TOUR GUIDE IN CARTAGENA

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

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

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

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

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

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

From read less

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

Great Tour with Marelvy We booked this tour when we were going on a Panama Canal cruise in November 2014. Marelvy responded quickly... read moreWe booked this tour when we were going on a Panama Canal cruise in November 2014. Marelvy responded quickly to all my emails and gave me all the information we needed to meet up with her. Two other couples joined us from our ship as I had posted on the roll call about this tour. Marelvy is very passionate about her city and it showed through. She took us to all the "highlight" areas and I especially loved La Popa and the old city. She was very informative, relaxed and friendly (she greeted us with a hug). I would recommend going with a tour because the city is very busy and hard to get around. We had an air conditioned van which was very welcome because of the high temperatures. Marelvy made the tour very personal and we felt like "old friends" by the end. She gave us tips on dealing with the street vendors (there were more here than any place I've been and all selling the same things) and advice about the best stores for particular items and what would be the best dessert from the local bakery, etc Paying with US cash at the end was a bonus.It was a great tour! I highly recommend Marelvy! read less

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

Great overview of Cartegna Four of us were picked up at the cruise port by staff and escorted to the small, air conditioned van.... read moreFour of us were picked up at the cruise port by staff and escorted to the small, air conditioned van. We were in port with a lot of other ships and on New Year's Eve so it was very crowded. Marelvy was able to flex the order of sights and we beat the crowds to La Popa and were leaving as it got jam packed. We had a wonderful walking tour of the incredibly beautiful old town. Marelvy shared lots of information, kept close track of everyone in the crowds and gave us free time in the plaza to try some local foods and look around on our own. She answered questions and got us back with a little time to spare to our ship. This could have been a hard day with the holiday crowds but Marelvy delivered the tour and minimized the impact of the crowds. Would recommend her for sure. 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

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

Super Escort My party of four took a tour of Cartagena in early January. Sorry it has taken so long to... read moreMy party of four took a tour of Cartagena in early January. Sorry it has taken so long to give the review. I had booked on line after reading the excellent reviews and we were not disappointed. Marelvy showed a good grasp of the locality and we are pleased that we didn't use the ship's organised excursion. read less

Great High Points of the City Tour of Cartagena with Marelvy Hall We booked with Marelvy Hall for our cruise stop many months before our cruise date. Marelvy was very prompt... read moreWe booked with Marelvy Hall for our cruise stop many months before our cruise date. Marelvy was very prompt and responsive to questions long before we ever took this tour. We met Marelvy's daughter at the pier and she escorted our group of 17 to the awaiting clean air conditioned mini bus, driver, and Marelvy herself. Wow...what a great experience we had and Marelvy made us feel like we were very close friends throughout the tour. We toured La Popa - The Old City -Stopped at the Fortress of San Felipe and was able to make stops along the way for photos, and rest breaks. It is obvious that Marelvy is well versed and loves her country as exhibited by her enthusiasm and honesty. We also got a glimpse of everyday living in the industrial, and food market areas. Of course we had to make a stop at the Emerald Museum where we were able to see the Emerald history, and do a bit of shopping while there. We never felt any pressure to be in a hurry or to buy anything, and we all felt that the tour was well managed throughtout. I would highly recommend Marelvy, (her daughter, and her bus driver) for a great tour and great day in the city. The surprise little treasure Marelvy provided us with, will be displayed in our home soon. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Highly recommended. read less

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

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

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

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

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

Great tour of city Marelvy is a jewal! Very knowledgeable, excellent command of English and a really nice person. The transportation was comfortable and... read moreMarelvy is a jewal! Very knowledgeable, excellent command of English and a really nice person. The transportation was comfortable and safe. Don't book through the cruise line, book with Marelvy, you won't be sorry! read less

