Jewels of Tropical Colombia

Upon arrival in Medellin, you will be met at the airport and transferred to hotel. Overnight in Medellin. 

After breakfast, spend your day exploring Medellin or the surrounding region. You may want to take a full day excursion to El Penol & Guatape, where you can climb the imposing Penol Rock, explore the picturesque village of Guatape, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and tour the Guatape reservoir by boat. Or take a half-day Social Transformation tour of Medellin, learning about the social and cultural transformation of a city that just 20 years ago, was one of the most dangerous cities in the world, but today, is a peaceful and innovative metropolis boasting some of Colombia’s finest artistic treasures. And if you love beautiful weather, indigenous culture, and flowers, you may consider a half-day tour visiting the rural city of Santa Elena, the homeplace of silleteros or traditional flower vendors. Overnight in Medellin. (B)

Breakfast and transfer to Medellin airport for flight to Santa Marta. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel near Tayrona National Park. Overnight in Magdalena. (B)

Breakfast and transfer to Canaveral, where you will trek through the forest and its many microclimates, finally arriving at Arrecifes, one of the park’s most scenic areas. Take in the beauty and drama of its restless seas crashing on huge boulders before walking along the coast to La Piscina, a naturally calm stretch of beach ideal for bathing. Then it’s on to the unforgettable El Cabo de San Juan de Guia, known for its picturesque towering boulders. Enjoy some free time on the beach before returning to Canaveral in the afternoon for transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Magdalena. (B)

Breakfast and transfer to Santa Marta’s airport for your flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Overnight stay or optional excursion for Cartagena’s Sunset Cruise.Enjoy a boat trip sailing through the Bay of Cartagena on board the Sibarita Express. Experience Cartagena’s colorful sunsets and spectacular skyline while watching the orange sun slowly dip into the surrounding Caribbean Sea before returning to the city. Music on board and open bar of rum and Coke, rum punch, lemonade, water, and sodas. (B) 

Today is yours to explore this stunning Caribbean city. One option is the half-day Panoramic City Tour that will take you through all the major sights of the city, including San Felipe Fortress, Ciudad Vieja, and Las Bovedas, a collection of archways built into the city wall of Cartagena that today houses dozens of handicraft shops. Or, you may want to choose the half-day Cooking La Boquilla excursion. In this charming fishing village, you will meet a local fisherman who will take you in his canoe to cross the Ciénaga de Juan Polo. Learn some tricks of catching fish while he shares details of his work and stories that reflect the cultural elements of his community. After fishing, take a cooking class in the house of a local family guided by a native cook to prepare what you caught in a wood-burning stove, then enjoy the beach. Overnight in Cartagena. (B)

After breakfast, take a 45-minute shared boat ride to the Rosario Islands. There, you will have the freedom to relax and enjoy the island of white sand and turquoise waters with included lunch. Boat returns in the afternoon. Overnight in Cartagena. (B)

Breakfast and transfer to Cartagena’s airport for your flight. (B)