Cartagena
Insider
A different kind of tourism.
Fun with a purpose.
About us
In 2007, a non-profit organization called FEM, Fundación por la Educación Multidimensional was founded.
Its goal is to ensure that Afro-Colombian communities in the Caribbean obtain the legal documents that certify them as landowners.*
Despite the importance of this issue, FEM struggled to access resources for its sustainability. Therefore, in 2013, its leadership began conducting small community tourism experiments, as there was strong synergy between the communities we supported and the possibility of creating a tourism project.In 2014, Insider Tours was born—the brand under which we launched this pioneering responsible tourism initiative in the region.
With a portfolio of tours to nearby communities such as El Recreo and La Boquilla, along with innovative experiences like the Bazurto Experience, Drum Safari, and En Tu Salsa, the tour operator swept the tourism innovation awards in 2014 and 2015, winning the Cartagena Mayor’s Office Award, the FENALCO Award, and achieving outstanding recognition on TripAdvisor.In 2017, we opened a hostel called Volunteer Hostel, which,
Unfortunately, we had to close in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it helped solidify our reputation as a responsible tour operator. Our work has significantly contributed to ensuring that both the communities and FEM generate income that allows them to sustain themselves independently.
In 2025, we hope to launch our responsible tourism portfolio in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia.
EXPERIENCES
Bazurto Market Adventure
Bazurto Market is Cartagena’s largest and busiest market, It’s a maze of colorful stalls, exotic foods and local artists, This guided visit will take you to the heart of the market, where you’ll get the chance to meet the vendors, watch craftsmen at work, sample local fruits and enjoy a delicious Colombian lunch.
The Zenú Weaving Tour
When you visit Cartagena, you see many handicrafts being sold on the street by local vendors. Yet, you miss out on the most important thing: they are indigenous peoples, from the Zenú culture. Their over 3,000-year-old weaving techniques have given Colombians one of their identity objects, the Sombrero Vueltiao.
La Ruta del Pastel: a gastronomic experience
When you say "pastel" in Spanish, it is often understood as a cake, the typical dessert for birthdays. However, in Cartagena, the pastel cartagenero is a traditional dish and a symbol of the Caribbean Colombian identity and heritage. Its origins blend Afro-descendant and Indigenous influences, reflecting the region’s rich cultural diversity.
Thus, the pastel cartagenero not only delights the palate but also preserves the memory and cultural identity of the region. In this experience, you will have the opportunity to cook with local women
while learning not only about gastronomy but also about the rich history of the Colombian Caribbean.
Africa in America
Explore San Basilio de Palenque, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site in the Bolívar department of Colombia. Renowned as the first community of freed slaves in South-America, it was founded by African slaves who escaped during the Spanish colonial era, called Cimarrones.
Despite centuries passing, San Basilio has diligently preserved its African culture and language, Palenquero. During your visit, immerse yourself in the rich history, food, music, and language of this remarkable community.
En Tu Salsa: a barhopping salsa night
A barhopping salsa night.
Enjoy an incredible night with Cartagena's salsa rhythms in an extraordinary experience where you will visit three of the most renowned bars frequented by locals, away from Cartagena's tourist traps. and you'll learn about the city and the history of salsa in the Great Caribbean.
OPEN GROUPS AVAILABLE
Visit Bazurto Market in a shorter version of the classic tour with an open group, get to know this authentic place in an hour and a half every Saturday morning. Book now...
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