TOUR GUIDE IN CARTAGENA

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

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

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

Fantastic Cartagena Experience! My husband and I had a wonderful 4 hour+ tour with Marelvy. We felt an immediate connection with her.... read moreMy husband and I had a wonderful 4 hour+ tour with Marelvy. We felt an immediate connection with her. She gave us a fascinating overview of Cartagena's history, architecture and culture peppered with anecdotes. Her warmth and great, friendly manner added to our special day with her. It was a great learning experience and she gave us a great feel for this beautiful city. She was highly recommended by friends and now we will do the same! 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

Absolutely Fabulous Time Visited Cartagena for an overnight stop during our Celebrity cruise in March. Contacted Marelvy months prior and through a... read moreVisited Cartagena for an overnight stop during our Celebrity cruise in March. Contacted Marelvy months prior and through a series of emails we arranged a night tour and a day tour with her for our group. Everyone had a great time and had nothing but good things to say about Marelvy and the tour she provided. She is a great ambassador of this very beautiful city. We learned so much of the history and saw everything we had hoped to, including an awesome night time performance from a local dance group. Some of us even joined in the dance fun. Truly a cool experience. I can not recommend Marelvy enough. You will not be disappointed with her, her stories or the sites of Cartagena. Many in our group, including me and my wife, would very much love to return to this beautiful city and see even more with her. Thanks Marelvy for one of the best tour/experiences we've ever had. Hope to see you again. Gary read less

Cartagena with Marelvy is THE BEST! We researched Cartagena to book a private tour using TripAdvisor. We would have a day there while on a two... read moreWe researched Cartagena to book a private tour using TripAdvisor. We would have a day there while on a two week Panama Canal Cruise on the Coral Princess. Marelvy had excellent reviews and was so highly rated, that I decided to contact her to set up a tour. We usually like to book private tours verses the ship tours because you see more, have a smaller group and get much more of a personal touch. Marelvy lived up to all of her high ratings and more! She was quick to respond to emails and gave great instructions. Her daughter, Sheila, met us just outside the dock wearing a navy vest and holidng a sign with our names in red letters, just like Marelvy told us. We had a group of 8 couples from the ship that had joined on through cruisecritic.com role call for this ship. We walked together and warmly greeted by Marelvy at the mini-bus. She gave us all a warm hug and big smile. We toured Cartagena and fell in love with the city. We toured La Popa, had a stop at the Fortress, walked the Walled City, shopped a bit and got a taste of Cartagena! Marelvy's english was very good and it was wonderful to hear her stories and history of Cartagena. The vendors are very aggressive, but she said to just say "No, thank you" to them and keep walking. I had asked Marelvy if we could stop for Tarapas, which is a local food, and we did. We were going to stop for some of the great Columbia coffee, but it was a little too warm that day for a cup of hot coffee, but we had a little extra time and all decided to stop for a local cold beer and we sat outside and enjoyed the views and people of Cartagena. The tour and wealth of information was fabulous. Marelvy was a pleasure and we had so many great laughs during the tour with her. We were met on time and arrived back to the ship with plenty of time to spare. She paid attention to the time and made sure we all got back to the ship on time. I would highly recommend you to schedule a tour of Cartagena with her. This was one of the best tours we had on this cruise! Thanks Marelvy for a wonderful time and for showing us the beauty of Cartagena! And thanks for the beautiful poster that you gave us that your husband created! We wish the best to your daughter Sheila in her endeavors and college! 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

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

Great walking tours You can see so much more of the area by walking rather than by bus. Go inside the buildings,... read moreYou can see so much more of the area by walking rather than by bus. Go inside the buildings, see the local artists and performers. Just so much better feel of the local life by foot. Highly receommended. Go at your own pace or get a tour. Great for little ones. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great tour guide I was later than usual in setting up my tours for a cruise, and luckily Marelvy was still available for... read moreI was later than usual in setting up my tours for a cruise, and luckily Marelvy was still available for when we were there. She is a great tour guide. She was extremely informative and put places and events in perspective for us. We asked to see a couple of things, and she added those in for us seamlessly. We learned a lot and discussed a lot as a small group. Marelvy talked about local foods and lifestyles. She was great! read less

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What makes this tour 5 stars is Marelvy.

