Taste of Colombia
Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena
This all-encompassing tour of Colombia represents a trip as varied as the manifold country itself. Between three main cities; the capital Bogota, the second City Medellin, and the coastal city of Cartagena, travelers will easily recognize the richness this country has to offer.
Whether it be in the rousing night-scene in Bogota, along the lush green mountains of the northern Antioquia province, or Found in the beautiful colonial architecture of the many churches and municipalities, this trip holds something truly special for everyone.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Private transfer international airport to hotel
Explore the Nightlife
Private transportation with Spanish-speaking driver and English/Spanish-speaking guide.
Upon arrival at the International Airport El Dorado, you will be met by our representative and will be taken to your hotel. Our guide will assist you at the hotel with the registration procedures (check-in) and give you a detailed itinerary of all the services included in your trip. You will also receive information about our office contact details including our 24 hour emergency phone number.
Bogotá is Colombia’s capital city with approximately 8 million people; it is a cosmopolitan center of sophistication and has become an epicenter of business, politics and entertainment. The city has been transforming itself into a surprising tourist destination and welcoming city. Bogotá has a thriving nightlife, superb al fresco dining and bar culture as well as international shopping. Its privileged location and international airport makes it highly accessible and functional as a main gateway to destinations throughout the country.
NOTE: Our transfer fee includes transportation of one bag per person of up to 23kg (50 lbs.’) plus one carry on. If you plan to travel with additional luggage please let us know in advance in order to assign a different vehicle capacity for the transfer. Please keep in mind that additional costs may be charged.
Day 2 – City Tour with Paloquemao with Lunch (B/L/-)
Private Service with Spanish-speaking driver and English/Spanish-speaking guide, 8 hour duration, all entrance fees are included.
The tour starts with an early morning visit to the Paloquemao’s Market. This is one of the largest and most important markets in the country. Paloquemao presents the perfect mix of the old and new Bogotá and offers a great insight into the life and customs of the people from Bogotá. You will find a large variety of flowers, exotic fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, cheese, medicinal herbs as well as typical food. Everything is fresh and arrives daily to Bogotá from all regions of Colombia. You will have the opportunity to live a unique cultural experience, tasting some exotic fruits and enjoying a small snack during the visit.
Afterwards visit the famous and well preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. Steeped in history, this area is a must for photographers with its splendid colonial architecture; you will want to take the opportunity to capture the sights and sounds of this fascinating part of Bogotá. Walk through the streets permeating with the heady atmosphere of the past, as revealed by the library of Luis Angel Arango and down to the prominent Plaza de Bolivar, the heart of Bogotá, where locals and visitors mingle amongst the magnificent and foreboding structures. You will want to discover the history of this old part of the city by visiting the Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal’s Palace, the colonial churches of El Sagrario and San Agustin, the Independence House, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall which are all located in this impressive square.
The tour then follows with a visit to the “Museo del Oro”, the most important gold museum in the world and a ‘must see’ when traveling to Bogotá. This museum displays one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold. Galleries on three levels display exquisitely crafted pieces dating back nearly 2.500 years. Visit the vault-like room on the top floor where the most treasured pieces are displayed, as well as the Offering Room, where passengers enter a black circular area that is gradually illuminated with indigenous music playing in the background; the light begins to dawn, and finally a remarkable display of gold offering collection is discovered.
The tour ends with a visit to the “Museo de Botero”, housed in a renovated colonial mansion. The works on display are all donated by Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous contemporary artist. Around 120 pieces of his own work are displayed at the museum including his famous sculptures, paintings and drawings. His work is well-known for the ‘proportionally exaggerated’ fat figures. In addition to his work, his personal collection by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí, Degas, Chagall, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti are also exhibited.
Lunch is included during the tour at a local restaurant with a set menu.
NOTES: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays.
It is important to remember, when visiting churches, monasteries, and shrines, women should not wear shorts or miniskirts and men should not wear shorts.
Art, design and graffiti around Bogotá
Explore fascinating independent design stores guided, traditional galleries and interesting graffiti works spread in the classic neighborhoods of La Macarena, Teusaquillo and Chapinero, guded by a local artist.
