TOUR GUIDE IN CARTAGENA

When sightseeing becomes a pleasure In August 2012, we had the privilege of visiting Cartagena with Marelvy, a cheerful guide, loving his country.

Cartagena is an... read moreIn August 2012, we had the privilege of visiting Cartagena with Marelvy, a cheerful guide, loving his country.

Cartagena is an exciting city to visit with a cheerfull and professionnal guide.

A great value for a tour much better than a classical sightseeing with a bus. read less

Very knowledgable and terrific English We took a group to Cartagena and were lucky to have Marly guide us through the walled city. she... read moreWe took a group to Cartagena and were lucky to have Marly guide us through the walled city. she was very knowledgable and patient with all of our questions. The streets of the walled city are narrow so she used headsets so that everyone could hear her--it was a great idea. read less

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

Excellent tour 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

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

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

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

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

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

Marelvy Pena-hall is wonderful Did this tour from our cruise ship we were only in the Port for 5 hours by doing this tour... read moreDid this tour from our cruise ship we were only in the Port for 5 hours by doing this tour with Marelvy we saw a lot of the things. Had time in the town centre to have Columbia coffee which was very good, she is a delight to be with loves her country and the poster we got was just wonderful i also would highly recommend this tour. 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

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

private family tour of walled city plazas We took the walking tour of the plazas of the walled city with Marelvy. The tour lasted about 3h... read moreWe took the walking tour of the plazas of the walled city with Marelvy. The tour lasted about 3h and the walking was not onerous for us. If you have individuals with mobility issues they might find the distance a challenge, however. Marelvy is quick to respond to email so I'm sure she could arrange an alternative.

As a guide, Marelvy is very well versed in both the historical and cultural knowledge of Cartagena and Colombia. She is fluent in English, Spanish and French and can go back and forth between the languages easily.

Though we didn't research prices prior to booking Marelvy we do know now, after going on a few other tours, there are less expensive alternatives. If flawless English (which is the language we had our tour in) is important to you this guide is a great fit. read less

Great GGM Tour Katty led our tour and was awesome! We went our first day in Cartagena, which ended up being a great... read moreKatty led our tour and was awesome! We went our first day in Cartagena, which ended up being a great idea because in addition to the GGM references and Cartagena history lessons, Katty pointed out food and other recommendations. It was the perfect introduction to the city. 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 lady and great city tour From the moment she greeted us, Marelvy Pena-Hall was gracious, kind, interesting and fun to be with. She gave... read moreFrom the moment she greeted us, Marelvy Pena-Hall was gracious, kind, interesting and fun to be with. She gave us a very nice "highpoints" of Cartagena tour that all 6 of us enjoyed and would highly recommend. Because the King of Spain was in town, everything was crowded, but Marelvy guided thru it all, adapted when we couldn't get into one museum because the King was on a private tour and just made the entire day special. read less

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The very best way to experience this city Marelvy and her daughter provided a tailored, fascinating, and highly varied look at Cartegena in just a little over a... read moreMarelvy and her daughter provided a tailored, fascinating, and highly varied look at Cartegena in just a little over a half day. Her historical knowledge sets her apart, and she adapted the itinerary to our artistic interests, showing us street sculptures and a gold museum as well as the expected forts, churches, gardens, and shopping stops. The tour started at La Popa, a historical and religious site with sweeping city views. We visited two lovely churches, strolled through a city neighborhood with marvelous shops, cafes, artwork, and cheerful vendors. We saw tropical birds near the pier at the end of our tour, a nice "extra". There were six of us, two with some mobility issues, and we all were well served and delighted by the experience. 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

