Palenque First

The Freedom Tour is the most authentic tour offered in San Basilio de Palenque given by certified guides that are native to the community. We offer door to door transportation in comfortable AC cars with flexible pick up time to fit any schedule. Visitors are able to learn about incredible history of the community and feel the African essence that the community has maintained alive for over four centuries. During this tour our guests will hear traditional music, see the practice of traditional medicine in person, learn about the unique language that exists in the community and much more. More than traveling is living grand experiences.

Palenque de San Basilio was one of those fortified communities called "palenques", which were founded by runaway slaves as a refuge in the seventeenth century. Of the many palenques that existed in earlier times, only that of San Basilio has survived until today, becoming a unique cultural space. Its cultural space encompasses social, medical and religious practices, as well as musical and oral traditions, many of which have African roots. Musical expressions such as the “sitting Bullernege”, the “Son palenquero” or the “Son de negro” accompany collective celebrations such as baptisms, weddings and religious parties, as well as leisure activities. An essential element is the Palenquera language, the only Creole language in the Americas that combines a Spanish lexical base with the grammatical characteristics of Bantu languages. This language constitutes a primary factor that reinforces social cohesion among community members.

Meet the native decendents of africans in colombia who have preserved their African customs over several centuries. with a unique language derived from African languages the way they used to live thousands of years ago, tipical dances, their history and how they could get to be the first free town of América.

This visit should be made if you are in Carthagena. The Palenque de benkos bioho, the most visited territory and document of the Colombian Caribbean region, is a place of African descent in America. In this corner of Africa located in Colombia, the largest black rebellion of the 17th century was carried out, through which a group of blacks led by BENKOS BIOHO, a combat general and prince of the Royal Family of Guinea Bisauu (formerly Portuguese Guinea) were able to escape from the Spanish colony located in the walled city (cartagena de indias) and settle in this small corner of Africa called san basilio de palenque (first free black territory of America) a place where African tradition, customs and legacies remain. WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME? WE WAIT FOR YOU!!

We're from Palenque when you go? Come and discover a corner of Africa in Colombia, first community of free African descendants in America, Saint Basil of Palenque, through its cultural attractions: music, language, gastronomy, organizational form, identity murals, monument of Benkos Bioho, monument of Kid Pambele, ancient medicine, religiosity, house museum and all the internal aspects that make it. THERE ARE SOME TIPS I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU. We recommend: 1. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. 2. Carry sunscreen and insect repellent. 3. Carry some cash, as Palenque’s economy depends heavily on voluntary contributions. NOTE: After finishing this wonderful experience and by unanimous decision, we take an approximate 15-minute transport tour of each of the murals that color Palenque, so you can take photos and you can save your best memories of the tour.

Meet the native decendents of africans in colombia who have preserved their African customs over several centuries. with a unique language derived from African languages the way they used to live thousands of years ago, tipical dances, their history and how they could get to be the first free town of América.

The people of Palenque invite you to get to know this cultural wonder declared by Unesco as the first town free from slavery in Latin America. This 100% African-American town still preserves those ancestral customs which the elderly are transferring to the young so that their culture is never lost. Come to see their dance, eat their food, visit the traditional doctors who cure all kinds of diseases with medicinal plants. Come they will fall in love. This town was the first town free from slavery in Latin America. It is a corner of Africa in Colombia where the elderly still preserve their customs and try to transfer them to the youngest so that the legacy lasts. It is a town full of colors and a lot of culture.

Located on the first rise of the Tumbala mountains, Palenque archaeological site looks out over the Usumacinta River flood plain. Here you’ll be confronted by the largest Mesoamerican step pyramid, the Temple of Inscriptions, spotted with hieroglyphics that have contributed significantly to the study of Mayan civilization. It is considered one of the most emblematic mayan site having been the empire of Pakal, Governor, Warrior and God of Mayan Civilization. The Misol Ha Waterfall is a worthy representative of the eco-tourism of Chiapas, which offers a unique experience where the interaction with the flora and fauna of the place is the most important element. The Cascadas de Agua Azul (Spanish for “Blue Water Waterfall”) are found near the Municipality of Tumbalá, in the middle of the Chiapas rainforest. It consists of many cataracts following one after another in the Cascadas de Agua Azul Natural Park. The larger cataracts may be about 6 meters (20 ft.) high.

