Highlights
- Explore Cartagena's romantic neighborhoods
- Take a cooking class with Latin America's best chefs
- Shop in Colombia's best markets
- Relax on an island getaway
- Bathe in an active volcano
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 2 | Walking Tour of Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 3 | Market Trip & Cooking Class | Cartagena |
| Day 4 | Day-Trip to Volcano & Private Dance Lesson | Cartagena |
| Day 5 | Arrive in the islands | Isla Baru |
| Day 6 | Explore the islands | Isla Baru |
| Day 7 | Depart Cartagena |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cartagena
Welcome to Cartagena! This romantic colonial city, with its colorful architecture, magical sunsets, and vibrant Caribbean culture, is Colombia's most popular destination. Your driver will pick you up at the airport and take you directly to your hotel where you can drop off your luggage and rest or head out and start enjoying what the city has to offer.
Be sure to plan on having dinner out as Cartagena boasts restaurants that are owned by some of Latin America's most famous chefs. Your local guides will be happy to offer helpful suggestions or assist you in booking reservations.
Day 2: Walking Tour of Cartagena
A private bilingual guide will pick you up in the morning directly from your hotel for a four-hour tour of Cartagena. You will see beautiful colonial homes, La Popa Monastery, the Walled City, San Pedro Claver Church, and more of the historic district before heading to the modern district and the island of Tierra Bomba.
After having lunch inside the Old City, you'll head out for a guided coffee tasting. You will learn about the particular attributes of specialty coffee through a delicious sensorial experience at one of the best and most specialized coffee shops in the country. Let your specialist know if you'd like to enhance this experience by adding in a pairing of different varieties of Colombian honey or rum.
The evening is free for you to make your own dinner reservations and sample some of the city's legendary nightlife.
Day 3: Market Trip & Cooking Class
Today, you'll start the day with a trip to Cartagena's buzzing fruit and vegetable market. A private driver will take you to meet your bilingual guide, who will take you on a tour through Cartagena's emblematic meeting place where farmers and merchants offer produce and products from all corners of the country. After you explore the market, you'll begin your cooking class where local chefs will teach you about the ingredients and local flavors behind some delicious Colombian dishes. You will then enjoy a three-course lunch prepared by you and the group.
In the afternoon, you will have time to rest and relax, or walk around the walled city and enjoy Cartagena on your own. You can end the day with an optional private cruise to watch the sunset, which travelers say is not to be missed!
Day 4: Private Dance Lesson
Today, a driver will take you just a few kilometers outside of Cartagena to see the Totumo Mud Volcano, where volcanic mud is constantly flowing inside. The locals claim that the mud has medicinal properties, but it's definitely great for your skin. Climb a wooden staircase to the summit and dive into the mud (make sure you take an old bathing suit that you don't mind getting dirty!) before receiving a relaxing massage. After you're done, you can rinse off in Totumo Lake. Not interested in a full-body mud treatment? Skip the volcano and take a mangrove tour with local fishermen instead.
Your driver will take you back to your hotel where you can clean up and change for your private dance lesson in Cartagena. You'll learn how to dance the local favorites like Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, and Bachata before you're left to your own devices during the fun and boisterous practice segment.
You'll have the rest of the night free, but consider going out to some local dance clubs to test your newfound dance skills!
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Arrive in the Islands
Today, you will leave your hotel in Cartagena and take a boat to the beautiful islands of Cartagena. Depending on your choice, you'll head to a luxury eco-resort in Baru, a private island with a boutique hotel, or Isla Mucura with its stunning and secluded beach. After you check in at your island hotel, you'll have the rest of the day free to relax and walk along the beach.
Day 6: Explore the Islands
Today, the day is free for you to take on as many or as few activities as you'd like! You will can snorkel or dive, swim, sunbathe, go kayaking, take a short hike, join a cooking class, or simply relax on the beach. If you'd like to learn more about the area's natural wonders, you can take a tour of the mangroves with some local fishermen or learn about bioluminescent plankton on an evening excursion.
Day 7: Depart Cartagena
It's time to say goodbye to Colombia! Enjoy your last morning in the islands and have a leisurely breakfast on the beach. A representative will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport in Cartagena so that you can catch your flight home.
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