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

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

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

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

Marelvy is a Tour Guide in Love with Cartegena My wife and I were also on the customized tour that MIGomes arranged for a Cruise Critic group on the... read moreMy wife and I were also on the customized tour that MIGomes arranged for a Cruise Critic group on the Celebrity Equinox (thanks again Barbara). Hers is a perfect brief description of our tour. I would like to add that what really made this tour perfect was the timing. Yes, it was 6 hours but because it started at 3:00pm we had the advantage of seeing La Popa in the afternoon for the most spectacular view, from all directions, of the city below. When we started our leisurely walk through the old city it was dusk and that added to the beauty of it and then after nightfall we were entertained by the dance troupe in a most picturesque square. Throughout our tour, Marelvy wove stories together of both the historical and modern day Cartagena. Her love of the city and its people was apparent from beginning to end. It is a truly beautiful and safe jewel of a city. We hope to return...sooner rather than later. Thanks again, Marelvy. read less

Great off the beaten track tour We booked last minute but they were able to accommodate us which was nice. Our tour guide Esther was... read moreWe booked last minute but they were able to accommodate us which was nice. Our tour guide Esther was great! She gave a very informative tour of the city sharing with us stories of her childhood there and taking us to places that only locals would know such as seeing the nice view from a hotel terrace and showing us the beautiful courtyard of the university. It was a wonderful way to get aquatinted with the city and I would highly recommend it. read less

Wonderful guide and Intro to Cartagena I booked this tour cold with the help of fellow Tripadvisor travelers. Thank you. Marelvy was booked so... read moreI booked this tour cold with the help of fellow Tripadvisor travelers. Thank you. Marelvy was booked so we had Katty for our tour guide. She was absolutely wonderful. Intelligent, knowledgeable, and caring about us as a group. I make it a point and try to support women owned businesses as well. Remember to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. It was 90+ degrees and very hot. The company supplies water so there was no need to buy any and they even gave us a gift for using their company. I would not hesitate to recommend this company. Try it, you'll like it.... read less

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

Thanks Marelvy. read less

Frendly, personal, and professional! Marelvy provided us a wonderful personal tour "Hidden treasures of Cartegana". Her driver Horsta (sorry - probably wrong spelling) drove... read moreMarelvy provided us a wonderful personal tour "Hidden treasures of Cartegana". Her driver Horsta (sorry - probably wrong spelling) drove us all safely in an air-conditioned vehicle. And Marelvy herself gave us a very informative and interesting tour. She's fluent in english, french, and spanish. We definitely recommend her for a tour! read less

Day out in Cartagena My partner and I had booked for a Panama Canal cruise with Holland America and had looked at tripadvisor for... read moreMy partner and I had booked for a Panama Canal cruise with Holland America and had looked at tripadvisor for some information on the ports we were visiting. We found Marelvy Pena-Hall mentioned, several times, for seeing the sights in Cartagena Colombia, so we booked before leaving home.

Marelvy confirmed all details by e mail and we followed her instructions and everything went as planned, Marelvy was waiting for us with an air conditioned bus (which was wonderful as it was so hot).

We has a great afternoon, Marelvy gave us a good insight into Cartagen, she was funny as well as so full of information about the history and the people living in her city. We were able to leave the bus for a walking tour of the old city which gave us a closer look at our surroundings, we also had time on our own to wander round at leisure and we could leave belongings on the bus.

So glad we took the chance and went with Marelvy rather than the ship's excursion. 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

Highly recommend Marelvy!! We were in Cartagena for 2 days and did an evening tour one day and a full day tour the... read moreWe were in Cartagena for 2 days and did an evening tour one day and a full day tour the next with Marelvy. It is obvious that she loves her city and is so happy to share it with you. She is a wealth of knowledge and takes you to some out of the way places you would not otherwise see. Cartagena is a beautiful city...thank you Marelvy for being such an amazing tour guide. read less

Perfect Cartagena Guide My friend and I recently hired Marelvy to take us on a city tour of Cartagena. She was fantastic.... read moreMy friend and I recently hired Marelvy to take us on a city tour of Cartagena. She was fantastic. Her English was superb and she knew everything that needed to be known about the city. She has a great disposition. She welcomed us with a hug and presented us with these fantastic posters from her husbands art collection! Don't forget to ask her for a restaurant recommendation! read less

