A great cup starts with the right lesson. Café del Mural turns a simple tasting into a focused look at Colombian coffee, with guided brewing comparisons and a small, private feel. I love the range of samples you get to taste and compare, and I like that the host’s delivery stays fun and clear (especially when David is the one guiding). One thing to consider: the session can feel more like guided demonstration than hands-on roasting or grinding, even if some descriptions suggest a DIY element.

You’re in Getsemaní, so the coffee class isn’t sealed off from real Cartagena life. The vibe is personal, and you’re not treated like you’re rushing through a checklist—you’re there to understand what you’re tasting, from roasting choices to how brewing changes flavor.

For $85, you get a real learning-to-take-home setup: multiple tastings, snacks, and a 200-gram bag of premium coffee. Just plan on doing the session on-site at the café—transportation isn’t included, so you’ll want to get yourself to the meeting point without stress.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Small, private group format means the experience feels more personal than big tour-style classes
• 4–5 (sometimes more) coffee samples so you can compare styles instead of tasting just one or two cups
• David and the café’s engineer-turned-coffee craft bring a mix of practical technique and real personality
• Brewing methods and roasting technique are explained in a way you can actually use at home
• You leave with coffee (200 gr premium bag), not just memories
• Location in Getsemaní (Cl. de San Juan # 25-60) is charming, but it can take a minute to find

Café del Mural in Getsemaní: your coffee-class home base

Café del Mural is the kind of place you want to linger in, even before the class starts. It’s in Getsemaní, in an area where Cartagena’s streets and colors are part of the atmosphere, not background noise.

The session is centered on this one space, so you don’t spend your time commuting around town. You show up, settle in, and get a guided experience tied to the café’s own coffee culture.

One practical note: the address is specific—Cl. de San Juan # 25-60—and some people find the exact spot easier with a map app than by walking from a vague landmark. If you’re arriving late or during a busy time of day, give yourself a little extra buffer.

The 2-hour flow: what you’ll do and what to expect

This runs about 2 hours, starting at 10:00 am, and it ends back at the meeting point. You’ll get a private session, meaning it’s set up for your group only, not a shared cattle-call experience.

Inside, the format is built around explanations plus tastings. You’ll learn how Colombian coffee is shaped by roasting and brewing, and you’ll taste multiple coffee samples so the differences don’t stay theoretical.

Here’s the main expectation to manage: the experience is often described as hands-on (choosing beans, roasting, grinding). In practice, many people experience it more as a guided class where the host prepares and demonstrates, while you taste and learn. You’ll still come away with a strong sense of what changes flavor—just don’t count on every session being a DIY roasting/grinding workshop.

Coffee samples: tasting enough to actually notice differences

The package includes coffee and/or tea, plus 4–5 coffee samples. One of the most satisfying parts of this class is that it doesn’t limit you to a single “signature” cup. Instead, you compare different coffees and brewing approaches so you can start connecting taste to technique.

In the experience, you can expect tastings across different flavor directions—one person notes trying coffees ranging from light to dark, and another remembers tasting 5–6 different types brewed in different ways. Either way, the idea is the same: the class is built for comparison, not just sampling.

If you like coffee at all, this is where the value clicks. One cup tells you what you like. Multiple cups teach you why you like it—and that’s what makes the learning stick when you get home and start tweaking your own routine.

Brewing methods and roasting: turning flavors into a usable mental map

A big part of the session is the story behind the cup: roasting approaches, brewing methods, and the flavor profiles those choices create. You won’t just hear a lecture—you’ll taste along the way, which helps you translate “theory” into something your palate can track.

The café’s whole identity connects technique to craft. You’ll also hear how global technology has influenced coffee preparation. One particularly memorable point: you may learn that modern Colombian coffee preparation has been shaped by European equipment and methods—often cited in explanations as German, Italian, and Dutch technology—even though Colombia is producing some of the world’s most valued beans.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes taking home skills (not just souvenirs), this is the right type of tour. You’ll likely walk away thinking in variables: roast level, grind size (at least conceptually), water temperature (again, conceptually), and brewing time. You won’t become a roaster by afternoon, but you can leave with a better “why” behind what you’re ordering later.

Community and culture: coffee isn’t just a product here

Coffee in Colombia isn’t only about caffeine. The class frames coffee as tradition plus innovation, and it emphasizes the people and communities behind it.

