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active 5 days ago

David Roa Martín

As a young boy, I found immense joy in immersing myself in the tales my grandmother shared with me over coffee and arepas, recounting her life in a quaint Colombian Andean town. Alongside that, I held a deep desire to explore the diverse landscapes of this breathtaking land, which were beautifully captured in the stunning photos and exhilarating hikes presented by my teacher, Andrés Hurtado García.

Fueled by this inspiration, I pursued a degree in hotel management and tourism in Colombia, driven by the goal of merging travel and work while getting acquainted with the awe-inspiring geography of my homeland. Over the course of the past decade, this journey has enabled me to stay abreast of the latest travel trends and evolve into a dedicated professional who values ethics and sustainability.

Today, my profound passion lies in inspiring and encouraging others to embark on their own journeys and fall in love with the wonders of my country.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"As one of the most diverse countries on the planet, I could say that there are many Colombias and that the country offers different ways to be travelled.

Personally, I really enjoy trips to nature, which in Colombia is breathtaking and wild. There are several natural parks and civil reserves that are worth visiting to get to know the different tropical ecosystems: jungles, mountains, forests, islands, coasts, savannahs, deserts... a paradise for nature lovers.

But as varied as our nature is, so are our people, whose hospitality and happiness is in fact one of the things most appreciated and remembered by those who visit the country.

For this reason, I like to plan and organise trips of all kinds: a mixture of nature, culture, tours of towns and cities, enjoying the gastronomy, the beach and the joy of the Colombians.

I am excited to talk about Colombia and I will be happy to help you planning your dream trip in our country! "

How did you get involved in travel?

"During my time at school, we used to embark on mountain hikes around Bogotá, an experience that aimed to instill in us a deep appreciation for nature. Coupled with my fascination for history and maps, this early exposure fueled my curiosity for travel from a young age. Consequently, I made the decision to study tourism, enabling me to embark on personal journeys for work, education, family adventures, romantic escapades, and everything in between, ranging from weekend getaways to year-long expeditions.

Through these endeavors, I have been fortunate to explore and reside in numerous countries, relishing in the cultural and natural diversity both within Colombia and across the globe. Traveling has proven to be an incredibly enriching and educational endeavor, offering me unparalleled experiences and invaluable lessons. It is a passion I wish to continue pursuing, while also inspiring and assisting others along their own journeys."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Each trip is unique and special and has given me stories, learning and new friends, that's why I love each of my trips so much.
However, this question reminded me of my visit to the small island of Providencia in the Colombian Caribbean in 2018. When you work in tourism, it is usually difficult to disconnect travel from work. But on this occasion I managed to do it and had a proper holiday.
With hikes through green mountains and forests, a spectacular multicoloured sea, horse racing on the beach, fresh seafood, reggae, calypso and a lot of good vibes, we felt like we were in paradise.
We toured the little island dozens of times in a golf cart, stopping at wild and paradisiacal beaches, talking and sharing with the locals and enjoying the sun, nature and life.
Since then, Providencia has stayed in my heart and is my favourite place in Colombia without a doubt!"

David is part of the following groups: Colombia Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries

Recent trip reviews for David

Memorable trip to Colombia that exceeded all expectations
Colombia | Oct 16 - Oct 25, 2023

Sonja
Sonja N.
Jersey City, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 26, 2023
This trip, thanks to the planning and recommendations from our KimKim coordinator David, exceeded all expectations. I traveled with close friends to several cities in Colombia. Though we have all traveled together before, we weren't as familiar with the highlights in the country and were grateful for a (few) draft itinerary from David, who helped us plan the trip of our dreams. Every activity and guide were incredible, with unexpected additions. For example, we signed up for a rum tour in... Read more

