide, and that there would be another couple with my husband and me. Shortly before we arrived I received an email from Marelvy explaining that she was ill and one of her associates would be our guide - and that the other couple had cancelled so it would be just my husband and me. Marelvy was very apologetic and concerned that we might not receive her email in time, as we were already on the boat. In fact, I didn't. More on that later.

We were met at the pier by a young woman carrying a sign w/ our names on it, exactly as promised. We were among the very first off the boat and she was already there waiting for us. She led us through the port to meet our guide. Getting to the parking lot was a bit complicated, actually, so I can see the importance of this role.

Our guide was a lovely woman named Katty. Her husband, Rafael, was our driver. I was a bit surprised not to see Marelvy at this point (remember, I'd not had a chance to check my email on the ship) but I'd read other reviews that mentioned other guides by name, so I wasn't particularly concerned.

Katty turned out to be WONDERFUL. She took us to La Popa, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Las Bovedas shopping area and then into the walled city. She possessed a seemingly endless knowledge of local history. I mentioned my interest in the author Gabriel Garcia Marquez and she positively lit up. It turned out she is a big fan as well. For the rest of the trip she made a special effort to point out anything related to the author or his novels.

She led us all through the walled city, pointing out many important buildings and plazas. When we'd seen it all, we then went climbed back into the car and drove through some of the less touristy parts of the walled city, for a quick view of the new city, called Boca Grande, and then through some of the historic neighborhoods outside the walled city.

Katty was a warm and wonderful guide. She took care to accommodate our interests and check along the way that we were seeing what we'd hoped to see. At the end of the tour, she presented us with a gift, a beautiful poster celebrating the 100th anniversary of the city.

I didn't open Marelvy's email explaining the switch until a few days later - but it didn't matter at all. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job than Katty. She was delightful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. In our limited time in the city I feel as though we saw as much as we could possibly see, without ever feeling rushed. The cost, $95 per person for about 5.5 hours, was also very reasonable, for all that we did, particularly that we had a private guide and driver.

I can't recommend Marelvy's service, and Katty, enough. If you're planning a trip to Cartagena, schedule a tour with them. read less

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

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

An excellent tour of Cartagena with Marelvy! Deciding to settle in Cartagena for a few days we realised we know nothing about it, so decided to have... read moreDeciding to settle in Cartagena for a few days we realised we know nothing about it, so decided to have a walking tour with Marelvy. What a great decision this was - we loved every minute. Marelvy met us right on time outside our hotel and we spent a wonderful few hours visiting the many highlights and hidden secrets of old Cartagena.

We started with the old theatre where Marelvy gave us good background of the history, settlement and culture of the old city...she has a great ability to bring her city alive and she is rightfully proud of this beautiful place.

We visited several fascinating churches, squares and museums along the way, including an excellent photo exhibition of recent historical events in Colombia. We looked into many courtyards, houses and other buildings en route and gained new insight into how the old walls protected the buildings. Marelvy showed us the best streetscapes and beautiful houses and tailored the tour to our particular interests of history and architecture.

The time seemed to fly by and we were sorry to part from this delightful lady who brought wonderful Cartagena alive for us. Over the following days, we explored many of the places Marelvy had shown us. I would thoroughly recommend Marelvy's tour - it is magic! read less

At Home with MareIvy and Ester..............They are GREAT!!! I did two half day tours, one of Cartagena and the other of Palenque. I witness two women, MareIvy and... read moreI did two half day tours, one of Cartagena and the other of Palenque. I witness two women, MareIvy and Ester, that have such a love of culture and people when describing either the Old City of Cartagena, which is rich in culture and magnifest colors or Palenque, a village that was formed by free slaves with tons of untold stories of hertiage. You can't help but to fall in love! I truly appreciated the time they spent with me on such short notice and I know this experience has greatly enriched my life. I can't wait to see and do more here in Cartagena! I HIGHLY recommend their services and I will use them again on my next trip to Colombia. read less

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

***Very very reasonable in price

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

Lots of walking so wear appropriate shoes ,

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

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

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

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

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

Marely was an awesome"leader" read less

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

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

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

Outstanding tour of Cartagena As others, we booked this tour from previous reviews. We contacted Marelvy on the internet. She responded quickly from each... read moreAs others, we booked this tour from previous reviews. We contacted Marelvy on the internet. She responded quickly from each email we sent. When we got off the ship, she was right where she told us. The tour was "OUTSTANDING." She showed us different parts of Cartagena and gave us the history of the city and each stop. She was very watchful of everyone on her tour. When we got to "Old Cartagena," we started the walking part of the tour. Again she was very watchful over her group. Any and every question we, the group, asked her, she was able to answer. Myself, I have problems with my knees and she was very sure we didn't walk too fast. She was very good and I would definitely use her again. 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

