Highlights
- Rest your feet and ride Medellin's metrocable, the city's iconic gondola car system
- Explore the dangerous past and innovative urban growth of Medellín
- Watch majestic whales playing just offshore
- Relax in thermal pools surrounded by jungle
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Medellín | Medellín |
| Day 2 | Flight to Bahía Solano | Bahía Solano |
| Day 3 | Hot Springs & Utría National Park | Bahía Solano |
| Day 4 | Explore Bahía Solano (free day) | Medellín |
| Day 5 | Depart Medellín |
Day 1: Arrive in Medellín
Welcome to Medellín! You will be picked up at the airport and then transferred to a hotel nearby.
Despite its turbulent past, Medellín today is quite charming with its beautiful mountain setting, friendly locals, and vibrant culture. Most of the city's tourism is centered around Parque Lleras in the heart of the trendy El Poblado district, where the best dining, nightlife, and hotel options are within easy reach. You can take a ride on the city's gondola (metrocable) to see the views, or walk around the various parks, plazas, and museums. Either way, enjoy the weather—due to a high elevation near the equator, the city has year-round spring temperatures.
Depending on the time of your flight, you can sightsee on your own or explore the city with an English-speaking guide and learn more about this thriving, modern city from a local perspective. (Optional add-on.)
Day 2: Flight to Bahía Solano
This morning you'll fly to Bahía Solano—a small, peaceful fishing village on the Pacific coast that is rarely visited by tourists. A driver will pick you up from the airport for your transfer to a hotel where you can settle in your room. After lunch, enjoy a walk around the surroundings. Bahía Solano is located next to a sheltered bay with small waves, or head for more unspoiled beaches (and bigger waves) along the Pacific, as well as trails throughout the lush rainforest.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Hot Springs & Utría National Park
Today, you'll visit Jurubirá, a warm and colorful fishing village in Colombia's Chocó region. For a sense of how remote and undeveloped this area is, residents operate on a cash-only basis (there are no banks or ATMs).
Right away you will have an opportunity to enjoy the area's thermal hot springs, followed by a visit to the rugged Utría National Park, which spreads out over a mind-boggling 130,000 acres. The park has a very rich ecosystem covering mangroves, rainforests, coral reefs, and beaches on the Pacific coast with an infinite number of animal, bird and fish species. If you're visiting between July and October, be on the lookout for the yubarta (humpback) whales that mate and give birth to their offspring close to shore—quite a spectacle!
Day 4: Explore Bahía Solano (free day)
There are several activity options for your free day in Bahía Solano! Here are a few ideas on how to spend your free day:
- Visit the remote beach of "Huina", a popular spot with locals.
- Hike to the waterfall "El Tigre" or trek through the Boro Boro jungle (quite the adventure).
- Ride a traditional canoe along the Rio Tundo.
- Experience local art and visit the unique houses of El Valle.
A late afternoon flight will take you back to Medellín.
Day 5: Depart Medellín
It's time to say farewell to Colombia! Enjoy your last moments in the beautiful city of Medellín with a leisurely breakfast, city stroll, and/or souvenir shopping. A representative will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return flight home.
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