Colombia: Coffee & Culture
A taste of Colombia's culture and history
See the capital city of Bogota, travel to the heart of coffee country in Armenia, and end in coastal Cartagena on this 7-night adventure in Colombia! Sip on a sweet and pungent cup of joe as you explore this fascinating country.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Bogota (BOG) and out of Cartagena (CTG)
- All airport transfers
- 2 nights in Bogota at the Hotel Atton Bogota 93, or similar
- Bogota city tour (half-day)
- One-way, economy class flight from to Bogota (BOG) to Armenia (AXM)
- 2 nights in Armenia at the Allure Cafe Mocawa Resort, or similar
- Tour of Cocora Valley & Salento (coffee region)
- One-way, economy class flight from Armenia (AXM) to Cartagena (CTG), via Bogota (BOG)
- 3 nights in Cartagena at the Hotel Capilla del Mar, or similar
- Cartagena city tour (half-day)
- Breakfast daily
Great Ways to Explore
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Tour Bogota's historic La Candelaria district with its historic charm that brings to mind a European city.
- Enjoy a chocolate completo at La Puerta Falsa, one of Bogota's oldest restaurants dating back to 1816!
-
Gaze up in amazement at the 200 ft wax palms in the Cocora Valley, one of Colombia's most stunning landscapes.
-
Learn about the process of coffeemaking and sample the country's finest brews in Salento.
-
Wander through the cobbled streets of Cartagena, the picturesque walled city filled with history and beauty.
Twice the size of Texas, Colombia is a country of incredible diversity, from the colonial grandeur of Cartagena to the lush green hillsides in Armenia. Travel across three incredible places as you sip and savor some of the best coffee in the world!
Begin your trip in cosmopolitan Bogota. Enjoy a city tour taking you to a bustling fruit and flower market, the historic Candeleria district, and the jaw-dropping Gold Museum. Warm up with a warm cup of hot chocolate and a bunuelo in a traditional cafe.
From Bogota, fly to Armenia, capital of the Quindio department and one of the main hubs in Colombia's coffee triangle. Here you will have the chance to see the incredibly tall wax palms in Cocora Valley, visit the charming Salento village, and tour a working coffee plantation!
End your South American adventure in Cartagena, one of the world's most desirable destinations. Visit the mighty fortress of San Felipe, walk the perimeter of the walled city, and taste the freshest seafood. With the warm Caribbean breeze, there is no better place to end your Colombian vacation.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Bogota (BOG) and out of Cartagena (CTG)
- All airport transfers
- 2 nights in Bogota at the Hotel Atton Bogota 93, or similar
- Bogota city tour (half-day)
- One-way, economy class flight from to Bogota (BOG) to Armenia (AXM)
- 2 nights in Armenia at the Allure Cafe Mocawa Resort, or similar
- Tour of Cocora Valley & Salento (coffee region)
- One-way, economy class flight from Armenia (AXM) to Cartagena (CTG), via Bogota (BOG)
- 3 nights in Cartagena at the Hotel Capilla del Mar, or similar
- Cartagena city tour (half-day)
- Breakfast daily
-
Tour Bogota's historic La Candelaria district with its historic charm that brings to mind a European city.
- Enjoy a chocolate completo at La Puerta Falsa, one of Bogota's oldest restaurants dating back to 1816!
-
Gaze up in amazement at the 200 ft wax palms in the Cocora Valley, one of Colombia's most stunning landscapes.
-
Learn about the process of coffeemaking and sample the country's finest brews in Salento.
-
Wander through the cobbled streets of Cartagena, the picturesque walled city filled with history and beauty.
Twice the size of Texas, Colombia is a country of incredible diversity, from the colonial grandeur of Cartagena to the lush green hillsides in Armenia. Travel across three incredible places as you sip and savor some of the best coffee in the world!
Begin your trip in cosmopolitan Bogota. Enjoy a city tour taking you to a bustling fruit and flower market, the historic Candeleria district, and the jaw-dropping Gold Museum. Warm up with a warm cup of hot chocolate and a bunuelo in a traditional cafe.
From Bogota, fly to Armenia, capital of the Quindio department and one of the main hubs in Colombia's coffee triangle. Here you will have the chance to see the incredibly tall wax palms in Cocora Valley, visit the charming Salento village, and tour a working coffee plantation!
End your South American adventure in Cartagena, one of the world's most desirable destinations. Visit the mighty fortress of San Felipe, walk the perimeter of the walled city, and taste the freshest seafood. With the warm Caribbean breeze, there is no better place to end your Colombian vacation.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to Bogota!
