Colombia Escape
From $1679 without flights
Why go?
Colombia is the ::chefs kiss:: mix of old and new. Like, walled cities neighbored by high-rises and colonial architecture speckled with street art. This is where history meets innovation and where you meet your next great adventure.
Picture yourself
Treating your taste buds to Colombian arepas
Lounging in the sun on the sandy beaches of Barú Island
Sipping some of the best coffee on the planet
Immersing yourself in Medellín’s street art scene
Watching the sun set over the Pacific in a catamaran
What you'll get
Round-trip flights & airport transfers (or book 'em yourself)
6 nights in handpicked accommodations
6 breakfasts
1 lunch
3 dinners
Expert Tour Director
24/7 support
2 insider tours
Boat ride and full-day excursion to Barú Island
Itinerary
- Day 1: Fly to Medellín
¡Vamos, amigos! Board your flight, sit back, relax, and start dreaming about beautiful beaches, colorful cities, and allllll of the arepas. Next stop: Medellín, Colombia.
Today's highlights:
- Land at the airport and meet an EF representative.
- Transfer to your accommodations, check in, and start to meet your fellow travelers.
- Settle in for the night and get ready to take on Medellín in the morning.
- Day 2: Explore Medellín + Welcome Dinner
Welcome to Medellín, the capital city of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia province. Largely reinvented over the past 20 years, Medellín is a hub of innovation, an artist’s playground, and loaded with “stop I need a picture” natural beauty.
Today's highlights:
- Get up close to the work of artist Fernando Botero in Botero Plaza.
- Take on local culture with a graffiti workshop.
- Try some local foods at an included dinner with your group.
- Day 3: Free day in Medellín or optional coffee plantation and whitewater rafting
Today is all you. Spend your day checking some Medellín musts off your bucket list or opt in for a trip outside the city for a double dose of caffeine and adrenaline.
Free time suggestions
Pueblito Paisa: Visit a replica of a turn-of-the-century town located at the top of Nutibarra Hill—the perfect spot to snap pics of Medellín for your Story.
Arepas: The arepa is quintessential Colombian food. Some have cheese. Some have meat. All are delicious.Coffee plantation & whitewater rafting (extra cost)
Learn how coffee goes from plant to bean to brew. Then, use that energy on a rafting adventure.
This excursion is pre-book only; if your trip is less than twenty days away, please call 800-766-2645 to purchase. - Day 4: Travel to Cartagena + optional sunset catamaran cruise
After a quick flight, it’s time to check out Cartagena (pronounced “carta-hey-na”). The city’s contrast of ancient and modern makes it one of the most popular places to visit in Colombia.
Today's highlights:
- Say so long to Medellín and take off for Cartagena.
- Explore the Bocagrande neighborhood on a walk with your Tour Director.
- Get your first look at the Pacific Ocean and its bustling beaches.
Sunset catamaran cruise (extra cost)
Hop aboard a catamaran, grab a tropical drink, and be dazzled by the sunset over the Pacific.
This excursion is pre-book only; if your trip is less than twenty days away, please call 800-766-2645 to purchase. - Day 5: Tour Cartagena
The juxtaposition of old and new in Cartagena is real. Like real-real. There’s modern, beachside Bocagrande, with an array of high-rise hotels and restaurants, and then there’s the historic Old Town, home to structures that are over 500 years old.
Today's highlights:
- Walk through Cartagena’s Old Town.
- Visit Plaza Bolivar, an excellent spot for people watching.
- See the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas (it’s a big ole fort).
Free time suggestions
The Walls of Cartagena: The Spaniards built these walls in the 1500s to ward off pirates, and due to top notch preservation efforts, they look as good as new.
Getsemani: The coolest place in Cartagena. There’s street food, night clubs, live music, and everything’s vibrant and Insta ready. - Day 6: Visit Barú Island + Farewell Dinner
It’s your last full day, and we’re gonna do it right. Head to Barú Island aka para-freakin-dise, and spend the day lounging, swimming, and soaking up the sun.
Today's highlights:
- Travel to beautiful Barú Island by speedboat.
- Chill in a hammock by the beach and enjoy an included lunch.
- Share some laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included Farewell Dinner with your group.
- Day 7: Fly home
¡Adiós amigos!
Translation: Goodbye, friends! Your next destination awaits—home. But this isn’t goodbye. It’s “See you later.” The only question is, where?
Traveling with us helps the EF community plant trees, at no extra cost to you.
Reviews
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 authentic traveler reviews
Beautiful country
Farrah, traveled Sep. 2023I absolutely loved this trip except I do feel like EF could’ve done better planning our flights. We missed an entire day due to the lack of time we had to get through immigration to catch our next flight I do recommend booking your own flights. Also the trip was beautiful I will definitely go back
Wonderful experience
Tamar, traveled Sep. 2023Overall, this trip was wonderful! I loved being able to experience the city vibe in Medellín and the old city vibe of Cartagena. My flight itinerary that EF booked was fine, but other travelers mentioned having short connection times that didn’t allow ample time to clear immigration/customs before their connecting flight. Be prepared for hot and humid weath... See more
