8 Days • 7 Nights
Cartagena & the Caribbean Coast
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Colonial Cartagena and its walled old town
- White-sand beaches of the Rosario Islands
- Jungle-backed beaches of Tayrona National Park
- Snorkelling coral reefs
- Fresh Caribbean seafood
- Colonial romance and tropical beaches
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Cartagena, the jewel of the Caribbean coast. Settle in and stroll the atmospheric walled old town, with a welcome dinner.
A guided walking tour of Cartagena's UNESCO-listed old town, its colourful mansions, plazas, churches and the San Felipe fortress, steeped in colonial history.
A day trip by boat to the Rosario Islands, a national park of white-sand beaches and coral reefs, for swimming, snorkelling and a fresh seafood lunch in the Caribbean.
A free day to enjoy Cartagena, the bohemian Getsemani district, rooftop bars, cuisine and nightlife, or the beaches.
You travel along the coast to the Santa Marta area, gateway to Tayrona National Park, settling into an eco-lodge or beach hotel amid the jungle-clad coast.
A day exploring Tayrona National Park, where the jungle tumbles down to golden, palm-fringed beaches lapped by the Caribbean, hiking forest trails and relaxing on idyllic sands.
A free day to enjoy the coast, more Tayrona beaches, the fishing village of Taganga, or simply your beach hotel, with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight, sun-kissed and full of Caribbean rhythm.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a beach seafood lunch
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
- Domestic flights as specified
- National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
- a Cartagena old town tour, a Rosario Islands boat trip and a Tayrona National Park excursion
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: The currency is the Colombian Peso; cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels, but carry cash for markets, small vendors and the coffee region and coast. We advise on current money matters
- Diverse climates: Colombia sits near the equator, so temperature depends more on altitude than season, Bogota is cool, Medellin is the 'city of eternal spring', and the Caribbean coast is hot year-round; pack for the range in your itinerary
- Best time to visit: Colombia is a year-round destination; the drier months (December to March and July to August) are ideal, though the coffee region and coast are lovely throughout, with occasional rain
- Getting around: Colombia is large and mountainous, so itineraries use domestic flights between regions such as Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin and the coffee region; these are arranged and included where specified
- Safety: Colombia has transformed in recent decades and is a warm, welcoming and increasingly popular destination; we use trusted local guides and drivers and sensible precautions, and most visitors find it friendly, safe and easy in the areas we visit
- Health: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon and some jungle and coastal areas; bring insect repellent and sun protection, and drink bottled water outside the main cities. We advise on current requirements
- Culture & power: Colombians are famously warm and welcoming; a little Spanish goes a long way, and tipping around ten percent is customary. Power is 110V with type A and B plugs, so US travellers need no adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tayrona's beaches easy to reach?
Some of Tayrona's most beautiful beaches involve a walk of an hour or more through the jungle from the park entrance (or a shorter horseback option), which is part of the adventure. There are also more easily accessible beaches, and we tailor the day to your preferences and fitness.
Can this be combined with the rest of Colombia?
Absolutely — the Caribbean coast pairs beautifully with Bogota, the coffee region, Medellin or the Amazon via domestic flights. We can build it into a longer journey to suit your time and interests.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner or a coffee-farm lunch. Colombia's food, from fresh Caribbean seafood to hearty Andean fare, is a delight, so most other meals are left free with our recommendations.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes — the domestic flights between regions specified in your itinerary, such as Bogota to Cartagena or the coffee region, are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your journey is seamless.
Is Colombia safe to visit?
Colombia has transformed in recent decades and is a warm, welcoming and increasingly popular destination. We use trusted local guides and drivers and sensible precautions throughout, and most visitors find the areas we visit friendly, safe and easy.
Do I need a visa for Colombia?
Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.
When is the best time to visit Colombia?
Colombia is a year-round destination; the drier months (December to March and July to August) are ideal, though the coffee region and coast are lovely throughout. Temperature depends on altitude, so pack for the range in your itinerary.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of city, coast, coffee region and jungle, add the Amazon or Tayrona, change the pace and tailor hotels to your interests and budget.
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