Beach Days and City Nights in Cartagena & San Andrés

Welcome to San Andrés, a beautiful island off the coast of Nicaragua. Known for its pristine beaches, coral reefs, and reggae music, this idyllic location is the perfect backdrop to kick off this Colombian adventure. The island is part of a grouping that was declared a UNESCO world biosphere and mixes English, Spanish, pirate, and buccaneer influences with the afro-descendent communities. There’s no shortage of cultural depth on this island oasis, and it’s waiting for you to explore all that it has to offer. Hop off the plane, check into the hotel, and enjoy the tropical atmosphere.

Good morning and welcome to your first full day in San Andrés. Enjoy an island breakfast and meet your guide for an ecological walking tour around the island. You’ll explore Cover Valley and Big Pond Lagoon, aka Lake La Loma, two places where you can observe the native wildlife, see fruit growing from the trees, and soak up the chill atmosphere of the jungle landscape. Enjoy a delicious snack, learn about the island’s ecosystems, and discover the history of the region from your local guide.

After a morning of walking through the lush jungle, we’ll head to The Old Point Mangle Regional Park, a place where the vegetation is flourishing and the wildlife is diverse. Your guide will teach you about the history of the area while you paddle around in a glass-bottom kayak. You’ll cross beautiful mangrove tunnels, observe seagrass meadows, jellyfish communities, oysters, crabs, rays and starfish, and have free time to snorkel at the end. The tour will wrap up with some traditional island snacks, such as fried fish, breadfruit, local bread, and natural juice.

Rise and shine, travelers! Today, enjoy a relaxing breakfast and explore the beaches of San Andrés on your own time until we leave for the airport and head to Cartagena. After a quick flight and hotel check-in, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore this new location with the group. Cartagena is a port city on the Caribbean coast enclosed by a historic wall that juxtaposes its white-sand beaches. Walk the palm tree-lined streets, observe the colonial architecture, and eat an authentic meal with new friends.

Travelers, wake up ready to attack the day! After breakfast, we’ll head out with a local guide to the Getsemani barrio and explore the colorful streets filled with graffiti, street art, and culture. The stories of the Colombian people and their history are painted on these buildings and will provide you with deeper insight into Colombia’s roots. We’ll also check out a few of Cartagena’s must-see landmarks, such as the clock tower, Umbrella Street, Trinidad Plaza, and Puerto Duro to name a few. Get those walking shoes on and your cameras charged!

Cartagena has a vibrant and complex history with legends and tales of pirates, commercial slave trade, and incredible artists of all kinds who have paved the way for their people. Learn about these historic touchpoints and many more on a city walking tour led by a local guide. You’ll pass the clock tower, the Plaza de Bolivar, the Gold Museum, and the Palace of Inquisition. You’ll also explore Castillo de San Felipe, a Spanish mountain fort and the site of many historic battles, where you can explore the castle’s tunnel system and take some stellar pics. The tour will end at Las Bóvedas, the old dungeons attached to the city wall, which is now a handicrafts market. After a long day on your feet, grab some food with the group and reflect on an incredible journey in Colombia.

After four days of exploration and culture, it’s time to return home. Have one last meal in the city and head to the airport with unforgettable memories and some stellar souvenirs. We hope you had a sublime trip. Until your next adventure, be well and safe travels!