Highlights
- Explore the desert-like landscapes of the La Guajira Peninsula
- Step through colonial history in Santa Marta and Cartagena
- Bathe in a mud volcano and go hiking, kayaking, and tubing
- Stay in the tropical Rosario Islands and enjoy a full beach day
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santa Marta, City Tour | Santa Marta |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Palomino, Tubing on the Don Diego River | Palomino |
| Day 3 | Visit Indigenous Cultures | Palomino |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Riohacha, Free Time | Riohacha |
| Day 5 | Visit the Manaure Salt Flats, Uribía & Cabo de La Vela | Riohacha |
| Day 6 | Visit the Taroa Dunes & Punta Gallinas | Riohacha |
| Day 7 | Visit the Beaches of Mayapo | Riohacha |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Minca, Coffee Farm Tour, Swim in Waterfalls | Minca |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Tayrona National Park, Full-Day Hike | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 10 | Visit the Beaches of Tayrona | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Cartagena, Bike Tour | Cartagena |
| Day 12 | Boquilla Mangrove Tour, Totumo Volcano Mud Bath | Cartagena |
| Day 13 | Boat to the Rosario Islands, Snorkeling & Bioluminescence Tour | Rosario Islands |
| Day 14 | Beach Day in the Rosario Islands | Rosario Islands |
| Day 15 | Boat to Cartagena, Free Time | Cartagena |
| Day 16 | Depart Cartagena |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Santa Marta, City Tour
Welcome to Colombia! You've landed 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.
At the appointed time, meet your guide and explore the city's major landmarks, including the Cathedral Santa Marta (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.
Day 2: Transfer to Palomino, Tubing on the Don Diego River
This morning you'll take a two-hour private transfer east toward Palomino, a small coastal town nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Caribbean Sea. This town has laid-back, bohemian charm and offers a tranquil escape blending natural beauty and relaxed beach vibes.
Drop the bags at your hotel because you're tubing on the Don Diego River this afternoon. After a 15-minute walk through the forest, you'll throw out your tube and enjoy a relaxing float down the river. During the experience, look for howler monkeys, a great variety of birds, butterflies, and even the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada. On arrival at the mouth of the river, you'll find a scenic, untouched beach where you can relax for a while before heading back upstream in a boat.
Day 3: Visit Indigenous Cultures
Today's enchanting experience takes you to one of the Indigenous communities that inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Learn about environmental conservation from these millenary communities that consider this mountain the center of the universe. Together you'll walk through the lush green jungle, gaining new perspectives on how the forest teems with life. You'll also walk along the Palomino River and have the opportunity to take a dip at the nearby beach.
From there, you'll reach the house of Mamo Agustín in Seviaka. There, you'll be invited to share with the community and learn about their customs and cosmology.
Day 4: Transfer to Riohacha, Free Time
Today the journey continues westward. At the appointed time, a private driver will collect you for the 80-minute coastal drive to the culturally rich city of Riohacha. As you arrive in Riohacha, you'll be greeted by stunning Caribbean beaches, where turquoise waters meet golden sands. Wander the streets exploring colorful colonial architecture, or relax on the sand.
The rest of the day is yours to explore as you wish. Visit the bustling markets and meet lively street vendors to see local life. Stroll along the Malecón, a waterfront promenade lined with palm trees, and witness breathtaking sunsets over the sea. You can also delve into the local Wayuu Indigenous culture, known for its vibrant textiles and intricate handicrafts.
Day 5: Visit the Manaure Salt Flats, Uribía & Cabo de La Vela
This morning you'll leave Riohacha for a trip to the desert-like landscapes of the La Guajira Peninsula, with its stunning dunes and otherworldly beauty. Your first stop is the Manaure Salt Flats, one of the most famous places where you'll visit the ponds where salt is extracted by hand. Continue to Uribia, the Indigenous capital of La Guajira, and then continue for two hours to Cabo de La Vela. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at the lodge ahead of an active afternoon.
Later you'll hike up to Pilon de Azucar, a sacred place of the Wayuu community. It takes around 20 minutes to climb to the top along a very steep path, but the 360-degree view makes your efforts worth it. When you return to ground level, reward yourself with a swim at the beach. You'll have time to rest at Playa Dorada and Ojo de Agua and watch an incredible sunset before returning to the ranchería.
Day 6: Visit the Taroa Dunes & Punta Gallinas
After breakfast, you'll continue exploring the peninsular. Today's first stop is Bahia Honda, a 2.5-hour drive away. You'll arrive in time for a relaxed lunch at a beachfront restaurant. Then you'll cross the arid desert to visit one of the most famous sites of La Guajira: the Taroa Dunes. This surreal natural wonder will leave you in awe as the expansive golden dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. The rolling hills of sand meet the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, with only the sound of the wind and gentle waves to break your gaze. If you wish you can take a swim.
Next, visit the secluded beaches and lighthouse at Punta Aguja, where you'll enjoy the beautiful sunset before continuing to Punta Gallinas. Drop your bags at the lodge and join a special Wayúu weaving activity. Get to know two local projects developed by the community of Bahía Hondita, learn about the Wayúu cosmogony, and then enjoy dinner.
