Cartagena Mangrove Tour: La Boquilla Canoe Trip with Lunch

This Cartagena mangrove tour takes you about 20 to 30 minutes from the Walled City to La Boquilla, an Afro-Colombian fishing village where quiet channels disappear into green mangrove tunnels. In a traditional wooden canoe, paddled by a local fisherman, you leave the traffic and cobblestones behind and see a calmer, wilder side of the Colombian Caribbean.

It is a private tour, so the vehicle, the bilingual guide and the canoe are just for your group. After the paddle you sit down to a fresh seafood lunch by the sea, and the whole outing takes about 3 to 4 hours. To learn the mangrove species before you go, read our guide to the La Boquilla mangroves.

How the Cartagena mangrove tour works

Your private driver and bilingual guide meet you at your hotel, vacation rental or the Cartagena cruise terminal. We confirm the pickup time the day before. From there it is a short drive north along the coast to La Boquilla, at the edge of the Ciénaga de la Virgen wetland.

Then the heart of the Cartagena mangrove tour begins as you board the canoe. For about one to two hours you glide through the channels of the Juan Polo lagoon, where red, black and white mangroves close in overhead. Along the way your fisherman shows how locals throw their cast nets, and your guide translates his stories about how the mangroves feed the village. The tour ends with a fresh seafood lunch by the beach before your air-conditioned ride back to Cartagena.

Why go private with us

• A canoe just for your group means quieter water and better chances to see herons, egrets, pelicans and kingfishers.
• Your bilingual guide translates the fisherman’s stories, so you understand the culture, not just the scenery.
• Lunch is included, so there is nothing to arrange once you arrive.
• Your visit supports local fishermen and families who protect this fragile ecosystem.

Because the vehicle and guide cost the same for the whole group, the price per person goes down as your group grows, which makes this Cartagena mangrove tour good value for families and friends traveling together.

Good to know before you paddle

Wear lightweight clothing that can get a little wet, plus a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Insect repellent is a smart idea, since mosquitoes and sand flies can be active, especially early and late in the day. A small dry bag keeps your phone and camera safe, and binoculars are great if you enjoy birdwatching. From roughly October to April, migratory birds from North America add to the sightings.

Drinks and tips are not included, so carry some small bills, which are also handy if you want to buy crafts in the village. Prices are shown in US dollars and you can pay by card online.

Make it a full nature day

Pair the mangroves with our private El Totumo mud volcano tour for a day outside the city, or explore all our day tours from Cartagena to plan the rest of your stay.

Ready to paddle? Choose your date and book your private La Boquilla mangrove tour.