This trip, thanks to the planning and recommendations from our KimKim coordinator David, exceeded all expectations. I traveled with close friends to several cities in Colombia. Though we have all traveled together before, we weren't as familiar with the highlights in the country and were grateful for a (few) draft itinerary from David, who helped us plan the trip of our dreams. Every activity and guide were incredible, with unexpected additions. For example, we signed up for a rum tour in Cartagena, and received a personalized experience with a wonderful guide Cami, who was an expert in rum, and the extra perk that it included chocolate pairings, with chocolate made in house. Other wonderful guides included Sarah, who showed us around the central market in Bogota and shared the bountiful fruits of Colombia with us; Jorge, who spent much of Cartagena with us, going above and beyond to help us understand the vibrant city on foot and by bike; and Gloria, who demonstrated our cooking class and gave us the best meal of the whole trip. We left with a rich knowledge of the country and a thirst to learn more about the history and the language. We will absolutely be recommending KimKim to friends and family!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Don Pedro De Heredia
Cartagena de Indias

This beautiful hotel was perfect for our multi-night stay in Cartagena. We visited the pool everyday, to escape the heat, and the rooftop everynight, to unwind before bed and recount our packed days of exploring. The complimentary breakfast always provided hot coffee and the fuel we needed for our travel.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful floorplan overlooking the pool
Location
Nearby the night life of Cartagena with a great view of the streets and cathedrals from the roof
Staff
Lovely staff who helped give us dinner recommendations
Cleanliness & Comfort
The AC broke in both rooms we had but the staff was quick to fix it. A broken window also caused us some discomfort, as a mosquito gave us a visit in our room one night.
Hotel Islabela

Such a great experience and way to see the Rosario Islands. Staff was very kind and attentive. On site animals entertained us, including island dogs, cats, and chickens. All of the outings were worth the added expenses.

Authenticity & Character
Wish I could give more than 5 stars for character!
Location
Staff
Thank you to David and Chris for all of your help and for welcoming us!
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was hard getting used to the lack of AC in the bungalows but the fans helped alot. The outdoor showers were so beautiful and the staff worked hard to keep the common areas (beachside and dining area) clean.
Activity Reviews
Cartagena Bike Tour
Cartagena Bike Tour
Cartagena
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fruits of Colombia Food Tour + Gourmet Coffee Tasting
Fruits of Colombia Food Tour + Gourmet Coffee Tasting
Bogotá

Our guide Sarah made this one of the most special tours we went on! The fruits were all so fresh and we carried her wise words home with us. We also loved the coffee tasting, we learned so much from the lovely staff at the cafe.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cartagena Street Food Tour
Cartagena Street Food Tour
Cartagena
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rum Tasting
Rum Tasting
Cartagena
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Market Visit & Cooking Class
Market Visit & Cooking Class
Cartagena

This was such an incredible experience! It was great to pick out our ingredients and learn how to make some classic Colombia staples (patacones, ceviche, coconut rice, juice). Gloria was an amazing chef and teacher

Quality of Experience
Food
Best of the trip!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: David Roa Martín

Colombia travel experience
Colombia | Aug 5 - Aug 16, 2023

L
Leslie B.
Wayne, MI | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2023
Our trip to Colombia, which included Medellin, Popayan, San Austin, and Bogota, was great! We had never used a tour company before and were very happy with our experience! David, the contact with Chaska tours, the local company, helped up plan a trip that we wanted that included urban experiences, countryside experiences, and exposure to the culture and people of Colombia. We also had an opportunity to practice our Spanish, as we requested, with guides who were also competent in English for... Read more

Our trip to Colombia, which included Medellin, Popayan, San Austin, and Bogota, was great! We had never used a tour company before and were very happy with our experience! David, the contact with Chaska tours, the local company, helped up plan a trip that we wanted that included urban experiences, countryside experiences, and exposure to the culture and people of Colombia. We also had an opportunity to practice our Spanish, as we requested, with guides who were also competent in English for those times when we needed to make the switch. David and other staff were accessible to us via WhatsApp throughout the trip and were responsive, helpful, understanding, and quick to address any concerns that we had. We had, on the whole, excellent tour guides, and the availability and skill of the drivers made the whole experience feel secure and predictable. We are already thinking about what our next KimKim trip will be and we 100% recommend KimKim.

