Cartagena Coffee Masters

At Café del Mural in Getsemaní, coffee master David turns a small, characterful café into a classroom. You’ll taste four or five Colombian coffees, compare brewing methods, and hear how coffee moved from farm to cup. The coffee comes with a story, not just a caffeine charge.

I like the personal feel and David’s mix of technical skill, humor, and enthusiasm. I also like the practical finish: a 200-gram bag of premium coffee is included, so the lesson continues at home. The main caution is that this may be more of a demonstration than a hands-on workshop. Some sessions have not included choosing, roasting, or grinding your own beans.

Key points to know before booking

• A private coffee session in Getsemaní: Your group meets at Café del Mural and finishes at the same place.
• Four or five coffee samples: You’ll compare different beans, roast levels, and brewing styles.
• David leads the lesson: His humor and passion are a major part of the experience.
• A useful souvenir is included: You receive a 200-gram bag of premium coffee.
• The class can run longer than two hours: Most sessions are planned for about two hours, but some have lasted two and a half to three hours.
• The hands-on promise needs caution: Expect demonstrations and tasting first, rather than guaranteed roasting and grinding by each participant.

Inside Café del Mural in Getsemaní

The experience begins at Café del Mural, at Cl. de San Juan #25-60 in Getsemaní. This is not a bus tour with a large group moving from one attraction to the next. You walk into a coffee shop and settle in for a focused session built around the drink in front of you.

That setting matters. Coffee is easy to treat as a quick Cartagena pick-me-up, but this class gives you time to slow down and ask what changes from one cup to another. The café itself has local charm, and its owner, David, is the person who gives the session its character.

The start time is 10:00 a.m. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the address. One person found the location a little tricky to locate, so do not cut it close if you are unfamiliar with Getsemaní. Hotel transportation is not included, and you make your own way to the café.

The activity is private for your group, though the physical space can feel close if several people are included. A larger group has previously found the room uncomfortable when extra participants joined. Ask about group size when booking if personal space matters to you.

David’s lesson on Colombian coffee

David is an engineer turned coffee artisan, and that background shapes the class. You get the craft side of coffee, including roasting and extraction, along with the machinery and method behind different cups.

He also covers coffee history, Colombian production, exporting, harvesting, marketing, and branding. The lesson reaches beyond the familiar idea that Colombia simply makes excellent coffee. You learn how coffee traditions have also been shaped by German, Italian, and Dutch equipment and techniques.

I especially like this broader view because it helps you understand why coffee can taste so different even when it comes from the same country. The bean matters, but so do roast level, grind, water, equipment, and preparation time. You leave with a better sense of what to ask for in a café and what to try at home.

David’s style is part of the appeal. He has been described as funny, warm, and willing to spend extra time answering questions. Music references from the 1980s and 1990s have even found their way into the presentation. That gives the class an informal edge rather than the feel of a stiff lecture.

Still, communication can vary. Some participants have found David’s English difficult to follow because he speaks softly or quickly. If you miss a point, ask him to repeat it or speak up. The experience is strongest when the group interacts with him instead of treating the session as a speech.

Four or five cups, several brewing methods

The heart of the morning is the tasting. You’ll sample four or five coffees, often comparing lighter and darker roasts as well as different brewing methods. The exact selection can vary, but the point is to notice how preparation changes the final cup.

Café del Mural has an unusually broad collection of coffee preparation devices. David uses that equipment to show how the same basic ingredient can produce different aromas, body, acidity, and finish.

You may taste a coffee prepared one way, then try another method that brings out a different quality. This is the most useful part for anyone who buys beans but relies on one familiar coffee maker at home. The lesson shows that a disappointing cup is not always the fault of the beans.

Snacks are included, which helps break up the tasting. Alcoholic drinks are not included, though they can be purchased separately. This is a coffee-focused experience, so do not expect a cocktail pairing or a full meal.

Coffee quality is naturally subjective. Most of the praise has centered on the flavor and the range of samples, but one session left a participant unhappy with the cups served. I would treat that as a reminder that coffee preference is personal, and that not every roast or brewing style will suit every palate.

What hands-on really means here

The wording around participation deserves a close look. The experience is presented as a chance to explore roasting and brewing, and some descriptions suggest that you may choose a bean, roast it, and grind it yourself.

That has not always happened. Several participants expected to handle the beans but instead watched David perform the steps and explain them. In practice, you should book this as a guided demonstration and tasting unless the operator confirms that hands-on roasting and grinding will be part of your particular session.

That distinction does not make the class worthless. A good demonstration can teach you more than a rushed activity where everyone handles equipment for a few minutes. But if your main goal is to roast your own beans, use a grinder, or prepare every sample yourself, contact Impulse Travel before booking.

