Colombian Caribbean Coast Tour Overview
This tour is specially designed for the beach combing, sea-shore loving, salt water swimming eco-tourist. From the bustling historic walled city of Cartagena to the beautiful and barren sands of Cabo de la Vela, this tour takes you along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where you are sure to get your fill of sunshine, sand, sea, and coastal culture.
Highlights
Explore Cartagena de Indias, Mud bath in Volcan del Totumo, Explore Tayrona National Park, Snorkel in the Rosario Islands, Enjoy delicious cuisine on the beach by candlelight, relax in a traditional hammock at the “Edge of the Continent” in Cabo de la Vela, Hike into the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and float down the Palomino river, Travel to the white sand beaches of the Islas de Rosario.
Details
Comfort & Level of Service: ● ● ● ○ ○
Physical Demand: ● ● ○ ○ ○
Ages: All Ages
Group Size: 6 – 12 people
Style: Fully Guided. One full-time guide, local guides
Dates for 2013
June 16 – 29
July 28 – August 10
September 1 – 14
December 1 – 14
Dates for 2014
January 26 – February 8
March 2 – 15
Includes
- 14 Days / 13 Nights
- 13 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 9 Dinners
- All Accommodations – Double Occupancy
- Private Transportation
- Entrance Fees
- River Float
- English/Spanish speaking guides
Does not Include
- Alcohol
- International Flights
- Single Occupancy Supplement
- Mud Volcano Tour – $ 70.000 COP
- Cartagena City Tour – $ 80.000 COP
- Snorkeling on Isla Grande – $ 35.000 COP
From Price per Person
$ 5.687.000 COP
$ 3014 USD | € 2253 EUR | £ 1925 GBP
Taxes & Fees Included
Contact us to Reserve
Location
Itinerary
Airport to Hotel transfer will be provided. Enjoy the afternoon in Cartagena. Grab an evening cocktail at “San Francisco de Baluarte” located on top of the wall where the ocean breeze blows – you may even catch a live musical performance! Your guides will be happy to give you recommendations for restaurants in the area.
Lodging: Centro Hotel
All meals on your own this day
Option #1 - Cartagena City Tour – After breakfast you will travel to Castillo (Castle) San Felipe to learn some of the history of the city as well as marvel at the lovely scenery. You will have lunch at Crepes & Waffles in the center of town and then head to the Oro (Gold) Museum to learn more about the indigenous people of Colombia through their artifacts. Return to the hotel to relax before dinner. This option will increase the price of your tour by $80.000 COP per person.
Option #2 - Mud Volcano Day Trip - Today you will take an unforgettable trip to the Volcan de Totumo. Your guide will prepare you for the adventure on your way to the Volcan. Here you will don your bathing suits and enter the buoyant volcanic mud that flows up from the depths of the volcano. Locals offer massages and you are invited to float in gooey bliss for up to an hour. Enjoy lunch on the beach. Return to the hotel in the afternoon to freshen up before dinner. This option will increase the price of your tour by $70.000 COP per person.
Dinner will be on your own tonight. In the evening you will have the opportunity to enjoy a tour of beautiful historical downtown by night in a horse drawn carriage (not included). There are many wonderful restaurants in Cartagena – ask your guide for a recommendation.
Lodging: Centro Hotel
Breakfast is included. Lunch is included with the day tours. Dinner on your own.
After breakfast you will travel by boat to our lovely Eco-Hotel on Isla Grande of the Islas Rosario. You will have a delicious lunch of fish, coconut rice, salad and plantains. After lunch you will have the chance to explore the island. Walk to Playa Bonita for a white sand beach and a lovely sunset. After dinner you will marvel at the bioluminescent waters as you snorkel in the Laguna Encantada (Enchanted Lagoon).
Lodging: Eco Hotel Las Palmeras
All meals included.
Bioluminescent snorkel not included. This will cost $35.000 COP, to be paid onsite to the guide.
Enjoy the morning on the beach. Relax in a hammock after lunch. Take a guided walk, visit nearby reefs to snorkel, and sip a beverage as you watch the sunset.
Lodging: Eco Hotel Las Palmeras
Activities are not included this day.
Enjoy the morning on the island. This morning we will participate in a snorkel tour to a nearby coral reef. After lunch you will be transported back to Cartagena and you are off to Santa Marta. You will be staying at a lovely guesthouse in the heart of downtown Santa Marta. We will stop in Barranquilla for dinner.
Lodging: Aluna Casa & Cafe
Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner on your own.
Snorkel not included. This will cost $35.000 COP, to be paid onsite to the guide.
After breakfast, you will head on over to Tayrona National Natural Park. This park is one of the marvels of Colombia, with its vastly different types of beaches, crystal clear warm water, amazing landscapes and wildlife.