Local specialist: David Roa Martín

Best ever "adventure honeymoon!!"
Colombia | Jun 28 - Jul 7, 2023

Emily Rae
Emily Rae B.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Aug 07, 2023
David and the team made our "Adventure Honeymoon" so special! David was so helpful and responsive, from breakfast suggestions to helping us manage a last minute change in our schedules. We felt like we had a friend helping us along the way, ready to step in if we needed help. We had a magical time with our guide in Bogota, who even arranged for vegetarian-friendly options on our bike/walking tour. We had never worked with kimkim before but will certainly come back for more. Thanks for... Read more

David and the team made our "Adventure Honeymoon" so special! David was so helpful and responsive, from breakfast suggestions to helping us manage a last minute change in our schedules. We felt like we had a friend helping us along the way, ready to step in if we needed help. We had a magical time with our guide in Bogota, who even arranged for vegetarian-friendly options on our bike/walking tour. We had never worked with kimkim before but will certainly come back for more. Thanks for everything David!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Kartaxa Cartagena
Cartagena

Super beautiful hotel in the heart of Cartagena. We loved the courtyard, breakfast, and rooftop view!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senda Koguiwa
Santa Marta

Beautiful location, friendly staff, very relaxing place to hang for a few days :)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Isla Mucura
Isla Mucura

Beautiful location and friendly staff! We loved that the rooms had AC and had a great time snorkeling and on the jellyfish tour. Took off one star for two reasons: 1) it was difficult to schedule snorkeling and other tours (but we really enjoyed them once we were scheduled!) and 2) we got food poisoning (probably from the buffet). Overall though I'd still recommend this spot -- especially if you're traveling with kids!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Biking in Bogotá
Biking in Bogotá
Bogotá

We love bikes and bike tours so this was a perfect way to kick off our time in Colombia. Our local guide (she was amazing!) and her colleague (who had biked all over Colombia!) took us all around town, sharing Bogota with us. Really an unforgettable experience learning about the local art, history, and food. Thank you for making this day so special!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: David Roa Martín

Colombia Tour Review
Colombia | Jun 2 - Jun 12, 2023

Peter
Peter F.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2023
David was responsive and helped us craft a tour that was personalized for our interests. The trip offered excellent variation. Read more

David was responsive and helped us craft a tour that was personalized for our interests. The trip offered excellent variation.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Casa Deco
Bogotá

The hotel is in a nice location. The rooms are attractive. The hotel is small so you feel more welcome and cared for as compared to large hotels. The problem was that the room faced a busy street. So, I was kept awake by roaring motorcycles, cars honking, people talking on the street... This particularly affects me because I am a light sleeper.

Waira Suites
Leticia

The Leticia hotel was nice. The food was good. We were only in the hotel one night and we left early in the morning so it is hard to say much about it. The Puerto Narino hotel was excellent. The breakfast was good. The location was good. The staff were friendly.

Hotel Akuamarina
Santa Marta

The room was fine. The breakfast was good. The location was a little ways away from the tourist area but it we could comfortably walk to the area. The location seemed like it was not entirely safe but that may just have been our imagination. The hotel does not look like much from the street. Nonetheless, there were no issues whatsoever.

Quetzal Dorado Ecolodge
Zaino

An absolutely beautiful hotel. The main area had a fabulous view. The rooms were gorgeous - totally unique from anything we have ever been to. The food was excellent.

Waira Selva Hotel
Puerto Narino

See the comments with the Waira Suites in Leticia.

Hotel Don Pedro De Heredia
Cartagena de Indias

The hotel has character. Our room was quiet but our friends were in a room that faced the street. The noise kept them awake. The staff were friendly and helpful. We did not eat breakfast at the hotel because our boat tour started too early. The breakfast they packed for us was good.

Activity Reviews
Fruits of Colombia Food Tour
Fruits of Colombia Food Tour
Bogotá

Fabulous guide. She was informative, friendly, and helpful. We were surprised that there was so much to learn about the fruits (e.g., their benefits).