She is fabulous! Wow, thank you trip advisor for letting us know about Marely Penna-Hall. She was wonderful. Loved Cartegena too.... read moreWow, thank you trip advisor for letting us know about Marely Penna-Hall. She was wonderful. Loved Cartegena too. She was so informative, welcoming, and a wonderful guide. Her daughter met us off the cruise ship and guided us to Marelvy. Everything worked out in a lovely way. I highly recommend. read less

Marelvy met my expectations and more. I thought would have to go all the way to the visitor's center, but Marelvy and her driver met us... read moreI thought would have to go all the way to the visitor's center, but Marelvy and her driver met us at the foot of the gangplank. I was traveling with a couple who are both physically handicapped and unable to do any excursions by foot. Marelvy custom designed our tour of Cartagena so that the only stop we made was directly in front of Adriana's so we could shop for emeralds. The city was preparing for bicentennial festival that would be starting that afternoon with a huge parade. We drove part of the parade route until the police stopped us. We saw the vendors setting up, the audience getting their spots, and heard the music.

Marelvy took us down streets in the old city to see the architecture. We saw street dancers and descendants of a pure tribe from the local mountains. We learned something of American history from her.

Marelvy designed a tour especially for our group's needs. She speaks excellent English. She enjoys doing the tours so she made it a joyous morning for us. read less

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

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

Highly Recommended! Because I read other people's Trip Advisor reviews of her tour, I booked it for my family. My parents... read moreBecause I read other people's Trip Advisor reviews of her tour, I booked it for my family. My parents and I visited Cartagena while on a cruise. Marelvy picked us up right outside the ship in the morning and off we went (with about 10 others). It was a GREAT tour and we went all over the city. There is NO WAY visitors can cover as much ground in one day without expert assistance and I certainly recommend Marelvy!

Her historical knowledge and trivia were facinating to listen to and really enhanced the experience.

Book a tour with confidence!!! 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

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

Trust your time with Marelvy to be Fullfilling and Enjoyable We only had 7 hours to Cartagena to see what the city had to offer. Marelvy and her daughter,... read moreWe only had 7 hours to Cartagena to see what the city had to offer. Marelvy and her daughter, Sheila, provided a great tour and fulfilled all our needs and wishes. My wife ask about visiting a fabric shop and Marelvy took us to an outstanding place willed with the work of local craftsmen. She is extremely knowledgeable about the history and the future of her country and speaks English with great ease. We wished that we could have spent more time with her. Her tour is not offered by our cruise line(Carnival) which is a real shame and you must contact her directly. She is excellent with responding to E-mails and providing exact info on how to connect from the pier area. If you go to Cartagena, don't miss this tour. read less

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

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

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

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

Thanks Marelvy for a great day! read less

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

Walking thru the districts in the wall city of Cartegena The walking tour is a great way to learn your way around the old city of Cartegena. Marelvy Pena-Hall... read moreThe walking tour is a great way to learn your way around the old city of Cartegena. Marelvy Pena-Hall tours could not have been better at responding to my inquiries and arranging a tour that met our needs. Eyster was our tour quide and provided a 3 hour tour of the city - she was a native of Cartagena, very knowledgeable, very friendly and spoke fluent English. We would have like just a bit more about the history of the city. read less

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

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

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

Outstanding guide for Cartagena! Thankfully a friend recommended Marelvy to me. My friends and I enjoyed our 4 hours with her as she... read moreThankfully a friend recommended Marelvy to me. My friends and I enjoyed our 4 hours with her as she took us on a historical tour in Cartagena. Her ease with the historical knowledge and perspectives was fabulous and I cannot imagine anyone would have made those four hours more interesting. 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

Cartagena comes alive with the warmth of Marelvy She greeted me with a hug and a bright smile....and that set the tone of the entire walking tour. While... read moreShe greeted me with a hug and a bright smile....and that set the tone of the entire walking tour. While this is her primary business, walking tours, she's actually also in the business of building friendships. She knows the walled city's history, architecture, language, art and culture and will happily explain to importance of various locations - especially those central to the amazing history of the region - and those referenced in books by Cartagena's beloved and acclaimed writer: Gabriel Garcia Marquez. She clearly loves this city and also loves sharing her vast knowledge and welcoming personality with visitors. You simply must take this tour.

I came to Cartagena on business, but stayed a couple of extra days to explore - and as a woman traveling alone, without knowing Spanish- I was a bit concerned to venture out on my own. Marelvy put my mind at ease and I would highly recommend her as fantastic addition to your trip. She speaks fluent English, Spanish and French-- and is learning other languages, too. Marelvy is marvelous. 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

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

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