After lunch, our guide will take you to the 26 street to admire a sample of the graffiti scene that exposes feminism, resistance against war, social inclusion and native communities’ inclusion in the society, among others. The technics are very diverse and refined and some artists have had international recognition for the development of their projects.
Continuing in Chapinero, you will explore different design stores were the creativity of Bogotá young talents have generated a particular neighborhood dynamic. Is not rare that by your visit there will be some festival, exhibition, performance, etc., taking place. Find the ideal and most original souvenir to take back home with you!
Empanadas, pola, tienda and tejo!
This tour full of local flavor will show you some of the most representative and funnier traditions of the city. After lunch, you will be driven to a popular neighborhood seeking for your first pola (beer) at a local tienda, the meeting point after a hard labor Saturday for thousands of workers. A tienda, is a simple grocery store that also works as a pub with a few tables, a jukebox with popular hits and that also of course, cold beers.
With the aim of this first beer (only for adults), the tour continues a few blocks ahead in the tejo course. Tejo, the national sport, is an indigenous heritage of the native communities that inhabited the area where Bogotá were founded. This funny game consist in throwing a metallic mass that should explode little charges of gunpowder located at the other side of the track. Game’s official hydrating drink, how could it be otherwise, is beer, and to recharge your aim, we will invite you to enjoy a couple of empanadas con ají, beer’s perfect match.
Once finished the tejo match, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Day 3 – Private transfer hotel to international airport (B/-/-)
Private transportation with Spanish-speaking driver and English/Spanish-speaking guide.
Our guide will meet you at the lobby of the hotel and will take you to the International Airport El Dorado or Puente Aéreo (depending on your flight). We will assist you at the airport during the check-in at the airline counter to help you connect to your next destination.
EARLY MORNING FLIGHT TO MEDELLIN (NOT INCLUDED)
Private Transfer José María Córdoba Airport to Hotel
Private Service with Spanish speaker driver and bilingual tour guide service.
Upon arrival at José María Córdova International Airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to hotel. Transfer will take approximately 45 minutes with normal traffic.
Our representative will assist you at the airport. On the road, he will provide useful information for your stay in Medellin.
NOTE: Please keep in mind that this service includes transportation for one suitcase per person up to 23 kg plus hand luggage. Please inform us in advance if you plan to travel with luggage in order to modify the transport unit assigned for your transfer. There may be additional charges when making this modification.
It is also important to note that Medellin has two airports:
Medellin, also known as the «city of eternal spring» for its pleasant climate that ranges from 22-28 ° C throughout the year, is the second most important and populated city in Colombia after Bogotá. It is located at the northwest of the country at 1,540 meters above sea level in the Valle de Aburrá, former territory of indigenous settlements.
It is known for its Flower Fair (held in August) and Colombia Moda, the second most important fashion fair in South America. Medellin has become an example of social and cultural transformation; going from being the capital of narcotics two decades ago, to become now the «most innovative city in the world», a title that has held since 2013 when it was awarded by the Wall Street Journal and the Citi Group.
In Medellin, you can interact with thriving, dynamic, cosmopolitan and most of all very friendly and warm people: paisas are referred to the natives of this region, they are very representative of Colombian population, idiosyncrasy and culture.
Mountain scenery filled with flowers, colorful colonial towns and one of the best places to go shopping in Colombia, are among the attractions you will find in your visit to Medellin.
Day 4 – Medellin Gastronomic Tour (B/L)
Private Service with Spanish-speaking driver and English/Spanish-speaking guide, 8 hour duration, all entrance fees are included.
The tour starts with an early morning visit to the Plazita de Florez Market. This is one of the largest and most important markets in the country. La Plazita presents the perfect mix of the old and new Medellin and offers a great insight into the life and customs of the people from Medellin . You will find a large variety of flowers, exotic fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, cheese, medicinal herbs as well as typical food.
Here you will choose the ingredients for the cooking classes during the afternoon in one of the most popular restaurants in Medellin with the best chef of Medellin – Rodrigo Isaza. We will learn how to cook with natural and fresh ingredients
Day 5 – Private transfer hotel to airport Medellin to Cartagena with guide (B/-/-)
Private transportation with Spanish-speaking driver and English/Spanish-speaking guide.