Bogota's Essentials (City Tour & Monserrate)
Bogota's Essentials (City Tour & Monserrate)
Bogotá

The guide was superb. She was informative, friendly, and helpful.

Leticia & Puerto Nariño (4 Days/3 Nights)
Leticia & Puerto Nariño (4 Days/3 Nights)
Leticia and Puerto Nariño

Being in the Amazon was an experience of a lifetime. Our guide was incredible.

Cartagena Bike Tour
Cartagena Bike Tour
Cartagena

Our friends went on this and said that it was excellent.

Walking tour in Cartagena's Historic Center
Walking tour in Cartagena's Historic Center
Cartagena

Our guide was very knowledgeable.

Rosario Islands Day Trip
Rosario Islands Day Trip
Cartagena

Our friends went on this and had an excellent experience and said that the island was beautiful. My wife had food poisoning (likely from food eaten on the walking tour). So, we did not go on the tour.

Cartagena Street Food Tour
Cartagena Street Food Tour
Cartagena

The food was tasty. The guide was knowledgeable. We were a little nervous about whether all of the street food was safe to eat or not. Nonetheless, there were no issues.

Local specialist: David Roa Martín
David
David Roa Martín
Local specialist in San Agustín | Replied on Jul 21, 2023

Hi Peter,

I want to express my sincere gratitude for taking the time to write this review. You cannot imagine how valuable your feedback is to us!

I also want to thank you all for selecting Colombia as your holiday destination. It makes me happy to hear that you had a wonderful time here and that your trip plan was enjoyable and offered a diverse experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the various facets of our country.

Designing this trip for all of you was a pleasure :)

Warm regards,

David.

Memorable trip in Colombia
Colombia | May 20 - May 28, 2023

S
Sara M.
Nicetown-Tioga, PA | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2023
We had such a wonderful trip to Colombia thanks to David and his team. We stayed 2 nights each in Bogota, Salento, Tayrona, and Medellin. We loved the diversity in experiences from cities and cultural tours to beaches, forests, and mountains. Overall, the service was great at all hotels. We always felt safe and really appreciated that there was always a driver waiting for us during airport transfers. The only thing we would change, if possible, would be to decrease the number of flights -... Read more

We had such a wonderful trip to Colombia thanks to David and his team. We stayed 2 nights each in Bogota, Salento, Tayrona, and Medellin. We loved the diversity in experiences from cities and cultural tours to beaches, forests, and mountains. Overall, the service was great at all hotels. We always felt safe and really appreciated that there was always a driver waiting for us during airport transfers. The only thing we would change, if possible, would be to decrease the number of flights - have direct flights instead of connections. We've written about a few highlights of the trip below:

Bogota: 1) Fabiola greeted us warmly at the airport and showed us around the highlights in the city. In addition to the various tours she guided us on, she helped me get set up with a Colombian sim card. We enjoyed learning about the city from her and also practicing our Spanish with her. 2) Highly recommend the fruit tour. The guide, Maria, is exceptionally knowledgeable about everything in the market. We loved her passion for biodiversity and our immersive experience learning about the different species of fruits. 3) We enjoyed the hike in Chingaza for beautiful plants, flowers, and landscapes, It was very muddy and rainy, which was actually a fun challenge for us!

Salento: We loved our hotel. The views were beautiful and the food was delicious. Our tour guide, Carlos, gave us a wonderful tour of the Cocora Valley, pointing out many birds and giving explanations of the plants. He showed us his family's work-in-progress DIY infusion cafe and created a delicious tea for us with herbs grown in the garden.

Tayrona: Hotel had amazing food and we enjoyed hanging out by the pool after hiking in Tayrona Park. We were happy to pick mangos from the hotel garden and eat them for dessert.

Medellin: Sebastian led us on a wonderful "transformation" tour of Medellin. We learned so much from him on the history and culture of Medellin. Highly recommend him as a guide for anyone visiting Medellin.

