Cartagena Coffee Masters

The best part of Cartagena Coffee Masters is the chance to study Colombian coffee without leaving the city. At Café del Mural, David explains beans, roasting, brewing tools, and coffee traditions while preparing several samples for you to taste. It is part class, part tasting, and part lively conversation.

I like the range of brewing methods and the fact that you leave with 200 grams of premium coffee. I also like the personal setting, with the café’s engineer-turned-coffee artisan sharing the work behind each cup. The main drawback is that the session may be more of a demonstration than a hands-on workshop. The description suggests choosing, roasting, and grinding your own beans, but that has not always happened.

Key Points

• Four to five coffee samples: Compare beans, roast levels, and brewing styles during the session.
• David leads the class: His humor, coffee knowledge, and passion are central to the experience.
• Café del Mural in Getsemaní: You meet at Cl. de San Juan #25-60, in a charming local coffee shop.
• Take-home coffee included: The 200-gram premium bag adds useful value for coffee lovers.
• Two-hour morning schedule: The class begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends where it starts.
• Hands-on expectations need care: Ask ahead if you want to roast or grind your own beans.

A Coffee Class in the Heart of Getsemaní

Cartagena Coffee Masters takes place at Café del Mural, located on Cl. de San Juan in Getsemaní. This is not a plantation visit or a countryside farm tour. Instead, it gives you a close look at how coffee is understood, prepared, and presented in an urban Colombian café.

The café itself is part of the appeal. It was created by an engineer who became a coffee artisan, and the space reflects that mix of technical interest and personal craft. You can expect the setting to feel more like a working coffee lab than a formal classroom.

The meeting time is 10:00 a.m., and the activity lasts about two hours. You return to the same café at the end, so it fits neatly into a morning in Cartagena. You will need to arrange your own way there and back, since hotel transportation is not included.

Finding the café may require a little attention. One participant found the location somewhat difficult to spot, so allow a few extra minutes rather than arriving at exactly 10:00. The address is clear, but Getsemaní streets can take some patience when you are still getting your bearings.

What David’s Coffee Session Covers

David is the key to the experience. His presentation covers Colombian coffee, but it also reaches into coffee production and preparation around the world. You can expect explanations of coffee types, bean varieties, roasting levels, export, harvesting, branding, and the development of brewing equipment.

The subject is broader than a simple tasting. David connects coffee to German, Italian, and Dutch influences, showing how many preparation methods used in Colombia came from outside the country. That wider view helps explain why Colombian beans and foreign brewing technology now meet in the same cup.

His style appears to be relaxed and personal. He uses humor, and one session even included references to 1980s and 1990s music. That may sound like a small detail, but it matters during a two-hour class. A warm presenter can make technical subjects easier to follow.

The strongest praise centers on David’s passion and ability to explain coffee. He has been described as funny, kind, and deeply committed to his craft. Some people stayed after the scheduled session to continue talking with him, which suggests the class can feel more like a conversation than a scripted talk.

That said, the experience depends heavily on the presenter and the conditions on the day. One person found the English difficult to hear and understand, noting that David spoke quickly and softly. If you have trouble following, ask him to slow down or speak up early in the session. Do not wait until the class is nearly over.

Four to Five Cups, Several Ways to Brew

The tasting is the heart of the morning. You receive four to five coffee samples, and the preparation may include different brewing styles and roast levels. Some sessions included five or six types, with coffee ranging from light to dark.

This variety gives you something useful to compare. A light roast can show more of the bean’s character, while a darker roast may produce a heavier, more familiar flavor. The point is not simply to decide which cup tastes best. You begin to notice how roast, bean, equipment, and technique work together.

Café del Mural has an unusually wide collection of coffee preparation devices. David demonstrates different methods rather than relying on one standard machine. For anyone who buys coffee equipment at home, this is a practical way to see how tools affect the final drink.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Most of the confirmed details describe samples and demonstrations, not a guaranteed workshop where each participant controls every step. Several people expected to choose a bean, roast it, and grind it themselves, but instead watched David perform the process.

That difference matters. If you want a technical demonstration with tasting, this format should suit you. If you want to roast beans over heat or operate the grinder yourself, contact the provider before booking and confirm what level of participation is planned for your date.

The Hands-On Question

The wording around participation is the clearest weakness. The experience presents itself as a personal encounter with roasting and grinding, but the actual format has sometimes been mainly instructional. The result can still be informative, but it is not the same as making your own coffee from bean to cup.

I would treat this as a guided tasting and demonstration first. Any hands-on element should be considered a bonus unless Impulse Travel confirms it in advance. This simple adjustment will help you book the right experience and avoid paying for a workshop you expect to control yourself.

The private-tour description also deserves a closer look. Your booking is described as a private activity for your group, but some past sessions included additional participants, especially during a busy December period. One group of nine found the room tight when two more people joined.

For a small booking, the setting may feel intimate and special. For a larger party, space could become uncomfortable. If you are booking for a group, ask how many people will attend and whether the session will remain exclusive on your date.