Lodging: Hacienda Arrecifes
All meals included
Enjoy the many beaches of the park. Take a morning hike to Pueblito and see the ruins of this ancient indigenous village. If you are lucky, you will see monkeys and other wildlife in the tree canopy. In the afternoon swim in “La Piscina,” the beach adjacent to our beach front Hacienda. Enjoy the sunset from a hammock on the 2nd story of our beautiful Hacienda.
Lodging: Hacienda Arrecifes
All meals included
This morning you will travel to Palomino. You will stop for a few hours to enjoy Quebrada Valencia, a lovely waterfall with swimming holes in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. After your hike and swim (3 hours total), you will be transported to our beach front eco resort. Lunch will be served upon arrival. Here there is no need for shoes as you step out of your cabaña (cabin) onto a sandy beach, nestled among coconut palm trees. Enjoy a shower in an open air bathroom and get a good night’s sleep in a comfortable bed. Meals will be served in the beach side dining area, lit by torches and candles in the evening. The food here is AMAZING. No Electricity.
Lodging: El Matuy
Meals: All meals included.
After a delicious breakfast on the beach, enjoy a guided hike up into the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, followed by a leisurely float down the Palomino river. After lunch take a hike down the beach to take a dip in the delta of the Palomino river. Marvel at the wildlife and if you are lucky, you will catch a glimpse of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta’s snow capped mountains from here, the tallest mountain range in Colombia.
Lodging: El Matuy
All meals included.
After breakfast, bright and early, you will travel via land to our eco lodge in Cabo de la Vela, where the desert meets the sea. Welcome the the “Wild West” of Colombia. As you travel down dusty roads, take note of the flora and fauna as you enter a desert paradise. Your cabaña on the beach is outfitted with a chinchorro, or traditional handmade hammock with blankets built in. You will be greeted with a welcome beverage of traditional “chicha” and a “festival of seafood” lunch. Enjoy an afternoon stroll along the beach as the sun sets. Watch the fishermen cast their nets at dusk, as the sand warms your feet. Walk 15 minutes to El Farro (The Lighthouse) to watch the colors of the sunset. After dinner, enjoy an exhibit of Wayuu culture and traditions, including traditional Yona dance. Enjoy a delicious seafood dinner in the dining area before you retire under the starry sky.
Lodging: Rancheria Utta
All meals included.
After breakfast you will be hike 1 hour to “Pilon de Azucar” a beach famous for its red-orange sands and stunning views. Climb the rock pilar for outstanding views. Check out the hand-made “mochilas” or bags, crafted by locals and sold at the beach or in the hotel store. You will return to Utta for lunch. After lunch you will walk 30 minutes to “Ojo de Agua”, A beautiful beach nestled in craggy cliffs. Hike to the edge of the cliffs for breathtaking views. Savor a lobster dinner with a bottle of white wine in the dining area before you retire for the night.
Lodging: Rancheria Utta
All meals included.
Enjoy the morning on the beach. After breakfast you will be picked for a long travel day to Cartagena. You will visit a salt mine in the small coastal town of Manaure on the way back to Santa Marta. You will also stop in Camarones, a small Wayuu village, to see the resident flamingos. You will stop for lunch along the way. Enjoy your last evening on the beach.
Lodging: El Matuy
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch on your own.
Enjoy your last lazy morning on the beach. After lunch you will travel to Cartagena. Stay your last night in our hotel in the heart of the historic walled city.
Lodging: Centro Hotel
Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner on your own
Enjoy your last morning in Colombia.
Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner on your own.
Airport transfer not included
Optional Extras
- Additional night’s stay in Cartagena
- Single Occupancy
Weather
The Colombian Caribbean is much like the rest of the Caribbean – hot and humid. Although the more towards Cabo de la Vela one goes, the cooler it gets.
Please bring ample sun block, insect repellent, a hat and breathable clothing. Shorts, shirts, sandals and summer dresses all apply.
Money
Each traveler should plan to bring money needed for meals not covered in the tour, incidentals, alcohol, tips and any upgrades you would like.
It is advisable to bring your ATM/Debit card and use the many ATMs available here to withdraw money as necessary. This prevents carrying large amounts of cash and gives you the best currency exchange rates. You will find ATM machines in all large cities and most small towns.
Security
We would never recommend travel to places where there would be a risk of any kind. As with any developing country, being smart in large cities is always recommended since petty street crime is really the only thing to worry about.
Having the best possible experience during your stay in Colombia is our responsibility, that includes making sure you are safe.
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Why Colombia Eco Travel?
It's simple. We love Colombia. We love the planet. We love what we do. We have traveled Colombia in search of authentic experiences which meet our global standards for quality service, ecological stewardship and social responsibility. We collaborate with travel outfitters and foundations to preserve Colombia's vast biodiversity, rich cultural heritage and local economies. We create the perfect travel experience for our clients every time, with the highest level detail and service from start to finish.
Colombia
Culture and natural beauty of the most bio-diverse country in the world.
Guarantee
Only experiences and destinations that we have experienced.
Responsibility
Protecting local economies and promoting ecological stewardship.
