Our 14 day trip to Colombia was fantastic!Mi...
Colombia | Feb 7 - Feb 21, 2024

Shelly
Shelly N.
Sartell, MN | Reviewed on Feb 22, 2024

Our 14 day trip to Colombia was fantastic!
Michael helped us plan an awesome itinerary that was filled with adventure. Our local guides were so much fun to meet. Maylin in Bogotá was so kind and knowledgeable. We really did a lot in one day. Bogotá far exceeded my expectations! While in the Amazon, Yair showed us true adventures including monkeys, sloths, dolphins and even an anaconda!! Salento and the Cocora Valley was truly beautiful. Carlos knew a lot about the flora and fauna and was considerate in bringing me walking sticks! Tayrona National Park is really cool ( actually hot and humid!!), with monkeys, blue tailed lizards and toads. You can hear the howler monkeys as you trek through the jungle ...all pointed out by our kind and helpful guide, José. A refreshing swim in the Caribbean and then a beachside lunch is a wonderful way to cool off before the hike back. Jaime was our delightful guide around the Victoria Coffee farm and waterfalls. We also had a really good lunch with her.
Our driver for several occasions was Juan Carlos. He took us from the airport in Santa Marta to Tayrona to Minca and all around that area and then on a 4+ hour drive to Cartagena! He stopped for photos and brought us bottles of cold water! He drove very safe and we felt very secure on the very curvy mountain roads of Minca.
While seeing Cartagena, Evelyn, with her fun and spirited personality, took us around showing us history and where to find the best shopping and restaurants.
Our hotels were really nice. The drivers were on time and EVERYTHING went according to schedule. We could not have planned such a fantastic vacation on our own. We felt like VIPS and realized our private tours seemed to far surpass any of the others we saw or heard about. No regrets. A trip of a lifetime for sure! Thank you once again, Michael Gold!!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Muisca
Bogotá

Really unique. So old and interesting. Breakfast was good. Slightly noisy for sleep due to the way the hotel was set up. Still, we enjoyed it

Authenticity & Character
Super quaint, interesting architecture. Old-time European feeling.
Location
Great for sightseeing
Staff
Main reception was fine
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean, small rooms. Fine.
Waira Suites
Leticia

Clean, modern feel. Pools looked tempting, but we didn't have a chance to use them. Restaurant staff was fun and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Nothing to be improved upon, just not super interesting
Location
Seemed very central for our needs. Easy access.
Staff
Friendly restaurant staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean and fresh
La Ceiba Amazonas

Really rustic, but what would you expect in the Amazon?!

Authenticity & Character
Simple, rustic. Has what you need. Great private decks! Liked the communal meals to meet new people
Location
In MI aqua, an indigenous pueblo
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds, bath were fine.
Salento Plaza

Clean, delightful breakfasts

Authenticity & Character
Cute outdoor area with lots of plants, beautiful sunsets
Location
Near everything in town
Staff
Restaurant staff especially kind
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were nice, not so private as everyone can walk by and see right into your ( bed) room
Senda Koguiwa
Santa Marta

Absolutely beautiful! Awesome balcony! Awesome lobby and grounds, and pool. This was the highlight hotel of our trip. The little monkeys at breakfast were a fun surprise as well as walking along the river. Also swam in the pool, had cocktails and massages. Great!!

Authenticity & Character
Great
Location
Beautiful
Staff
Nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mundo Nuevo Eco Lodge
Santa Marta

The grounds her were beautiful. Our actual rooms were OK.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were small, up a steep hill. Lots of rules. We wanted to dry our towels before travel the next day, but not allowed to.
Hotel Casa Tere
Cartagena

Mixed feelings here. Hotel has great potential with current downfalls such as poor breakfast choices and service. Room was small with 2 double beds. Did not look like the photo.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Good location
Staff
Restaurant staff person was very unhelpful and unattentive . Just poorly managed breakfast. Cheap pillows, blankets. We were fine, just seemed lacking compared to our other stays.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Could be improved if they tried.
Activity Reviews
Bogota's Essentials (City Tour & Monserrate)
Bogota's Essentials (City Tour & Monserrate)
Bogotá

Awesome, learned SO much from Maylin. She did a super job.

Quality of Experience
So many places covered in one day!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Well educated and spoke great English .
Transport
No issues
Flora & Fauna in the Amazon (4d/3n)
Flora & Fauna in the Amazon (4d/3n)
Leticia and Puerto Nariño

Our guide added specialists to each area, for example to the monkey/ primate trek; to the Sloth trek in Peru.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Got to see an anaconda!!
Transport
Cocora Valley & Salento
Cocora Valley & Salento
Colombia

I was glad I requested the hiking poles for this trek. It was so beautiful!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very careful drivers
Transport
Open Jeep Ride was really fun, especially to the coffee farm!
Coffee Farm Tour in Finca Buenos Aires
Coffee Farm Tour in Finca Buenos Aires
Salento

Very interesting, beautiful countryside. My favorite views of Colombia!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver from Peoria to Salento was not as friendly as most. From Salento to Peoria, REALLY FRIENDLY!
Transport
Hike Tayrona National Park
Hike Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park

Seeing the animals was awesome

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jose and Jose were great!
Transport
Nature, Waterfalls & Coffee Farm in Minca
Nature, Waterfalls & Coffee Farm in Minca
Colombia

Loved spending time with Jaime. She is a real gem!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jaime and Juan Carlos are so nice!
Transport
Juan is an excellent and very consciousness driver.
Cartagena City Tour
Cartagena City Tour
Cartagena

Fun time checking out the historical and current stats of the city.

Quality of Experience
Evelyn was fun and spirited! Great tips on shopping!
Quality of Experience
Evelyn was fun and spirited! Great tips on shopping!
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Long drive from Minka to Cartagena. Interesting to see the non tourist cities.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Long drive from Minka to Cartagena. Interesting to see the non tourist cities.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Long drive from Minka to Cartagena. Interesting to see the non tourist cities.
Transport
Juan Carlos is a great driver.
Transport
Juan Carlos is a great driver.
Transport
Juan Carlos is a great driver.
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Feb 29, 2024
Dear Shelly and Rod,
Thank you so much for your heartfelt and wonderful review! It was an absolute pleasure planning and sharing in your Colombian adventure.
I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the diverse experiences and I'm glad you found the Amazon and Tayrona National Park to be a wonderful experience with the company of the wildlife.
Your kind words about feeling like VIPs and the seamless execution of the itinerary are the best compliments for us. It was our pleasure to ensure...
Read more

Dear Shelly and Rod,
Thank you so much for your heartfelt and wonderful review! It was an absolute pleasure planning and sharing in your Colombian adventure.
I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the diverse experiences and I'm glad you found the Amazon and Tayrona National Park to be a wonderful experience with the company of the wildlife.
Your kind words about feeling like VIPs and the seamless execution of the itinerary are the best compliments for us. It was our pleasure to ensure everything went smoothly.
I'm honored to have been part of creating a trip of a lifetime for you both. Thank you once again for choosing our services and your detailed trip report. Wishing you many more adventures ahead!
Warm regards,
Michael and the Chaska Tours Team