¡Bienvenidos a Colombia! Upon arrival in Bogota, you will have a transfer from the airport to your hotel.
Bogota is the Colombian capital and was founded in 1538 by the Spaniard Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada under the name of Santa Fe. Here you will experience both the colonial grandeur and the vitality of a modern metropolis. Named a UNESCO Creative City for its rich music scene, Bogota is a cosmopolitan city that can rival any in Europe.
Celebrate your first night with a bowl of warming ajiaco, a hearty soup made with chicken and three kinds of potatoes.
Transfer to Bogota hotel
Check-in - Hotel Atton 93
Immerse yourself in comfort and relaxation at Atton 93 in bustling Bogota. Step through the hotel's doors and feel welcomed by trendy artwork, contemporary furniture, and a beyond-friendly reception team. Stroll through the halls and find a small snack bar, numerous meeting rooms, a modern fitness center, and much more. Head up to your room and open the door to tons of space and natural light. Take a nap on your large cozy bed, catch your favorite shows on the flat-screen TV, use the hotel's WiFi to get in touch with family and friends, and check out your sparkling bathroom. When it's time to eat, indulge in local cuisine at the authentic Guadalupe Restaurant & Bar. In need of a pick-me-up? Unwind with a cocktail at the bar, or grab a hot cup of coffee or tea in the lobby any time!
Day 2. Bogota
Wake up and enjoy a half-day city tour taking you to Paloquemao market, La Candelaria district, Plaza de Bolivar and the Gold Museum!
After your tour, take a funicular up to Bogota's mountain in the clouds, Monserrate. Breath in the fresh, cool air as you admire the stunning views of the city. On Monserrate you will find a Catholic church, restaurant, food stalls and a crafts bazaar.
In the evening, head to the trendy Zona Rosa neighborhood for dinner and a shot of aguardiente, an anise-flavored liquor beloved by Bogotanos.
Bogota city tour (half-day)
The Bogota city tour will start at Paloquemao, the famous food market located in the heart of the city. Once you enter the market, you will smell, see and be surprised by exotic fruits, vegetables, herbs, seafood and meat. Take a break at one of the simple but delicious food stands and try a fresh juice or one of the typical meals of this region. Early in the morning you will find a beautiful flower market in front.
After the market, take a walk through ‘La Candelaria’, Bogota's historical neighborhood. A pleasant quarter of cobble stoned streets, Spanish colonial architecture, and Baroque churches, the neighborhood is also home to several universities, libraries and museums. Walk across the main square Plaza Bolivar as you pass various government buildings, then visit one of a dozen milliners along Calle San Miguel to get an idea of how hats are made.
Pass by the Fernando Botero Museum, which holds a large collection of works from the well-known Colombian painter and sculptor, on your way to the Gold Museum. The museum contains nearly 34,000 gold pieces plus a further 20,000 bone, stone, ceramic, and textile articles belonging to 13 Pre-Hispanic societies.
Day 3. Bogota - Armenia
Today you will transfer to Bogota airport for your flight to Armenia. While you transfer to your hotel, enjoy the amazing landscapes in Colombia's coffee region, from the rolling hillsides of fertile coffee plantations to plunging valleys and snow-capped peaks.
Rural life here continues as it has done for centuries, with farmers harvesting coffee, plantains and fruits in this lush and fertile part of the country.
Transfer to Bogota airport (BOG)
Fly to Armenia!
Transfer to Armenia hotel
Check-in - Hotel Allure Cafe Mocawa Resort
Arrive at the colorful Hotel Allure Cafe Mocawa Resort in Colombia and feel the excitement from your first step into the resort. Vibrant colors give the hotel a cheery atmosphere while rooms with decorative accents, plush beds, and views of the pool or surrounding greenery give off a comfortable vibe. Free Wi-Fi, a year-round outdoor pool, kid pools and supervised activities, a spa and Jacuzzi, a steam bath, fitness facilities, two tennis courts, a game room, and a solarium bring the stars to this 4-star resort. A pool bar, a restaurant, and a bar near the restaurant provide plenty of opportunities to unwind and have fun.
Allure Café Mocawa Resort offers accommodation in La Tebaida, 11.8 miles from Armenia. The property features an international restaurant and a Colombian restaurant. Free private parking is available on site. Part of the property is solar-powered. Rooms are equipped with satellite TV, a minibar, a coffee machine, private bathrooms, free toiletries, a hairdryer, and a balcony overlooking the mountains or the pool. Select rooms offer a seating area, a spa bath, and extra long beds.