Wonderful and imformative tour! My husband and I took MareIvy's tour while in port on a 15 day cruise. She is very knowlegdable... read moreMy husband and I took MareIvy's tour while in port on a 15 day cruise. She is very knowlegdable and took us to places that give a good idea of what Cartagena is about. I would like to go back one day and explore more of her lovely city. If you are going to Cartagena on a cruise ship, skip the ship tour and take MareIvy's! read less

Fabulous Tour Guide We were in Cartagena for the day on a cruise ship and pre booked Marelvy for a 4.5 hour tour.... read moreWe were in Cartagena for the day on a cruise ship and pre booked Marelvy for a 4.5 hour tour. Communication leading up to the tour was great and we knew exactly where to meet and at what time. We were met at the cruise port as arranged and then led to the mini bus and we set off for our tour. We visited La Popa, then the fortress of San Felipe, then a tour of the town including a couple of museums. Traffic was very heavy due to Columbia's Independence Day celebrations, so we ended the tour with a walking tour of the old town, which was great. So much to see. It is a beautiful city and much more than we expected.

We had a great day and would highly recommend Marelvy. 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

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

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

Tour from Cruise Ship Was Great We went on a Holland America Panama Canal cruise, and were interested in a smaller tour than the large bus... read moreWe went on a Holland America Panama Canal cruise, and were interested in a smaller tour than the large bus tours offered by ship excursions. I contacted Marelvy via email after seeing good reviews on TA. She suggested I post a notice on Cruise Critic roll-call looking for other cruisers interested in this, as tour prices come down as more people sign up. That worked well, and we ended up with about 18.

Marelvy met us at the port and we boarded a comfortable air conditioned bus, getting away promptly, ahead of the crowds. The tour was comprehensive, as described in the offering, and Marelvy provided excellent commentary both in the bus and as we walked about. The city has an interesting history, and we felt like we saw a lot in our one day in port. A couple of cautions; we were there in early May and it was very hot and extremely humid, too much so for us. We were definitely ready to get back on the a/c bus after the walking tour. Take lots of water, a hat, and wear light clothing. Secondly, be prepared for lots of pressure to buy souvenirs, and to help unfortunate beggars. read less

Fantastic! We read about this tour on FaceBook and checked it out on Trip Advisor. We don't normally take trips that... read moreWe read about this tour on FaceBook and checked it out on Trip Advisor. We don't normally take trips that aren't booked thru our cruise ship but since we had an overnight in Cartegena and she had good reviews we took the chance and we were glad we did. What a lovely lady. We saw so much and learned so much. Such a delightful tour. Would highly recommend. read less

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

City tour in Cartagena The tour guide, Katty, was very personable and knowledgeable. She was able to answer easily the many questions we... read moreThe tour guide, Katty, was very personable and knowledgeable. She was able to answer easily the many questions we had for her. We learned a great deal from her about the history of the old and new Cartagena. It was very interesting to learn about the various areas of the city, the buildings and homes in each, and the people and culture. We recommend highly the City Tour of Marelvy. read less

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

We loved the "Highlights of the City" tour in Cartagena! Marelvy showed us a wonderful time in Cartagena, giving us a taste of the city that she loves and making... read moreMarelvy showed us a wonderful time in Cartagena, giving us a taste of the city that she loves and making us want to return and spend more time there. Starting with spectacular views of the city from La Popa, then on to the Fortress, and through a walking tour of the Old City, we were treated to her enthusiasm, insights, and thorough knowledge of everything she was showing us. There were 9 in our group, which was fine, as we all benefited from her personal attention and responses to our questions. Marelvy was a delight to be with, and I highly recommend this tour! read less

Hi lites of Cartegena This was an excellent tour. Timely pickup from the cruise dock, moved thru the city at a reasonable pace, and... read moreThis was an excellent tour. Timely pickup from the cruise dock, moved thru the city at a reasonable pace, and visited interesting locations. Marelevy is very knowledgeable about the City and its history. Personable and easy to understand. Will answer questions on many topics. We had limited time from the Cruise ship so were unable to go inside the fort, museums, or any buildings. For a quick, hit it over the head quickly tour, this one was excellent. If you have more time, she will provide a more in-depth tour. read less

Great Memories of Cartagena! The Highlights of the City Tour is the best way to see Cartagena! Our tour guide was Ester and... read moreThe Highlights of the City Tour is the best way to see Cartagena! Our tour guide was Ester and she was amazing! She shared her culture, her love of Cartagena and her beautiful city with us.