Marelvy is a great ambassador for Cartagena, Colombia We took a tour with Marelvy in January, during a one day stop at the cruise port. She was... read moreWe took a tour with Marelvy in January, during a one day stop at the cruise port. She was waiting for us on the pier as we came off the ship and very cheerfully led us through a detailed and entertaining tour of the old and new city of Cartagena de Indias. Marelvy was a french teacher and learned English for her new career, and her English is impeccable. She is a very talented and personable tour guide and we highly recommend a tour with her. She covered a lot of history and areas of the city and kept everyone entertained. My only recommendation would be for her to have bottled water in a cooler in the bus for visitors, and/or a light snack, or to let visitors know to bring that with you. It was very hot and humid in Cartagena and although some of us brought water, it would be a nice for those that didn't. The tour lasted almost 5 hours. The bus was modern and air-conditioned and dropped us off and picked us up very conveniently. One of our group was using a walker and some parts of the old city made it difficult for her but other than there, she was able to join us for the rest of the tour. We stopped for a short time to shop but it wasn't long enough to really shop, about a half hour. The sites, especially La Popa, were great for photos, and she gave us lots of background info to go along with them. A beautiful city and a great tour guide! 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

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 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

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

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

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

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

A walking tour of Cartagena Marelvy is an elegant, sophisticated, knowledgeable and well spoked (English and Spanish) woman. She gave my husband and I,... read moreMarelvy is an elegant, sophisticated, knowledgeable and well spoked (English and Spanish) woman. She gave my husband and I, and our two friends, a wonderful customized walking tour of the old city of Cartagena. She listens carefully to what her clients are interested in and then delivers perfectly. She was equally adept at covering the history of Cartagena and Columbia as she was reporting on the current state of affairs and new things to do in town. She even made herself available after our tour via email in case we had questions! Marelvy set us up for a great experience in Cartagena and followed up to make sure we were having a great time! read less

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

Cartagena...It's imposible not to fall in love with this seductive colombian colourful city!! Forgget the postcards!! Either you want a familly holiday, a cultural historical magnificent and very well preserved city, full of life, colour, smiles,... read moreEither you want a familly holiday, a cultural historical magnificent and very well preserved city, full of life, colour, smiles, music, local fruits and food, .Either you want romance and for sure these narrow colourfull houses and its wooden carved marvellous balconies with so many flowers that will make stop, again and again in every corner of that old city, you wont regret to stop by and visit for 3 to 5 days this CHARMING postcard and one of the "newest fashionable destinations" in the world.You have Central/South America culture, the caribean sea, an extremelly friendly population, a safe city were you can wall day or night.But do not stop next to the Torre del Reloj. Cartagena its much than the "must see places".You wont regret! read less

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

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

Tour Guide Led Us to Gems of Cartagena...Both Historical and Shopping Esther, our tour guide, was an incredible person--articulate when sharing the history of Columbia and Cartagena, discerning in taking us... read moreEsther, our tour guide, was an incredible person--articulate when sharing the history of Columbia and Cartagena, discerning in taking us to choice shops that were off the tourist's paths, and downright fun-loving personality. All we had to do while walking, was to call out to her that we wanted to visit a home/store we were passing. We bought a lovely ring for our daughters and a groovy, hand-made leather strapped watch for me. She even told us the place for the best ice cream in Cartagena...but I was not about to stop shopping and seeing the rest of the city. Thank you, Esther. We highly recommend you. We rode in air-conditioned van. Oh...Esther bought a piece of fruit we'd never seen, cut it up, and gave us some. Delicious. read less

Outstanding tour and guide Surprisingly, Cartegena was my favorite port on our Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. And Marelvy's tour... read moreSurprisingly, Cartegena was my favorite port on our Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. And Marelvy's tour was also one of the best I experienced on the cruise. She was a great communicator by e-mail, giving us easy instructions on meeting her as well as clear information on what we could expect on the tour.