Day 7: Visit the Beaches of Mayapo
This morning you'll set out extra early for the five-hour journey to Mayapo, where soft golden sands, warm turquoise waters, and palm-fringed shores await. On arrival, you'll visit the Maliwala Refuge, a great place to enjoy traditional cuisine. Your light lunch will bring together some of the best dishes of Guajira gastronomy.
This afternoon you'll have time to enjoy the stunning beaches of Mayapo. This area is ideal for water sports because of good winds and reliable waves. Whether you choose to relax or hire equipment, be sure to maximize your time before the 40-minute transfer back to Riohacha.
Day 8: Transfer to Minca, Coffee Farm Tour, Swim in Waterfalls
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
This morning a driver will transfer you three hours to Minca, a mountain village located on the coastal hillsides of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Remote Minca is seemingly a world away from the bustling Caribbean coast, and the higher mountain air is cooler too. In addition, the Minca River provides an environment for verdant vegetation and exotic birds to thrive.
First, you'll visit the coffee farm La Victoria, located nearly 3,000 feet (900 m) above sea level. This farm has one of the most efficient coffee mills in Colombia, and during a two-hour tour, you'll get to explore the whole process of La Victoria coffee, from the harvest to the cup. After a coffee tasting, you'll continue in a 4WD vehicle to the beautiful waterfalls of Marinka, where you'll have time to cool off in the crystalline waters of this place surrounded by nature.
Day 9: Transfer to Tayrona National Park, Full-Day Hike
Today you'll rise early for a short 50-minute drive to Tayrona National Park with the help of a private transfer. On arrival, lace up your hiking boots and prepare for a full-day adventure uncovering the natural beauty of Tayrona National Park. In this lush wonderland, 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 simply 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 10: Visit the Beaches of Tayrona
In the morning, you'll head out on a day trip to some of the most secluded and scenic parts of Tayrona. First up is Playa Gairaca, a little-visited beach almost hidden from view, meaning you'll have it primarily to yourself. Then, stop at Mirador Siete Olas. This lookout point offers incredible views over an idyllic bay with fierce waves crashing on the beach.
Afterward, rest on the vast and inviting sands that fill the bays in Tayrona. Later you can board a boat for a 10-minute ride to your last destination, Crystal Beach (Playa Cristal). Here a sweep of hill-backed white sand meets those famously clear waters. You'll have plenty of time to relax, swim, and snorkel around the reefs before you return to your hotel.
Day 11: Transfer to Cartagena, Bike Tour
Today's destination is Cartagena, a coastal gem on Colombia's Caribbean coast. A private transfer will take on the four-hour drive to the city. Drop your bags and start exploring the enchanting walled city, 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.
This afternoon you'll see Cartagena's neighborhoods 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. You'll also walk through Manga Cemetery, the city's oldest, and then continue to the waterfront for a relaxing end to the tour.
Day 12: Boquilla Mangrove Tour, Totumo Volcano Mud Bath
Today you'll visit Boquilla, a small fishing village about 30 minutes north of Cartagena. The area is popular with nature lovers due to the mangrove forests along its shores. Explore them up close with a guided canoe tour around the coast and lagoon. It's an excellent opportunity to spot exotic birds like green parrots, egrets, and the scarlet ibis. After the tour, enjoy a refreshing cold coconut as you tour the village and explore its Afro-Caribbean roots.
Later you'll visit the Totumo Volcano, a cone-shaped volcano located by a freshwater lagoon. Here you'll enjoy a therapeutic and relaxing bath in a warm mud pool that's 1,630 feet (500 m) deep, but don't worry; the mud is so thick that it is impossible to sink. Afterward, wash off in the nearby lagoon and enjoy the unique atmosphere or a relaxing massage before the return to Cartagena.
Day 13: Boat to the Rosario Islands, Snorkeling & Bioluminescence Tour
This morning a private driver will transfer you to the port of Cartagena for your stay on the captivating Rosario Islands, just 62 miles (100 km) away. Board a shared boat for the 45-minute journey and check into your hotel once you arrive at this tropical paradise.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the warm, crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea. Indulge in sun-soaked relaxation, swim in the azure waters, or take a stroll along the pristine shoreline. You can borrow snorkeling equipment to explore this underwater world with colorful fish, but it's after dark that the real show begins. When darkness falls, experience a natural spectacle where the plankton's bioluminescence glows whenever you move in the water. Join a small-group tour and swim among these natural lights in the open sea.
Day 14: Beach Day in the Rosario Islands
Day 15: Boat to Cartagena, Free Time
After a leisurely breakfast, you'll take the boat back to Cartagena, where a private driver will transfer you from the port to your hotel. Once settled, you may visit the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. This 16th-century fortress offers stunning city views and a glimpse into Cartagena's colonial history. Another option is to explore the Mercado de Bazurto, a bustling market with fresh produce, seafood, and local crafts. Or simply relax at one of the city's beaches, such as Playa de Bocagrande or Playa Blanca.
Later you'll join a local guide at Café Cocktail del Mar, a laid-back al fresco terrace that's perfect for watching the sunset. Spend your final evening in Colombia sipping cocktails, dancing to music, and enjoying unobstructed sea and city views from the top of the wall as the sun sets on your final full day.Day 16: Depart Cartagena
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