Colombian Adventure: Caribbean Coast & Tayrona National Park

Arrive at any time. After a welcome meeting at the hotel in the evening, choose to join your fellow travellers for an optional group dinner and check out the local flavours and bustling atmosphere of Plaza Trinidad.

Included Experiences

• Connect With New Friends: Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Start the day with a CEO-led orientation walk through streets of the historic old town. Depart from your hotel and pass by the Plaza de San Diego, Murallas de Cartagena for views of the Caribbean Sea, Heredia Theatre, and Monumento Torre del Reloj, during the route. Then, the day is yours to explore this coastal colonial city. Check out the San Felipe fortress, keep walking the lively streets, or take a break from the heat and people watch in one of the city’s many plazas, like Plaza de Santo Domingo.

Included Experiences

• CEO-led Orientation Walk of Old Town Cartagena: Enjoy an orientation walk alongside your trust CEO and get to know the Old Town of Cartagena as you walk a 3.7km loop from your hotel in the area. Pass by various monuments and museums and gain an introduction to the streets, sounds, and sights of this Colombian city.
• Free Time: Choose your own adventure today! From numerous museums to city tours and nearby island visits, there's no doubt you'll find plenty of options to keep you entertained.

Optional Experiences

• Islas del Rosario National Park: Take a boat to this park with a lengthy name—Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park—and be wowed by the beauty of the Rosario Islands. Admire the clear blue water and natural landscape of the islands. Opt to snorkel and explore the park’s lively reefs or sit back and relax on the beach. (320000-350000 COP per person)
• Naval Museum of the Caribbean Visit: Located in the historic walled city, visit this spacious museum housed in two heritage buildings. Explore the various exhibits relating to the naval history of the Caribbean Sea and enjoy the charming patios.
• Palace of Inquisition (Museum) Visit: Visit the museum and learn about the Spanish Inquisition in Colombia. Explore this fine example of colonial and Baroque architecture and see artifacts and torture equipment on display.
• Night Exploration on Chiva: Get ready to party and explore the city by chiva bus. These colourful vehicles are a national symbol and feature open sides making it easy to truly experience vibrant Cartagena as you go. Drink, dance and enjoy Colombian music on this fun-filled ride.
• Gold Museum Visit: Head to Plaza Bolivar and pay a visit to this well-curated and informative museum. Admire the intricate, pre-Columbian gold works and pottery of the indigenous Zenú people while learning about their history and traditions—all on display in a charming colonial home.
• Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno) Visit: Housed in two historic buildings, one a former weapons storehouse, is the collection of the Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena. Stroll through the unique space and admire Latin American paintings from the 1950s along with contemporary Colombian art.
• Cartagena City Tour: Learn more about Cartagena’s history from a bilingual guide on a tour of this lively city. Travel between sights by private transport and visit the clock tower, Plaza Bolivar, and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. Take in sweeping views of the city from the hilltop Convento De La Popa and enjoy a walking tour from San Pedro Claver Church to Santo Domingo Church.

Leave the liveliness and pulsing energy of Cartagena behind and travel to the small town of Minca, where you can breathe in the fresh mountain air and take advantage of free time to explore. This growing village has a laid back, but energetic vibe with lots of opportunities for jungle hiking, waterfalls, and other adventurous activities.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Settle in to this town in the middle of the rainforest in the lower part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. A place brimming with hiking trails, coffee and cocoa plantations, rivers, and waterfalls. The ideal place to immerse yourself in nature. Go for a hike or explore the town on your own.

Optional Experiences

• Pozo Azul: Choose to visit Pozo Azul, a series of waterfalls near Minca that create the perfect natural swimming holes to feel refreshed in the tropical, humid environment of north Colombia.
• Hiking Jungle Trails Near Minca: Set off on the trails through the jungle around Minca and do some exploring on your own.

