Cartagena: Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots

REVIEW · CARTAGENA

Cartagena: Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots

  • 4.2211 reviews
  • 6 hours
  • From $20
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Operated by Beyond Colombia · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 4.2 (211)Duration6 hoursPrice from$20Operated byBeyond ColombiaBook viaGetYourGuide

One night, three clubs, and you learn to dance. I like that this Cartagena bar crawl runs on local party hosts who keep the group moving through Getsemaní and the Old City, with free shots and drinking games built into the flow. The one watch-out: the dance lesson is more of an easy on-ramp than a strict, technical Salsa class.

This tour is a strong choice if you want to meet people and actually get out of your comfort zone—solo or with friends. Guides such as Camila and Marbeluz are described as high-energy and focused on keeping everyone together, which matters when you’re walking at night through crowded streets.

Key things to know before you go

Cartagena: Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots - Key things to know before you go

  • Free shots and drinking games keep the pace fast from the first bar to the last club
  • Pro party staff and safety staff help you stay with the group all night
  • Salsa and Champeta lessons happen early (and again on some days) to break the ice
  • Real local clubs are the target, not just hostel hangout spots
  • Venues can change based on availability or events, so your route might shift
  • Dress code is strict: comfy shoes, no sandals/flip-flops, no shorts, no sportswear

Price and what $20 really buys you in Cartagena

Cartagena: Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots - Price and what $20 really buys you in Cartagena
For $20 per person, you’re not paying just for entry to one place. You’re buying into a planned night with multiple venues, plus the parts that usually add up fast in Cartagena nightlife: cover fees, guided party hosting, and free shots.

What makes this good value is the “stack” of inclusions. You get shots all night long, drinking-game energy, a live music element, karaoke prizes (part of the party atmosphere), and exclusive discounts/promos at participating stops. In other words, you’re paying to avoid the guessing game: where to go, how to join, and how to keep the night going.

Is it a bargain if you only want one or two drinks? Not really. This is built for people who like the social part of going out: music, movement, and taking a few shots along the way.

The real vibe: young energy, lots of walking, and very party-forward

Cartagena: Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots - The real vibe: young energy, lots of walking, and very party-forward
This tour is described as a young, energetic night out—not an adult-only scene. Expect a crowd that leans younger than you might be used to, even if you’re in your 30s and above. The upside is that the group energy tends to pull you into the music quickly.

The pace is also physical. Reviews point out a longer walk to the first pub for at least some departures. So yes, you’ll be out for about 6 hours, and you’ll likely walk more than you would on a “sit at a bar all night” plan.

Where the night starts: the two Cartagena hostel bases

Cartagena: Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots - Where the night starts: the two Cartagena hostel bases
You can start from one of two hostel bar areas, depending on what’s booked: Viajero Hostel Cartagena (Centro/Getsemaní area) or Masaya Cartagena (Masaya Hostel).

Think of the first hour or so as your social warm-up. This is where you meet your party staff, get oriented, and start with ice-breaking games at the bar. It’s also when you’ll be pushed to interact, even if you’re shy at first.

One practical tip: when the night starts fast, you can lose track of entrances and street corners. I’d take a quick look around before you’re too deep into the music, or snap a mental note/photo of where you met. You’ll thank yourself later.

The dance lesson: Salsa and Champeta as an icebreaker

You’ll get a dance lesson as part of the experience. On some days, it’s explicitly Salsa and Champeta at a rooftop bar; on others, it’s a lesson included at the start.

Here’s what to expect if you’re hoping for a full-on dance class. The lesson is better described as a fun way to get you moving and interacting—not a strict, technical curriculum. That’s still valuable. It breaks the tension fast, and it helps you feel like part of the party before you hit the club lights.

If you’re bringing friends who don’t usually dance, this part is your cheat code. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s getting everyone on the same beat.

Day-by-day flow: how Monday, Wednesday, and Friday change your route

This night runs on specific weekdays, and the club lineup shifts by day. You’ll still get the same core recipe: warm-up games, dance teaching, and multiple stops including Eivissa (which shows up on several schedules).

Monday: Masaya start, then Taboo, Seven Times, Eivissa

Mondays start from Masaya Hostel. The group meets, then you begin with welcome activities and ice-breakers at the bar.

After that warm-up, you head to three stops: Taboo, Seven Times, and Eivissa. This day leans toward big club energy across different music vibes, moving from one party room to the next.

Wednesday: Centro to Getsemaní rooftop class, then Libélula, Casa Palenque, Eivissa

Wednesdays start from El Viajero Hostel Centro, then continue to El Viajero Getsemaní. This is where you’ll do a Salsa and Champeta dance class at a rooftop bar.

After the class, the night continues through Libélula, Casa Palenque, and ends up at Eivissa again. If you love the idea of a scenic-feeling break (rooftop view) before the club hopping continues, this is a great day to pick.

Friday: two starts, shared party after warm-up, then Eivissa, Mirador, Taboo

On Fridays, there are two starting points: El Viajero Hostel Centro and Masaya Hostel. Both groups begin with lively activities and a dance class at their bar areas before joining together.

From there, you keep going to Eivissa, Mirador Gastro Bar, and Taboo, with the party running until late. This is the most “everyone converges into one big night” setup.