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

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

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

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

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

"Awesome guide and city... Just returned from Panama Cruise January 2015 with last stop in Cartagena. We had arranged a old city tour with... read moreJust returned from Panama Cruise January 2015 with last stop in Cartagena. We had arranged a old city tour with Marelvy online with recommendations on Tripadvisor. All our expectations were surpassed with the informative narrative about the history, culture, people and architecture from Marelvy. Her pleasant and warm personality made us feel like family. Our arrival time in Cartagena was much earlier than planned the very morning we arrived. We had concern that we would miss her, but her daughter Sheila was there at the pier to greet us. Our nice air conditioned minivan took us places in the old city that the big tour buses would not have fit. I highly recommend Marelvy as tour guide in this beautiful historic city. Thank you, again...... 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

A tour with our new found friend Marelvy We arrived on a Princess Cruise Nov. 15. Since we were the only ship in port that day, we... read moreWe arrived on a Princess Cruise Nov. 15. Since we were the only ship in port that day, we received a wonderful, personal tour. What other reviewers say is true, don't look any further for your tour guide. Marelvy does a great job of showing you her city. She lets you move slowly & enjoy the atmosphere. Ship tours spend their time getting people off and on the bus. The rest of the time goes to rounding up lost souls. Since our time in port was short, this was the only way to go.

I would recommend Marelvy for her friendly personality & knowledge of the city. We truly enjoyed our adventure in Catagena. read less

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

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

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

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

For the best tour of Cartagena, go with Marelvy Pena-Hall We were on the Coral Princess cruise through the Panama canal with an all day stop in Cartagena. We... read moreWe were on the Coral Princess cruise through the Panama canal with an all day stop in Cartagena. We did a walking tour of old Cartagena, a visit to La Popa, the fortress of San Felipe and an air conditioned cruise through some of the neighbourhoods.

It was evident that Marelvy is knowledgeable and passionate about her city. She shared information in an articulate and intelligent fashion. Her warmth and friendliness made this tour a memorable experience for my wife and I. In fact, it was our favourite tour of the cruise. 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

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

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

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

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

Outstanding tour of Cartagena with Marelvy Pena-Hall A wonderful experience...great tour, outstanding tour guide. Based on glowing reviews from TripAdvisor, I contacted Marelvy by email and... read moreA wonderful experience...great tour, outstanding tour guide. Based on glowing reviews from TripAdvisor, I contacted Marelvy by email and easily set up a tour of the city while our ship was docked in Cartagena. My wife and I met Marelvy and her driver at the dock as promised and off we went in an air conditioned minivan. The itinerary she set up was perfect in accommodating our short time in port and some minor mobility problems.. Even though our time was short, we covered a great many of the city highlights and never felt rushed at any time. It was wonderful walking through town with her as she talked about the history of the city. Because of Marelvy, we came away with a very good appreciation of Cartagena's history, culture and people. An enthusiastic thumbs up on Touring Cartagena with Marelvy Pena-Hall. read less

Best tour guide in Cartagena! I was lucky enough to get a personal tour with Marelvy and it was fantastic. I didn't know Cartagena well... read moreI was lucky enough to get a personal tour with Marelvy and it was fantastic. I didn't know Cartagena well and she took me around and gave me the rich history of everything, from La Popa hill and convent to the stunning architecture inside the walled city. For someone who doesn't know Spanish, it was a godsend to find someone with such perfect English. I highly recommend her if this is your first trip to Cartagena. You won't be disappointed! 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

