ECOLOGICAL TOUR and MANGROVES SWAMP TUNNELS
Excursion details
This roughly four-hour excursion begins with a transfer of 15 minutes or so from the port to your first stop, Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, where you’ll have around 15 minutes to admire and photograph this imposing and impressive Spanish fortress. Originally constructed in the mid-17th century on San Lázaro hill, the fortress was later expanded throughout the 18th century to cover the entire hilltop.
From the fortress, it’s an approximately 30-minute transfer to La Cueva del Manglar, located in La Boquilla, a fishing village just outside Cartagena’s historic centre. This eco-tourism experience takes visitors by canoe into the mangrove tunnels of the Ciénaga de la Virgen, a coastal lagoon rich in biodiversity.
You’ll spend about 15 minutes getting settled into your canoe, before a local guide paddles you through a network of mangrove-lined channels. The ride lasts about one hour and offers a chance to admire the rich local plant life and potentially some wildlife, too, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.
To round off the visit, enjoy a refreshing drink of coconut water and a folkloric performance of around 30 minutes, before your return journey to the ship, which takes about 35 minutes.
Important Information: Guests must be at least 7 years old to participate. Each canoe can hold 4 guests. The maximum weight to participate is 200 lbs. Guests will travel in traditional wooden canoes. While these vessels provide a unique experience, seating may not offer the same comfort as modern boats.
