Explore Colombia's Coffee Region & Caribbean Coast: Armenia, Cartagena & Isla Barú - 9 Days
Highlights
- Sample different coffees straight from the source in Colombia's Zona Cafetera
- Hike through a cacao plantation to spot birdlife and learn about cocoa farming
- Have dinner in Cartagena's historic Walled City overlooking the Caribbean Sea
- See macaws, toucans, and endemic birds at the National Colombian Aviary
- Soak up paradise on the pristine white sands and turquoise waters of Isla Barú
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Transfer to Armenia & the Coffee Region | Armenia |
| Day 2 | Coffee Finca, Cloud Forest & Salento in Valle de Cocora | Armenia |
| Day 3 | Day at Hacienda Bambusa Coffee & Cacao Farm | Armenia |
| Day 4 | Fly to Cartagena, Dinner at Candé | Cartagena |
| Day 5 | Cartagena City Tour, Chocolate Workshop, Dinner at Mistura | Cartagena |
| Day 6 | Drums & Music Workshop, Colombian Cooking Class, Dinner at Alma | Cartagena |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Isla Barú via National Colombian Aviary | Isla Barú |
| Day 8 | Discover Isla Barú | Isla Barú |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Cartagena, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bogotá, Transfer to Armenia & the Coffee Region
Welcome to Colombia! After you arrive at the main international airport, Bogotá Airport, you'll take a regional flight to Armenia. Armenia is the capital of the Departamento Quindío, located in the famous Zona Cafetera. This region in the Central Andes is a key player in Colombia's rich coffee culture and features beautiful natural and farming landscapes and ancient cultures. Meet your driver at the airport and enjoy a scenic 30-minute drive to your accommodation, a hacienda (a large estate or plantation with a house) in the lower Andean foothills, surrounded by rivers, forests, and farmland.
Settle in for your three-night stay at Hacienda Bambusa, a working cacao and coffee farm with over 500 cultivated acres (202 ha). Wander the grounds, take scenic walks around the farm, or grab a mountain bike and explore a little farther. Spend the day drinking coffee, relaxing by the pool, and resting in your private room ahead of tomorrow's adventures.
Day 2: Coffee Finca, Cloud Forest & Salento in Valle de Cocora
Today, you'll explore the lush Valle de Cocora within the Zona Cafetera, Colombia's "Coffee Triangle," on a full-day tour. Encompassing the departments of Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda, the area's mountainous terrain, ideal climate, and rich volcanic soil contribute to the production of exceptional coffee. Arrive after a 1.5-hour scenic drive at the entrance to the valley and stop for an hour to walk among the region's iconic wax palms (the tallest palm trees in the world) before ascending higher to the valley's cloud forests, where humidity and moisture create the misty, cloud-filled conditions.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Salento, then stroll through the town's streets to discover its colorful colonial-style buildings. Walk along Calle Real (Royal Street), lined with picturesque houses, shops, and restaurants, before heading to a finca (coffee farm) to learn about the meticulous process of growing high-quality coffee. Watch each stage of the process, including drying, milling, and roasting, and discover how each step influences the flavor profile. Then, sample a freshly brewed coffee and savor the rich, complex flavors before returning to your hacienda.
Day 3: Day at Hacienda Bambusa Coffee & Cacao Farm
Spend the whole day enjoying guided tours at your accommodation and cacao finca, Hacienda Bambusa—a working farm that delivers excellent views across the beautiful landscapes of the Coffee Region. Soak up flora and fauna aplenty with native trees, water springs, and more than 160 species of birds, including the buff-necked ibis, spectacled parrotlet, and rufous-tailed hummingbird. After breakfast at the farm's traditional house, you'll set off on a 45-minute guided hike through the cacao plantations.
As you walk around the property, spotting birdlife with your guide, you'll gain insight into the steps of cocoa production, from how the fruit is grown and harvested to how it's made into chocolate paste. After the hike, you can opt for a two-hour cocoa tasting. Enjoy a rich cup of hot cocoa with fresh Colombian-style cheese or a delicious arepa (corn pancake). You'll have the rest of the day free to cycle along the paths, relax by the pool, wander the picturesque gardens, or relax in a hammock with views of wax palms and the Andes.
Day 4: Fly to Cartagena, Dinner at Candé
Check out of your hacienda oasis and transfer to the airport for an approximately two-hour flight from Armenia to Cartagena de Indias. Meet your driver at the airport on arrival, transfer to your hotel, and start enjoying your first day (of three) in this vibrant city. With its spectacular sunsets, whimsical architecture, waterfront setting, and mouthwatering cuisine, it's the perfect place for anyone wanting to experience authentic Colombian Caribbean culture.
Take an afternoon stroll around the city to get your bearings and lose yourself in the historic streets of the Old Town, also referred to as the "Walled City." In the late afternoon, go for sunset drinks at Café del Mar on top of the old city walls. This popular bar has excellent sunset views and a fantastic atmosphere. Continue to Candé for dinner, which features a menu of Caribbean classics and fresh seafood accompanied by live music and dancing. After the meal, stroll down the cobbled streets of Cartagena's historic center before retiring to your hotel.
