Rum and chocolate in Cartagena sounds dangerously good. This Cartagena rum tasting pairs eight premium aged Colombian rums with Bolivar chocolate and truffles made at the producer’s factory, with pirate stories and plenty of back-and-forth as you go. It’s a fun way to understand how rum age and origin change what you taste.

I also like that the experience is built for variety, not just alcohol. You’ll get a full flavor run: rum pours, chocolate pairings, and three local savory bites, all guided by a certified staff member who works in English (and Spanish). The main thing to keep in mind is that this isn’t a formal class—it’s more tasting + storytelling than a step-by-step course.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Eight premium Colombian rums, poured across different ages and origins
• Bolivar chocolate, truffles, and factory-made sweets paired through the tasting
• Three typical savory local snacks to balance the sweetness and alcohol
• Small group size (max 15 travelers) for an easy, conversational vibe
• English offered, with a certified guide also able to work in Spanish
• Pirate stories and production history, mixed into a light, fun flow

Where this Cartagena rum and chocolate experience really shines

This is one of those tours that fits well into a classic Cartagena day because it gives you a lot of flavor without turning into a long production. You’re in Getsemaní, you’re moving through tastings for about 1 hour 45 minutes, and you come out with a clearer sense of what makes rum taste different from bottle to bottle.

The big win is the combo. A lot of rum tastings give you rum and maybe a random sweet. Here, you get rum plus artisanal chocolate made in the company’s own factory, with Bolivar chocolate and truffles built into the flow. That pairing matters because chocolate can pull out notes you’d miss when you drink rum on its own.

Getting there: El Arsenal (The Rum Box) and what to expect when you arrive

You start at El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, on Calle Arsenal #8b-19 in Getsemaní. The location is listed as near public transportation, which is helpful if you’re hopping between the old city, walled streets, and local neighborhoods without wanting to overthink logistics.

Once you’re there, expect a smooth start—this is designed around a set tasting rhythm. You’ll get your welcome and then the guide will start placing rum production and history in context, before the pours begin. Since you’re in a group limited to 15 travelers, you should feel included rather than like you’re watching from the back.

Tip: wear something comfortable. Even though it’s not physically intense, tastings tend to involve standing, sniffing, sipping, and passing plates around for a while. If you’re sensitive to alcohol, take it slow and use the savory bites as your “reset.”

The first stretch: rum stories, production basics, and how they set up the tasting

The tone here is part education, part entertainment. The tour is built around learning the production and history of their rum through stories, laughter, and pirate-style discussion. That’s not just for fun—stories help you remember what you’re tasting, especially when you’re hearing about aging, ingredients, and where rum character comes from.

A key point: this is not presented as a class. You won’t get a formal lecture with exams or a rigid “lesson plan.” Instead, you’ll get talk you can use while you taste—so you can start distinguishing what’s going on in the glass without needing to be an expert.

The main event: eight aged Colombian rums, one by one

The heart of the experience is the tasting of eight premium Colombian rums of different ages and origins. That structure is what turns this from a simple drink stop into something worth your time. Age and origin aren’t just marketing words here. They shape the aroma, sweetness, and finish—so tasting them in sequence helps your palate build a map.

Here’s how to make the most of the pours:

• Smell first, before you sip. If you rush to taste, you lose half the information.
• Take small sips between changes. With eight different rums, rushing makes everything blend together.
• Pause after the heavier ones. The guide’s stories give you something to hold onto while you wait for flavors to settle.

This kind of guided sequence is exactly where you’ll start thinking, I can actually tell the difference now. One of the most praised parts of the experience is how the range of rum quality and character becomes obvious once you taste properly.

One practical note: since you’re tasting alcohol across multiple pours, plan this as your tasting stop for the day. I’d avoid putting it right before a big dinner where you’ll want to taste food carefully.

Bolivar chocolate and truffles: where the pairing gets useful

After (and alongside) rum, you’ll move into an “apples and oranges, but in a good way” pairing: in-house Bolivar chocolate and truffles made using top Colombian cocoa from the Caribbean. The pairing isn’t random. It’s timed so the chocolate can highlight different aspects of the rum—sweetness against warmth, creaminess against spice-like notes, and so on.

What I like about this segment is that it turns chocolate from dessert into tasting tool. When you have cacao that’s made thoughtfully, you can notice how chocolate changes what you think you’re tasting in the rum.