Marelvy was right on time and a group of eight of us met her at the pier as scheduled. Right away I knew we made the right decision, she exudes warmth and intelligence and made us all feel comfortable as she guided us to the large passenger van located on the dock parking lot. The van was new -- comfortable and very clean. The driver was pleasant and professional.

She expertly guided us around her city giving is insights into its history and people in contemporary Cartegena -- the good bad and ugly. Not only was Marelvy a great guide for the history and architecture of the city, she was an expert guide to buying at the various shops in the city.

She took us to an area that she buys her jewelry and gifts. I purchased a wonderful pre-Colombian statue for my collection of pottery and I bought my wife a very nice set of emerald ear rings. Both from certified stores with great reputations.

Her tour is much superior to the cruise ship tours and cost much less. it was fun and fact filled. Like having a friend guide you around their town. I would recommend the tour without reservation. It's one of the best. read less

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

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

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

Great way to see the city We did the Highpoints of the City tour and it was perfect. Marelvy not only showed us around the walled... read moreWe did the Highpoints of the City tour and it was perfect. Marelvy not only showed us around the walled city but took us up to La Popa for the amazing view of all of Cartagena. Marelvy had a driver who took us all around so the tour was very efficient and for $195 I would definitely recommend this nearly 5 hour tour. read less

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marelvy was lovely company and gave us a great tour. Very well organised.

We managed to see so much of Cartagena and around.

Very knowledgeable and gave us a good... read moreVery well organised.

We managed to see so much of Cartagena and around.

Very knowledgeable and gave us a good taste of the culture and history of this wonderful country.

So pleased we did it! read less

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

Great Tour with Marelvy..... Great walking tour......... my husband has Parkinsons but she was always looking for a place for him to rest. ... read moreGreat walking tour......... my husband has Parkinsons but she was always looking for a place for him to rest. Highlights of the City tour was well worth it. She knows her stuff. 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

An Outstanding Tour of Cartagena Wow, what a fabulous 4.5 hour tour we had of Cartagena. Got to go up to the Convento de la... read moreWow, what a fabulous 4.5 hour tour we had of Cartagena. Got to go up to the Convento de la Popa where the big busses can't go, beautiful views of the city and wonderful tour of the convent. Did a bit of shopping, a museum tour, a walking tour of the Old Town and sightseeing of the old fort and Manza area before returning to the ship. Marelvy is very knowledgable of the history and very proud of her country.

This tour is a must for those who want an in depth overview of Cartagena. Definitely a 5 star recommendation. 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

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

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

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

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

Day tour of Cartagena ( After finding that we were unable to secure the services of Marelvy when booking a Cartagena tour for six people... read moreAfter finding that we were unable to secure the services of Marelvy when booking a Cartagena tour for six people in March, we were pleased that she was able to arrange for her daughter, Sheila, to meet us at the port and take us to a very competent guide (Sylvia) and driver (Bernarda), who made us all very comfortable in a spacious, air-conditioned van, and provided an excellent overview of the city. We found Sylvia to be very passionate about her country and willing to answer all the questions we put to her. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and were impressed by the professionalism and friendliness of both our driver and guide. We couldn't have been more pleased with the personalized tour, which we would not have received had we chosen the cruise ship's excursion, and would highly recommend Marelvy's services. 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

Fantastic private tour guide Marelvy does a great job and even if you read her wonderful reviews on TripAdvisor ahead of your trip, your... read moreMarelvy does a great job and even if you read her wonderful reviews on TripAdvisor ahead of your trip, your expectations will be exceeded. Marelvy gave tours to 40+ of my wedding guests and everyone was very pleased. Her rates are very reasonable, she's easy to work with, flexible, punctual, and has a great attitude. Going with Marelvy is the easiest of all choices you have to make when planning your Cartagena vacation. read less

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

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

Great tour! Marelvy was a great tour guide. She's very knowledgeable about the area and its history. And friendly too!

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

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