Rum and Chocolate Tasting in Cartagena

If you like food that comes with a story, this rum and chocolate tasting in Getsemaní is a fun, focused way to spend time in Cartagena. The format is simple and satisfying: eight rums plus chocolate and bites, served in a lively setting where pirate-style tales and production talk keep things moving.

I especially like how Bolivar chocolate shows up as more than a sweet add-on, it gets paired through the tasting so you can actually notice the shifts on your palate. One consideration: it’s built around alcohol, so plan your pace and timing like you would for a tasting bar, not a quick snack stop.

Key things that make this Cartagena tasting worth your time

• Eight premium Colombian rums, with different ages and origins, so you taste progression, not just variety
• In-house Bolivar chocolate and truffles, paired alongside each pour and linked to Colombian cocoa from the Caribbean
• Three savory local bites, which help balance the sweetness and keep the tasting from feeling like one long dessert moment
• A small-group feel with a maximum of 25 travelers, which makes it easier to ask questions
• Hosts who work the room, with lots of laughter, story time, and even music requests in some sessions

Where the tasting happens in Getsemaní, and why the vibe matters

This experience starts at El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24 in Getsemaní, right on Calle Arsenal. The big practical upside of this location is that it sits in a part of Cartagena where you can walk from sights and bars, then pop into a calmer indoor setting. And you get right back out at the same meeting point when you’re done.

The “Rum Box” setup also matters. The experience is described as a tasting among walls filled with Colombian rums and chocolate, with seating that feels like you’re in a working space rather than a storefront line. I like that because it sets expectations: you’re there to taste, talk, and learn without the stiffness that some formal classes bring.

If you’re coming from a day of heat and walking, this is a welcome reset. One account specifically notes air conditioning strong enough to matter, plus the comfort of sitting while you taste. That simple detail changes the whole experience, because your senses are sharper when you’re not melting.

The 1 hour 45 minutes flow: eight rums, chocolate pairings, and snack breaks

The tour runs about 1 hour 45 minutes. It’s long enough to feel like an actual experience, not just a few sips and a goodbye. And the structure is designed to keep you moving through tastes instead of repeating the same thing.

Here’s what the session looks like in plain terms.

Step 1: Jump into the story of Colombian rum

You start by settling in and getting oriented to what you’ll taste and why. The experience focuses on the production and history of their rums, mixed with fun discussion. Pirate stories show up along the way, which keeps it from turning into a lecture.

This is also a good moment to ask questions. Multiple hosts are praised for being patient and interactive, so if you want to know what makes one bottle taste different from another, you’re not stuck waiting until the end.

Step 2: Taste eight premium rums, paced by age and origin

You’ll taste eight premium Colombian rums of different ages and origins. That “different ages” detail matters more than it sounds. Older rums tend to pick up deeper notes, while younger ones can come off sharper and more spirit-forward. Different origins can shift flavor direction, even when they’re in the same general rum family.

And importantly, it’s not just eight random pours. The tasting is set up so each pour connects to what you’re eating. That pairing logic is where the experience earns its keep.

Step 3: Chocolate and truffles are part of the tasting, not a side plate

As you move through the rum lineup, you’ll get an “exquisite selection of chocolates” made in their factory, plus chocolates and truffles. These are paired alongside the rums, with the tour framing them through Colombian cocoa from the Caribbean.

This matters for you if you’re a chocolate person. You’re not just munching sweets while you sip. You’re trying to match aromas and flavors, like how cocoa can soften the burn of spirits or how certain rum styles might make chocolate taste brighter or darker.

Step 4: Three savory bites to reset your palate

Along with the sweet pairings, you’ll get three savory snacks typical of local cuisine. This is not just filler. Savory bites help clean your palate between tastes, and they make the whole experience feel more like Colombian food culture than a dessert flight.

One practical tip that comes up: eat something before you go. The session is paced for tasting, not for making you feel full from scratch. If you start hungry, you might end up rushing or feeling heavy from too much sweetness too quickly.

Step 5: The tasting wraps back where you began

At the end, the tour finishes back at the meeting point. There’s no need to plan another pickup or transfer, which is a real advantage in Cartagena, where afternoons can get chaotic fast.

Pairings that actually make sense: rum ages and Colombian cocoa

The heart of this tour is pairing. Eight rums plus Bolivar chocolate would be entertaining on its own, but pairing is what turns it into something you remember and can talk about afterward.

Here’s why the pairing approach helps you as a visitor.

Aged rum changes how chocolate tastes

As the tasting moves through different ages, the rum’s profile shifts, and you can notice it against cocoa. Toasted, caramel, or woody notes (more common as rum ages) tend to play well with cocoa depth. Meanwhile, younger rums can create contrast that makes chocolate taste more intense.

