Colombia with Nami Hewitt

Let's toast to the exciting journey ahead at your welcome dinner! A 15-minute transfer will take you to a cozy local restaurant featuring an à la carte one-dish menu, including one soft drink. Seize this opportunity to savor traditional Colombian seafood and fresh fish dishes. Please be aware that the menu may change based on the confirmed restaurant.

Overnight in Cartagena de Indias.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast which includes a variety of options such as scrambled eggs, a variety of breads, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and fresh fruit, subject to change. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Following a brief 15-minute transfer, you'll step into the imposing San Felipe Fortress, known locally as the "guardian of Cartagena." Perched atop San Lorenzo Hill, this historical site offers strategic views of the city and the bay. Visiting the fortress is a journey through time, showcasing how the Spaniards defended against pirate attacks by the British and French in 1657. Next, you'll continue with a 15-minute transfer to the summit of Mount La Popa to explore a historical convent with incredible views and a fascinating past. Learn about how this religious complex endured constant pirate attacks. Finally, a 15-minute transfer will take you to the renowned walled city, globally acclaimed for its protective walls against pirate assaults. This part of the city is incredibly attractive, and your guide will regale you with memorable histories. Here, you'll explore the cobblestone streets on foot, covering approximately 0.5 to 1 mile during the tour. After the tour, you'll be transferred back to the hotel, with some free time for lunch on your own. Entrance fees to San Felipe Fortress and La Popa convent are included.

In the afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred 25 minutes to the vibrant San Diego neighborhood, where a delightful street-tasting tour awaits. Accompanied by your guide, you'll explore the historical area on foot, making several stops to savor Colombia's most traditional street food. Immerse yourself in the colorful street markets of Cartagena, where energetic vendors create a lively atmosphere. Witness the impressive sight of women carrying trays of fruits on their heads. This tour includes a fresh coco, a cheese arepa, and an ice cream per person. Additional snacks and drinks can be purchased on-site, so we recommend bringing cash. The tour covers flat terrain and spans between 0.5 and 1 mile. There will be restroom facilities available during the tour with a fee. After concluding the tasting tour, you will proceed directly to the Champeta Dancing class.

The tasting tour will leave you at Salsa Crazy, a lively dancing studio situated in the heart of Cartagena. In Colombia, dance is an integral part of daily life, it runs through their veins. As you arrive at the studio, you'll be greeted with a cocktail and a warm welcome from the staff. It's then time to groove with a Champeta dancing class. Embrace the opportunity to learn the basic steps of this vibrant and joyful dance. This class is designed for beginners, so feel free to let loose, move to the music, and enjoy the experience. The studio room is private for the group, adorned with mirrors, and equipped with special lighting and a sound system. The class lasts for one hour, and afterward, a quick 15-minute transfer will take you back to your hotel.

Overnight in Cartagena de Indias.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast which includes a variety of options such as scrambled eggs, a variety of breads, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and fresh fruit, subject to change. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Visiting the Rosario Islands is a must when in Cartagena, and today, you'll experience it to the fullest. Prepare for an early morning pick-up at your hotel and a short 10-minute transfer to the port to begin your adventure. Please note that the boat is shared, with a maximum capacity of 50 people. As you set sail, the initial part of the journey offers breathtaking views of Cartagena and remnants of Spanish buildings. Gradually, the stunning collection of 27 islands, known as the Rosario Islands, will come into view—each surrounded by corals, teeming marine life, and pristine white sand beaches. The boat cruise lasts approximately one hour until you arrive at "Isla Grande". Here, you'll spend the day at a beachfront hotel with amenities such as beach chairs, umbrellas, and towels. For additional costs, you can enjoy activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling tours, a visit to the Oceanario, or explore mangroves with locals. Relax on the beach with fellow travelers and relish a complete three-course lunch featuring delightful Colombian flavors. Please note that extra activities, as well as additional food and drinks, can be paid for on-site using credit cards or cash. The plan is to spend approximately five hours at the hotel, returning to Cartagena in the afternoon.

