Visit Palenque with natives : history, culture and ancestral legacy
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
TOURIST PARADOR: in this space we receive travelers by welcoming them and giving them a general description of our community.
MONUMENT OF BENKOS BIOHO: the great maroon, the guide that leads to Liberty, the founding hero, for the palenqueros, the king of the arquebuco for the legend, Domingo Bioho for the colonial authorities, arrived enslaved in Cartagena de Indias in the last year of the 16th century. It organized palenques, configured the forms of military resistance and founded the bases and mechanisms of political negotiation with the colonial administration.
SIMANKONGO HOUSE MUSEUM: place that represents a traditional house, ancestral elements and the way of life of our ancestors.
MEDICINAL PATIO: know with traditional doctors the importance of ancestral medicine, also know the plants used in ancestral medicine.
KOMBILESA MI: cultural and musical movement of our community, where the travelers will have the opportunity to interpret their music and their traditional instruments with the figures of the group.
CULTURAL ROUTE OF MURALS: During the tour through the wonderful streets of Palenque, travelers will have the opportunity to learn the meaning of each identity mural and take beautiful photographs with them.
RELIGIOUSNESS, Learn about the imposition of the Catholic religion and the true religiosity of Palenque.
KID PAMBELE MONUMENT: in this monument we will talk about the importance of Antonio Cervantes Reyes (kid pambele) in Colombian boxing and his contribution to the development of our community, ending with a small boxing class.
GASTRONOMY: we will finish the tour tasting a typical lunch of the community "fish in coconut sumo, from the stove to the bijao"
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(56)
Palenque is a place with many history, culture and traditions to know. With a unique energy and murals represent pride in their ancestors. The food was delicious and the tour from Cartagena to Palenque and back was very comfortable, we could stop to buy and taste fruit from the region ☺️☺️
Gracias por vivir esta experiencia con nosotros. Más que un servicio, compartimos historia, resistencia y tradición. Su visita fortalece nuestro territorio y nuestra identidad. ¡Vuelvan pronto!
Really cool and interesting place with great people. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and the meal was delicious.
Waste of money took us 3 hrs to get there just to walk around for 30mins looking at old homes with colorful pictures and paint. People and children are out there asking for money, selling stuff. Only thing I love about the trip was the food. Best fried fish and chicken ever. I would only recommend for the food but that is it. Also took us another 3 hrs to get back
The trip was very informative and gave an in depth look into the Palenque community. It was great to see how the community was able to retain a lot of the African culture that one will see in the main land of Africa today. It provided a look at the similarities that the African Americans experienced attempting to rebel against the slave master’s. The community was welcoming and made one feel apart of the community. The driver Ignacio was punctual, sociable, and knowledgeable. The tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable, receptive, and passionate about the community. Overall, GREAT and organized trip.
I went with family for Sunday lunch, ihad Wellington small roast Very disappointed the vegetables were over cooked and very very crisp hard to cut did not enjoy. Will not go again
We had a great day trip to Palenque! The tour was led by two fantastic guides—one who spoke the native language and Spanish, and another who also spoke English, making everything accessible. It was fascinating to learn the rich history of Palenque, the first town founded by escaped slaves. The town itself is vibrant and colorful, full of character and traces of its unique past. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting culture, history, and a truly special experience!
Visiting Palenque with Benkos Tour was an unforgettable experience — truly magical, beautiful, and deeply rooted in tradition. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth and open hearts. The people of Palenque made us feel included, regardless of where we come from or who we are. In Palenque, everyone is welcome. This town is not only rich in culture and history, but also a powerful symbol of empowerment and resilience. Walking through its streets and learning about its legacy was a journey into the soul of Colombia. Palenque is Colombian history. The tour guides were professional, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience fun and meaningful. They brought the stories of Palenque to life and helped us connect with its spirit in a very personal way. I'm so grateful to have visited this beautiful place. I left feeling inspired, grounded, and full of admiration for this incredible community. Wishing the best of luck to everyone in Palenque and to the Benkos Tour team — thank you for sharing your history and heart with us
Good time sitting poolside but wondering if the free night after so many states is a true fact or a false fact because I've been trying and everybody's acting like they don't know I'm talking about
Buenas noches 🌙 y saludos cordiales. Para anunciar que usted se ha confundido de destinatario, nosotros no somos operadores de la experiencia que estás calificando en nuestro perfil. Buenas noches!
This tour was amazing. Our tour guide Romeo was an excellent guide. He took the time in narrating the history behind the tour. The people, the culture, the food etc. The community was amazing, the dance and the food was excellent. Overall, I grade this an A+. I’ll recommend this to everyone.
My guide, Royman was so kind and knowledgable about Palenque! The communication beforehand was top notch. I was picked up right outside of my AirBnB, the drive was comfortable, and once there was able to experience the town and ask questions to better understand its culture. I met a local music artist as well as a local spiritual practitioner in addition to learning about the powerful history of Palenque. Pretty much all the vendors I met took card, but I recommend bringing cash for tips.