Activity Reviews
Fruits of Colombia Food Tour
Fruits of Colombia Food Tour
Bogotá
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Big Bogotá City Tour
Big Bogotá City Tour
Bogotá
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Hike in Chingaza National Park
Day Hike in Chingaza National Park
Bogotá
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour to Salento & the Cocora Valley
Tour to Salento & the Cocora Valley
Salento
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee Farm Tour in Finca El Ocaso
Coffee Farm Tour in Finca El Ocaso
Salento
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour Peñol & Guatapé
Tour Peñol & Guatapé
Medellín
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: David Roa Martín
David
David Roa Martín
Local specialist in San Agustín | Replied on Jun 06, 2023
Hi Sara and Sushant, We wanted to sincerely thank you for taking the time to write this comprehensive review. We truly value your feedback as it helps us continue creating wonderful trips. I have already shared your comments with the group of guides and drivers who accompanied you during your journey, and they are delighted as well. It's fantastic to hear that you had a positive experience with our team and found the service at all the hotels to be excellent. Also, thank you for choosing... Read more

Hi Sara and Sushant,

We wanted to sincerely thank you for taking the time to write this comprehensive review. We truly value your feedback as it helps us continue creating wonderful trips. I have already shared your comments with the group of guides and drivers who accompanied you during your journey, and they are delighted as well. It's fantastic to hear that you had a positive experience with our team and found the service at all the hotels to be excellent.

Also, thank you for choosing Colombia for your holidays :)

We're thrilled that we were able to make your trip to Colombia a memorable one, and we hope you can share these experiences with your family and friends back home to inspire them to visit Colombia too!

Warm regards,

David

Colombia experience
Colombia | Feb 14 - Feb 28, 2023

J
jeffrey C.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2023
David was very responsive and helpful. There were some minor glitches, but David did his best to do service recovery and make things right. Francisco in Villa de Leyva was incredibly knowledgeable in multiple fields.
Daniel in Medellin was very engaging and went out of his way to help us. The driver in Medellin (we never got her name) was also lovely and lively.
Guillermo in park Tryona was also terrific.
Read more

David was very responsive and helpful. There were some minor glitches, but David did his best to do service recovery and make things right.

Francisco in Villa de Leyva was incredibly knowledgeable in multiple fields.
Daniel in Medellin was very engaging and went out of his way to help us. The driver in Medellin (we never got her name) was also lovely and lively.
Guillermo in park Tryona was also terrific.

Hotel Reviews
GHL Capital
Bogotá
Authenticity & Character
Location
Airport hotel
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
BH La Quinta
Bogotá
Authenticity & Character
Location
I’m
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Quinta Ladera
Medellin
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel y Spa Getsemani
Villa de Leyva
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Canabal Hotel Boutique
Cartagena de Indias

Problems with hot water but staff was accommodating as best they could

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Villa Maria Tayrona, a Kali Hotels
Los Naranjos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Fruits of Colombia Food Tour
Fruits of Colombia Food Tour
Bogotá
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira
Visit the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira
Colombia
Quality of Experience
I’m
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walking Tour of Villa de Leyva
Walking Tour of Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Daytrip: Silletera Culture in Santa Elena & La Piedra de Guatapé
Daytrip: Silletera Culture in Santa Elena & La Piedra de Guatapé
Medellín

Great experience with the flower grower

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour to Ráquira pottery town & La Candelaria Monastery
Tour to Ráquira pottery town & La Candelaria Monastery
Villa de Leyva

Never made trip due to time

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to Minca: Coffee, mountains and waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Visit to Minca: Coffee, mountains and waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Colombia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santa Fé de Antioquia – Hidden Colonial Treasure
Santa Fé de Antioquia – Hidden Colonial Treasure
Medellín
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boquilla Mangrove Tour
Boquilla Mangrove Tour
Cartagena

Could have skipped entire day

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: David Roa Martín
David
David Roa Martín
Local specialist in San Agustín | Replied on Mar 13, 2023

Hi Jeffrey,

Thank you very much for your feedback, for this and all the feedback you sent us during your trip. It has been really valuable for me and our team and we have taken note of all your observations for future journeys.