Enjoy a Caribbean-style lunch in the serene sea-view restaurant on Isla Grande. Lunch, served at the hotel restaurant, includes a 3-course set menu with green plantain chips, grilled lobster, coconut rice, and typical Colombian papaya sweets. One soft drink or one national beer is included. After lunch, savor a traditional Colombian coffee. Please be aware that the menu may change based on the confirmed restaurant.

Overnight in Cartagena de Indias.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast which includes a variety of options such as scrambled eggs, a variety of breads, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and fresh fruit, subject to change. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Begin the day with a short 15-minute transfer to Bazurto market, an authentic local market where locals do their daily shopping. Accompanied by a professional chef, you'll explore the market, engaging with local vendors about their products. The chef will help select the freshest fish and various local vegetables for today's cooking. Spending approximately 45 minutes at the market, once all necessary ingredients for the recipe are acquired, you'll head to the chef's atelier. The kitchen is part of a hotel restaurant, where, under the chef's guidance, you'll cook the traditional coconut rice with seafood. After the cooking, you will relax on the terrace, tasting your own creations and sharing a delightful lunch with your fellow travelers. Vegetarian/vegan options can also be accommodated.

Enjoy a Caribbean-style lunch featuring your own creations on the serene terrace of the hotel. Lunch is served at comfortable tables on the terrace and includes one dish and one drink per person. Restrooms are available for your convenience. Please be aware that the menu may change based on the chef´s decisions.

Following a 15-minute transfer, you'll arrive at the vibrant Getsemani neighborhood, a preferred area for local artists and artisans. Guided by an expert, you'll stroll through the colorful streets adorned with graffiti on houses, walls, and buildings. Each piece of street art portrays different cultural and historical events, and your guide will share the meaning and history behind each one. Don't forget your camera, as these paintings make for fantastic photos. During this tour, you'll be walking approximately 1 to 1.5 miles on flat streets. Restrooms are available during the tour for a fee. You'll be transferred back to the hotel by sunset, allowing for free time to enjoy dinner on your own, with numerous good restaurants options within walking distance of your hotel.

Overnight in Cartagena de Indias.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast which includes a variety of options such as scrambled eggs, a variety of breads, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and fresh fruit, subject to change. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

After breakfast, take a private transfer to the breathtaking beaches of Barú.

Following an early pick-up at the hotel, enjoy a scenic 1.5-hour transfer with breathtaking ocean views until you reach the exclusive Sofitel Baru resort. Nestled on the shores of Calablanca beach, this stunning beachfront hotel offers a vast expanse of white sand. Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed with a refreshing cocktail and have the freedom to indulge in the hotel's amenities, from swimming pools and beach chairs to kayaking, paddleboarding, and beach volleyball. Take a leisurely stroll along the beach to explore the surrounding areas. At midday, a delicious lunch with stunning sea views will be served at the hotel restaurant. Additional food and drinks can be purchased on-site, with payment via credit card or cash. Some activities, such as paddleboarding and kayaking, are subject to availability. You willl return to your Cartagena hotel in the afternoon, providing time for freshening up before the farewell dinner.

Savor a Caribbean-style lunch while you enjoy the tranquil sea-views. Lunch is served buffet-style with two different stations: one offering typical Colombian fried foods, and the other featuring a wide variety of tacos. Two non-alcoholic drinks are included per person. Please be aware that the menu may change based on the confirmed restaurant.

After a relaxed day at the beach, take a private transfer to return to your hotel in Cartagena.

The farewell dinner will be held at an intimate restaurant, located approximately 5 minutes away from the hotel by transfer. Throughout the dinner, you'll relish a feast of traditional Colombian cuisine. The dinner includes a 4-course set menu with a cup of wine or soft drinks. Please be aware that the menu may change based on the confirmed restaurant.

Overnight in Cartagena de Indias.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast which includes a variety of options such as scrambled eggs, a variety of breads, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and fresh fruit, subject to change. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.