The best tour of Getsemani - We booked a fabulous walking tour with Davinson Gaviria of getsemani tour.com whatsApp +573118988865 . Davinson is born and bred and the vice President of the residents association. He met us (7 friends) at Plaza de Trinidad and for the next 2 hours told us about the history but more importantly the current culture and politics of the community in Getsemani. On Thursday the community ceases all commercial activity in the streets so that the kids can play football and baseball. The community run the only surviving school left in the old city and make by hand the balls and bats for the baseball games in order to have fewer balls fly into the harbour or through a neighbours glass window. Most the residents rent, and have for generations and Davinson explained the plains to have wealthy benefactors buy the properties and continue to rent to community members. This was an insight into authentic community successfully fighting to retain their neighbourhood Fantastic tour

Great tour to kick things off - This tour was the perfect intro to Cartagena. It originates by the landmark clock tower and after a short primer on Cartagena and the Walled City you leave through the portico, cross through centennial park which is at the intersection of so much Colombian history. Ten minutes of walking and you’re in Getsemani, a bohemian and colorful neighborhood where real people live among vast murals, art galleries, happening squares, lively bars and cafes. A visit to the rooftop of a strategically positioned hotel gives you a unique perspective on the bay of Cartagena, how it was defended and a panoramic view from Bocagrande to the San Felipe fortress and Convento La Popa. A nice walk back through Getsemani leads you back to the edge of the walled city with a few key stops along the way. We were fortunate to catch the sunset from the wall. Angel is a very knowledgeable and friendly guide, mixing history, legends and culture to provide a well rounded perspective. He realized I was keen on history and current affairs and clearly adapted to those interests with many engaging anecdotes and explanations of the meaning and significance of the different things we saw along the way. He set a high bar for my future tours in Colombia.