Free Tour in San Basilio de Palenque: Culture, History and Ancestral Traditions

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San Basilio de Palenque

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Languages: English and Spanish

Guru: keiner

Registered on 14 November 2025

I am Keiner José, a local guide from San Basilio de Palenque, founder of the Palenque Tour Represent agency, and a proud descendant of the first free community in the Americas. I grew up surrounded by music, tradition, oral stories, and the strength of our African heritage, which is why I dedicate my life to sharing the true Black history of my people. I am passionate about teaching how we live, how we speak, and how we resist. On each tour, I combine history, culture, music, and real-life experiences so that visitors can feel the Palenquero spirit from within. With me, you will discover the rhythms of the drum, the secrets of the braids, spirituality, the Palenquero language, and the memory of our ancestors. I am a kind, respectful person, proud of my roots. My mission is for each traveler to take away more than just a tour: a living experience of freedom and identity.

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Discover San Basilio de Palenque, the first free community in the Americas and a symbol of Afro-descendant resistance. On this free tour, you'll walk through its streets steeped in history, learn about its traditions, and discover how this town has preserved its language, music, and identity for over 400 years.

What will we see?

• 🗿 Benkos Biohó Monument: story of the leader who achieved freedom.

• 🏠 Palenquera House Museum: culture, antique objects and identity.

• 👣 Streets and Kuagro: the unique social organization of the town.

• 📚 Learn phrases in Creole language.

• 🌿 Main square: daily life and living traditions.

• 🍬 Casa de las Palenqueras: traditional sweets (possible tasting).

• 🥊 Boxing school: cradle of Colombian champions.

What makes this tour unique:

✔ Authentic experience guided by a local.

✔ You will learn words in the Palenquero language.

✔ You will learn real stories that do not appear in books.

✔ Optional tasting of traditional sweets.

✔ Perfect for photos and cultural content.

⭐ HOW TO FIND ME

Meeting point: in front of the Benkos Biohó Monument, at the entrance, wearing red or black caps and a black sweater

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

San Basilio Del Palenque

I will be in front of the Benkos Biohó Monument, at the entrance, wearing a red or black cap and a black sweater

Free entry

San Basilio Del Palenque

Free entry

San Basilio Del Palenque

Benkos Bioho, here we will visit a great leader who fought for victory and against slavery

Free entry

San Basilio Del Palenque

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).