Bolivar chocolate isn’t just “sweet,” it’s a flavor partner

The tour description calls out in-house Bolivar chocolate and truffles. Reviews add that the chocolates feel like a thoughtful match, not a random assortment. One example even mentions a roasted cacao bean, which you can think of like a “pure ingredient” pause between flavors.

Savory snacks keep the sweetness from taking over

Three savory local bites break the rhythm. If you’ve ever done a tasting where everything is sweet, you know how quickly it blurs together. Adding savory bites helps you reset and notice the next rum-chocolate pairing more clearly.

Hosts and personality: why the laughs and music requests get mentioned

A big reason this tasting earns top scores is the people running it. Names you might hear include Sebastian, Alejandra, Wendy, Wes, Coco, Sabas, David, and Jefferson, plus support from staff like Claudia and Gesú or Jesu (depending on the session).

What these hosts share in common is the balance: they explain rum and the cacao connection, but they also keep it social. You’ll hear stories, production talk, and lots of laughter. That combo is especially helpful if you’re not a total rum nerd. You still leave knowing what matters, without feeling like you had to study.

Music requests can make it feel more personal

A few accounts mention that music preferences were accommodated. Another account highlights a private session where the couple could request music to match their vibe. Even if you’re not in a private slot, it signals that the team pays attention to the mood of the group.

The experience feels interactive, not rigid

Hosts are repeatedly described as answering questions and creating room for conversation. That matters because rum and chocolate are sensory. If you can ask why something tastes a certain way, you’ll remember the logic, not just the flavors.

You may even get a cocktail recipe

One person shared a cocktail they learned, called Rum Rouge: 2 oz anejo rum, 1 oz red vermouth, 1 oz cinnamon syrup, 1 dash bitters, and a smoked cinnamon stick. Even if you do not get that exact recipe in your session, it’s a good sign that the hosts often share drink ideas beyond the tasting lineup.

Price and value at $114: what you’re really paying for

At $114 per person, this isn’t a cheap snack. But it also isn’t just a bar tab with chocolate on the side. The value comes from the bundle.

You’re paying for:

• Eight premium Colombian rums
• Chocolate and truffles made in house
• Three savory local bites
• A guided experience with production and history stories, plus pairing

If you break it down, you’re essentially covering multiple tastings and food components in one slot, with a guided flow that helps you compare flavors. You’re also doing it in a controlled setting, which is a real upgrade over trying to replicate rum and chocolate pairings on your own while guessing at what pairs well.

One more value point from the overall experience: people tend to buy bottles or chocolate afterward. That’s not mandatory, but it’s a sign that the tasting helps you find what you actually like.

Who should book this Cartagena rum and chocolate tasting (and who might skip)

This tour fits best if you want a short, fun, adult-friendly food and drink experience. I’d especially recommend it if:

• You’re a rum fan, or you want a clear introduction to Colombian rum styles
• You love chocolate and want to learn how cacao flavor interacts with alcohol
• You want something indoor and air-conditioned after a day of Cartagena heat
• You’re traveling with a partner or group that wants conversation, not just a drink

It may be less ideal if:

• You don’t drink alcohol and don’t want to be around tastings
• You’re looking for a hands-on cooking class (this is not described as a class, it’s a tasting with learning along the way)
• You want a lighter snack event without the intensity of multiple alcohol pours

Practical tips so you enjoy it more

A few small habits can make this experience better.

• Eat beforehand if you can. Even with savory bites, starting hungry can make sweetness feel heavier.
• Go in curious. Ask what you should notice between pours. The best sessions are the ones where you talk back to the host.
• Pace yourself. Eight rums sounds fun, but it’s still alcohol, so take your time and use the snack stops to reset.
• If music matters to you, it’s worth mentioning you have a preference. Several sessions are described as accommodating requests.

Should you book this rum and chocolate tasting in Getsemaní?

My take: if you’re in Cartagena and you enjoy guided tastings, this is a strong “yes.” The combination of eight premium rums, Bolivar chocolate pairings, and savory Colombian bites makes it feel like a real food experience, not a quick stop.

Book it if you want an easy 1 hour 45 minutes plan with a small-group feel, air-conditioned comfort, and hosts who keep the tone playful. Skip it only if you’re avoiding alcohol or looking for a different kind of class.

FAQ

What is included in the rum and chocolate tasting?

The experience includes 8 Colombian rums, chocolates and truffles, and three typical savory bites from local cuisine.

How many rum tastings will I get?

You’ll taste 8 premium Colombian rums during the session.

How long does the experience last?

It runs about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Where do I meet, and does it end nearby?

You start at El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, Calle Arsenal #8b-19, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 25 travelers.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.