Our guide will meet you at the lobby of the hotel and will take you to the JMC Airport. We will assist you at the airport during the check-in at the airline counter to help you connect to your next destination.
NOTE: Our transfer fee includes transportation of one bag per person of up to 23kg (50 lbs) plus one carry on. If you plan to travel with additional luggage please let us know in advance in order to assign a different vehicle capacity for the transfer. Please keep in mind that additional costs may be charged.
In the morning you will be flown out to Rafael Nuñéz International Airport in Cartagena.
An afternoon tour of the urban areas of Cartagena is followed by a visit to a 400 year-old monastery that overlooks the city. After viewing Cartagena from this tremendous vantage point, you will visit another piece of history at the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas. The hilltop fortress was built by the Spanish to defend their settlement, and is largely intact today. In the evening you are brought back to your hotel where you are free to rest, or continue exploring the city.
Day 6 : Home Hosted Dinner
Private service with Spanish-speaking driver and English/Spanish-speaking guide, 5 hour duration, dinner is included.
During this dinner you will live a rather unique cultural experience enjoying a typical home cooked meal from Cartagena. Give yourself the chance to be part of the local culture and feel the warmth of the Colombian hospitality in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Enjoy the opportunity of experiencing a fascinating conversation about life in Cartagena, while exchanging different point of views as well as personal anecdotes with local cultures. Passengers will be able to participate in some of the cooking if they wish.
Day 7: Cooking Getsemaní (B/L/-)
Transfer to Getsemaní district, an outer walled neighbourhood with Spanish colonial architecture. This was an extension of the “Centro Histórico” (down-town) and originally it was occupied by the working-classes back in the 16th I century, when Cartagena was ruled by the Spanish empire.
Getsemaní has experienced a 21st-century renaissance and nowadays, it is an authentic charming neighbourhood with colonial architecture, dance halls, graffiti art, historic buildings converted into boutique hotels, acclaimed restaurants, food vendors and public plazas, which combined creates an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. This area offers so much to do and see which makes visitors easily fall in love with the charm and style of Getsemaní.
What we will see and do:
- Food Concierge
- Welcome with guarapo (panela lemonade) and chopped bun with cheese and buttermilk.
- Tour of the neighboring houses to gather the ingredients of the lunch following the traditional round of Cartagena Somos Somos, arisen in the early XX century
- Cooking class in a wood stove guided by an open-air Cantabrian cook. The group participates in the whole process of preparing the lunch: appetizer: egg arepa, Sancocho of fish, rice with coconut, patacones and salad and drink: Juice of native fruits (tamarind, corozo, sour guava, zapote, and loquat) or lemonade.
- “Sancocho” communal. 5 people from the neighborhood are invited from the group to share the local lifestyle that makes Gethsemane a living museum of being from Cartagena.
- Tray of traditional sweets.
- Live typical music in the street.
- Beer for drinking and sharing or soft drinks.
- Apron for use during class.
All experiences, meals and drinks are included. The dishes to be prepared in the cooking class are suggested and can be replaced by other traditional Cartagena cuisine options. The menu is generous, we recommend a light breakfast.
Day 8 – Private transfer hotel to airport (B/-/-)
Private transportation with Spanish-speaking driver and English/Spanish-speaking guide.
Our guide will meet you at the lobby of the hotel and will take you to the Rafael Núñez Airport. We will assist you at the airport during the check-in at the airline counter to help you connect to your next destination.
NOTE: Our transfer fee includes transportation of one bag per person of up to 23kg (50 lbs) plus one carry on. If you plan to travel with additional luggage please let us know in advance in order to assign a different vehicle capacity for the transfer. Please keep in mind that additional costs may be charged.
Package includes:
- 2 nights’ accommodation in Bogota
- 2 night accommodation in Medellin at hotel of preference
- 3 nights’ accommodation in Cartagena at hotel of preference
- Round trip transfers and all tours with English speaking guides
- All tours and activities are a combination of shared and private basis with English speaking guides
- All entrance fees
- Daily breakfast,
- 1 lunch
- All hotel taxes
The program does not include:
- Airfares and departure taxes
- All drinks and meals not mentioned in the description
- Laundry, local and international phone calls
- Personal expenses, tips and activities described as optional
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