Our tour began with an opportunity to snap pictures of the Fortress of San Felipe, the Old Shoes Monument and the breathtaking views from La Popa Monastery. Ester then took us shopping for emeralds and Colombian coffee before continuing to Walled City of Cartagena. We toured the San Pedro Claver Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Plaza and the San Diego Plaza.

It was an excellent tour of Cartagena and we have great memories of our time in Colombia. 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

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

Touring Cartagena with Marelvy Pena-Hall (a cruise stop) The tour was EXCELLENT. We contacted Ms Pena-Hall based on tripadvisor comments. She answered all questions via e-mail and even... read moreThe tour was EXCELLENT. We contacted Ms Pena-Hall based on tripadvisor comments. She answered all questions via e-mail and even 'phoned us in WI to ensure we knew where to contact the tour. That professionalism continued throughout the tour. Marelvy cares a great deal about her city, the people and those she is escorting. She knows the subject and her audience. Sometimes cruise-connected land tours are so-so, but this tour is one of the best. As luck would have it, our tour received a Cartegena 200 year celebration poster as a parting gift. It's based on a John Timothy Hall painting. It hangs on my "man cave." Marelvy is the best. read less

Marelvy gives WONDERFUL city tour of Cartagena My girlfriend and I traveled to Cartagena last week and decided to choose Marelvy's city tour on our first day... read moreMy girlfriend and I traveled to Cartagena last week and decided to choose Marelvy's city tour on our first day to become acquainted with city. We were glad we did. Marelvy and friend Katty give an excellent 4-hour Cartagena city tour. We were picked up by car at our hotel and taken around Cartagena to see major sites including, among others, La Popa Monastery, the old walled city, San Felipe Castle and Bocagrande. Marelvy provides an incredible wealth of knowledge during the tour and gave us a heightened appreciation for the history of the city/area. We would highly recommend Marelvy and Katty to anyone interested in having an in-depth tour of Cartagena and who really want to learn the history of this fascinating and magical city. read less

Fantastic Cartagena Tour with Marelvy We recently toured the city with Marelvy, & it was a great experience! She is a well-educated, well-informed native... read moreWe recently toured the city with Marelvy, & it was a great experience! She is a well-educated, well-informed native with an excellent knowledge of the area. We had only a few hours as we were on a cruise. She covered all the bases. Highly recommended. read less

The best way to see Cartagena! We had a short day and Marelvy filled it with a great itinerary, history, humor and food. Thank you Marelvy!... read moreWe had a short day and Marelvy filled it with a great itinerary, history, humor and food. Thank you Marelvy! We will be back to your beautiful city! 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Driver Manuel was extremely courteous and careful with his driving.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Historical Highlight Marelvy was a highlight of our trip. There were four of us and one of our group wasn't feeling too... read moreMarelvy was a highlight of our trip. There were four of us and one of our group wasn't feeling too well. Marelvy was so cognizant of this and she slowed down the tour so as our companion could rest along the way.

That being said, the tour of Marquez was full of color and history. Marelvy is very well informed on the history of Columbia (as well as many parts of the world). She spent way more time with us than the stated frame and we were so appreciative of her personalized service. read less

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

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

MareIvy tour in Cartegena On a Panama Canal cruise, our stop in Cartegena provided many tour options. We rely heavily on cruise board... read moreOn a Panama Canal cruise, our stop in Cartegena provided many tour options. We rely heavily on cruise board reviews as well as TripAdvisor to help choose non-cruise sponsored tours.