Stop by stop: what each venue adds to the night

Because your exact route depends on the day, and venues can also change with availability or special events, I’m focusing on what each stop type seems to deliver.

El Viajero Getsemaní (rooftop class moment)

On Wednesdays, this is the one to watch. You start with a dance class at a rooftop bar, and reviews specifically call out the rooftop view at Evissa (and the general wow-factor of the skyline-music combo). Even if your exact view moment varies, a rooftop stop helps break up the night and gives you a photo-worthy pause before the louder rooms.

Eivissa Cartagena (club anchor)

Eivissa appears on multiple days, so it often acts like the night’s “main event.” Expect a high-energy club atmosphere with music that gets you moving.

The best part of Eivissa in the way people describe the night? It’s not just a place you enter. It’s a place where the group keeps dancing and the vibe stays social.

Mirador Gastro Bar (mid-to-late night flavor)

Mirador Gastro Bar is another stop used on Friday schedules. It helps shift the tone a bit from pure clubbing into something that still feels like nightlife, but with a different energy. If you like variety—different rooms, different crowd volume—this kind of stop can make the night feel longer in a good way.

Taboo Disco Club (big pulse)

Taboo Disco Club is a repeat stop on multiple days (Monday and Friday). It’s built for people who want the club lights, the dance floor, and the loud soundtrack.

If you’re worried you’ll only get “bar crawl social time,” Taboo is part of what pushes the night into full-on club mode.

Seven Times (Monday-only stop)

Seven Times shows up on Monday. It’s another music-and-party venue that keeps the hopping feeling fresh across stops. Think of it as one more chance to switch your soundtrack and keep momentum instead of repeating the same room vibe.

Libélula and Casa Palenque (Wednesday stops with local character)

On Wednesdays, you’ll hit Libélula and Casa Palenque before ending at Eivissa. These stops help the night feel less like a checklist and more like a real neighborhood circuit, which is what you want in Getsemaní and the Old City.

In general, the value here is variety: different rooms, different music, and different ways people party. That’s how a 6-hour night stops feeling repetitive.

What’s included besides the bars: live music, karaoke prizes, and discounts

Cartagena: Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots - What’s included besides the bars: live music, karaoke prizes, and discounts
This tour isn’t only about walking and drinking. It includes:

  • Cover fees so you’re not paying entrance at the door
  • A Salsa or Champeta lesson
  • A live music element
  • Shots all night long
  • Karaoke prizes tied to the party games
  • Exclusive discounts and promos at stops
  • Party staff (plus safety staff)

That combination is why it feels like a “package night” instead of DIY wandering. The tour staff are there to keep it moving and keep you in the group rhythm.

Safety, group control, and why it matters more than you think

Cartagena: Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots - Safety, group control, and why it matters more than you think
One of the most praised parts is how the guides handle safety and group cohesion. People describe guides making sure everyone stays together, and checking that you make it to each destination.

That doesn’t mean you should get sloppy. But it does mean you’re less likely to end up solo in the wrong area halfway through the night. Still, keep your wits about you. Wear your shoes properly, watch your drink intake, and stay where you can find the group again.

Dress code and what to bring (this is not a “show up any way” tour)

Cartagena: Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots - Dress code and what to bring (this is not a “show up any way” tour)
Bring:

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Cash

Also, follow the rules:

  • No sandals or flip-flops
  • No shorts
  • No sportswear

Why the strictness matters: clubs can enforce entry rules fast. If you arrive in a sloppy outfit, the night can lose time. Closed, comfy shoes are the easiest win.

And yes, this is a night with shots and games, so clothes that let you move without fuss help you enjoy the dance lesson and the club part.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

Best fit:

  • You like meeting people and you’re okay with a party-driven group vibe
  • You want to dance—at least enough to get yourself into the music
  • You want a guided route across Getsemaní and the Old City without planning the bars yourself
  • You’re comfortable with alcohol-focused activities like shots and drinking games

Not a great fit:

  • If you’re not into nightlife or you dislike crowds and loud music
  • If you need a more relaxed pace or hate walking between venues
  • If you fall into the tour’s listed limitations: it’s not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, and children under 18, and it flags people over 60 (with additional upper-age cutoffs listed)

The main drawbacks to weigh before you book

Here are the honest trade-offs I’d think about:

  • The dance lesson may not match your exact Salsa expectations. It’s described as more of an interaction icebreaker than a strict technique lesson.
  • You may walk more than you expect, including a longer walk to the first bar for some departures.
  • It’s alcohol-forward. If you’re not a big shots-and-games person, you might find the pace a bit intense.

Should you book this Cartagena pub crawl? My take

If you want a fun first taste of Cartagena nightlife and you like social energy, I think this is worth it. The value is strong when you factor in cover fees, free shots, live music, and multiple clubs, all guided by party staff who keep the group together.

Book it if:

  • You’re going on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday and you want a full 6-hour night
  • You’re willing to dance a little and join games
  • You care more about a guided party experience than picking bars yourself

Skip it if:

  • You want a calm evening or you dislike alcohol-centered activities
  • You’re looking for a polished, serious dance class
  • You can’t follow the dress rules

If you do book it, show up with comfy shoes and a ready-to-move attitude. You’ll spend the night doing what Cartagena does best: music, people, and momentum.

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