Cartagena, Bogotá & Santa Marta.
This action-packed, culturally-enriching family expedition through Central and Northern Colombia blends a little bit of everything for a family friendly week that will keep the little ones well and truly away from their hand-held devices.
The Lowdown.
What We Love
Colombia is still a relatively undiscovered destination, meaning you can still enjoy quiet hiking trails, peaceful retreats, and off-the-beaten-track adventures without the crowds
Delve deeper into new cultures, and a fiercely traditional way of life. This trip is fun and educational
With epic scenery, tons of adventure, and so much to learn, there’s little time for mobile phones and iPads. This vacation is all about disconnecting from the everyday, and spending quality time with your family
This jam-packed itinerary takes in many of Colombia’s highlights, including Bogota, Santa Marta, Cartagena, and the Rosario islands
Having local experts on life in Colombia to guide you every step of the way, meaning you don’t just get to travel further, but deeper
Your Itinerary at a Glance.
Day 1 — Arrival in Bogota.
You'll kickstart your Colombian adventure being collected from the airport by five-star private transportation provided by This Is Colombia Travel and taken to your choice of luxury hotel - choose from the Four Seasons Casa Medina (a historical five-star hotel built from the rubble of two 16th- and 17th-century monasteries) or the Grand Hyatt Bogota (a modern, minimalistic affair equipped with its very own spa and helipad).
Once the family's settled into your new home, it’ll be time to embark on the ultimate Bogota city tour, where you’ll go in search for El Dorado through the streets of La Candelaria district and the hallways of the Bogota Gold Museum.
Includes:
Private transfer to your city retreat.
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Chose from: Casa Medina
Grand Hyatt Bogota
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Day 2 — Colombian Rhythms & Sunset Surf Lessons
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Day two begins with a high-energy drum lesson with Homero Cortes and his wonderful band of percussionists, Aainjaa, where, as well as learning the beats behind Colombia’s coolest rhythms, you’ll also get an insight into the foundation’s special mission to help Bogota’s young community thrive.
From here, we’ll fly you to Santa Marta and transfer you directly to your beachfront villa (choose from the jungle oasis of Cayena Beach or the chic cabanas at Casa Tayrona), where the little ones will be able to take to the waves with a professional surfer for an hour’s lesson before sunset.
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Fine-Dining /
Day 3 — Jungle Trails in Tayrona National Park.
A visit to Santa Marta isn’t complete without experiencing the incredible Tayrona National Park. With the help of your experienced local guide, spend the day hiking the lush jungle trails, spotting howler and Tamarin monkeys high up in the canopy, snorkeling through crystal-clear waters rich with marine life, or just kicking back on one of the park’s stunning protected beaches with a family picnic.
Includes:
Transfer /
Day 4 — Sierra Nevada Adventure
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On day four, it’ll be time to venture into the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a lush, snow-capped mountain paradise home to unique ecosystems, incredible wildlife, and indigenous tribes.
Choose from exploring the lower reaches of the Sierra, hiking through tropical forest and later floating down the river in a convoy of rubber rings.
Alternatively, climb further up this incredible mountain range in your very own 4x4 to spot a larger variety of wildlife (including the Andean condor, parakeets, and, if you’re lucky, a cougar or jaguar), interact with remote indigenous communities, and take in some of the region’s most epic views.
Oh, and with plenty of coffee plantations and even a brewery up here, there’s plenty of drinking to be done too!
Day 5 — Treasure Hunting & Colombian Cooking in Cartagena.
Say farewell to Santa Marta, and hello to the country’s “Northern Queen”. On day five you’ll travel to the UNESCO-listed colonial city of Cartagena, where 17th century bougainvillea-draped terraces, world-class restaurants, and white-sand Caribbean beaches await.
After a delicious lunch you’ll kick-start your time in Cartagena by tracing the steps of the city’s most notorious pirate, Sir Francis Drake, with an exciting treasure hunt through the Old Town’s best museums, landmarks, and cultural centers (your little ones will be transformed into eyepatch-wearing buccaneers with our treasure chest full of pirate costumes).
Then, take to one of Cartagena’s top kitchens to prepare your very own three-course meal with a three-hour cooking class led by a local chef! Finally, after a long day exploring it’ll be time to kick back in one of our beautiful, hand-picked luxury hotels, Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel or Bastion Luxury Hotel.
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Day 6 — Island-Hopping in Style.
It’s day six, and we reckon you’re just about ready to top up the vitamin Sea. Get up early and spend the day exploring the crystal-clear waters and pearl-white sands of the nearby Rosario Islands on your very own private yacht, stopping by La Piscina for brilliant snorkeling opportunities and the pristine beaches of Barú.
Enjoy a delicious lunch, great cocktails, world-class food, and beachside swimming pools and children’s games at one of Cartagena’s top beach retreats.
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Day 7 — Bird Watching in Barú Nature Reserve.
Day seven takes the whole family to the bird-watching paradise of the National Aviary in Barú, where with the help of our experienced guides, your little adventurers will be able to spot colorful parrots, flocks of pink flamingos, tiny blue and green hummingbirds, and, even, the endangered Andean condor.
After a traditional Colombian lunch on beautiful Playa Blanca beach, head back to Cartagena to enjoy an afternoon in the city at leisure.
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Day 8 — Monkey Business in Cartagena.
Your last day in Colombia is dedicated to getting to know some more of Colombia’s furry and scaly locals! We’ll spend the morning at a sanctuary where the little ones will be able to spend time with the endangered Titi Cabeciblanco monkeys.
After a delicious lunch on the beach, it’ll be time to head onto Vivarium, a reptilian park that lets those who dare get up close and personal with friendly snakes, alligators, and turtles.
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Day 9 — Fly Home.
And just like that, the adventure of a lifetime comes to an end. On day nine, we’ll take you to the airport to catch your flight back to Bogota, where you’ll have a few hours to reflect on an epic week spent exploring the best of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Includes:
Transfer / to the airport
FAQs
What’s Included on this journey?
8 nights, 9 days in family-friendly, yet stylish and luxurious accommodation in Bogota, Santa Marta and Cartagena
An a-la-carte menu of tours, activities, and experiences to suit all ages and interests
A perfect mixture of adventure, relaxation, and culture
Family-friendly feasts in some of the country’s top restaurants
An entire day dedicated to exploring the rugged beaches and crystal-clear waters of Tayrona National Park and the Rosario Islands, as well as the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Private transportation (including by land and sea) to the National Parks and major attractions, meaning you can spend less time traveling and more time exploring
What’s not included on this journey?
Tips and gratuities.
International flights.
Who will enjoy this journey?
Adventurous, open-minded families looking to experience new foods, new settings, and new cultures - all whilst having A LOT of fun getting out in nature, relaxing in top-end hotels, and eating world-class food.
Is this a private or shared journey?
This is a private journey organized for you and your group.
What time does the journey depart and return?
Subject to your availability.
Let’s Get Planning.
All of our signature Colombian journeys have been designed for the most demanding of international travelers. That said our team loves to rip up the script and get to work on a 100% tailor-made journey that will take your visit to Colombia to the next level.
With a little more information about your travel needs, we’ll be happy to draw up a bespoke vacation for you and your loved ones. All of our Colombian journeys start with a free consultation with one of our talented travel advisors.
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