Private Colombian Rums and Chocolate Tasting in Cartagena

Rum and chocolate in Cartagena, sounds like trouble. At The Rum Box in Getsemaní, you sample eight aged Colombian rums and pair them with Bolivar chocolate, all while a guide keeps the mood playful with pirate stories and production talk.

What I like most is the pace, it never feels rushed. I also love how guides like Alejandra (and often Wes) tailor recommendations to your tastes and explain the differences between each pour in plain, easy-to-follow terms.

One consideration: this experience is built around alcohol tastings, so if you want a no-rum, food-only activity, this may not be the best fit.

Key highlights you should know

• Eight rum tastings spanning different ages and origins, served for comparison, not just variety
• Bolivar chocolate and truffles paired alongside the rums, using Colombian cocoa from the Caribbean
• Pirate stories + production history that keep the lesson light and fun
• Three savory local bites to balance sweetness and alcohol
• Private group format so you can ask questions and move at your pace

Where it all starts: El Arsenal and The Rum Box in Getsemaní

Your experience begins in Getsemaní at El Arsenal, at The Rum Box 24 on Calle Arsenal #8b-19. It is a practical meeting spot, and the area is connected well enough that you should not feel stuck if you are using public transportation.

The vibe here matters. This is not a giant tour hall. It feels like a small-batch stop where you can actually hear what the guide is saying, and where the tasting table is the main event. Since this is a private tour, only your group participates, which usually means less waiting around and more time in the moment.

Timing is also worth planning around. The tour runs about 1 hour 45 minutes. In real terms, that is long enough for multiple rounds of tasting and pairing, but short enough that you can still enjoy the rest of your Cartagena evening.

What you actually taste: eight premium Colombian rums, compared side by side

The heart of this tour is the rum flight. You will taste eight premium Colombian rums of different ages and origins. That detail is important because the whole point is comparison. Instead of one standard pour after another, you get to notice how aging and sourcing shape the flavor.

Think about what you are learning in a very practical way:

• Younger rums tend to feel sharper and brighter
• Older rums often shift toward smoother, deeper flavors
• Different origins bring subtle changes, which you pick up faster when the guide keeps the explanations clear

Even better, the guides do not treat this like a lecture. In the way Alejandra and Wes have been described, you get energetic storytelling plus real explanation. The experience stays fun, but the tasting notes land.

Also, you are not just being handed drinks. There is talk about production and history along the way. That means your tastings make sense as you go. It is the kind of structure that turns a nice night out into something you remember, because you can explain what you liked and why.

Bolivar chocolate pairings: truffles and factory-made cocoa

Then you switch gears to chocolate, and it is not random. You get an artisanal selection, including truffles, made in the producer’s own factory, using high-quality Colombian cocoa from the Caribbean.

The pairing aspect is the real value here. Rum and chocolate can either work beautifully together or clash in a distracting way. In this tour, the chocolates are presented with the rums so you taste how sweetness, cocoa depth, and texture change your perception of alcohol flavor.

When the pairings are done well, you notice a few things:

• Cocoa can soften harsh edges in a rum
• Certain chocolate flavors make caramel, spice, or wood notes stand out
• Texture matters, especially with truffles, which linger differently than plain chocolate

You are not only sampling chocolate, you are learning how to think about the match. That is useful even after the tour. If you find yourself buying gifts in Cartagena later, you will have a better sense of what style of chocolate tends to play nicely with what kind of rum.

Pirate stories meet production history, and it stays light

You will hear stories about rum production and history, mixed with pirate tales and plenty of conversation. The key here is balance. This is not a formal class. You are not sitting through a classroom-style lesson with worksheets and tests.

Instead, it is more like a guided tasting with jokes and context. You learn because you are tasting. You understand because the guide keeps explaining in the moment, and you can ask questions.

This matters for you if you are the type who gets bored with overly technical tours. You still leave with real knowledge, but you get it the easy way, through examples tied directly to what is in your glass.

And yes, you get a lot of laughter. That is not just good vibes, it also keeps the experience comfortable. Alcohol tastings can go stale if everyone is nervous or silent. Here, the energy helps you stay relaxed enough to actually notice differences.

