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A great cultural and nature expeditionThis Colombia tour will take you to see the spectacular beaches of Tayrona Natural Park and San Bernardo Islands as well as the unique and well-preserve colonial town of Mompox and the romantic Cartagena. You will have the opportunity to admire the majestic Magdalena river and learn about the history and traditions of some of the indigenous communities inhabiting the Caribbean Coast of Colombia. On the way from Santa Marta to Cartagena, you will visit Minca, a small town in the foothills of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Aracata, the place where Nobel Prize-winning novelist Gabriel García Márquez was born. You will also spend a night in the paradisiac San Bernardo Islands before ending the tour in Cartagena. This will be a great journey to uncover some of the most fascinating and hidden places in the Caribbean coast of Colombia. EXPERIENCE TYPE History & Culture, Local Traditions and Beach |
Santa Marta, founded by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas in 1525, is the oldest city in South America. The city is rich in history and well-preserved colonial architecture. Santa Marta is also the home of the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, where the national hero Simon Bolivar died in 1830.
Tayrona National Natural Park is one of the most iconic and popular places to visit on any trip to Colombia. The park is named after the Tayrona civilization and remains a sacred space for several indigenous groups in the region. Tayrona is, first-and-foremost, a national park and that’s down to the remarkable biodiversity of flora and fauna within its boundaries. This spectacular park surrounded by steep hillsides of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world's highest coastal mountain range, is home to some of the most stunning stretches of sand in South America and is the perfect place to enjoy some sunbathing and swimming.
Mompox is a town frozen in time. While the rest of the country has evolved and modernised, Mompox looks pretty much as it used to be during colonial times, for this reason, it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1995. Santa Cruz de Mompox (its official name) is located in an island surrounded by an arm of the Magdalena river. The town was founded in 1540 and was an important trading centre during the Spanish rule due to its strategic location. Mompox was also a safe place for the Spaniards to keep gold and other treasures protected from the siege of pirates and a refuge for the families running away from the pirate attacks in Cartagena.
Cartagena de Indias is one of the most fascinating, romantic and beautiful colonial cities in Latin America. Located on the Caribbean coast, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of history, colourful streets and great people, making it a fairy tale city of romance.
This small fishing village is located about 7 km north of Cartagena. La Boquilla town sits on the northern tip of a narrow peninsula, bordered by the sea on one side and the Ciénaga de Tesca on the other. At La Boquilla, we will canoe through a mangrove forest and learn about the history and culture of this fishing town while mastering local fishing techniques using a net and crab traps.
Santa Marta, founded by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas in 1525, is the oldest city in South America. The city is rich in history and well-preserved colonial architecture. Santa Marta is also the home of the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, where the national hero Simon Bolivar died in 1830.
Arrive around midday in Santa Marta. You can either flight fly from any of the main cities in Colombia or travel by land from Cartagena or Barranquilla.
In the afternoon, we will pick you up from your hotel to start our tour in Santa Marta, the oldest colonial city in South America. We will visit the historic centre and the Quinta the San Pedro Alejandrino, the house where Simon Bolivar died in December, 1830. Bolivar was the commander-in-chief of the patriot army that liberated what today are the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Panama from Spanish rule. At the end of the tour, we will go to the hotel.
Overnight: Santa Marta Meal Plan: Breakfast
Near Santa Marta is the spectacular Sierra Nevada the Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain in the world. Today, we will visit Minca, a peaceful little village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada famous for its organic coffee and cacao, incredibly varied birdlife and – perhaps more importantly – much cooler temperatures than on the rest of the coast. This small town is only half an hour from Santa Marta.
Upon arrival in Minca, we will have a short introduction about the town and its surrounding before starting a 7km ecological walk. We will visit some of the famous natural swimming pools in the area and a coffee plantation to learn all about the coffee making process. After lunch, we will go on a short bamboo tour, visit an indigenous home and do a coffee and chocolate tasting.
At the end of the day, we will go back to Santa Marta.
Overnight: Santa Marta Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we will spend the day at Tayrona National Natural Park, where we will see some of the most beautiful beaches in Colombia. We will be hiking across the forest to visit various beaches in the park where you can swim or just relax by the beach. There are a number of restaurants and bars in the park where you can stop for lunch in the shade, relax and admire the spectacular surroundings.
Note: Please be aware the park is usually closed from the 28th of January to the 28th of February. It is also closed during the first two weeks of June and the last two weeks of October. The first reason is to allow the natural ecosystems to rest and replenish, particularly after the high season. The second reason is to allow the four indigenous groups - who have always called the park and the wider Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta home - to perform traditional cleaning rituals and ceremonies.
Overnight: Santa Marta Meal Plan: Breakfast
In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel to start our journey towards Mompox. one of the country’s best-preserved colonial towns and a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the way to Mompox, we will visit Aracataca, the small-town where Nobel Prize-winning novelist Gabriel García Márquez was born.
Situated near the Caribbean coast of Colombia, a little more than 50 miles (85 kilometres) from Santa Marta, the sleepy Colombian town of Aracataca contains many of the elements that inspired his landmark novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude. From the ubiquitous yellow butterflies, to the old railway station, fans of the legendary Colombian writer will find plenty they recognize from the novels. During our visit there, we will visit some of the most representative places of the town including: Casa Museo Gabriel García Márquez and the train station. After the tour there, we will continue the trip towards Mompox.
Upon arrival in Mompox, we will go to the hotel.
Overnight: Mompox Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, we will do a tour around the town. You will Learn about the rich culture and traditions during a day tour in Mompox and its beautiful natural surroundings. Our guide will introduce you to the most important landmarks on the island and teach you about the history of Mompox, a town that was founded in 1540 and was an important trading centre during the Spanish rule due to its strategic location. It was also considered a safe place for Spaniards to keep their gold and other treasures safe from pirates.
