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Cultural Small Group Tour in San Basilio De Palenque

Name: Cultural Small Group Tour in San Basilio De Palenque
Brand: La Perla Viajes y Turismo
SKU: 373679P2
Price: 92.00 USD
Rating: 5.0 (81 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceCartagena, Colombia

5 to 6 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Private transportation
Native guide.
Dance Show.
Almuerzo.
Botella de Agua.

Tips - Propinas

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Infants must sit on laps

Most travelers can participate
Children from 1 to 4 years old do not pay but must sit on their parents' laps.
After booking please contact me to confirm pick up details. +573188202888
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

81 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 81 reviews

This was a very well...

Ekbert_P, Apr 2024

This was a very well organized and meaningful experience. “This is not part of the tour but if you look outside the window, there is a tree that inspires me. The tree has fallen as you can see, but it’s still growing” - Dyson (the palenque tour guide and great guy)

Had a mind blowing trip,...

Tory_R, Mar 2024

Had a mind blowing trip, the information in this trip was incredible, I can’t believe I didn’t know this story before. We even got to participate and learn cultural things along the way. As a pro Black person who studies history, this was a wonderful journey. Tour was one of the highlights of my trip, I definite recommend.

I would recommend it

Dana_S, Feb 2024

This is a very interesting and historically important town to visit. The ride there was very long and rough. Unofficially the guide didn't speak much English so she didn't talk or give any information on the way there. When we arrived an English speaking guide came and took us around town. He explained the culture and lifestyle and some history to us. This was great, it was clear that he's very proud of his history and enthusiastic about it. Lunch was also great. Two things that prevent this from being 5 stars: 1) I wish they spoke more about the establishment of the town and the history of it. I had done some reading so I knew a bit going in but would have loved more background 2) the information says 5-6 hours but between pickup and drop off it's more like 7-8 hours. Just something to consider.

The boat tide was...

Deshanay_S, Feb 2024

The boat tide was peaceful, the food was delicious, and the water was very clear. A relaxing day trip.

AMAZING

Lorisha_P, Dec 2023

I loved it! The dance show, the music room, the food and just the history everything about this place was amazing. 10/10

A Day in the Lives of Palenquens

John_W, Dec 2023

The most memorable parts of my experience was chatting up the characters that spoke to us about the life and history of Palenque. Also, enjoyed meeting and talking to others who were part of our tour group. I found it fascinating that the town claims their own destiny by not relying on the government for policing and justice. There’s a council of elders that take care of judicial affairs. Outcomes appear to acceptable to residents. I wish that concept could be applied to some of our communities in the USA. Maybe there would be no need for BLM. I also liked seeing the various heritage monuments dedicated to the founder of the town and the professional boxer who apparently brought to light issues that the townspeople had. It takes a lot of guts to stand up to the Oppressor. Examples such as these inspire me and it’s want I look for in my travels throughout the world. Our guide was very accommodating and insured we had what we needed to take full advantage of the experience. Although the tour operator, Maria Jose, did not accompany us on the tour she was there by phone/text before and after the tour. She also met us with the driver and guide who picked us up from our apartment the morning of the tour. This showed her commitment to us have a positive experience. I recommend the tour without reservation.

Highly recommend for a memorable adventure.

Sakina_C, Dec 2023

I recently embarked on a captivating tour that exceeded my expectations. The knowledgeable guide Andres shared intriguing insights, making each stop an immersive experience. Maria and her team were awesome. We felt welcomed from pickup to drop off. Palenque really gave insight into the struggles of black people across the Americas. I am so glad I was able to experience it. The food in Palenque was really good especially the fish. It was the best meal we had on our entire Colombia trip. We 100% recommend the Palenque experience. We plan on returning and we will be reaching out Maria and her team for our next adventure.

Good and heart felt...

Melissa_F, Oct 2023

Good and heart felt experience to learn about the African history of Colombia. Meeting the natives is something I won’t forget. Our tour guide was able to help translate which was a big help.

Africa in Colombia

Shawntia_L, Oct 2023

Maria is a fantastic travel agent! To learn about the African culture I’m Colombia was so humbling and eye opening. This is a must visit!

I'm Sure Palenque is Great, This Tour Wasn't

Monica_H, Sep 2023

Why 1 Star - well most importantly, this is not a private tour! I reread the description many times where it says private tour and transportation but this was very much a group tour. While confused riding in the van, another group confirmed that they too were under the impression that they booked a private tour. Another big issue I had with this tour is the fact that I learned more about Palenque on a free walking your around the city than I did actually at Palenque. Even when I asked a question, it was answered with a simple 'yes' and moved right along. Our group couldn't help but laugh because this tour was a joke. Our tour was set up to hit all the hustle spots while not really giving much history. Just when you thought you were going to get a nice story or background, it was really just a lead up to a sales pitch. "Oh this woman on the wall is the town healer". Next thing you know here comes the woman and guess what - she can give you a blessing for a tip. "oh this is a traditional style house and the tip jar is over there". Imagine those scenarios 5 more times to get an idea of this tour. In literally every other tour around the world that I have been to, when you pay for an experience, the tour operator breaks off a little change to whatever person or venue you visit as a thank you for hosting the group. This tour, not only did we have to pay for the tour, we were tipping at every place we stopped at which was crazy to me. Even for the very first stop at the I Love Palenque sign, the ladies were blocking the sign before anyone could get a picture and our guide would not say anything. It made for a super uncomfortable experience where we were with stuck taking a picture with them in it and giving a tip (which is what we ended up having to do) or like the others in my group, forgoing the picture all together. I would recommend booking with a different company as I have heard great reviews about Palenque but this specific tour operator may leave a sour taste in your mouth!