It was a pleasure for me to assist you from our first call to the last message we exchanged upon your arrival home. I am glad to read that Diane and you in general enjoyed your trip and we hope that Colombia holds a memorable place among all the trips you have made to other countries.

It was very nice to meet you :) See you next time!

Outstanding Service.
Colombia | Jan 10 - Feb 5, 2023

Frank
Frank G.
Cuba, IL | Reviewed on Feb 09, 2023
I gave this Five Stars. It could have been 10 Stars. First, I had a great experience with lining up a trip that suited MY needs. The service was patient with me, always adapting to what I wanted to do and never pushing me. Second, once I arrived in Colombia, David (tour coordinator) kept in constant contact with me. this was most appreciated. And finally, I had a real Passport problem that necessitated a major change in my itinerary. this could have been a real issue. But David... Read more

I gave this Five Stars. It could have been 10 Stars. First, I had a great experience with lining up a trip that suited MY needs. The service was patient with me, always adapting to what I wanted to do and never pushing me.

Second, once I arrived in Colombia, David (tour coordinator) kept in constant contact with me. this was most appreciated.

And finally, I had a real Passport problem that necessitated a major change in my itinerary. this could have been a real issue. But David got right on it and things were worked out and I went right on with my tour.

I would highly recommend KimKim to anyone. Very professional.

Local specialist: David Roa Martín
David
David Roa Martín
Local specialist in San Agustín | Replied on Feb 10, 2023

Hi Frank,

Thank you for your kind comments. I'm so glad we were able to help you enjoy your trip to Colombia just as you wanted. I'm sorry about your passport, but fortunately, we were able to sort it out and I hope it didn't cause you any major problems.

It was a pleasure to assist you. We hope you come back soon! :)

Columbia Indigenous cultures trip
Colombia | Dec 9 - Dec 21, 2022

Freya
Freya S.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jan 01, 2023
The trip plan David developed for us involved travelling through three diferent parts of the country, Tayrona National Park, the Guajira and the Orinoco, and gave us an idea of Colombia's amazing cultural diversity and natural beauty, just as we had hoped. We have both fallen in love with the country and are very much wanting to go back. It's difficult to say what were the highlights of the trip, as the thing we appreciated most was the possibility to travel, stay and eat with local people,... Read more

The trip plan David developed for us involved travelling through three diferent parts of the country, Tayrona National Park, the Guajira and the Orinoco, and gave us an idea of Colombia's amazing cultural diversity and natural beauty, just as we had hoped. We have both fallen in love with the country and are very much wanting to go back. It's difficult to say what were the highlights of the trip, as the thing we appreciated most was the possibility to travel, stay and eat with local people, and getting an insight, even if only for a few days, into their way of life. Tayrona was the most familiar in feel as we have travelled in rainforests and stayed in eco-lodges before so it was a good place to begin. You feel as if you are in the clouds slightly above the treeline, and we counted a dozen different bird species just from our bedroom window. We could have gone into the nature reserve nearby but instead walked by ourselves along the road to the coast to orient ouselves. The reward was a blissful view of the Caribbean at Los Cocos in unspoiled natural glory - the forst reaching into the sand, a couple of local families playing football, a dog running freely in the sunset. At Los Naranjos nearby there is a botanical garden with the most beautiful trees.

