Coffee in Cartagena, but not the usual tourist cup. This private coffee master session at Café del Mural mixes Colombian coffee culture with hands-on-style learning—roasting techniques, brewing methods, and flavor clues—inside a shop created by an engineer turned coffee artisan.

What I liked most is the way you taste with a purpose: you get 4–5 coffee samples plus snacks, and you leave with a 200g bag of premium coffee. The second big win is the guide’s personality—David is repeatedly described as funny, passionate, and good at keeping the room focused—so the class doesn’t feel like a lecture.

One thing to keep in mind: the experience is sometimes described as more demo-led than truly hands-on (like choosing beans, roasting, and grinding yourself). If you’re expecting to do every step, your enjoyment may depend on how your session runs.

Key takeaways before you book

• Café del Mural’s shop setting in Getsemaní feels personal, not staged.
• 4–5 coffee/tea samples plus snacks make the 2 hours feel complete.
• You take home 200g of premium coffee, which boosts the value.
• David often guides the session, and reviews highlight his humor and energy.
• Expect mostly guided instruction, not guaranteed self-roasting and grinding for every group.
• Peak-season crowding can happen, so wear comfy clothes and go with the flow.

Café del Mural: the coffee workshop feel of Getsemaní

Café del Mural is in Getsemaní, one of Cartagena’s most atmospheric neighborhoods. The meeting point is Cl. de San Juan #25-60, and the vibe is the kind that makes you want to slow down—good music, coffee aromas, and a shop built around the craft rather than just selling cups.

What makes this place special is the story behind it. The coffee artisan running the show is described as an engineer turned coffee maker, and that engineering mindset shows in how the tasting is organized. Instead of vague “this tastes nutty” statements, you get explanations tied to roasting and brewing choices. It’s still fun. It’s also structured.

This is not a giant museum tour. It’s a session in a real café space, and the small size is part of why people like it so much. One review even notes only around six people in the tour at one time, which fits the “intimate” feel others mention.

The 2-hour Cartagena Coffee Master session—what actually happens

This tour runs about 2 hours and starts at 10:00 am. It ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not dragged across town after you’re already wired (in a good way) by coffee smell and sample cups.

The core format is a private coffee session that focuses on:

• roasting techniques (how coffee changes in the roast),
• brewing methods (how different tools shape flavor),
• and flavor profiles (how to notice differences without overthinking it).

You’ll also be offered coffee and/or tea, along with snacks during the class. That small food support matters more than you’d think. Coffee tastings can turn into a bitter blur if you show up hungry, and snacks help you stay present.

How “private” should feel

The activity is listed as private—only your group participates—which is a big plus if you want questions answered without competing for the guide’s attention. Still, keep your expectations realistic about space. One guest mentioned it felt tight when more people joined, so in busier periods, the room can feel packed even when the experience is billed as intimate.

Stop 1: Café del Mural, with brewing demos and Colombian coffee context

There’s one main stop: Café del Mural. That’s good news. No rushing between locations, no time wasted hunting for the next spot.

Inside, you’ll spend the session learning the “why” behind the taste. The emphasis is on Colombian coffee—its traditions and what makes its flavor identity show up in different cups. You’ll hear about the roasting and brewing approaches that shape what ends up in your mug.

What you can look forward to tasting

Most of the value here comes from sampling. You should expect 4–5 coffee samples (and possibly tea alongside them). Reviews repeatedly mention tasting several varieties and brewed styles, including a light-to-dark kind of progression.

Even if you’re not a coffee fanatic, tasting multiple options helps you understand something fast: coffee isn’t one flavor. It’s a moving target based on roast level, grind, water, and brewing method. When the guide explains this clearly, your palate starts “noticing” instead of just guessing.

The guide makes or breaks the class

A standout name shows up again and again: David. Multiple reviews describe him as passionate and funny, with a delivery style that keeps the group engaged. People also mention he doesn’t rush. That matters, because a coffee tasting that feels rushed turns into a checklist instead of a learning moment.

One nice touch that came up in reviews: references to 80s/90s music woven into the presentation. That’s not essential, but it’s a sign the guide is treating the class like an experience, not a script.

The “hands-on” expectation: what to plan for

Here’s the practical part. The experience description suggests a more active role—choosing a bean and doing roasting/grinding yourself. But several reviews indicate that in practice, the master typically performs the steps in front of the group.

So what should you do if you’re aiming for maximum hands-on time?

• If you want to participate, ask your guide on arrival what parts your group will do versus what the master will demonstrate.
• If you mostly want learning plus lots of tastings, you’re in good shape either way. That part gets strong praise.

