Cartagena: The Legendary Colombian Rum and Chocolate Tasting

Cartagena’s first dedicated rum and chocolate tasting puts eight Colombian rums in one glass-by-glass session, from everyday local pours to small-batch styles that can taste surprisingly like gin, brandy, whiskey, or even ouzo. The rums are matched with chocolates made from cocoa grown in the Montes de Maria region, plus three savory Colombian bites.

I like the private format, which keeps the evening focused on your own group of two to 40 people. I also like the range: this is not eight versions of the same sweet rum, but a guided look at different ages, styles, and serving ideas. The main consideration is the price, $109 per person, which makes the most sense if you value a hosted tasting and a full selection rather than a quick drink and a snack.

Key details to know before you book

• Eight rums, not one standard pour: You compare Colombian spirits across different ages and styles.
• Chocolate from Montes de Maria: The cocoa is paired by origin, age, and percentage with the rums.
• Three savory Colombian bites: The early part of the tasting brings local food into the experience before the sweeter pairings.
• A genuinely private group: Only you and your companions take part, with no strangers added.
• English and Spanish guides: Alejandra and Coco are among the guides who have led the tasting, with room for questions about cocktails and spirits.
• A central Arsenal Street meeting point: Look for the two-story pink building with wooden barrels outside and a free-hugs sign.

Eight Colombian rums in one sitting

The most useful feature here is the range. Many rum tastings give you a few similar pours and a short explanation of aging. This one uses eight premium Colombian rums, allowing you to compare the way barrel time, production style, and serving method change the drink.

You may find a familiar local party drink beside a more carefully made artisanal rum. One tasting may feel soft and sweet, while another has a sharper or more herbal character. A particularly useful detail from the experience is that some pours can suggest other spirits altogether. The selection has included rums with notes that reminded drinkers of ouzo, gin, brandy, and whiskey.

That makes this more than a rum sampling for people who already know their way around a bottle. If you usually say you do not like rum, this is a good place to test that assumption. You may dislike one style and enjoy another.

The tasting also includes a cinnamon-flavored cocktail made from one of the rums. That gives you a practical idea of how a spirit works in a mixed drink, not only how it tastes in a small glass. If you are interested in cocktails, ask questions as you go. The guides can discuss spirits and cocktail use, not just repeat a list of labels.

Chocolate from the Montes de Maria region

The chocolate pairing gives the session its second focus. The cocoa comes from Montes de Maria, a region in Bolívar, and the chocolates vary by cocoa percentage, age, and origin.

That variation matters. A sweeter chocolate can soften a strong spirit, while a darker piece may make a dry or barrel-aged rum seem more rounded. You will taste the pairing rather than simply receive a chocolate square beside each drink, so pay attention to how the flavor changes after the rum.

This is also one of the more useful parts for anyone who wants to buy Colombian chocolate later. Cocoa percentage gives you a simple way to describe what you like, while origin can point to differences in flavor and character. You do not need much prior knowledge. The guide leads you through the comparisons in plain terms.

The portion is not presented as a full dessert course. Think of the chocolate as a tasting partner. The point is to notice how two strong products affect one another, not to fill up on sweets.

Savory bites before the sweeter pairings

Three bites from local gastronomy are included, and they help keep the tasting from becoming a parade of alcohol and sugar. The food is paired with part of the rum selection, including the more everyday local styles.

That order makes sense. Savory snacks give you a break from the chocolate and provide a taste of Colombia beyond the bottle. You can also see how rum functions with food, rather than treating it as a drink reserved for a glass or cocktail.

The bites are small, so do not book this as a replacement for dinner. They are there to support the tasting. If you arrive hungry, plan another meal before or after the session.

Starting at El Arsenal: The Rum Box

The meeting point is at the beginning of Arsenal Street, near the convention center. Look for a two-story pink building with wooden barrels outside and a sign promoting free hugs.

This is a useful landmark in an active part of Cartagena. The host takes you to the exact room or spot once you arrive, so you do not need to search the street for a particular table. Give yourself enough time to find the pink building, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area.

The entire experience begins and ends at El Arsenal: The Rum Box. No transport is included or needed for the activity itself. You walk in, complete the tasting, and leave from the same place.

What the 105-minute tasting feels like

The advertised duration is about two hours, while the tasting portion is listed at 105 minutes, or one hour and 45 minutes. That is enough time for eight pours, eight chocolate comparisons, three savory bites, water, and conversation without turning the event into an all-night commitment.

The session is led by a live guide in English or Spanish. Guides such as Alejandra and Coco bring different personal styles, but the useful qualities are the same: a welcoming approach, clear explanations, and the ability to talk about spirits beyond rum alone.

