See my affiliate disclosure here
Latest on Covid in Colombia Here
Take this10 Day Package Tour to see the Best of Medellin, Cartagena and the Pacific Coast of Colombia.
The photo opposite is Guatapé Rock. Come, and get up close and personal with it.
It is only about 2 hours from Medellin, right next to the most colorful town in Colombia.
Keep your ?’s charged.
You will need some comfortable shoes (to climb the rock), you will have opportunities for a boat cruise around the lake, a coffee tour or even a helicopter ride!
Along with all the other things you will be doing, make sure your phone is charged, or you have plenty of memory on your camera memory card. Did I say already?
I Should say here. This tour is limited to 10 people. More on this below.
Tip to remember: Outside of Colombian cities, ATM’s are scarce. See our tips on traveling in Colombia Here
Also check out the latest Covid protocols for Colombia in the link above.
Lets get started on the Best of Medellin, Cartagena and the Pacific Coast of Colombia.
Day One of the Tour
Bruce, who runs B&B tours will have everything organised for your arrival.
First you will be picked up from the airport and taken to the Hotel OBO. If this is the option you chose when you booked.
Depending on what time you arrive, he may have have a little excursion you can do, or some other surprise.
Or, depending where you have flown from, you might want to enjoy the amenities of the Hotel OBO, like:
- A Hot tub
- Sauna
- Gym
- Have a drink or two on the rooftop area.
- Flat-screen T.V’s and Satellite channels, if you want to kick back and watch a show or game. All the things backpackers dream of at their hostels.
- If you went with the luxurious option, there is no need for me to mention their amenities.
Day 2 of the Tour
Don’t party too hard on your first night here, because today you will be picked up about 8.00am by your English speaking driver and guide. (He speaks Spanish too ? ).
From the hotel, he will take you to the good and bad parts of the city. Well… the parts that had a bad history. Comuna 13. The place where once upon a time, it was a no go area for the police.
Your friends back home will be in awe of you, and ask lots of questions about this when you get back home.
It is now very tourist friendly, so there is no need to be concerned.
After about 6 hours of surprises and visiting lots of awesome sights around Medellin, you will have a few hours in the afternoon to do as you like.
I like to take note of a market that appeals to me when I am on a tour, then go back and revisit it. No point going home with a half empty suitcase.
Day 3 GUATAPÉ
Today is day you visit the most Colorful town in Colombia, and climb the Rock!
You don’t need ropes, there are 659 steps (officially 740 if you go right up to the top of the tower). If you need a rest on the way up, the steps are wide enough for you to sit and pretend you are taking in the view, leaving room for others go past you.
At the top you will be 2135 meters above sea level.
But the ⛰ itself is only about 200 meters above ground level.
Take some water? or juice with you, You can refill at the top, or have a ?. Price wise it is dearer than the drinks in town. It is what it is right?
The lake is not really a lake. It was created in the 1970’s for a hydro power station. So it is actually a reservoir. But still…
An unintended consequence is, it is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Colombia. One of the most picturesque too. Who would have thought. .
If you are worried about climbing the rock ( I couldn’t do it because a bad knee limits the number of steps I can climb), you can still get some great shots of it from ground level.
A boat ride around the lake offers some great photographic opportunities.
There are also some nice lakeside holiday homes, and you may even see the remains of Pablo Escobars home.
Alternatively there is a helicopter?. For those who like a birds eye view of things.
What’s Next?
After all that climbing and sailing or flying, you are going to need some refreshments. Your guide will have something special in mind for you.
But… There is plenty of street food available, some of the best cheese empanadas and arepas (filled with shredded beef), you will get in Colombia.
If you get a few minutes spare, take a table in the Plaza de Zocalos, grab a coffee and a cinnamon bun, relax and people watch for 15 or 20 minutes. You might want another cinnamon bun, they are very moreish.
Basically the whole town is a photographers dream come true. You will go to bed happy tonight.
Day 4, 5 and 6.
The Pacific Side of Colombia.
Pack your gear and say goodbye to Medellin. Today you are going to catch a flight to Nuqui. Colombia’s Garden of Eden on the Pacific Coast of Colombia.
Nuqui is a little place about an hour and a half flight from Medellin. Nestled between the Jungle and the Pacific Ocean. Here you will be roughing it at the La Bayka eco-lodge. You can see how tough it is in the photo below
Between July and November Humpback whales travel up the South American coast from Antarctica, to breed and give birth to their young in the warm tropical waters. (They like tropical holidays too).
Did you know Whale poop is good for jungles? True. Sorry I digress.
You will have great opportunities to get a snap of these giant mammals, either from the shore or from a boat.
You bought the waterproof protection for your phone or camera didn’t you, And swimwear? Muy bien.
Because as well as the ocean, there are also thermal pools here for you to relax in, and enjoy a “jacuzzi experience.”
These thermal pools have “medicinal properties” too. Just smear sulfur mud all over your skin, and you will… well?… feel different.
Afterwards go and bathe in the adjacent streams of cold water.
The water Fall of Love
There is walk to the Cascada del Amor (waterfall of love), this is a must do.
Keep a look out for bird and wildlife. Some are noisy, others will be just watching you.