The three savory bites: local snacks that keep the tasting honest

Sweet pairings can start to feel heavy if everything is dessert-only. That is why the included snacks are a smart touch. You get three typical savory bites from local gastronomy alongside the tastings.

These snacks do two practical jobs:

• They give you something salty and meaty, or at least savory, to reset your palate
• They keep the whole experience from becoming a sugar-and-alcohol loop

I like this approach because it makes the tasting feel grounded in local food, not just imported flavors. Even if you are visiting Cartagena for the rum and chocolate, you still get a small taste of everyday local cuisine.

Also, savory bites make the alcohol feel smoother. You are more likely to enjoy all eight rums instead of calling it quits halfway through just because your stomach is tired.

How the private format changes the whole experience

This is a private tour/activity. Only your group participates. That affects everything, from pace to conversation.

If you have strong preferences, you can steer the experience. One guide described this as taking time to get to know your tastes and then making recommendations. In a private setting, that kind of tailoring happens more easily, because you are not competing with other people for attention.

The private format also means fewer distractions around you. That matters in a tasting. You want to hear what the guide is saying about each rum, so you can link the explanation to the flavor in your mouth.

And since your group is staying together, you can move from rum to chocolate to snacks without the typical herding feeling that comes with larger tours.

Price and value: what $103 buys you, and what to decide before you go

The price is $103 per person, for about 1 hour 45 minutes. At first glance, that can sound like a “special occasion” cost. But this is not a basic tasting with a few samples.

Here is what you are getting:

• 8 premium Colombian rums, across different ages and origins
• Chocolate and truffles paired through the experience
• 3 savory local bites

So you are paying for a structured, guided tasting with multiple components, not just drinks on your own. Also, your guide is there for context and recommendations, including production and history storytelling.

Should you book at this price? If you enjoy tastings where you compare flavors and you like guided explanations, it is strong value because the total included items are substantial for one sitting.

If you want a casual walk-through with one or two tastes, you may feel it is too much. But if you want a focused evening activity that covers rum, chocolate, and local snacks, it is a good fit.

Best fit: who will enjoy this most (and who might not)

This tour fits best if you:

• Like tasting experiences that compare flavors and help you understand what you are drinking
• Enjoy chocolate and want it paired with alcohol in a thoughtful way
• Prefer a private format with time for questions and recommendations
• Want something fun and social, with pirate stories and laughter, but still grounded in production details

It might not be the best fit if you:

• Do not want to drink alcohol, since the experience centers on rum tasting
• Are looking for a strict educational class format, because this is explicitly not a class
• Want a full meal included, because dinner and breakfast are not included

Practical tips so your tasting feels great

• Pace your pours. With eight tastings plus snacks, the experience stays enjoyable when you drink at a comfortable rhythm.
• Bring comfortable shoes. Getsemaní streets can be a little uneven, and you will be moving around the tasting spot.
• Plan a relaxed next step. Since this includes alcohol, keep your later evening low-stress.

Also, if English clarity matters to you, it is worth noting that guides like Alejandra and Wes have been described as easy to understand. That said, you should still expect a casual conversational style rather than a formal classroom tone.

Should you book this Cartagena rum and chocolate tasting?

I think it is worth booking if you want a fun, private evening centered on eight premium Colombian rums plus Bolivar chocolate pairings and savory local bites. The best part is the combination of playful pirate storytelling with explanations that help you taste with intention, not just sip for the sake of sipping.

Skip it if you want a meal-focused outing or an alcohol-free food tour. But if your ideal Cartagena night is flavors in small courses, guided by a friendly host, this one is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the rum and chocolate tasting?

The experience lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes.

What is included in the price?

It includes alcoholic beverages with 8 premium Colombian rums, chocolate and truffles, and three typical savory bites from local gastronomy.

Is this a class?

No. It is described as an opportunity to enjoy a few drinks, with learning along the way rather than a formal class format.

Where does the tour start?

The tour meets at El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, Calle Arsenal #8b-19, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is private, and only your group will participate.

Are meals included?

No. Breakfast and dinner are not included.