That matters because it shifts the tone away from “pay for tasting, move on.” You’re learning within a cultural context, with a focus on how craft choices support people on the ground. Even if you’re mostly there for flavor, this gives the experience weight.

Also, the café’s identity is tied to engineering roots—described as an engineer turned coffee artisan who built a space where the details reflect the passion behind a perfect cup. If you enjoy seeing how a practical mind approaches flavor, you’ll probably appreciate that angle.

David’s style: the class is more than facts

In several accounts, the host is David, and he tends to land the right balance: clear explanations, a sense of humor, and pacing that doesn’t feel rushed. People also mention music references from the 80s/90s, which sounds small, but it helps because it makes the class feel personal rather than robotic.

Language can be a factor. Some people report that the English can be hard to follow because of accent and volume, and on a couple of occasions the delivery suffered when assistants weren’t available. If you’re sensitive to language barriers, consider this a reason to go with patience—and if something’s unclear, ask to repeat or speak up.

The good news: even when the experience leans more “listen and taste” than “hands-on,” the overall structure still gives you plenty of opportunities to compare and ask questions.

Price and value: is $85 a smart spend?

At $85 per person for about 2 hours, this lands in the mid-range for a specialty food-and-drink experience in Cartagena. The value comes from what’s included, not just the price tag:

• Snacks included
• Coffee/tea included
• 4–5 coffee samples included
• A 200 gr premium coffee bag included

The take-home bag is a big deal. Many tastings leave you with a memory and maybe one purchased coffee. Here, the included bag makes it much easier to keep experimenting when you return home—especially if you’re the type who enjoys brewing at different strengths or methods.

The main value risk is expectation mismatch. If you’re specifically hunting for a hands-on roasting/grinding experience where you do the steps yourself, some sessions may not match what you’re imagining. If you’re okay with watching the process and focusing on taste and technique, the class tends to feel worth it.

Transportation isn’t included, so factor in your local taxi or ride time. That’s normal for walking-friendly neighborhood activities, but it can change the “true cost” of your day.

Practical logistics: where to meet and how not to waste time

Your meeting point is Café del Mural, Cl. de San Juan # 25-60, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia. The tour starts at 10:00 am and ends back there.

A few things that can save you hassle:

• Go early enough to find the entrance without rushing. Getsemaní streets can feel twisty.
• Plan to arrive already “ready for coffee”—you won’t be picking up ingredients or moving between stops.
• Bring patience if you’re traveling in a peak period. One note from the data: during busy seasons, scheduling can be tight and start times can shift.

If you want the smoothest experience, this is a morning activity. Morning energy helps you taste carefully and pick out the differences without feeling food-fogged.

Who should book this coffee master session?

You’ll be happy booking if you fit one (or more) of these boxes:

• You actually like coffee and want to understand why different brews taste different
• You want a small, private feeling class rather than a big group tasting
• You want a take-home coffee bag included
• You enjoy learning from a host who mixes technique with personality (David is often highlighted)

You might think twice if you’re looking for a fully hands-on lab where you roast and grind everything yourself. The experience often reads more like expert-led demos with lots of tasting, even though some descriptions suggest DIY steps.

It’s also not a great fit if you dislike being in small spaces. One account mentions feeling “jammed” due to group comfort when more people joined. Because the tour is private for your group, that shouldn’t be the default experience, but it’s worth knowing if you’re uncomfortable in tight quarters.

Should you book Cartagena Coffee Masters?

Book it if you want a focused Colombian coffee class with enough sampling to make the lessons real, plus a 200-gram bag to keep your experiments going. For $85, the included snacks, multiple tastings, and take-home coffee make it more than a quick beverage stop.

Skip—or at least recalibrate your expectations—if your main goal is hands-on roasting/grinding done by you. Based on how the session tends to run, you’ll likely spend most of the time tasting and learning while the host handles the setup.

If you like technique, personality, and the idea of leaving with coffee you can brew at home, this is a very good use of a morning in Cartagena. And if you’re a coffee history nerd, you’ll likely enjoy the mix of craft, culture, and how preparation has been influenced by tools from abroad.

FAQ

How long is the Cartagena Coffee Masters experience?

It runs for about 2 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

Where do I meet for the session?

You meet at Café del Mural, Cl. de San Juan # 25-60, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

What is included in the $85 price?

Snacks are included, along with coffee and/or tea and 4–5 coffee samples. You also receive a 200 gr premium coffee bag.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation from and to your hotel is not included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.