The food and cocktails at Tayrona kept up the holiday feel but nothing could have prepared us for what happened next, which was when the real adventure began. We were driven to Riohacha which has an amazing frontier city feel - which is indeed the case, as after this comes the desert. Before dawn the next day we were picked up from the hotel by Paola, the leader of the local company who took care of us for the next few days, by Leiner, our guide, and by Oder, the driver, who himself is Wayuu. We could not have felt more welcome and also in safer hands. This is important as it has to be stressed that this is not country in which you can casually venture on your own. It is a place where it is necessary to respect the local people who live here. It is also difficult country, beautiful but inhospitable, and it needs intimate knowledge to get around. Oder the driver was also vital as it is very rough territory for even a 4-wheel drive. He was brilliant, keeping us steady whatever the ground, and taking time so we never felt remotely in danger. Leiner was a terrific guide: knowlegeable, friendly, fluent in English and possessing fantastic people skills. We enjoyed stunning views of windswept landscapes with sparse vegetation but amazing birdlife including Red Cardinals, eagles, vultures and hawks. The sea is everywhere. Attending a local sea turtle conservation project and learning about the way solar technology is used to produce drinking water in this parched land was an inspiring example of grassroot -level community renewal: small scale, local and democratic.
After a quick stopover in Bogota we prepared for a flight to Puerto Carreno, and transferred to 4x4 to reach the Orinoco river. The first sight of the river (the second biggest in the world) was truly unforgettable. Under the guidance of Rosevelt our extremely practical and competent guide, and two lovely travel companions, we spend the next few days travelling down the Orinoco by boat, staying at Tuparro biosphere reserve, Sarrapia, and El Remanso in the Mavecure. There is something unusually lovely about the Orinoco river: the abundance of flora and fauna, the geology with its striking rock formations, and the rapids described by Alexander von Humboldt as the eighth wonder of the world. But the most important thing for us was understanding the river as the lifeblood of so many different communities; connecting different places, providing water and food, as well as identity and belonging. While we felt our lack of Spanish imposed limitations on the way we interacted with people we nevertheless learned so much about the ways in which indigenous communities in the region are connecting traditional ecological knowledge to solutions to the contemporary environmental crisis while protecting their cultural heritage. And, as we discovered while watching the World Cup finals in El Remanso, the language of football really is universal. While tourism can be a highly ambiguous phenomenon (something of which people locally are very much aware), you feel that communities here are managing to get the balance right, and have created infrastructure that allows people to see the astonishing natural abundance of the region, and learn about its cultural diversity, without doing damages or changing its character. Let's hope it stays this way.

Hotel Review
Quetzal Dorado Ecolodge
Zaino

What a lovely spot! The view from the central terrace opens out over the valley, the river and the mountains in the distance and is almost impossibly beautiful. We particularly appreciated the emphasis on sustainability. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere relaxed. Special compliments to the kitchen staff for the very tasty food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Streams and mountains in Tuparro National Park
Puerto Carreño

In terms of sheer natural beauty, this is one of the most astonishing places we have ever visited, with every changing vistas and a final view of the Orinoco rapids. Edgar, the guide who took us op the mountain was incredibly friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the area and its flora and fauna.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trip to Cabo de La Vela & Punta Gallinas 3 days - 2 nights
Trip to Cabo de La Vela & Punta Gallinas 3 days - 2 nights
Colombia

This was an astonishing and beautiful experience, made possible by Leiner our amazing guide and Oder who drove us so safely. At the heart of it is an encounter with the Waiyuu people. The natural landscapes are incredible, topped only by seeing the turtle project explained at the Punta Gallinas community centre. We watched pelicans at sunset but we most enjoyed learning from our guides.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
I would put ten stars here if possible.
Transport
Hiking to Cerros de Mavecure
Hiking to Cerros de Mavecure
Inírida

The Mavecure may be the most beautiful place we have ever seen. The hike is incredible we are told but forgive us as we chose instead to watch the world cup final with the local community. This was unforgettable.

Quality of Experience
Food
River fish.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Rosevelt is just so capable. He looks after you without saying a thing.
Transport
The boats. Never travel by car ever again.
Local specialist: David Roa Martín
David
David Roa Martín
Local specialist in San Agustín | Replied on Jan 03, 2023

Hello Freya!

It was lovely to read this wonderful review of your trip, knowing that you were happy, that it left you with very good impressions and that you plan to return to Colombia.

We really appreciate that you took the time to write it and I will share your comments with Paola and Rosevel; I'm sure will make them as happy as I am now.

Thank you very much and I hope you come back soon! :)