Palenque de San Basilio: Unique Cultural Space with Centuries-Old African Traditions
3.9
30 Ratings
San Basilio De Palenque
Discover the unique cultural space of Palenque de San Basilio, a historic community founded by runaway slaves in the 17th century. Immerse yourself in centuries-old African traditions, including music, language, and religious practices.
Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • San Basilio De Palenque - The town of Palenque de San Basilio, with a population of about 3,500 inhabitants, is located on the buttresses of the Montes de María, southeast of the regional capital Cartagena.

Palenque de San Basilio was one of those fortified communities called “palenques”, which were founded by runaway slaves as a refuge in the seventeenth century. Of the many palenques that existed in earlier times, only that of San Basilio has survived until today, becoming a unique cultural space.

Its cultural space encompasses social, medical and religious practices, as well as musical and oral traditions, many of which have African roots. The social organization of the community is based on family networks and age groups called ma-kuagro. The membership of the kuagro implies a whole system of rights and duties towards the other members of the group, but also a strong internal solidarity. All members of the kuagro undertake daily work and jointly organize particular events. The complex funeral rituals and medical practices are testimonies of the different spiritual and cultural systems that frame life and death in the community of Palenque.

Musical expressions such as the \

What's Included
  • Lunch
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic Beverages
Additional Information

Palenque de San Basilio was one of those fortified communities called ‘palenques’, which were founded by runaway slaves as a refuge in the seventeenth century. Of the many palenques that existed in earlier times, only that of San Basilio has survived until today, becoming a unique cultural space.

Its cultural space encompasses social, medical and religious practices, as well as musical and oral traditions, many of which have African roots.

Musical expressions such as the \

Location
San Basilio De Palenque
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.9
(30 Ratings)
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Karen_w
Dec 12, 2023
Palenque - Our tour guides were knowledgeable, friendly and made us feel right at home. We learned alot and had a great time experiencing the culture of Palenque.
Review provided by Viator
Zalikab91
Aug 13, 2023
Awesome tour! - Loved walking the streets of Palenque. The history was so enriching. Meeting the locals was amazing. Lunch was very good. We randomly met a local rapper and his beautiful daughter. All around just great!
Review provided by Viator
Msa23_2000
Jul 2, 2023
Quite educational and supports the local community - This was a superb tour. It was very educational, and completely done by locals to the area, which we really appreciated. We walked around to different homes to be able to interact with the locals and learn that their history and their customs. I recommend anyone visiting this part of Colombia spend a day to visit here
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alexis_w
Jun 14, 2023
I 💜 Palenque - Learning the Palenque culture was beyond amazing!! Although it was hot outside I was engaged in the rich culture and way of life of the Palenque. It’s truly like a piece of Africa and took me back to my roots!
Review provided by Viator
Karina_s
Mar 27, 2023
Well-organized. Great... - Well-organized. Great experience. I would recommend this tour to friends and family. Victor is very knowledgeable
Review provided by Viator
Anita
Mar 15, 2023
Amazing tour as a Black American. Our guides spoke English & we left feeling so empowered & heavily connected! - Beautiful tour and the food was yummy and authentic! Highly recommend for black people of the diaspora.. We easily connected to the people of Palenque and their history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Manueli471
Feb 6, 2024
Good price-quality ratio - Palenque is a town with a lot of history and a culture that deserves to be known. It is best used during Easter and October, since that is when they hold festivities. Very good service and excellent guide, although the truck needs maintenance
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rufina_b
Feb 25, 2024
Experience could have been better. - This was the most economical tour for Palenque that we found. We was disappointed at the poor bathroom facility and we felt Palenque was very dirty. We were not offered water or bathroom facilities after a long ride. The lunch was good. Upon reading other reviews we felt this tour was lacking. We wondered was it because it was a Sunday.
Review provided by Viator
Kait062099
Jul 17, 2023
A great place - Let me start off with the ride. Not so great..van wasn't too comfy. AC wasnt great. Tour guide wasn't the best. Probably a nice guy but not super friendly or talkative. His english wasn't that great. The tour guide in palenque only spoke spanish so the original tour guide had to interpet what he was saying. As for the Palenque experience it was great. The lunch was great as well. Tour has potential but needs work.
Review provided by Viator
Aliyafoodie
Feb 21, 2024
On the edge of scam - Excursion without content and not worth a cent of the price (very expensive). I expected a cultural immersion and the only thing they gave us was a lack of organization. I booked the tour in Spanish and they put me in the English group, although they should already know the details of the reservation, I still told both guides that I had the tour in Spanish and they ignored me for more than half the time. During the tour, little and very basic information was given and everything seemed improvised. The food was not in a restaurant, but in the patio of a house cooked by a lady (very friendly) but in terrible hygienic conditions. The bus that took us did not have air conditioning and was very dirty and old. I left the tour knowing exactly what I knew before, without it having given me anything. What were the €60 I paid for?
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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