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

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

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

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

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

Wonderful experience. read less

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

Wondeful tour of Cartegena Marelvy came highly recommended and she did not disappoint. She gave us an excellent tour of Cartegena. She has... read moreMarelvy came highly recommended and she did not disappoint. She gave us an excellent tour of Cartegena. She has extensive knowledge of the Colombian culture and it was a pleasure to spend the day with her. She was also very responsive and easy to work with in booking and making arrangements for our tour. 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

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

Best money spent in Cartagena Marelvy took us to a magical trip in the walled city. We walked around 4 hours and we learned so... read moreMarelvy took us to a magical trip in the walled city. We walked around 4 hours and we learned so much about the city and García Márquez. This is the best investment we made in our trip to Cartagena. The tour was a mixed of English, Spanish and some French. She is simply awesome. Do not hesitate in doing this. It could also be a great surprise gift for your trip! read less

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

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

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

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

Kathi read less

The Best of Cartegena I traveled to Cartegena, Colombia in Jan 2012 for my birhday. I happened to find Marelvy Tours online. I had... read moreI traveled to Cartegena, Colombia in Jan 2012 for my birhday. I happened to find Marelvy Tours online. I had hoped that this tour would be decent but it actually turned out to be one of the best tours I have ever taken. Marelvy has a night time tour of Cartegena and it was the best!!! We missed all the day time tours and she provided the highlights of the city without all the daytime hustle. Marelvy offered great history of the city, great humor, and is a wonderful person. She has such a warm personality and her hospitality to both myself and my mother was memorable. Thanks Marelvy......I pray much success for you and your family. read less

Tour with 16 people - amazing! Marelvy has an incredible knowledge of Cartagena and her English is incredible! She had a group of 16 very adventurous... read moreMarelvy has an incredible knowledge of Cartagena and her English is incredible! She had a group of 16 very adventurous tourists totally captivated with the stories of Cartagena. The only thing that was hard is that I could not communicate with her via cell phone, so it was a little difficult to reconfirm the time and place for the tour. But, she was very prompt for the tour, so I had little to worry about. Seriously one of the best tours I've taken! I learned so much about Cartagena. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great guide that shows you the true culture of the city! We did a walking tour through the old city of Cartagena with Marelvy and she was wonderful. We thoroughly enjoyed... read moreWe did a walking tour through the old city of Cartagena with Marelvy and she was wonderful. We thoroughly enjoyed walking through this beautiful city and learning about the history and current events. This was like no other walking tour I have experienced; Marelvy took us to different areas of Cartagena we may have not ventured into on our own. She is very knowledgeable of the city and the culture.

Marelvy met us at our hotel located near city center and off we went. We walked through the city center and headed to Getsemani. There we watched the locals play bingo and have a game of rag ball. There were a ton of festivities going on since it was a Sunday afternoon. We looped back through and headed up through San Diego. Marelvy shared a lot of valuable information on this tour that I definitely wouldn’t be able to read in any books. She’s also incredibly friendly and just fun to talk too and get to know! We enjoyed walking through this wonderful city for around 3.5hrs with a great guide! I’d highly suggest taking a tour with Marelvy as you’ll get a different perspective on Cartagena history then and now.

I also scheduled our trip to the mud volcano through Marelvy and she handled scheduling our pick up time and trip to the volcano. I highly suggest booking this tour as well as the walking tour! What a great country! 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

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

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

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 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

Very good personal tour We booked the tour with several others from our cruise critic roll call. Having a van for our 14... read moreWe booked the tour with several others from our cruise critic roll call. Having a van for our 14 person group allowed us to go on streets where the big ship excursion buses couldn't go. It also allowed us to get to Popa faster than most other groups so we had some quiet time in the chapel. We appreciated the details we got along the way. Although we switched tour guides mid-way, we didn't miss out on anything. read less

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

If you want to know Cartagena, this is the person to tell you about it Marelvy gave two of us a personal tour last January. The delay in the review is unrelated to the... read moreMarelvy gave two of us a personal tour last January. The delay in the review is unrelated to the service. I cannot imagine a better tour. Marelvy was steeped in history, totally responsive to our interests, and could not have been more delightful. This is the best way to see Cartagena. read less

