18 to 35s One Week in Colombia

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Colombia. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Cartagena – one of South America’s most historic cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you arrive early, visit the Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver or simply relax at the beach. After your meeting, you’ll head out for an orientation walk with your local leader. Walk through the Old City packed with churches, monasteries, plazas and heritage mansions and learn about the ancient walls that were built to protect the city from pirates. Tonight, maybe head out for dinner and get to know your fellow travellers.

This morning, travel to Barranquilla – a seaport city on the bank of the Magdalena River known for its annual Carnaval, which is recognised by UNESCO for its Intangible Cultural Heritage and is the biggest party in Colombia. When you arrive, set off on a cycling tour with your leader through Barranquilla along the Malecon (waterfront promenade). After, head back to your accommodation and maybe find a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations. Or you might like to try some street food favourites like arepas (cornbread filled with cheese), butifarras (spiced beef and pork sausages) or chuzo (chargrilled meat with fried potato, cheese, corn, lettuce and other customisable toppings).

Set off on a guided tour through the Palafitos Villages – stilt villages built on the water in the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta. This large swamp is a Ramsar Site (wetland of international importance) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The tour begins with a short drive to Pueblo Viejo, where you'll board a traditional fisherman's boat to visit the stilt villages of Buenavista and Nueva Venecia. In Nueva Venecia, head to the Visitors’ Center with a local community guide and learn about the moving history of this village, including its struggles with violence and social issues. Then, continue to the floating football field – a symbol of hope for the younger generations, donated by the famous footballer Radamel Falcao Garcia. Later, continue to Minca, where you’ll stay tonight.

This morning, join a local guide through the charming streets of Minca before continuing to the Marinka Waterfalls. Lace up your hiking boots and take in the scenic river views as you walk, looking out for native birds along the way. Swim in the crystal-clear waters surrounded by nature before heading back to Minca. This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace – maybe join a La Candelaria farm tour, where you'll visit a coffee farm built in the 1990s that also cultivates cacao. Here, you’ll have the choice between a coffee or chocolate tour, where you’ll learn about the cultivation and transformation process into the final product.

After breakfast, travel to Santa Marta. When you arrive, set off on an orientation walk through this coastal city with your local leader. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe taste some local produce at the Santa Marta Public Market or walk along the seafront promenade of Macheteon de Bastidas. Tonight, maybe get your new friends together and venture out into Santa Marta’s vibrant nightlife near Parque de los Novios.

Today is a free day for you to explore Santa Marta at your own pace. Maybe take a daytrip to Tayrona National Park, join a Santa Marta city tour or visit the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino Museum – the historic home of the former President of Peru, Simon Bolivar. Tonight, maybe watch the sunset from a nearby beach or try some local dishes like fish ancocho (fish and vegetable soup) or cayeye (boiled mashed banana with butter and cheese).

Take a bus from Santa Marta to Cartagena this morning. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. When you arrive, maybe join a tour of the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, stroll through the Zenu Gold Museum or indulge in local cuisine on a street food tour or rum tasting. Tonight, consider joining your new friends for dinner at a local restaurant and toast to the final night of your trip.