In the morning after breakfast at the hotel, set off on one of the best, but lesser-known activities while in Minca; a hike to the Marinka Waterfalls. These two large jungle cascades can be found about 3.6km from town amidst the beautiful forest, and they offer a deep swimming pool to cool off in after your hike. The group will arrive back to Minca for a free afternoon to lounge about, or be as adventurous as you choose.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: After the hike travel back to Minca and spend the afternoon on your own. Maybe head to Pozo Azul, a collection of three swimming areas on the river that runs by town, or choose to tour a chocolate and coffee farm.
• Marinka Waterfall Hike: Hike to the impressive Marinka waterfalls that flow with crystal clear water and generate a natural pool perfect for swimming. This easy to moderate hike offers a great chance to feel refreshed in nature amid the beautiful jungle scenery.

Optional Experiences

• Pozo Azul: Choose to visit Pozo Azul, a series of waterfalls near Minca that create the perfect natural swimming holes to feel refreshed in the tropical, humid environment of north Colombia.
• Hiking Jungle Trails Near Minca: Set off on the trails through the jungle around Minca and do some exploring on your own.

Get ready to lean into those beach vibes and a laid-back coastal paradise energy as the group travels from Minca to Palomino, on the Caribbean coast. Due to it’s location at the southern portion of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, you get the lush mountain greenery right up against the warm sea. Upon arrival there will be free time for lunch on your own as well as the opportunity to book an optional tubing activity on the nearby river. Later, kick back with your travel buddies around a beach bonfire before a free night out in Palomino on your own.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Enjoy yourself during a free afternoon in the small beachside town of Palomino. This off-the-beaten-track is the perfect place to sunbathe on golden sand beaches or tube down a lazy rive beneath the jungle trees.
• Palomino Beach Bonfire: Hang out on the beach with your travel pals and enjoy a bonfire as the sun goes down and you enjoy one another's company.

Travel into Tayrona National Park for a moderate hike thorough the stunning landscape accompanied by a local guide. Experience the natural biodiversity and beautiful trails while any nature lovers unite on a search for wildlife amid the dense jungle forest. Spend half of the day here in the park before an included lunch and transfer back to Palomino. Arrive in the early evening and spend it as you choose. Opt to find a local spot for dinner and toast with your travel pals to a day well spent, maybe catch the sunset.

Please note that Tayrona National Park will be closed on certain dates in February, June, October, and November. See the Important Notes section of your tour for more details. The indigenous groups in the area believe that mother nature needs a month of rest, and maintenance to the park is done during this time. If your trip falls during these dates, you will visit Taironaka Park, where you will tube down the Don Diego River, connect with the local Kogi people and learn about their cultural practices.

Included Experiences

• Tayrona National Park Visit & Hike: Enjoy the first part of the day in the beautiful landscape of Tayrona National Park on a moderate hike led by a local guide. Learn more about the rich diversity of Tayrona's natural heritage and simply enjoy the outdoors.
• Free Time: Spend the evening on your own. Opt to grab dinner together with the group or find a spot in town to watch the sunset.

In the morning the group will travel by private vehicle to Santa Marta from Palomino. Upon arrival, join your CEO for an orientation walk of the town passing by landmarks such as, Parque de los Novios, Parque Bolívar, Parque Camellón Rodrigo de Bastidas (along the water), and the marina. Then, take advantage of free time in the afternoon to explore. Choose to grab some lunch at a local restaurant, or maybe head to El Rodadero for white sand beaches and warm water. Tonight, head out for a final night out on the town with your travel crew.

Included Experiences

• Santa Marta CEO-led Orientation Walk: Walk through town with your CEO and pass by landmarks like Parque de los Novios, Parque Bolívar, Parque Camellón Rodrigo de Bastidas (along the water), and the marina. Get to know this gorgeous place on the Caribbean Sea and simply enjoy the coastal location.
• Free Time: Explore on your own and choose from the optional activities available locally.
• Big Night Out: Whether it’s a pub crawl, drink specials, or hanging out by the beach, celebrate late into the night with your new best friends.

Optional Experiences

• Gold Museum Santa Marta: Explore the colonial mansion that houses indigenous artifacts from the Tayrona area including an impressive gold collection.
• Quinta San Pedro Alejandrino: Visit Simon Bolivar's final resting place, la Quinta is the estate where the famous libertador spent his final days. The former rum plantation now includes a restored house, museum, library, and extensive gardens perfect for exploring.

Depart at any time.