Either way, the best sessions seem to be the ones where David keeps engaging the room and making tasting feel interactive. Reviews mention Q&A, fun explanations, and a sense that you can ask questions without feeling in the way.

Price and value: is $85 worth it?

At $85 per person for about 2 hours, this isn’t a “cheap activity.” But it also isn’t just a coffee tasting where you pay for the cup. You’re buying three concrete things:

• guided learning and tastings,
• snacks,
• and a 200g premium coffee bag to take home.

That take-home bag is the value anchor. If you’re the type who buys coffee anyway, you’re not leaving empty-handed. If you’re not a coffee drinker, the 200g bag might feel less exciting—though the session still helps you understand what makes coffee taste good, and tea is part of the experience too.

Where the price can feel less fair is when expectations don’t match. The reviews that mention disappointment focus on two points: the class feeling more like a long talk than an interactive experience, and coffee samples not tasting great for that particular group. Those are rare compared to the overall rating, but they’re important to know.

My takeaway: this price makes sense if you’re a coffee lover (or you’re traveling with one) and you’re excited to learn about brewing and tasting. If your main goal is guaranteed self-roasting and grinding, confirm your expectations first.

Snacks, coffee samples, and the take-home bag you’ll actually use

The included extras aren’t filler. Snacks help you keep your focus. Coffee and/or tea keeps the experience flexible. And the 4–5 coffee samples are what turn the session from “a story about coffee” into “a practice in tasting.”

Then comes the part you’ll remember later: you take home 200g premium coffee. In several reviews, guests mention leaving with a bag to enjoy at home—and at least one review describes splitting take-home coffee between people.

If you want to maximize the trip value, do one simple thing after the class: buy the same coffee you liked most, then recreate the guide’s idea with your normal equipment. You won’t match their brew methods perfectly at home, but you’ll start making better choices about roast and brewing style.

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

This works best for:

• coffee lovers who want more than a quick sampling,
• people who enjoy learning how flavors are built,
• travelers who like small, guided experiences in real neighborhood spaces (not big tourist lines),
• groups who can talk and ask questions during a tasting.

It might be less satisfying if:

• you only care about the most hands-on roasting/grinding you can do during the session,
• you’re very sensitive to language clarity and you need extremely loud, slow explanations (some reviews mention English can be hard to understand in parts, especially if the guide is speaking quietly or quickly).

If you’re unsure, pick your goal: do you want to learn and taste? Or do you want to perform every step? This class tends to shine on the first goal.

Practical logistics: getting there and making the most of it

This tour doesn’t include transportation from or to your hotel. The good news is that the meeting point is in a central area you can reach with typical Cartagena options. Since the start time is 10:00 am, I’d plan to arrive early enough to find the café without stress.

Also, check your expectations about comfort. One review mentions a tight space during a busier time, so wear something you can sit in for the duration and avoid anything too restrictive. Two hours is short, but in a small café space, comfort helps your brain stay open.

Finally, if you’re a coffee buyer, keep your expectations realistic: the bag you receive is part of the package. If you want to buy extra items beyond that, you’ll need to handle that separately (alcoholic drinks are available to purchase, but they aren’t included).

Should you book Cartagena Coffee Masters?

I’d book it if you want a guided coffee experience in a real Getsemaní café, with multiple tastings, snacks, and a 200g coffee bag at the end. The guide energy matters here, and David’s mix of humor and focus comes up constantly.

I’d hesitate only if your top priority is hands-on roasting and grinding done by you, every time. The session can lean more demo-led than fully hands-on, and a few reviews say the description felt too hands-on for what happened during their visit.

If you fall in the “coffee curious” or “coffee obsessed” camp, this is one of the more rewarding ways to spend a couple hours in Cartagena—because you’re not just drinking. You’re learning how to taste.

FAQ

What’s the price of Cartagena Coffee Masters?

The price is $85.00 per person.

How long is the experience?

It’s about 2 hours.

What time does it start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Café del Mural, Cl. de San Juan #25-60, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

Is transportation included from my hotel?

No. Transportation from and to your hotel is not included.

What’s included with the ticket?

The experience includes snacks, coffee and/or tea, 4–5 coffee samples, and a 200 gr premium coffee bag.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included (they are available to purchase).

Is this tour private?

Yes, it’s listed as private, and only your group participates.

What’s the coffee bag you receive?

You receive a 200 gr premium coffee bag included in the experience.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

If you want, tell me your travel dates (especially if it’s peak season) and whether you’re a “hands-on only” coffee person or more of a “taste and learn” person. I can help you decide what to expect.