A wonderful way to experience our first visit to South America..Cartegena is a richly historical city and Mare Ivy was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and intuitive to needs of the group. Highly recommend! read less

Cartagena "A-la-Carte!" Best Way to Go Two years ago, we greatly enjoyed a small group tour with TripAdvisor-recommended Marelvy Pena. This time we were driven around... read moreTwo years ago, we greatly enjoyed a small group tour with TripAdvisor-recommended Marelvy Pena. This time we were driven around town by her young colleague Katty, a charming and competent, bilingual guide.

We started off up the hill at La Popa, where Cartagena, old and new, is spread out before you: an amazing view.

Then we dropped down to circle the huge and ancient fort San Felipe, from which the Spanish forces successfully warded off invading Brits in the 1700s. Not far from there is the home of Colombia’s 4-term president in the late 1800s, Rafael Nunez. It’s a charming, tranquil Caribbean-style building off the usual tourist beat.

Katty knew where to take us in the old city to buy linen guayabera shirts and blouses. We ambled along old streets to end up at an air-conditioned restaurant where the locals eat: the 3-course “Executive Lunch” was an economical and tasty introduction to Cartagena cuisine.

More expensive than a typical group tour, of course, but going private means freedom to do whatever the spirit moves you to do. 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

Look no further for a tour in Cartegena!!!! Marelvy Pena-Hall hosted a city tour of Cartegena in October 2012. My husband and I were on a Celebrity... read moreMarelvy Pena-Hall hosted a city tour of Cartegena in October 2012. My husband and I were on a Celebrity Panama Canal cruise and we stopped there for several hours. I found Marelvy through Trip Advisor and contacted her to find out if we would have enough time while the ship was in port to really experience the city. Marelvy was very responsive and designed a tour that met our needs and allowed ample time in the end to return to the ship. Marelvy is very knowledgable and put a lot of thought into the tour. We were transported in a very comfortable van with several other couples. After we returned to the ship that evening were were delighted to hear that our experience was more comprehensive than the ship's excursion -- but then, we knew that because Marelvy is simply the best! Thank you for such a memorable experience, Marelvy! 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

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

Great Guide Marelvy was a wonderful guide for our cruise group in Cartagena. We were met at the pier just as promised.... read moreMarelvy was a wonderful guide for our cruise group in Cartagena. We were met at the pier just as promised. We toured in a lovely, 17 passenger van. Our group of twelve was convenient, as it was so much quicker than the large tours from the cruise line. We learned so much about the city, saw all the must-see spots and did it all in comfort. Cartagena is very hot, so I was glad I chose this tour over a hop on, hop off bus. We learned more and did not bake in the heat all day. Marelvy also walked my husband and I to a coffee shop during our free time. Absolutely the best coffee in Columbia. Awesome baked goods, too. read less

Amazing tour by a true professional I contacted MareIvy about organizing a tour during a stop in Cartagena on a cruise. She responded promptly to... read moreI contacted MareIvy about organizing a tour during a stop in Cartagena on a cruise. She responded promptly to each email and always answered questions clearly. The tour she provided was the Highlights tour and it was definitely a big hit. MareIvy went above and beyond in providing a quality tour that adapted to the needs of the tour group. We were met at the port exactly as we had been directed to. The bus was comfortable and nicely air conditioned. The driver was excellent and I felt relaxed during the drive. Cartagena is a beautiful city with a rich history. I could not have chosen a better way to explore the area. Thanks to MareIvy I hope to return to Cartagena again one day, and when I do I will again contact her. read less

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

Overall a great day!!! read less

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

Good experience Knowledgable. Good English. Warm and friendly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lovely informative tour - excellent guide We had a lovely morning with Marelvy. There was group of us from the cruise ship - we all had... read moreWe had a lovely morning with Marelvy. There was group of us from the cruise ship - we all had booked privately. We were able to see both the old and new city of Cartagena and visit some very interesting places. Whilst it was very hot Marelvy kept our busy with all the interesting facts and she was good at finding places with shade at just the right time.