Response from Host, Oct 2023

I am deeply sorry that you had a bad experience through my company. During all the years I have been characterized by offering good quality services and you can notice that in all the reviews of my clients, I even give more than what people ask to me because I love my job and I love what I do. It is the first star that I receive on the Palenque tour, which surprises me, because it is a tour that I do frequently and I know how things should be done to offer a 100% quality service, especially this tour in which I personally went with the group, however I greatly appreciate your opinion, this will make me immediate changes to improve the service and overall experience of my customers. You said that I reread the description many times where it says private tour, it is a shame that when rereading it you had not realized that in the description it says "Important Note: We provide this experience in private circles for your safety and comfort. It applies to individual travelers, as a couple or in a group. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us". Private means that it is done in the presence of few people, it can also be something intimate, particular and personal. I’ve had many cases of individual travelers, couples, groups who have had a wonderful experience, I even think it is the first time that someone’s had a bad experience on this tour doing it through my company because in general all my clients have finished the tour, a very happy tour. Private tours, are tours designed for small groups (2 people minimum), you went with 5 more people, a total of 7 people. Therefore I will keep the title of the tour offered adding “small groups” when I have future clients, so if they forget to read or “reread” the description then they will see it in the title. Maybe in your case what you were looking for was a personalized tour and nowhere in my experience does it say that. By saying that "another big problem you had with this tour is the fact that you learned more about Palenque on a free city tour than on the Palenque tour" and that you are bothered by tipping gives me the impression that the hassle and Where it all starts is that it bothers you to have to pay for the tour when you think that you could have learned more for free and not leave tips in the different spaces. I can assure you that things there are not going to change although I sincerely wish they did, Palenque is a tour that is more than 1 hour from Cartagena and has many expenses so it could not be free. I remind you that tips are voluntary, they are not mandatory and there is no fee, the people in Palenque will be happy and will receive you and say “goodbye” to you regardless of whether you leave a tip or not. Each person can decide if they want to give and how much they want to give, so if clients leave $2,000 Colombian Pesos (Half a dollar) or $20,000 Colombian Pesos (4 dollars) or leave nothing, nothing happens because in any case in the different spaces we we leave compensation. Some companies have even suggested paying for some services and eliminating the fact that tourists leave tips, but people in Palenque have refused our suggestions. Furthermore, most tourists understand that these people do not receive help from the government, they are very poor and in gratitude for the welcome in their homes, their kindness, their time and their magnificent work, they are generous with the people of Palenque and leave many tips as a thank you. Most people understand that going to Palenque is living a unique experience in a place of great value to humanity as an intangible heritage of humanity declared by UNESCO. Therefore, all the companies which work in Palenque, they arrive at these places where the custom is to leave a tip if it is to the tourist's liking even though we also make financial contributions. La Perla Viajes y Turismo company as a Tour Operator, always supports the Local Economy not only talking people to a memorable time in Palenque (Working with Native Tour guides from the community, paying for the Dancers, food, snacks, etc) but also giving the opportunity to other People like cooks and the Traditional medicine doctor interact with the Tourists. The Tips on this tour are not mandatory, there are completely volunteer, we are really sorry if you felt uncomfortable with this situation. When we arrived and the ladies were at the sign, I asked the customers if they wanted to take photos with the girls, do not mention tips because as I have stated before, these girls are willing to be in the photos, make videos, even if customers do not leave tips, because they have done it before and they themselves say that they do not care if they leave tips or not and yet, they are willing to take photos even though it is their job, which shows the grateful heart of the girls and people in general in Palenque. I remember that, in your case, photos and videos were taken with the same girls from the sign and in the dance show, in which you looked quite happy, so, I don't understand the rating of just one star. You said that “Our group couldn't help but laugh because this tour was a joke.” Which is a totally a lie, I asked the other people and they all agreed that they liked the tour. I share with you the review that Asina left me who also made the reservation through Viator and was with you on the tour: https:// www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297476-d25076109-r916466247-La_Perla_Viajes_y_Turismo-Cartagena_Cartagena_District_Bolivar_Department.html Anyway, I understand that the tour did not meet your expectations and you have every right to express your own experience, but I will leave 2 small thoughts about this whole situation and the comment of a client who was also with you on the tour. 1. You should not speak for others when the reality is that they do not think like you. 2. Saying that my company can leave a bad taste in your mouth can make me stop having reservations, which is a highly irresponsible act. Behind each reservation is the commitment of many people who strive and work hard to offer the best service and satisfy the needs of our clients. 3. Can it be annoying to have to tip everywhere? Sure! But I also understand these people are hustling to make a living, and I'm not ever mad at that. It honestly sounds like the person is talking from a place of privilege.

Une visite malgré tout appréciée

Jocelyne_R, Feb 2024

Grosse déception de ne pas avoir eu un guide en français comme prévu. Quelques petits irritants comme la demande constante à chaque arrêt pour des pourboires volontaires oui mais fortement demandés ainsi que le manque de climatisation dans le véhicule au retour. 2 heures de trajet après une journée au soleil sans bonne climatisation dans le véhicule fut assez suffocant! La visite de Palenque fut tout de même apprécié. Les arrêts étaient intéressants et le spectacle de danse et de musique était très bien et que dire du repas traditionnel.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Merci de nous avoir choisi. Désolé pour les désagréments survenus lors de la visite, avant d'avoir un guide qui parlait français c'est pourquoi nous avions cette langue lors de la visite, nous avons déjà pris des mesures correctives pour que cela ne se reproduise plus.