You will have the afternoon and evening to relax and carry on exploring the town on your own.
Overnight: Mompox Meal Plan: Breakfast
Today we will start the journey back to the Caribbean Coast. On the way there, we will pass through the department of Sucre, a territory that was inhabited in the Pre-Hispanic era by two groups of indigenous people — the Zenú and the Turbacos. After the Spanish conquest, the Zenú population declined dramatically, which led the Spanish king to designate a territory of 83,000 hectares exclusively for the Zenu population. This area is located in the town of San Andrés de Sotavento, where we will stop for a few hours to learn about the history and traditions of this ancient culture.
At San Andrés de Sotavento, we will visit the Guayacans indigenous community to see some of their main houses and temples, as well as a local museum with an impressive collection of ancient objects used by the Zenu culture. Then, we will visit the Roma community to learn about the process of Caña Flecha, the primary raw material used to make woven crafts, which are some of the most traditional handicrafts in Colombia. At the end of this visit we will go to Coveñas, at small town on the Caribbean coast, where you will spend the night.
Overnight: Coveñas Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we will travel to Isla Mucura, a coral island located in the Archipelago of San Bernardo, about 50 miles (80 km) south of Cartagena. This Island has perfect white sand and turquoise waters.
After breakfast, we will go to the pier located in Tolu to take a boat to San Bernardo Islands. The total journey is approximately 1 hour. Upon arrival there, we will go to the hotel. You will have the day to enjoy the beautiful beach and tropical landscape of this island.
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Overnight: Isla Mucura - San Bernardo Islands Meal Plan: Breakfast
You will have the day to relax by the beach and enjoy this paradisiac island.
Overnight: Isla Mucura - San Bernardo Islands Meal Plan: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will take a boat to Cartagena. The boat departs at 9:15am and arrive In Cartagena at 11:15am, upon arrival in Cartagena, we will transfer you to your hotel.
After lunch, we will start our city tour covering the Castillo de San Felipe and the old city surrounded by the impressive walls built during the Spanish rule to protect the city against enemies and looters.
The Castle of San Felipe is the greatest and strongest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in any of their colonies. It was built on top of the San Lazaro hill and defended the city from many attacks including a British siege in 1741. The old city is the historic heart and soul of Cartagena. We will walk around its cobbled streets, visiting or passing by the main historical sites.
You will have the afternoon to relax at the hotel or carry on exploring the old city, admire its architecture and immerse yourself in its romantic atmosphere.
Overnight: Cartagena Meal Plan: Breakfast
In the morning, we will go to La Boquilla, a small fishing village located 7 km north of Cartagena. La Boquilla sits on the northern tip of a narrow peninsula, bordered by the sea on one side and the Ciénaga de Tesca on the other.
At La Boquilla, we will take a trip in a wooden canoe through the mangrove forest in La Cienga de Tesca. During this trip, you will see some native and migratory birds and learn about the flora and other fauna found in this ecosystem. You will learn local fishing techniques like how to cast a net and set crab traps.
After learning to fish in the mangrove forest, we will enjoy a traditional lunch. This is where you will learn more about the locals’ day-to-day lives, their fishing tools and their culture. The lunch will be a delicious meal consisting of seafood, which is popular along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. We will finish this tour after lunch around 2 pm and drop you back off at your hotel in Cartagena.
Overnight: Cartagena Meal Plan: Breakfast
The tour ends today. At the time required, we will pick you up at the hotel for a transfer to the airport.
Note: Check out before 12 pm
Overnight: Meal Plan: Breakfast
Located in Santa Marta’s historical centre, this boutique hotel offers Colonial style and modern décor, a spa, a terrace with a bar and an indoor pool. Panoramic Cathedral views are offered and free Wi-Fi is available. Providing a tranquil environment, the rooms and suites in Casa de Leda feature private bathrooms, air conditioning and flat-screen cable TVs.
Bioma offers spacious rooms with iPod docking stations. Facilities include a rooftop hot tub with panoramic views of Magdalena River and an outdoor pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Rooms at Bioma Boutique Hotel have large en-suite bathrooms with white tiled floors and pastel bedding. All have free WiFi, air conditioning, and LCD and cable TV. The restaurant serves regional specialties and the bar offers a variety of exotic cocktails. Guests can benefit from an American Breakfast with natural juices, seasonal fruits and bread rolls.
The hotel is located in Isla Múcura, an island off Colombia’s Caribbean coast and part of the San Bernardo Archipelago. The design of the hotel features very comfortable cabins with a rustic style. All cabins are fitted with minibars and cable TV private bathrooms and airconditioned. The sea is generally calm, making for some easy snorkelling at the rock walls near the pier. The hotel’s private curve of soft, white sand is laid out with loungers. The sunsets are a particular highlight: we recommend watching them from the beach bar, while pelicans fish nearby.
The hotel has a restaurant and direct access to a private beach. Canoeing and windsurfing activities can also be practiced.
Casa La Fe is located in Cartagena's historic centre in a charming republican house decorated with flowering plants. Its rooftop pool and sun terrace overlook the scenic city skyline. The classical rooms at Casa La Fe have restored republican tiled floors and hand-crafted furniture. All rooms feature air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and satellite TV.
An a la carte breakfast is served daily, and may be enjoyed in the pretty central courtyard featuring a vertical garden and ornamental furniture. Coffee is available 24-hours a day.
This hotel is only 100 meters away from the beach. It offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar. The accommodation provides a private beach area, as well as a shared lounge and a garden. All rooms include air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Free WiFi is available.