Cartagena Coffee Masters

Cartagena Coffee Masters turns a simple cup into a full lesson in Colombian coffee. At Café del Mural, guide and coffee specialist David explains beans, roasting, brewing gear, and coffee culture while preparing several samples for you. The setting is small and personal, with plenty of character.

I like the chance to taste four to five coffees prepared in different ways, and I like that the $85 price includes a 200-gram bag of premium coffee to take home. The main caution is that the session may be more of a demonstration than a hands-on workshop. You should not assume you will roast and grind your own beans.

Key points to know

• David leads the session: His humor, coffee expertise, and passion are central to the experience.
• Café del Mural is in Getsemaní: You meet at Cl. de San Juan #25-60 and return there at the end.
• Expect a tasting and lesson: The class covers coffee history, bean types, roasting, and brewing methods.
• Four to five samples are included: Coffee styles range from light to dark, with several preparation methods.
• You take coffee home: The package includes 200 grams of premium coffee.
• Allow about two hours: Some sessions have run longer, especially with larger groups or extra discussion.

What happens inside Café del Mural

The experience takes place entirely at Café del Mural, a distinctive coffee shop in Getsemaní. You do not travel to plantations or farms, so this is not a countryside coffee tour. Instead, you spend the session in one carefully designed space, watching coffee being prepared and learning how small changes affect the cup.

The café was created by an engineer who became a coffee artisan. That background helps explain the unusual mix of technical gear, brewing tools, and personal style. The space is part café, part working coffee lab, and part classroom.

At the scheduled 10:00 a.m. start, you meet at Cl. de San Juan #25-60. The address is in Getsemaní, but it can be a little hard to spot, so arrive with enough time to get your bearings. Hotel transportation is not provided. A taxi or ride service can bring you to the meeting point, but the cost is on you.

The class is private for your group, although the number of participants can vary. Some sessions have felt intimate with only a few people. Others have included a larger party and additional participants, making the room feel tight. If you are booking for a group, the size matters. The smaller the group, the easier it is to ask questions and follow each preparation.

Colombian coffee explained through several cups

The heart of the class is the coffee tasting. You receive four to five samples, and some sessions have included five or six coffees. The coffees may range from lighter to darker roasts, giving you a chance to compare aroma, body, bitterness, and other flavor differences.

This is useful even if you already drink coffee every day. Many people know whether they like coffee strong or mild, but fewer can explain how roast level, bean variety, grind, water, and brewing method shape the result. David connects those details to what you taste instead of treating coffee as a list of technical terms.

You also learn about coffee from a wider view. The session covers Colombian production, harvesting, exporting, global bean varieties, and the development of coffee preparation. Colombian beans receive much of the attention, but the class also explains how German, Italian, and Dutch technology influenced brewing equipment and methods.

That wider context is one of the best reasons to book this instead of simply ordering a pour-over at a café. You learn that Colombian coffee culture is not isolated from the rest of the world. The beans may come from Colombia, but the tools and techniques used to prepare them reflect many different traditions.

The included snacks help make the tasting more comfortable. You are drinking several cups in a fairly short period, so this is not a session to approach on an empty stomach. Alcohol is not included, though alcoholic drinks are available to buy.

Brewing methods, roasting, and what you actually do

The class includes demonstrations of roasting techniques and different brewing methods. David uses a range of preparation devices, and part of the fun is seeing how many ways one ingredient can be handled.

You can expect to watch the coffee being prepared, smell the differences between samples, and taste the results. The presentation is meant to show how brewing choices affect the final drink. Some sessions have included several preparation styles, with David explaining the background and purpose of each one.

Here is the important distinction: the experience description suggests that you will choose beans, roast them, and grind them yourself. That has not always happened. In several accounts, David performed the work as a demonstration while the group watched and tasted.

I would book this expecting a guided coffee class, not a guaranteed workshop where every participant roasts and grinds a personal batch. If hands-on practice is the main reason you are interested, confirm the current format before paying. If you are happy to observe a skilled presenter and sample the results, the class makes more sense.

The quality of the teaching can also depend on the day. David is often praised for being funny, warm, and willing to explain things at length. One session was described as difficult to follow because the guide spoke softly and quickly. If you have trouble hearing or understanding a point, speak up early and ask him to repeat it.

Why David makes the difference

David is the central personality of Cartagena Coffee Masters. The strongest sessions depend less on the room or equipment than on his ability to explain coffee in a relaxed way.

He covers coffee production, varieties, roasting, equipment, and preparation without rushing through the material. His humor helps keep a technical subject from becoming dry. One especially memorable touch is his use of 1980s and 1990s music references during the presentation, which gives the class a personal feel rather than a formal lecture.

The best part of his approach is the connection between information and taste. You do not simply hear that a light roast differs from a dark roast. You get to try different coffees and consider what changes in the cup.

That said, the class is presentation-led. Some people have found it engaging and interactive, while others expected more direct participation. The difference may come from group size, staffing, or the day’s setup. One session was affected by missing assistants, leaving the host to manage the entire class alone.