The session has also varied in length. It is advertised at about two hours, yet some classes have lasted two and a half or even three hours. That can be a pleasure if you want a slow, detailed coffee lesson. It can feel long if you expected a quick tasting before sightseeing.

The 200-gram coffee bag is a real part of the value

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest cup of coffee you will buy in Cartagena. You are paying for a private lesson, multiple samples, snacks, the host’s time, and a 200-gram bag of premium coffee.

The included bag improves the value, especially if you are serious about coffee. It gives you a concrete souvenir instead of another trinket, and you can use what you learned when you brew it at home. Some people have received a full bag, while another account describes each person receiving half a bag. Confirm the exact arrangement if the quantity matters to you, though the stated inclusion is 200 grams of premium coffee.

The value also depends on your interest. If you already know your way around roast levels, brewing equipment, and extraction, you may find the introductory material familiar. If you enjoy food and drink classes, want context for Colombian coffee, or are curious about brewing gear, the cost makes more sense.

I would compare it with the cost of a private cultural activity in Cartagena, not with the price of an ordinary café visit. The experience gives you time with a specialist and a souvenir you will actually use. It is a better buy for two coffee fans than for someone who drinks coffee only when necessary.

Timing, group size, and comfort

The listed duration is approximately two hours, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The tour ends back at Café del Mural, so there is no final transfer to arrange. You can continue exploring Getsemaní afterward, but transportation to and from your hotel is your responsibility.

The private format is a strong point. You are not joining a giant sightseeing group, and your questions can shape the lesson. Couples and small friend groups are likely to get the most from this setup.

Space is the practical concern. One small group found the room tight when eleven people were present. Another account described the class as intimate with about six people. Those details suggest that comfort depends heavily on the size of the booking and how many groups are placed in the room.

If you dislike close seating, ask how many people will attend before you pay. If you are traveling with a larger family or friend group, the private format may still work well, but do not assume that a large group will have classroom-style space.

Most people can participate, and no special fitness is required. The activity takes place at the café rather than requiring a long walk or physical exertion.

How the experience fits into a Cartagena visit

This is a good morning activity during a stay in Cartagena. The 10:00 a.m. start leaves the afternoon open for the old city, museums, shopping, or a slower lunch in Getsemaní.

It also gives you a break from the usual sightseeing rhythm. Cartagena is full of churches, plazas, fortifications, and street life. A coffee class offers something quieter and more local in feeling, while still connecting you to an important Colombian product.

The setting in Getsemaní adds to the appeal. You are not being taken to an isolated farm or a rural plantation, so this is not the right choice if you want to see coffee growing at altitude or watch commercial harvesting. Instead, you get the urban coffee culture of Cartagena, presented by someone who works closely with the product and its preparation.

That makes the activity especially useful early in your trip. After the class, you may look at café menus differently and have a better idea of why one preparation costs more than another. You may also discover a roast or brewing method you want to seek out elsewhere in Colombia.

Who should book Cartagena Coffee Masters

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Coffee lovers who want more than a standard tasting.
• Couples looking for a small, unusual activity in Getsemaní.
• Visitors interested in Colombian coffee history and preparation.
• People who enjoy learning from an owner who is closely involved in the business.
• Anyone who wants to take home a practical souvenir.

It is less suitable for someone who wants a farm visit, a short 30-minute tasting, or a guaranteed workshop where every participant roasts and grinds beans. It may also frustrate you if you need a fully polished English presentation or dislike being seated in a compact room.

The guide makes a big difference. David has earned praise for his warmth, humor, technical skill, and patience. At the same time, the quality of the session can suffer if the host is rushed, assistants are absent, or the group is too large. Confirm the start time and expected group size, especially during busy travel periods.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book Cartagena Coffee Masters if you want a thoughtful coffee lesson with several samples, a personal host, and a 200-gram bag to take home. The strongest parts are David’s passion, the range of brewing methods, and the chance to understand Colombian coffee beyond a simple cup.

Go in expecting a demonstration-led class, not guaranteed hands-on roasting. If you confirm the group size, arrive early at Café del Mural, and treat the two-hour schedule as flexible, this can be one of Cartagena’s more distinctive food and drink experiences. If your priority is farm scenery or hands-on bean processing, spend your $85 elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does Cartagena Coffee Masters begin?

The experience begins at Café del Mural, Cl. de San Juan #25-60, 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?

It is planned to last about two hours. Some sessions have lasted two and a half to three hours.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

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

How many coffees will I taste?

You will receive four or five coffee samples, with different coffees and brewing styles included in the session.

Is food included?

Snacks are included. Alcoholic drinks are not included, but they are available to purchase.

Do I receive coffee to take home?

Yes. The experience includes a 200-gram bag of premium coffee.

Is the class private?

Yes. It is a private activity for your group only. The available space can feel tight with larger groups, so confirm the expected group size if that is important to you.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.