Day 4. Armenia
Enjoy a full-day tour in Colombia's coffee country! Begin the day in the stunning Cocora Valley, then travel to the colorful village of Salento. Peruse the souvenirs in town before heading to a coffee plantation where you will learn all about the country's most famous export - coffee!
Tour of Cocora Valley & Salento (coffee region)
Visit the beautiful Cocora Valley, known for the highest palm trees in the world named the Palma de Cera. Take a walk through the valley and enjoy the spectacular, lush scenery. From the valley, head to Salento, the oldest village of this region. Walk through town and admire the colorful houses, enjoy a good coffee, and shop for Colombian souvenirs on Camino Real.
When in the coffee region, do as the locals do and learn how to make coffee at a coffee finca. Colombia is the third largest producer of coffee in the world, after Brazil and Vietnam. Get to know and understand the process of the seed, from planting, roasting to tasting. Walk through lush plantations, learn about the secrets of the production process, and taste coffee made from different kinds of beans. Enjoy the breath-taking mountain scenery and the innate kindness of its people.
Day 5. Armenia - Cartagena
Transfer to Armenia for your flight to Cartagena, via Bogota. Upon arrival in the Colonial jewel of Colombia, a transfer will take your hotel.
Cartagena was founded in 1533 by the Spaniard Pedro de Heredia. Gold-crafting indigenous tribes, Spanish colonialism, pirates and corsairs, African slaves, fortifications, Catholicism and The Inquisition: Cartagena has led a very interesting life! With such a fascinating and turbulent history, you can bet that there are plenty of must-see spots for visitors.
Head into the old town and get lost in the dreamy cobbled streets and vine-draped balconies.
Transfer to Armenia airport (AXM)
Fly to Cartagena!
Transfer to Cartagena hotel
Check-in - Hotel Capilla del Mar
Across the street from the beach, Hotel Capilla del Mar is a sophisticated high-rise hotel in Cartagena's vibrant Bocagrande neighborhood. You'll be situated just two miles from the historic center and three miles from the 16th-century fortress Castillo San Felipe de Barajas.
Enjoy the tropical breeze from the 22nd floor deck and take a dip in the Solarium pool with beautiful views of Bocagrande and the Caribbean Sea. The relaxed, airy rooms have free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Enjoy daily complimentary breakfast and meals at the seafood restaurant and sea-view buffet eatery. Come nighttime, enjoy a drink at the sleek cocktail bar with panoramic views and DJs. There's also a spa and a gym, plus cooking and dancing classes at an extra charge.
Day 6. Cartagena
Today you will visit some of Cartagena's highlights on an included city tour. Cartagena was given the name La Heroica (Heroic City) by Simon Bolivar in 1815 after the city resisted 105 days of siege by the Spanish.
After the tour, stroll over to Plaza de la Aduana, the largest and oldest square in Cartagena's old town that was once the home of the city's government (aduana means customs).
Sip an ice cold cocktail at one of the outdoor bars near Plaza de la Aduana as you watch the sun go down!
Cartagena city tour (half-day)
Cartagena has as many stories to tell as its streets in the old quarter has names, and today you will visit the highlights of “La Heroica” (the Heroic city – name gave to the Cartagena during the times of the Colony). Begin at the fortress of San Felipe de Barajas, a masterpiece of engineering and military strategy built by the Spaniards to defend the city from pirates and pillagers. Despite several attempts to storm it, the fortress was never taken.
Then continue walking around the walled colonial city where narrow streets and vine-draped balconies will take you back in time. End your tour with a visit to the Convent of San Pedro Claver, a monumental three-story building that is considered one of the jewels of the Spanish colonial architecture.
Day 7. Cartagena
Today you will have a full day to see Cartagena at your leisure. Consider visiting the Palace of the Inquisition, one of Cartagena's most visited tourist sites that documents the darkest period in the city's history. Enter through the baroque limestone doorway off Plaza de Bolívar to see the torture devices used during the 1700s.
Enjoy your last night in Colombia dining on fresh seafood from the coast and relaxing in this romantic and seductive city.
Day 8. Depart Colombia
At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Transfer to Cartagena airport (CTG)
Fly home!
We have selected the most economical flight schedule for you. Please note that shorter and more convenient flight options may be available at an additional cost.
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