Adventure in Colombia: Culture, Nature, Cuisine & City Life - 14 Days

Highlights

• Visit the big cities of Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena
• Explore a coffee-growing region and its colorful towns
• Go hiking in a national park, and tour archaeological sites on horseback
• Join street food tours and learn to make ceviche
• Join a day trip to the tropical Rosario Islands

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Bogotá, Explore

Welcome to Colombia! A driver will be waiting for you at Bogotá airport, ready to transfer you to your hotel. Nestled in the Andean highlands, Colombia's capital exudes an energetic and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The city's character is shaped by its colonial heritage, reflected in its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and charming neighborhoods like La Candelaria. Settle into your hotel, then set out to explore.

Consider walking around La Candelaria, the historic center, to soak in beautiful colonial architecture, colorful buildings, and narrow streets lined with cafés and restaurants. Take a cable car ride up to Monserrate, a mountain overlooking the city, for breathtaking views and a historic church. Or explore Chapinero, a vibrant neighborhood known for trendy bars, restaurants, and cafés. There's no rush to explore as tomorrow you'll join a special highlights tour, so this afternoon, you can simply relax in one of the city's many parks, such as Parque Simón Bolívar or Parque de la 93.

Day 2: Fruits of Colombia Food Tour, Bogotá Walking Tour, Tejo Game

Colombia's fruits come in a variety of colors, sizes, and flavors, and today you'll explore the full breadth with a private guide and fruit dictionary. Walk through some of the food stalls at the Plaza de Mercado while hearing about the market's history and meeting local vendors. Taste 15 fruits, three fresh juice shots, and other Colombian snacks.

This afternoon you'll further get to know Colombia's capital with a half-day guided tour ticking off the city's most famous sights. Start at Plaza de Bolívar, the main square and seat of government. Learn about its neoclassical Catedral Primada—Bogotá's largest cathedral. Visit the famous Gold Museum to see more than 34,000 pre-Columbian gold artifacts. And explore culture at the Museo de Botero. Later you'll learn the art of tejo, a traditional game about meeting friends and enjoying music, food, and beers. You'll learn to play, make new friends and enjoy empanadas together.

Day 3: Fly to Pitalito, Transfer to San Agustín, Coffee Farm Tour

After breakfast, a private driver will take you to the airport to fly to Pitalito in the southern region of Colombia, where picturesque landscapes of rolling hills and fertile valleys await. On arrival, another driver will transfer you back in time to San Agustín, nestled in the Andes. This small town is renowned for its rich archaeological heritage, breathtaking natural beauty, and coffee growing.

Day 4: Visit the San Agustín Archaeological Park, Horseback Archaeology Tour

This morning you'll explore the impressive San Agustín Archaeological Park on a half-day tour. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to a number of pre-Columbian statues and artifacts, so there's plenty to see. Start with a visit to the archaeological museum, followed by a walk in the park, where you can meander among gigantic stone idols and sacred tombs that peek out from the verdant rainforest.

Later, join a horseback ride to explore four archaeological sites with an expert local guide. Cross the rural landscape to La Pelota to admire three statues. Several feet away, El Purutal has four more statues, two with their original color. Continue to El Tablón to see five more, classified as female, and explore the small ethnographic museum. Next is La Chaquira, an archaeological site with different human and animal figures carved into volcanic stone that look toward the impressive Magdalena River canyon, one of the most spectacular views in San Agustín.

Day 5: Transfer to Popayán, Gastronomic Tour

This morning take a 3.5-hour private transfer from San Agustín to Popayán, the "White City." What makes Popayán truly special is its rich cultural heritage and architectural beauty. It's renowned for its well-preserved historic center, adorned with whitewashed buildings, elegant churches, and cobblestone streets. You'll find prestigious universities, museums, and cultural festivals celebrating Indigenous and colonial history here.

Day 6: Fly to Medellín, Medellín Transformation Tour

This morning you'll take a short transfer to Popayán's airport for your flight to Medellín, Colombia's second-largest city. On arrival, a private driver will take you to your hotel. Medellín has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, shaping its character as a vibrant and progressive metropolis.

Day 7: Street Food & Market Experience, Tango Culture

Colombia's cultural melting, you'll join a unique culinary walking tour to taste the city and country's most emblematic street food. Try delicious empanadas and buñuelos or arepa filled with homemade cottage cheese, and sample desserts. Medellín is a foodies' paradise where you can sample fried treats and popular sweets. You'll explore a small local market and enjoy mouthwatering exotic fruits and fresh juice until it's time to get ready for tonight's experience. 

The legendary Carlos Gardel helped to make Medellín a popular spot for tango outside of Argentina, and tonight you'll explore the local dance culture. Sit down and savor the flavors of Colombia while being serenaded by the melodies of tango music. As the night unfolds, witness the graceful movements and intricate footwork of professional tango dancers, who effortlessly convey the emotions and intensity of this iconic dance. 

Day 8: Day Trip to Santa Elena & La Piedra de Guatapé

Today's day trip from Medellín combines the beauty of flowers in Santa Elena with the awe-inspiring Piedra del Peñol in Guatapé. Begin your adventure in the charming village of Santa Elena, nestled in the mountains just a short distance from the city. Discover the place where flower arrangements have become a trademark, particularly during Medellín's grandest festival, the Feria de las Flores. Delight in a visit to an organic flower farm, savor local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the traditional culture of the mountain villages.