You can expect a social format, with stories, questions, and some pirate tales woven into the tasting. The pirate theme fits Cartagena without taking over the food and drink. The event is designed to be lively, but it remains centered on the products.

Because the setting is private, your group can move at its own pace within the planned session. A couple can ask more questions without worrying about delaying a large public group. A larger party can enjoy the shared jokes and comparisons without being mixed with strangers.

Why the private format matters

Private means you and your companions take part, with no one else added to the group. The experience accepts groups from two to 40 people, though the activity notes that it works best with at least two people.

For a couple, the private format creates an easy setting for comparing notes. One person may notice a smoky quality while the other tastes something sweet or herbal. Those differences are part of the fun, and a guide can explain why the same rum lands differently from one palate to another.

For a family group of adults, friends, or a celebration, the format is more relaxed than a public bar tasting. You can keep the conversation together and ask about Colombian spirits without competing for the guide’s attention.

A group of 40 will naturally have a different feel from a group of two. The private label means no outside participants are added, but a large booking is still a large social gathering. If you want a quiet, question-heavy tasting, a smaller party is the better fit.

The price: is $109 per person fair?

At $109 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sample rum in Cartagena. You are paying for a private guide, eight Colombian rums, matched artisanal chocolates, three savory bites, water, and a session lasting close to two hours.

The value improves if you are traveling with a private group and want a planned experience rather than buying several bottles or cocktails on your own. Eight rums is a substantial comparison. The chocolate pairings add a second tasting track, and the savory bites keep the menu from becoming repetitive.

The price is harder to justify if you only want one good rum drink or a casual introduction lasting half an hour. In that case, a bar visit may suit you better. This experience earns its cost through variety, guidance, and privacy.

I would also look at the price in terms of what you learn. The tasting helps you identify rum styles, compare different aging, and understand how chocolate percentage changes a pairing. If you enjoy food and drink experiences, that practical knowledge adds value beyond the individual pours.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a good match for adults who enjoy tastings, cocktails, Colombian food, or unusual flavor comparisons. It also suits visitors who want a social Cartagena activity that does not require a full day away from the old city.

You do not need to be a rum expert. In fact, the broad range may be most useful if you are still working out what you like. The session gives you several reference points instead of assuming that all rum tastes alike.

It is also a strong choice for a private celebration or a small group of friends. The format supports conversation, and the pirate stories give the event a local sense of fun without turning it into a formal lecture.

This is not suitable for children under 18 or for pregnant women. Everyone in the group should be comfortable tasting alcoholic drinks, since rum is the central part of the activity.

A few practical tips for your booking

Arrive at the start of Arsenal Street and look for the pink building with wooden barrels. The convention center is a useful nearby reference point, and the free-hugs sign should help you identify the entrance.

Wear something comfortable for sitting and tasting, and avoid arriving with a completely empty stomach. The three bites are helpful, but they are not meant to be a meal.

If you care about the educational side, ask the guide to explain the differences between the rums as you go. You may get the most from the session by noting which styles you prefer, especially if you plan to buy a bottle later.

You can book in English or Spanish. The activity offers reserve-now, pay-later booking, and cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Check the available starting times when you choose your date, since the exact schedule can vary.

Should you book the Cartagena rum and chocolate tasting?

Book it if you want a private, adult-only tasting with real variety. The combination of eight rums, Montes de Maria chocolate, three savory bites, and a guide who can discuss cocktails makes this a fuller experience than a simple bar stop.

I would especially recommend it to couples and small groups who enjoy comparing flavors and asking questions. The private setup, the different rum styles, and the cinnamon cocktail give the session enough range to keep it interesting.

Skip it if you do not drink alcohol, if you want a full meal, or if $109 feels too high for a tasting. For everyone else, this is a well-focused way to spend part of an afternoon or evening in Cartagena, with enough Colombian character to make it feel connected to the place rather than just another drinks event.

FAQ

Where does the rum and chocolate tasting take place?

It begins and ends at El Arsenal: The Rum Box, at the start of Arsenal Street in Cartagena. The meeting point is a two-story pink building near the convention center, with wooden barrels outside and a free-hugs sign.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is advertised as two hours. The tasting itself lasts about 105 minutes, or one hour and 45 minutes.

How many rums will I taste?

You will sample eight Colombian premium rums with different aging and styles.

What food is included?

The experience includes artisanal chocolates with different cocoa percentages, ages, and origins, along with three savory bites from local Colombian gastronomy.

Is the activity private?

Yes. It is a private group experience, and no one outside your own group will be added. Groups can range from two to 40 people.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes. Live guides lead the activity in English or Spanish.

Can children join the experience?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 18.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.