How you can enjoy this section more:

• Try a bite between rums, not only with the same pour. That’s how you learn the direction of the effect.
• Notice texture. Truffles and chocolate can shift the rum’s feel—smoother chocolate often makes rum feel smoother too.
• Don’t treat it like candy only. You’re tasting cocoa character as much as sugar.

Three savory local snacks: the balance you’ll thank yourself for

You also get three typical savory bites from local gastronomy. This part is easy to overlook on paper, but it’s important in real life because it keeps the tasting from turning into pure sweetness and alcohol.

Savory snacks do three jobs:

1. They refresh your palate.
2. They reduce the “sweet after-sweet” feeling.
3. They give your mouth something to chew so you can still taste later pours clearly.

If you’re the type who likes food as part of culture, this is where the tour starts feeling more like Cartagena than just a drinks tasting. You get local flavors that support the sweeter parts rather than competing with them.

The group vibe: laughter, discussion, and a limit that helps you connect

This is capped at 15 travelers, and that number makes the experience feel relaxed. When groups are smaller, guides can answer questions in the moment. You’re not trapped watching a show—you can actually talk about what you’re noticing and what you’re curious about.

The tour is also framed with humor: pirate stories, fun discussions, and lots of laughter. That matters because alcohol tasting can feel a little formal in some places. Here, the mood makes it easier to enjoy without worrying that you need to know the “right” way to taste.

If you’re traveling with friends, this one works as a shared experience. If you’re traveling solo, the small group setup helps you mix in without it feeling awkward.

Price and value: why $103 can make sense here

At $103 per person, you’re paying for more than a couple drinks. The included price covers:

• Eight premium Colombian rums
• Bolivar chocolate and truffles
• Three savory local snacks
• A certified guide (English and Spanish)

So yes, it’s not a budget activity. But it’s also not “pay $103 for a quick sip and a cookie.” The value comes from the number of tastings and the fact that the food and chocolate are part of the same plan, not an add-on you have to chase separately.

One other value factor is time. With about 1 hour 45 minutes, you get a lot of variety without sacrificing half your day. For many Cartagena itineraries—where you’re juggling heat, walking, and other food stops—that time efficiency is real value.

Practical tips so you enjoy every pour

A few small choices can make a big difference:

• Go in with a curious mindset. This is tasting + storytelling, not a formal course. If you’re okay with that style, you’ll enjoy it more.
• Pace yourself. Eight rums is a lot in one sitting. Take your time between changes.
• Save the savory bites for when you need a reset.
• Be mindful of what the final item is. One helpful caution from a past guest: the very last thing given looks like a honey/chocolate spoonful but is meant as a hand scrub, not something to eat. Don’t taste it.

Who should book this rum and chocolate experience

You’ll probably love this if:

• You enjoy food-and-drink experiences more than museum-style lectures
• You want a guided way to understand rum differences by age and origin
• You like chocolate that’s treated as part of tasting, not just dessert

You might skip it if:

• You don’t drink alcohol at all, since the tour is centered on tasting multiple rums
• You’re looking for a strict, technical class format rather than a relaxed tasting with stories

Should you book the Cartagena Rum & Chocolate Experience?

If your goal is a fun Cartagena evening that mixes flavor, local snacks, and a guide who keeps things light, I’d book this. The pricing feels more reasonable once you realize you’re getting eight rum tastings plus factory-made Bolivar chocolate and truffles, all within a tight 1h45 window.

I’d especially consider it if you’ll be in Getsemaní anyway. With a small group limit and English offered, it’s also a solid choice if you don’t want your experience dependent on luck or extra translation work. Just go in expecting a tasting built around stories and pairings, not a formal rum school.

FAQ

How long is the Cartagena Rum & Chocolate Experience?

It runs about 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.).

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll taste eight premium Colombian rums, plus Bolivar chocolate and truffles, and three typical savory snacks.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English, and the guide is certified to work in Spanish and English.

Where does the experience start?

The meeting point is El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, Calle Arsenal #8b-19, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

What isn’t included in the price?

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund.

If you tell me your travel dates and whether you’re doing this on a warm afternoon or night, I can suggest a good timing plan for pairing it with the rest of your Cartagena food stops.