Profile photo for Rafaja Hanna Bertele
1780 messages

Rafaja Hanna Bertele

I started working in tourism more than seven years after finishing me degree in history and spanish language in Germany. My responsivities within the agency include travel planning as well as tour guidance throughout the country. For me it is the perfect combination, because me experiences traveling around the country let me to life the travel experience first hand. So part of my time I'm in the office and the other time out in the field. Even though I have traveled a lot through the country, there is always something new to discover and it is always exciting. I was particularly impressed by the Caribbean, which is why I also declared the colonial city of Cartagena my new home.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I plan and organize trips throughout the whole country. The best is a good mix of city trips, nature, beach and culture. I personally recommend to focus on nature, as Colombia is the second country with the highest level of biodiversity. The best way to connect to nature is through hiking or trekking in one of the many national parks, this where my specialty lies. Colombia has so much more to offer than the beaten track, so I really like to be challenged with special requests and uncommon destinations, such as the Llanos or Amazonas region. I am also an expert for the Caribbean coast, because this where I have been living during the last seven years."

How did you get involved in travel?

"Seven years ago, when I first traveled to Colombia for a semester abroad, the country's tourism office was advertising with the slogan "The only risk is that you want to stay". I probably took this sentence a little too serious, because from the first day I fell in love with this fascinating, vibrant, colorful and contrasting country and I stayed."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One of my many unique travel experiences in Colombia was a few years ago at the pacific coast in Colombia during the whale season. At the first approach by plane to the municipy Nuqui the locals where already pointing the location of some whales by their water fountains. After arrival at a beautiful Ecohotel we went out by boat and after a while a humpback whale jumped out right next to the boat, I had goose bumps all over. But that was not the end of the show, a few minutes later the whale jumped again. The boat driver said ok, let’s go back, but then the whale jumped again and again. At the end we counted six jumps, even the local where impressed."

Rafaja Hanna is part of the following groups: Colombia Travel Agents
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Recent trip reviews for Rafaja Hanna

So glad we used this service!
Colombia | Dec 31 - Jan 9, 2022

Grace
Grace G.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Jan 21, 2022
So glad we used this service! COVID had really taken a lot of the fun out of planning trips since there was so much uncertainty and so many restrictions to keep track of. Rafaja's team made it so easy. We knew very little about Colombia coming in to the trip planning and Rafaja was so patient as we honed in on what we wanted and made recommendations that we never could have come up with on our own. A great example was when we went to the Pacific coast and people kept asking us how we... Read more

So glad we used this service! COVID had really taken a lot of the fun out of planning trips since there was so much uncertainty and so many restrictions to keep track of. Rafaja's team made it so easy. We knew very little about Colombia coming in to the trip planning and Rafaja was so patient as we honed in on what we wanted and made recommendations that we never could have come up with on our own. A great example was when we went to the Pacific coast and people kept asking us how we found out about the place since they never see people from the United States there. In addition to all the planning assistance, everything was seamless as we were traveling as well and it was easy to continue communication with Rafaja's team. With all the ideas and resources Rafaja provided we could easily do many more trips to Colombia!

Local specialist: Rafaja Hanna Bertele
Rafaja Hanna
Rafaja Hanna Bertele
Local specialist in Cartagena | Replied on Jan 24, 2022

Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback and thank you for traveling to Colombia. Wishing you all the best!

Mother-Daughter memories in Cartagena
Colombia | Jun 12 - Jun 18, 2021

Jamie
Jamie L.
Kentwood, MI | Reviewed on Jan 19, 2022
My 16 year old daughter & I took a trip to Cartagena, Colombia this past summer. I was a little nervous about a trip like this with just us , but the help planning & the tips that I was given from Rafaja made the trip amazing. Rafaja helped us arrange a walking tour of the city with our amazing guide Will, a trip to Rosario Islands, a mother-daughter photography session in our favorite part of town(Getsemani) and a fishing trip that we couldn't go on due to my food sickness. Our favorite... Read more

My 16 year old daughter & I took a trip to Cartagena, Colombia this past summer. I was a little nervous about a trip like this with just us , but the help planning & the tips that I was given from Rafaja made the trip amazing.

Rafaja helped us arrange a walking tour of the city with our amazing guide Will, a trip to Rosario Islands, a mother-daughter photography session in our favorite part of town(Getsemani) and a fishing trip that we couldn't go on due to my food sickness. Our favorite part was the walking tour as Will was knowledgeable & passionate about his city, and he was also friendly & funny. I highly recommend the photographer Rafael that was arranged-he captured some fabulous images.

Because our experience was so good, I'm currently in the process of arranging my second Mother-Daughter trip with KimKim-as much as I'd love to visit Colombia again, we are heading to Nicaragua this time.

Local specialist: Rafaja Hanna Bertele
Rafaja Hanna
Rafaja Hanna Bertele
Local specialist in Cartagena | Replied on Jan 19, 2022

Jamie, thank you so much for this review :) Wishing you all the best!

A great trip. Very professional and friendly ...
Colombia | Jul 14 - Aug 7, 2021

W
Will M.
the Turks & Caicos Islands | Reviewed on Aug 08, 2021

A great trip. Very professional and friendly guides, drivers etc. Hotels of high standard.
Can thoroughly recommend Chasko.
Was a bit wary of the online aspect of your set up but am very happy to have a had a very good experience all the way through.
Will be in touch for future travels in South and Central America.

Local specialist: Rafaja Hanna Bertele
Rafaja Hanna
Rafaja Hanna Bertele
Local specialist in Cartagena | Replied on Aug 08, 2021

Thank you Will for coming to Colombia. Looking very much forward receiving you again soon.
All the best,
Rafaja and the Chaska tours Team