How Much Value You Get for $85

At $85 per person, this is not a cheap cup of coffee. You are paying for a two-hour lesson, several tastings, snacks, and a 200-gram bag of premium coffee. The take-home portion is important because it gives the experience a lasting part beyond the morning itself.

The value is strongest for people who care about coffee or want a focused cultural activity in Cartagena. You are not simply buying five drinks. You are getting a guided explanation of roasting, preparation, history, equipment, and Colombian coffee culture, plus a package to use after returning home.

The value is less clear if you only want a quick introduction to Colombian coffee. Cartagena has many places to order a cup, and this class asks you to spend two hours listening, comparing, and tasting. Someone who is not curious about how coffee is made may find the price harder to justify.

The included coffee can also shape your decision. People have taken home a full 200-gram bag, while one account describes receiving half a bag per person. The supplied information lists 200 grams as included, so confirm how that amount will be divided if you are booking as a couple or group.

Alcoholic drinks are not included, though they can be purchased. That detail is not central to the experience, since the morning is built around coffee and snacks, but it is useful to know if you were expecting a broader beverage service.

Timing the Morning in Cartagena

The 10:00 a.m. start is convenient. You can enjoy breakfast first, attend the class, and still have much of the day available for Cartagena’s old city, Getsemaní, or other plans. Since the activity ends at the meeting point, you do not lose time waiting for a hotel transfer.

The listed duration is about two hours, but actual sessions have sometimes lasted longer. Some people found two hours sufficient, while another session stretched to three hours and felt too long. A tasting with several brewing methods can easily run over if questions and conversation continue.

I would avoid scheduling a tight lunch reservation immediately afterward. Give yourself extra time, especially if you enjoy asking questions or if the group is larger. The class may finish close to the stated time, but you should not treat that as a guarantee.

The coffee itself is worth considering. Many accounts describe the samples as excellent, but one person found every coffee disappointing. Taste is personal, and preparation can vary. The strongest reason to book is the combination of teaching and tasting, not a promise that every sample will match your preferences.

A Good Fit for Coffee-Curious People

This experience is best for coffee lovers who want more than a café stop. You will have time to compare several cups, ask about methods, and learn why the same bean can taste different depending on roast and preparation.

It also suits people who enjoy food and drink experiences with a strong sense of place. You are learning about an important Colombian product in a local café rather than sitting through a general city lecture. The class connects a familiar daily drink to farming, export, technology, and culture.

Couples and small groups should find the format especially appealing. A small session can feel personal, and the included coffee gives you something to share or bring home. Families can also enjoy it, provided everyone is willing to spend two hours focused on a presentation and tasting.

You do not need to be a coffee expert. The class covers basic subjects as well as more specialized details, so a beginner can follow along. At the same time, the range of equipment and brewing styles gives experienced coffee drinkers something to examine.

This is not the best choice for a rushed schedule, a large group that needs plenty of room, or anyone determined to roast and grind every sample personally. It may also be a poor match if you are sensitive to caffeine. One couple reported unusually energetic dreams after the tasting, so keep the number of samples in mind if caffeine affects you strongly.

Practical Details Before You Book

You receive booking confirmation at the time of reservation. Most people can take part, and no special fitness level is listed. The activity begins and ends at Café del Mural, so transportation from your hotel is your responsibility.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted.

I would send the provider a short message before booking if any of these points matter to you:

• Will the class be private for your group?
• How many people will attend?
• Will participants roast or grind coffee themselves?
• Is the included coffee one 200-gram bag per booking or divided among the group?
• Will the presentation be given in English, and can the guide speak slowly and clearly?

These questions are not needless fussiness. They address the few areas where the experience can differ from what a first-time reader might expect.

Is Cartagena Coffee Masters Worth Booking?

I would book Cartagena Coffee Masters if you enjoy coffee, want a substantial morning activity in Getsemaní, and value learning how a cup is made. David’s enthusiasm, the range of preparation methods, and the take-home coffee give the $85 price a reasonable basis.

I would not book it expecting a guaranteed roast-your-own workshop. Think of it as a guided coffee class with demonstrations and tastings. Confirm the group size and hands-on details first, then arrive ready for a talkative, caffeine-heavy morning.

For the right person, this is one of Cartagena’s more distinctive food experiences. You leave with a better sense of Colombian coffee, several cups to compare, and a bag that lets the lesson continue at home.

FAQ

Where does Cartagena Coffee Masters begin?

The activity begins at Café del Mural, at Cl. de San Juan #25-60 in Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the coffee experience last?

The listed duration is approximately two hours. Some sessions have lasted longer, so allow extra time if you plan something immediately afterward.

Does the tour include coffee tastings?

Yes. Four to five coffee samples are included, with some sessions featuring five or six varieties prepared using different methods.

Is coffee included to take home?

Yes. The inclusions list a 200-gram bag of premium coffee. Confirm how the amount is divided if several people are traveling together.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation to and from your hotel is not included. The experience ends back at Café del Mural.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.