Continue your journey through lush green hills to Piedra del Peñol, one of the region's most breathtaking destinations. Ascend the 656-foot-high (200 m) monolith, conquering around 740 steps to reach the summit. From there, be rewarded with awe-inspiring panoramic vistas encompassing islands, mountains, and a sprawling blue lake. Guatapé is a quiet and small place with a pleasant climate and colorful paintings decorating the village's houses.

Day 9: Fly to Santa Marta, City Tour, Transfer to Tayrona National Park 

This morning take a private transfer to the airport for your flight north to the Caribbean coast. You'll land in Santa Marta, Colombia's oldest city, founded in 1525. A private driver will transfer you to your hotel ahead of this afternoon's walking tour. Over a few hours, you'll explore the city's significant landmarks, including the Cathedral (whose foundations date to 1531), Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, and the hacienda where Simón Bolívar, the great Libertador and Venezuelan president, spent his last days.

Wander through Santa Marta's historic center with your guide and visit a coastal viewpoint in the adjacent fishing village of Taganga before taking a 90-minute private transfer to Tayrona National Park.

Day 10: Hike Tayrona National Park

Lace up your hiking boots and prepare for a full-day adventure uncovering the natural beauty of Tayrona National Park, a lush wonderland where the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta meets the Caribbean coast. You'll trek along natural trails that wind through the forest and offer stunning sea views. You might spot howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas, deer, armadillos, and various species of birds such as toucans, parrots, and eagles.

The hike takes you along forest trails to Arrecifes Beach, where you can take a dip in the still waters of a natural pool. Continue walking for 20 minutes until you reach Cabo San Juan del Guía, where you can snorkel, marvel at the landscape, or bask in the sun. As the afternoon approaches, head back to Arrecifes and then to the Cañaveral sector for your return to your hotel.

Day 11: Transfer to Cartagena, Bike Tour

This morning you'll take a 4.5-hour transfer to Cartagena, a coastal gem on Colombia's Caribbean coast. This beautiful walled city has been shaped by its rich Afro-Caribbean heritage, evident in its music, dance, and cuisine. The UNESCO World Heritage site is a maze of cobbled streets adorned with colorful colonial buildings and bougainvillea-covered balconies, and this afternoon you'll explore by bike.

Start in Getsemaní on Holy Trinity Square, with lively restaurants, street musicians, and colorful murals. Visit the home of Florentino Ariza, the main character in the novel "Love in the Time of Cholera" by Colombian Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez. Then, cycle across the Roman Bridge toward the Manga neighborhood. Here, visit Villa Roman, a Moorish-inspired house built in 1929. Walk through Manga Cemetery, the city's oldest, then continue to the waterfront for a relaxing end to the tour.

Day 12: Day Trip to San Basilio de Palenque

Today you'll visit the town of San Basilio de Palenque, a landmark hub for Afro-Caribbean culture and history in Colombia. It was here in the 17th century that Benkos Bioho, a runaway enslaved person accompanied by 36 of his compatriots, founded what became the first slavery-free town on the continent. The people from this area are called palenqueros, and their language and traditions remain intact. You may have seen the palenqueras—women in colorful dresses who sell fresh fruit on the streets of Cartagena, as their forebears have done for centuries.

A private driver will collect you from your hotel for a 90-minute ride to this UNESCO World Heritage city. On arrival, a local guide will welcome you and share some of the local Palenquero dialect, distinctly Afro-Caribbean rather than Spanish. Together you'll embark on a walking tour of the town, meeting local artisans skilled in traditional craftwork like weaving and touring the sites. After exploring the village and its surroundings, sit down for a traditional (and delicious) Palenquero lunch. Then it will be time to head back to Cartagena. 

Day 13: Day Trip to Rosario Islands & Ceviche Workshop

Spend today exploring the captivating Rosario Islands, just 62 miles (100 km) north of Cartagena. Board a speedy boat at Bodeguita Pier and set sail for this tropical paradise. Upon arrival, find yourself at a private beach. You'll enjoy welcome cocktails and a delectable lunch with fresh seafood and aromatic coconut rice. Indulge in sun-soaked relaxation, swim in the azure waters, or take a stroll along the pristine shoreline. As the day draws to a close, return to Cartagena for your final evening in Colombia.

Cartagena is also a place where you can experience the Caribbean with a plate of food. This evening you'll learn how to make fresh ceviche using mango or fish, accompanied by patacones and plantain chips. You'll also learn how to make a passion fruit lemonade to accompany your meal. 

Day 14: Depart Cartagena

It's time to say goodbye to Colombia. If you still have time before your departure home this morning, visit the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. This 16th-century fortress offers stunning city views and a glimpse into Cartagena's colonial history. Explore the Mercado de Bazurto, a bustling market with fresh produce, seafood, and local crafts. Or relax at one of the city's beaches, such as Playa de Bocagrande or Playa Blanca.

When the time is right, a private driver will take you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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