If you enjoy listening, asking questions, and comparing samples, you will likely get more from the experience. If you need constant activity, this may feel slow, especially if the class stretches past the advertised two hours.

The room and group size matter

The private format means only your group should participate, but the experience has not always felt equally private in practice. Smaller groups of around six people have allowed for an intimate setting and easy conversation. Larger groups have made the café feel cramped, with limited room for everyone to sit comfortably.

This is a practical issue, not a small detail. Coffee tasting involves sitting close to the preparation area, handling cups, and listening carefully. A crowded room can make it harder to see the demonstrations or ask questions.

The listed duration is about two hours. That is a sensible length for a tasting and lesson. Some sessions have lasted closer to two and a half or even three hours, especially when the discussion continued or the group was large.

I would protect your schedule after the class. Do not book a tight lunch reservation immediately afterward. Two hours is the stated estimate, but the actual timing may run longer.

The activity ends back at Café del Mural. Since there is no hotel pickup or drop-off, you are free to continue exploring Getsemaní afterward. The location makes this easy, though the tour itself does not include any neighborhood walking or sightseeing.

Is the $85 price fair?

At $85 per person, this is not a casual coffee stop. You are paying for a private class, several coffee samples, snacks, demonstrations, and 200 grams of premium coffee.

The take-home bag adds real value. Coffee lovers often wish they had bought more, and the included portion gives you a useful reminder of the tasting after you leave Cartagena. Some sessions have allowed participants to select a favorite from the coffees sampled or choose from pre-packaged options. The exact selection process may vary, so do not assume you will receive a custom roast.

The price also reflects the guide’s time. A skilled coffee professional explaining production, roasting, equipment, and brewing for two hours offers more than a standard café order. If you already own several brewing devices or have taken coffee classes before, the value depends on how much new information David can offer.

For a couple, the cost is easier to justify if both people enjoy coffee, food, or the story behind everyday products. For a non-coffee drinker, the experience may still work if they enjoy cultural lessons and tasting activities, but the price is harder to defend if they do not want several coffee samples.

The main value question is simple: are you paying for hands-on making or for expert presentation? At the moment, the safer assumption is presentation, tasting, and take-home coffee.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend Cartagena Coffee Masters most strongly to coffee fans who want to understand what they are drinking. You will get the most from the session if you enjoy comparing flavors, asking about preparation, and hearing how coffee moves from bean to cup.

It also suits visitors looking for a calm indoor activity in Cartagena. The session lasts around two hours and stays at one location, making it a useful break from walking in the heat. Couples, friends, and small families can all enjoy it, provided everyone is comfortable with a fairly talk-heavy format.

The experience is a weaker match for you if:

• You want to visit a coffee farm or plantation.
• You expect to roast and grind your own beans.
• You dislike long demonstrations.
• You need a guaranteed small group.
• You have limited time before another booking.
• You do not enjoy drinking several coffees in one sitting.

People who are sensitive to caffeine should plan accordingly. The class includes multiple samples, and one tasting session led to a very energetic evening for the participants. Snacks are included, but the coffee itself is the main event.

Booking, timing, and cancellation

The advertised start time is 10:00 a.m., and confirmation is provided at booking. The tour is commonly reserved about three weeks ahead, so I would not leave it until the last day if the date matters to you.

Meet at Café del Mural, Cl. de San Juan #25-60, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias. Transportation is not included, and the activity finishes at the same address.

Most people can participate. The experience is private for your group, but conditions inside the café can change with group size. If you need a particular arrangement, ask before booking.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times follow Cartagena’s local time.

Should you book Cartagena Coffee Masters?

Book it if you want a personal coffee lesson with a funny, passionate guide, several Colombian samples, and a bag of coffee to carry home. David’s explanations, the unusual brewing equipment, and the chance to compare different styles make this more useful than a standard café visit.

Go in with the right expectations. This is mainly a tasting and demonstration, not a guaranteed hands-on roasting workshop. Ask about current group size and participation details if those points matter to you.

For coffee lovers visiting Cartagena, I think the experience is worth considering, especially if you have a free morning in Getsemaní. For everyone else, the $85 price only makes sense if the cultural lesson and tasting sound as appealing as the coffee itself.

FAQ

Where does Cartagena Coffee Masters take place?

The experience takes place at Café del Mural, located at Cl. de San Juan #25-60 in Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

What time does the activity 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 your schedule is tight.

How many coffees will I taste?

The experience includes four to five coffee samples. Some sessions have included five or six varieties and different brewing styles.

Is a take-home coffee bag included?

Yes. The package includes 200 grams of premium coffee to take home.

Are snacks included?

Yes. Snacks are included in the experience.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation to and from your hotel is not included. You meet at Café del Mural and finish at the same location.

Is the activity private?

Yes. It is described as a private activity for your group. The number of people in the room can affect how spacious the session feels.

What is the cancellation policy?

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