Wonderful guide in Cartagena I visited Cartagena in August with my husband and my two daughters,10 and 19 years old . We... read moreI visited Cartagena in August with my husband and my two daughters,10 and 19 years old . We decided to use Marelvy as our guide after reading the reviews on TripAdvisor.. It certainly was worth it . We did both the City Tour and the walking tour and were very impressed with her knowledge about the city and its history. Even our 10 year old daughter found it interesting. My husband and I had lots of questions about many things, other aspects of life in Colombia, recent history, trees, etc. She answered them all. She is a very pleasant woman, easy to talk to and very accommodating. She directed us to the best ice-cream shop, souvenir shops and eating places. I wish every city had someone like her to give visitors a sense of the place. I would definitely recommend using her services. read less

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

Private Tour in Port with the Celebrity Infinity We book a private tour with Marelvy's company for six people. Two had walking difficulties and they were able... read moreWe book a private tour with Marelvy's company for six people. Two had walking difficulties and they were able to provide a tour with allowances to their difficulties. Silvia met us after about a hundred yard walk off of the cruise ship.

Our tour guide was Ester and we can't say enough on how happy we all were with her. She has a lot of pride of her city, answered all of our questions with great answers, and changed the itinerary on the fly to accommodate the needs of our groups walking difficulties. Also would like to comment on how professional our driver was on the tour, driving is very difficult and she made it look easy!

It was a tour that we could of never had through the cruise lines, working with us on every detail to our specific needs.

If you use them, you will been extremely satisfied.

The only comment I have is to make sure you walk to the end of the pier to find Silvia (About 100 to 150 yards) since they are not on the pier itself. She'll be standing there with a sign.

Hope everyone enjoys their tour as much as well did! Thanks Esther for a memorable day we will never forget! 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

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

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 with Marelvy This tour was everything we expected and MORE. Marelvy is not only a lovely person, but she is extremely... read moreThis tour was everything we expected and MORE. Marelvy is not only a lovely person, but she is extremely knowledgeable and gave us a wonderful feel for beautiful Cartegena. This was one of our favorite excursions on our Panama Canal Cruise. We booked it independently after looking at her website and I'm so glad we did. It was fantastic. Rather than describe our visit, I recommend you look at her website for details about the tour - it was just as described - tourincartagena.com 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

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

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

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

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

A wonderful experience As we arrived on a cruise ship, the initial tour with Marelvy filled up. It didn't take long for... read moreAs we arrived on a cruise ship, the initial tour with Marelvy filled up. It didn't take long for a second tour to be prepared and we were very lucky to have Katty as our guide. Pre-tour arrangements were handled very efficiently and replies were always prompt.

Our tour guide Katty was lovely - so engaging and entertaining, Our afternoon overview of Cartagena was in-depth and so interesting. We can't wait to revisit some time in the future. Our tour took us to the popa viewpoint and then on to the fort and the old town. I can't believe how quickly our 4+ hours passed by.

highly recommended. read less

Marelvy was an excellent tour guide! Hands Down, the best tour guide I have EVER had. My best friend and I were only in town... read moreHands Down, the best tour guide I have EVER had. My best friend and I were only in town for barely two days so we had a very short of amount of time to get to know the city. Luckily we were able to book Marelvy. We did the walking tour of the old city and she answered all of our questions. She introduced us to the city explaining the history and covering current events. For shopping, she took us to local vendors. Our favorite was to shop directly from the street vendors. She even helped us shop for emerald loose stones. Never at any point did I feel like she was not looking out for our interest. She has a soft spot for the small independent businesses and helped me negotiate a deal. I was also surprised at how well spoken and educated she is. I am sure that her English is better than most Americans. I was very impressed with our entire tour with her. If she is available for a tour, DO IT!!! read less