The next day, some time after enjoying a breakfast overlooking the Pacific, you will have to get your things together to go back to Medellin. (depending what time your flight is, you will probably have time for dip in the ocean or a rainforest stroll.)
Then have the rest of the day to… well, do what ever you like. Maybe you have some clothes that need cleaning, because tomorrow you are leaving Medellin.
Day 7. The Caribbean
Today you say your goodbyes to Medellin, and take off for the Caribbean. To the Historic city of Cartagena De Indias.
Cartagena is the place everyone (well… maybe not everyone), comes to. There is so much to do and see here.
After booking into your hotel, it is time to get a taste of what this UNESCO heritage listed city has to offer. Time for a quick tour…
With your bilingual guide explaining the history behind every important site you visit.
Cartagena is a big tourist city and there are many guides and operators, who do not give you good service or explanations, when you ask a question.
You want a tour guide like this guy. Happy and easy going.
So take a trip back in time, discover some history as told by a Colombian.
Hear stories about Pirates, If your English, you might be asked if you are one.?.
Don’t take offence, relax you’re on holiday ?.
All while you explore the city’s colonial past, and take in all the important landmarks of Cartagena’s UNESCO heritage listed walled city.
San Felipe fort, is also one of those great places to try for that perfect sunset shot.
Don’t Forget To Use your “ExploreColombia10” code for a 10% Discount on All BnB Tours
Day 8. You are going Overseas… to the Rosario Islands.
Hopefully you didn’t party too hard last night ! because today, you are going on a boat ride to the Islas del Rosario. It will take about an hour.
You have probably seen these beaches before… in travel brochures.
Today is your opportunity to see them in real life and? be a “beach bum”, limited clothes, lay-about on a beach towel or deckchair, cocktail in hand, with the occasional dip into the water.
Or you might be a little more adventurous and take advantage of the other water activities available there.
The days here are hot, but the water offers a great sensation. Once you get to about knee deep, your feet are going to feel cold.
Keep going and you feel this sensation creep higher up your body as you get into deeper water. You might not want to get out of the water.
The boats usually leave around 8pm and are back around 4pm
Day 9 A Mud Bath and Explore Mangroves in a Canoe.
Cruising the Mangroves in a Canoe.
After washing off the medicinal mud and enjoying a nice tropical lunch, it is time to go canoeing through the mangroves about 20 minutes out of the city.
Your canoe will be guided by a local fisherman leaving you free to take snapshots of… whatever is sitting on branches watching you, or jumps out of the water to look at you… You did put it on charge last night didn’t you?…
While it may look quiet, there are hundreds of ?species and other fauna living in these mangroves. Enjoy the sounds and sights of natural Colombia. ?
Afterwards it is back to your hotel. The night is yours to enjoy. Next morning… it is another trip, one back to your home. ?
Of course you can always extend your stay… if you want ?.
Reservations, Prices and Conditions.
Prices are depended on numbers and accommodation style. Around $2424.00 USD. per person.
Click on the booking link below for more information.
Bookings for this trip need to made at least 60 days before departure. A 25% deposit to be made at the time of booking to guarantee your reservation and tour date, with the remaining 75% to be paid 15 days before the tour date.
See the complete booking details on this page.
Things to Know
For traveling in Colombia Check the information at this link. Also (again), check the covid requirements at the link above.
To see more BnB Colombia Tours GO HERE
This 10-day tour looks absolutely amazing. My wife and I had so many plans for our 20th wedding anniversary, unfortunately, it fell in 2020 so everything got cancelled. We are looking for a vacation, and this looks great. Day 2 would be very interesting to me, because I love history, but my wife would be all about the 4,5,6, and 7 when we see the pacific and the caribbean. This looks like a great package! How is the covid situation right now? Is there a lot of travel restrictions in Columbia right now?
I have just updated the Covid Protocols. Current as of today.
I have travelled all over North American, often after reading a description of an area that cause me to want to visit. This article is one of the most inviting introductions to an area I have ever read. I have a nephew who lives in Colombia. Your article has really made me want to get down to visit him. I am older and the COVID protocols you mentioned early in the article are what’s keeping me from travel. As soon as I feel safe, I am going to book this trip with him. You have made it sound magical. Thanks.
Thank You.
Ciao! Mamma mia! Medellin is beautiful. And thank you for giving us this detailed program on how to explore it. When I think of Medellin the first thing that comes to mind is the soccer player from Colombia’s national team called Escobar. I was a kid watching the World Cup back in 94 and then hearing the news about what happened to him in Medellin, really impressed me. But long have gone past those years, and Colombia is completely different nowadays. There is a friend here that calls himself “El cachaco”. He is Colombian. And his family prepares the most delicious meals. And I have been told there are so many dishes in Colombia that I just need to try. We Italians just love food! So, that’s one of the things I’ll do (try many dishes) on my trip to Colombia.
Awesome !
Wow, your post makes me want to check out Columbia. I am still hesitant to get on a plane right now if I don’t have to. Columbia looks very pretty and I like that this tour takes in so much nature. So much of the media coverage you get about Columbia is negative same as Mexico and I’m sure there are places to avoid. With that being said there are plenty of places I’d avoid in America as well. Great post!