A rum tasting should feel like fun, not a lecture. This one pairs premium aged Colombian rum with Bolivar chocolate made in-house, with pirate yarns and plenty of chat for about two hours.

I especially like that you get a wide tasting sweep: eight rums with different ages and origins, not just one or two basics. I also like the food side, with three savory local snacks plus a chocolate selection that is clearly treated as part of the experience, not an afterthought.

One consideration: this is not a class. If you want deep, structured instruction or a hands-on chocolate lab moment, you might be disappointed.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel During the Tasting

• Eight rums across different ages and origins, so you can notice how flavor changes with time and source
• In-house Bolivar chocolate made from top Colombian cocoa from the Caribbean
• Three savory Colombian snacks that help balance sweetness and alcohol
• A max group size of 15, which keeps the vibe friendly and conversational
• English-led experience with discussion, stories, and laughter rather than a formal lesson

Rum and Chocolate, Right in Getsemaní’s Arsenal Street

The meeting spot is in Getsemaní at El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, Calle Arsenal #8b-19. It’s a short “meet and start” style experience that ends right back where you began, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost and then somehow finding your way back.

You’ll be tasting in a boutique setting tied to rum and chocolate production, which matters. When you’re that close to the product story, it’s easier to understand what you’re actually drinking and eating.

Price and What You Get for $103 Per Person

At $103 per person for about two hours, this isn’t a bargain sampler. It is better thought of as a “small evening out” value: you’re paying for a guided tasting format that includes multiple rum pours, chocolate pairings, and snacks.

What makes the price feel fair is the range. You’re set up to try eight premium Colombian rums, then follow that with an in-house chocolate selection, plus three savory snacks. For a lot of tastings, you only get the liquid part. Here, food is part of the arc, so you stay comfortable and your palate has something to reset between sips.

The Welcome: How the Host Keeps It Light and Learnable

The tone is part of the product. People rave about the host’s upbeat personality and strong command of both rum and chocolate—plus storytelling that blends production talk with pirate-style humor.

That mix is practical. When the guide can explain flavors clearly and keep things moving, you don’t feel like you’re stuck watching someone talk at you. You’re tasting while you’re learning, so the information actually sticks.

Eight Colombian Rums: Ages, Origins, and What to Pay Attention To

You’ll taste eight premium Colombian rums, and the key detail is that they’re not all the same. Different ages and origins are the whole point, because rum changes as it matures and as the raw ingredients and process vary.

Here’s how I’d approach the flight so it doesn’t feel like random sipping:

• Start by noticing the aroma first, before you taste. Your brain catches the “sweet-spice-wood” pattern faster that way.
• Try to spot what “you” like early, then track whether later pours become smoother, warmer, or more intense.
• Between rum rounds, pay attention to how the chocolate and snacks shift what you taste next.

Also, the experience leans into production and history—rum-making basics, what aging does, and where stories like pirate lore fit into Cartagena’s rum culture. It’s not a class, but you still learn enough to sound informed when you order your next drink back outside.

Bolivar Chocolate Pairing: Made in the Factory, Not Just Added

The chocolate here is artisanal Bolivar chocolate made in their factory, paired alongside the rum tasting. You’ll get an exquisite selection of chocolates made in-house, using the best Colombian cocoa from the Caribbean.

Why this pairing matters: cacao flavors don’t just act as a dessert. They can pull out notes you’d miss in neat rum. Darker chocolate often makes rum feel drier and more structured. Sweeter chocolate can amplify vanilla or caramel sensations. Lighter cocoa notes can shift the finish in a noticeable way.

So instead of treating the chocolate like a side quest, treat it like the “second half” of the tasting. Let it influence your next rum comparisons.

Three Savory Local Snacks to Keep the Party Balanced

Alcohol tastings can get heavy if you don’t have food in the mix. This one includes three savory snacks typical of the local cuisine, which helps in two ways.

First, savory bites calm the sweet side of chocolate and keep you from feeling sugar-slammed. Second, they slow your pace naturally. You’ll sip, eat, compare, talk, then sip again—about right for a two-hour experience without rushing.

The Pace: Stories, Discussion, and Lots of Laughter

You’re in for an experience full of stories and fun discussion, with laughter built into the format. Pirate stories pop up alongside the rum production talk, so the session never feels like a straight “taste and move on” factory line.

That also keeps the learning casual. You can ask questions, respond to what the host is saying, and adjust your attention. If you like conversation, this is one of the types of tours that feels like hanging out with someone who cares about their stuff.

Group Size, Language, and Where Transportation Fits In

This tour caps at 15 travelers, which is a sweet spot. It’s small enough that you’re not shouting over a crowd, but big enough that the vibe stays lively.

It’s offered in English, which makes a difference when you want the tasting notes explained clearly. You’ll also be near public transportation, so you’re not forced into a private taxi just to attend.

One practical downside: private transportation isn’t included. If you’re staying far from Getsemaní, you’ll want to plan your route or budget for the ride.

Who Should Book This Rum Box Tasting

This fits best if you want:

• A fun, social tasting that still teaches you something
• A combo of rum and chocolate where both get real attention
• A guided experience in English with a small group size
• An evening plan in Getsemaní that lasts about two hours

Skip it if:

• You’re looking for a formal class with structured, step-by-step instruction
• You avoid alcohol entirely (this is a rum tasting, after all)
• You want a long, sit-down meal. This is tasting-focused, not a full dinner.

Tips to Get More From Your 2 Hours

Keep these in mind so the time flies the way it should:

• Arrive a little early so you can settle before the tasting starts. It’s a paper ticket experience, so having your plan ready helps.
• Pace yourself across the eight rums. The goal is comparison, not speed.
• Pay attention to the pairing changes. When chocolate arrives, treat it like a reset for your palate, not just a sweet ending.
• Ask questions when the host mentions production or aging details. Those are the bits that make you feel like you understand what you’re drinking.

And since the activity ends back at the meeting point, plan an easy next step afterward—walk, dessert, or a relaxed drink in the area.

Should You Book the Rum Box Rum & Chocolate Tasting?

I’d book it if you like the idea of a small-group, English-led tasting where rum, chocolate, and local snacks all move together. The best part is the balance: you get serious flavor variety (eight rums across ages and origins) without the awkward formality.

I’d think twice only if you need a structured “class” format or you’re expecting transportation to be handled for you. If you’re okay with a two-hour tasting evening and you want something different from the usual Cartagena drink-and-walk routine, this is a strong pick.

FAQ

How long is the rum & chocolate tasting in Cartagena?

The experience lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, Calle Arsenal #8b-19, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What food is included in the experience?

Snacks are included, including three savory snacks typical of the local cuisine.

How many rums will you taste?

You’ll taste eight premium Colombian rums of different ages and origins.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.