Day 5: Cartagena City Tour, Chocolate Workshop, Dinner at Mistura
Hit the cobbled streets after breakfast on a half-day guided walking tour of Cartagena, starting at Convento de la Popa, a convent founded in 1607 CE. Then, proceed to nearby San Felipe de Barajas, a massive hilltop castle built by the Spanish in 1536 CE. Upon returning to the UNESCO-listed Walled City, you'll stop at key sites like Plaza de la Aduana and Parque Bolívar. Be sure to see the canary-yellow Convento Santo Domingo, dating from 1552 CE. Finally, explore the bohemian neighborhood of Getsemaní, sipping Caribbean lemonade as you discover the city's best graffiti street art.
Afterward, learn how to produce your own chocolate directly from cacao beans. You'll participate in the "Bean to Bar" workshop at the ChocoMuseo (Chocolate Museum) in the Old Town. Learn the history of chocolate and prepare a legendary chocolate drink dating back to the Spanish conquest. At the end of the workshop, you'll leave with handmade chocolates customized to your specific taste. Finish your day with dinner at Mistura, a small restaurant in the Walled City with a globe-trotting menu that features fusion plates ranging from seafood cazuelas (stews) and ceviches to tacos and fried rice dishes.
Day 6: Drums & Music Workshop, Colombian Cooking Class, Dinner at Alma
Take a private transfer after breakfast to La Boquilla, one of the colorful fishing villages dotted along Cartagena's coastline, where the locals earn their living in the nearby mangrove ecosystems. Here, you'll dive into the music of Colombia, where dozens of distinct genres all share the uniquely Latin American thrum of percussion instruments. Discover these rhythms firsthand during a one-hour music workshop at a local drum school. There's no need to be shy—as locals say, "Play even if you don't know how; dance even if you don't move at all."
After you've experienced the dance rhythms of traditional music like cumbia, mapalé, and champeta, it's time for a cooking lesson. Cartageneros are rightfully proud of their Caribbean cuisine, and today, you'll learn about their most popular dishes, including coconut rice, ceviche, and fish soup, during a 2.5-hour workshop. First, meet your local guide and head to Bazurto Market to buy ingredients. Then, walk to a colonial house in the Getsemaní neighborhood to learn how to create classic dishes inspired by the diverse flavors and cultures of the Caribbean coast.
Sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch, then return to your hotel to enjoy its amenities and relax before dinner. In the evening, the culinary theme continues with dinner at Alma. Translating to "soul," that's exactly what this restaurant puts into every dish, which includes regional classics like seafood casserole and ceviche. Afterward, return to your accommodation for your last night in Cartagena.
Day 7: Transfer to Isla Barú via National Colombian Aviary
Check out of your Cartagena hotel this morning and meet your driver for a one-hour transfer to Isla Barú, a picturesque tropical islet connected to the mainland via road. Once you arrive, you'll visit the National Colombian Aviary, one of the best bird sanctuaries in the country. Wander the paths, spotting endemic birds such as macaws, parrots, toucans, and more, then hop back in the car for a quick trip to your hotel located directly on the island's pristine beaches.
Isla Barú is known for its warm breezes, soft white sand beaches, lush tropical flora, and turquoise waters. Spend the afternoon snorkeling or swimming, relaxing by the hotel's freshwater pool, being pampered at the spa, or strolling on the beach. With bicycle tours, cooking classes, and workshops to choose from, you'll find lots to do. Then, take your pick from the hotel's restaurants and bars to sample fresh seafood and tropical cocktails.
Day 8: Discover Isla Barú
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Today is free for you to relax in your island paradise, or take on as many or as few activities as you'd like. You can snorkel or dive, swim, sunbathe, kayak, take a short hike, join a cooking class, or relax on the famous Playa Blanca. If you'd like to learn more about the area's natural wonders, tour the mangroves with some local fishermen or learn about bioluminescent plankton on an evening excursion. Be sure not to miss the dazzling sunset, then have dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants serving delicious coastal staples like fried fish, plantains, and coconut rice.
Day 9: Transfer to Cartagena, Depart
It's time to say goodbye to Colombia! If you have time, take an early stroll around the historic walled city before the streets get busy, enjoying the colonial architecture, picturesque plazas, and flower-covered balconies in the gentle morning light. Then, savor a last taste of Colombian coffee and local pastries like arepas de huevo (egg-stuffed corn cakes) or pan de Bono (Colombian cheese bread) at a cozy café. If you're after last-minute souvenirs, stop by Las Bóvedas, historic vaults once used as dungeons but now a market for local artisanal crafts, jewelry, and art.
Then, meet your driver for a 1.5-hour transfer to Cartagena's airport. Safe travels, wherever the road takes you next!
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