Travelers should book this tour because it is a wonderful experience in which they will have the opportunity to learn about African customs that are still preserved in the first free town in America "San Bacilio de Palenque" and will also be accompanied by a professional tour guide and a native guide from Palenque who will be in charge of teaching them the town, the language, medical practices, dance, music and oral tradition"

The perfect mix of history and nature, all in one fascinating tour that combines the majesty of the Palenque Archaeological Zone with the serenity of the Roberto Barrios Waterfall. Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Palenque, a World Heritage Site known for its impressive temples and unique architecture, before diving into the crystal-clear turquoise waters of Roberto Barrios, where you can swim and enjoy a pristine natural environment. This tour offers you the best of both worlds: the rich cultural history and the incomparable natural beauty of Chiapas.

On this tour, you will visit the amazing waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol Ha. Indigo blue water, green vegetation, the constant breeze, and the inexhaustible aquatic sound which contributes to make this place unique, located 133 km from San Cristobal de las Casas, one of the most spectacular and unforgettable of México. If weather allows, you will be able to swim at the Agua Azul falls. You will also visit the Palenque Archaeological site, visiting the famous Temple of the Inscriptions where the tomb of Pakal was found, the Palace, and the Foliated Cross Temple and, if there is enough time, visit the museum. This is a shared service.

The best way of knowing a region is by seeing its contrasts. In this full-day tour, you will go outside Cartagena to visit San Basilio de Palenque, a place founded by maroons who escaped from slavery and have tried to live freely ever since. In this place, you will take a tour to know the history of these people, their traditions and customs and how do they live now. Besides, you will taste the best of their typical cuisine. Get to know both sides of Cartagena with us! If you are interested in Colombian history and want to have the most complete cultural experience of Cartagena: this is a place you should definitely visit! Highlights • A tour around the most important spots of the town • A sample of their rich culture: food, medicine, believes • A brief lesson on Colombian and colonial history • A gastronomic experience of the traditional flavors of the town • The chance to hear the stories directly from locals.

Walk in San Basilio de Palenque , the first free people in america , allowing to know their history, customs and cuisine, visiting the monument Benkos Bioho, black African brought from Guinea, leading the freedom of this people , then we headed to the Culture House of the community but before learn some words in Palenquero language , continuing with a visit to the monument of Antonio Cervantes (Kid Pambelé), famous representative of boxing Colombian and twice world champion walter junior and later visit the herbs medicine spot and after this enjoy a local deliciuos lunch made by the native people and feel the rhythm of music with cultural and artistic development. Departure time:  8;00  Arrival time: 14:00-14:30

Located on the first rise of the Tumbala mountains, Palenque archaeological site looks out over the Usumacinta River flood plain. Here you’ll be confronted by the largest Mesoamerican step pyramid, the Temple of Inscriptions, spotted with hieroglyphics that have contributed significantly to the study of Mayan civilization. It is considered one of the most emblematic mayan site having been the empire of Pakal, Governor, Warrior and God of Mayan Civilization.

Travelers should book this tour because it is a wonderful experience in which they will have the opportunity to learn about African customs that are still preserved in the first free town in America "San Baslio de Palenque" and will also be accompanied by a professional tour guide and a native guide from Palenque who will be in charge of teaching them the town, the language, medical practices, dance, music and oral tradition"

Enjoy an unforgettable cultural experience with our convenient transfer from Cartagena to San Basilio de Palenque, the first free town in America. Travel in modern air-conditioned vehicles with seat belts, and enjoy a tour of only 45 minutes full of scenery and anticipation. We pick you up where you are in Cartagena and drop you off again at the same point at the end of the tour, so you only worry about enjoying yourself. Don’t miss this opportunity to know the living birthplace of Afro-Colombian culture!

In this tour you will find the cultural diversity that characterizes this African community. It is located very close to the Canal del Dique, 50 kilometers from the city of Cartagena.

Come to palenque appreciate the growth of palenque culture and history, the roots of people of color in cartagena and colombia, growth, recognition and acceptance in music, language and palenquera culture, a place where pambele was born and for his efforts as a boxer He gave the world to know his roots, his land that today is San Basilio de Palenque..

Enjoy a great experience visiting Bonampak ruins and the lost city of Lacanja in the middle of the Jungle. You will first visit the Bonampak ruins and the wall painting .After the visit, you will be taken on a guided jungle hike with the chance to see local flora and fauna plus a visit to beautiful virgin waterfalls and explore the Lacanja Ruins.

This tour will be a great adventure full of teachings and experiences where we will live and learn about the history of the first free town of slaves in Latin America where we will carry out a variety of activities and tours to appreciate the likeness of our slave ancestors, there will be fun, native music and entertainment, delicious food, we will share with locals, nationals and internationals We will visit exciting, emblematic and unique places where we will taste a delicious typical lunch as well as medicines from the past that have continued to endure over time This will be a multicultural experience where everything we have experienced will be captured in the history of our lives For this and much more you should not miss attending this magical and wonderful place called San Basilio de Palenque