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Cartagena to-do suggestions for non history/church types


Cinderellie
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Hello. We are a chubby couple in our 50's visiting Cartagena for the first time on the Coral Princess, in town one day only - a Saturday - from 9 to 3 (2pm back to ship) in April on the Panama Canal cruise.

 

We are not fans of historical/church tours - especially not strenuous walking tours or athletic adventures in the heat. We prefer more fun, interactive experiences. Shopping is fine, but not a whole day of it.

 

What would you suggest we do/see/experience while there?

 

Thanks!

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HI all!

 

We just returned from a cruise that stopped there for about the same amount of time.

 

A lot of people who took the horse & carriage tour enjoyed it. If you're interested in animals there's a little zoo, park, cafe area to the right at the port, an oasis in the heat.

 

We were there on a Saturday too & got to see wedding reception areas set up on the walls plus carriages carrying the wedding parties to the venues.

It was a busy but lovely place.

 

Hope this helps. Also check a post by wlbox by searching, to find an easy peasy way to do Cartagena on your own. Here's the link

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2301106

 

~ Jo ~ :)

Edited by retiring soon
added the link
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You might enjoy the excursion that includes a combination of the Old City and the Folkloric Dance and Music. We booked it through Princess. On our cruise it was listed as 'Old City' & Folkloric Show by Dance Company CTG-200 and was about 4 hours. We enjoyed it very much.

 

If you have time, you might like to take a look at pictures my wife took and made into a slideshow for her website at the link below.

 

Panama Canal Cruise (includes Cartegena)

 

Happy cruising!

Edited by JimAOk1945
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  • 1 month later...

Thank you all for your suggestions. We changed our sailing date. We will now be in Cartagena on Thursday, October 13th.

 

I did some research and I may now seek otr a tour with Duran Duran... with a Cooking Class and visit to a Cartagena market. The reviews are fantastic, and this sounds right up our alley, as opposed to visiting forts and churches... not our thing.

 

Any other ideas... send them along!

 

Thank you!

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  • 5 months later...
  • 9 months later...

Here was our review of the cooking tour as posted on Trip Advisor. My husband and I were on a cruise stopping at Cartagena for part of the day and did not want to see the stock tours of old forts, churches, museums and shopping offered by the cruise ship. We wanted to go where the locals go, eat what they eat. And therefore when we saw this tour offered by Duran Duran - a Cooking Lesson & Market Tour - we jumped at the chance. It was exactly as advertised. Duran and his wife Maria and son Andres are wonderful hosts, and so open to you sharing their lives, culture and history. The trip to the open market is eye-opening - not for people who aren't good on their feet. And a little but scary... you are clearly not in the best part of town. You also need to be able to move through the stalls of vendors and keep up with Maria to find the best and freshest bargains of the day. It was unbearably hot in the labyrinth of the primitive market stalls. But once you emerged and arrived at their home, our cooking lesson was wonderful, fun and so engaging... and the meal absolutely delicious. You definitely help cook the meal. We shredded coconut! We then relaxed on their terrace, before Duran drove us back to the port, right on time. If you want to learn about this gem of a city through the eyes of a passionate local, give Duran Duran a call for this unique experience.

 

Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

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  • 2 months later...
You might enjoy the excursion that includes a combination of the Old City and the Folkloric Dance and Music. We booked it through Princess. On our cruise it was listed as 'Old City' & Folkloric Show by Dance Company CTG-200 and was about 4 hours. We enjoyed it very much.

 

If you have time, you might like to take a look at pictures my wife took and made into a slideshow for her website at the link below.

 

Panama Canal Cruise (includes Cartegena)

 

Happy cruising!

 

Jim - how much walking was involved in this tour through Princess? Could someone with a cane / bad knees / slow walking keep up??

Thanks.

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Jim - how much walking was involved in this tour through Princess? Could someone with a cane / bad knees / slow walking keep up??

Thanks.

 

Did you notice the post from Jim was Feb 2016. He may not see yours.

 

You might want to consider taking a taxi to the walled city and going at your own pace. You can get a good map at the kiosk on the dock. There are also lots of tour guides at the terminal who will show you around for a fee.

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Did you notice the post from Jim was Feb 2016. He may not see yours.

 

You might want to consider taking a taxi to the walled city and going at your own pace. You can get a good map at the kiosk on the dock. There are also lots of tour guides at the terminal who will show you around for a fee.

 

Thanks, didn't realize it was over a year old. Thanks for the ideas.

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