We were not rushed at all and even had time to look at some shops. (be prepared to barter for the goods)

Would highly recommend. We also witnessed for the first time a circular halo around the sun! read less

Tour of Cartagena Our group of nine spent the day with Marelvy and we all had a wonderful time thanks to her.Not only... read moreOur group of nine spent the day with Marelvy and we all had a wonderful time thanks to her.Not only is she a very knowledgeable about Cartagena but also the history of Colombia and its recent progress and promise. Add to that, Marelvy is a great person who we would recommend to anyone looking for a guide. read less

Excellent We don't really like tours and would never normally choose to go on one, but Marelvy's Gabriel Garcia Marquez tour... read moreWe don't really like tours and would never normally choose to go on one, but Marelvy's Gabriel Garcia Marquez tour around Cartagena caught our eye. We were in luck, we emailed her at short notice and she managed to fit us in the following day. Marelvy is intelligent, charming and extremely knowledgeable as well as passionate about the city and Gabo. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and her company. I can not recommend Marelvy highly enough and her Marquez tour. 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

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

Great Job, Show us a great amount of the city, had us back to the ship on time! We had a wonderful time our our shore excursion we booked with Marelvy Pena-Hall. She had an young man... read moreWe had a wonderful time our our shore excursion we booked with Marelvy Pena-Hall. She had an young man greet us by the boat, holding up a sigh so we would find him. He escorted us to our van where we met Marelvy. We did the City Tour in Cartagena. The tour was exactly as described, and we saw quite a bit. We especially enjoyed the La Popa convent built on the top of the highest hill in the city, and the views from there. The old town was wonderful! She was very helpful in finding a vendor selling Colombian coffee and we were able to purchase it at a reasonable price. We were returned to the port in plenty of time to get back on the ship without rushing. As the tour ended, she gave us all a copy of a poster painted by her husband about Colombia. read less

Wonderful tour on a day in port We prefer booking tours on our own vs with the cruise ship and this one did not disappoint! Our... read moreWe prefer booking tours on our own vs with the cruise ship and this one did not disappoint! Our guide, Esther, was friendly, informative and lively as she showed us the city of Cartagena! There were only two of us on the tour with Esther and we felt like we were walking the city with a friend. The tour was the perfect mix of time in an air conditioned van and walking the old city. We were very impressed with the old city, it's history, architecture, the homes and the cleanliness of the city. We stopped in a few shops, bought some delicious fruit along the way. We had expressed an interest in getting some empanadas and Esther made a special stop for us to try some of her favorites. It was a wonderful tour and comes highly recommended. Booking was easy on line and communication with Marelvy was excellent from start to finish. Try to book several months in advance, as this tour is popular! 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

Marelvy Pena-Hall Tour of Cartagena's Old City If you read Marelvy Pena-Hall's website, you will want to meet her. We delayed finalizing our booking for a half-day... read moreIf you read Marelvy Pena-Hall's website, you will want to meet her. We delayed finalizing our booking for a half-day tour, and then Marelvy was no longer available. She referred us to her associate Ester. I read the reviews others had written about Ester -- and knew she would be a good alternative for my group.

We were fortunate to visit the Old City on a Sunday, when the majority of the businesses were closed. The city was quieter and there was very little street traffic. The buildings are painted bright colors and many have balconies reminiscent of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Ester is an extremely knowledgeable guide. She taught us about the area's history, socio-economic issues, education opportunities, the arts and much more. Although this tour was a little more expensive than some of the others we reviewed, it is worth it to know ahead of time who your guide will be.

We did get a chance to meet Marelvy, and I highly recommend both Ester and Marelvy. 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