Colonial Colombia
Beautifully preserved cities and villages
Discover Colombia's rich colonial history on this 7-night vacation! Visit Bogota, Villa de Leyva and Cartagena as you experience beauty and culture at every corner.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Bogota (BOG) and out of Cartagena (CTG)
- Round-trip airport transfers in Bogota and Cartagena
- 2 nights in Bogota at the Hotel Dann Carlton Bogota, or similar
- Bogota city tour with funicular to Monserrate and lunch (half-day)
- Transfer from Bogota to Villa de Leyva, with visit to Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and lunch
- 2 nights in Villa de Leyva at the Hotel Posada de San Antonio, or similar
- Visit to the Fossil Museum and Ecce Homo Monastery with lunch
- Visit to the town of Raquira (en-route to Bogota Airport)
- One-way, economy class flight from Bogota (BOG) to Cartagena (CTG)
- 3 nights in Cartagena at the Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand, or similar
- Cartagena city tour (half-day)
- Breakfast daily
Great Ways to Explore
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Declared an independent country in 1819, Colombia still has remnants of its colonial past. See it all on this trip!
- Begin your journey in Bogota, Colombia's bustling capital. Tour the historic La Candelaria district, home of the grand Bogota Cathedral.
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Drive through beautiful countryside until you reach Villa de Leyva. This is one of Colombia's prettiest villages!
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Immerse yourself in the romanticism of Cartagena, the jewel of the Caribbean. Colonial influence abounds from balcony to cobbled street.
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Indulge in hearty Colombian food, from piping hot arepas in Bogota to cool and refreshing ceviche on the coast.
If you've been dreaming of a South American country with perfectly preserved colonial cities and villages, Colombia is it. From countryside to coast, Colombia enchants visitors with romantic balconies to quiet cobbled courtyards.
Begin in Bogota, where a bustling modern metropolis meets charming colonial side streets. Tour La Candelaria district, take photos in Plaza Bolivar, and admire gold artifacts at the Gold Museum. Dine at La Puerta Falsa, one of Bogota's oldest restaurants serving traditional Colombian snacks.
Drive about four hours to your next destination, Villa de Leyva. This village is one of the most beautiful in Colombia! Learn about the region's fascinating prehistoric past while you relax in the peaceful village surrounded by mountains.
Your vacation ends in Cartagena, where the Caribbean sea meets a fascinating colonial history. Scale the fortress of San Felipe then visit a convent inside the walled city on an included tour. Explore the vibrant city on your own before heading home.
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)
- Round-trip airport transfers in Bogota and Cartagena
- 2 nights in Bogota at the Hotel Dann Carlton Bogota, or similar
- Bogota city tour with funicular to Monserrate and lunch (half-day)
- Transfer from Bogota to Villa de Leyva, with visit to Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and lunch
- 2 nights in Villa de Leyva at the Hotel Posada de San Antonio, or similar
- Visit to the Fossil Museum and Ecce Homo Monastery with lunch
- Visit to the town of Raquira (en-route to Bogota Airport)
- One-way, economy class flight from Bogota (BOG) to Cartagena (CTG)
- 3 nights in Cartagena at the Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand, or similar
- Cartagena city tour (half-day)
- Breakfast daily
-
Declared an independent country in 1819, Colombia still has remnants of its colonial past. See it all on this trip!
- Begin your journey in Bogota, Colombia's bustling capital. Tour the historic La Candelaria district, home of the grand Bogota Cathedral.
-
Drive through beautiful countryside until you reach Villa de Leyva. This is one of Colombia's prettiest villages!
-
Immerse yourself in the romanticism of Cartagena, the jewel of the Caribbean. Colonial influence abounds from balcony to cobbled street.
-
Indulge in hearty Colombian food, from piping hot arepas in Bogota to cool and refreshing ceviche on the coast.
If you've been dreaming of a South American country with perfectly preserved colonial cities and villages, Colombia is it. From countryside to coast, Colombia enchants visitors with romantic balconies to quiet cobbled courtyards.
Begin in Bogota, where a bustling modern metropolis meets charming colonial side streets. Tour La Candelaria district, take photos in Plaza Bolivar, and admire gold artifacts at the Gold Museum. Dine at La Puerta Falsa, one of Bogota's oldest restaurants serving traditional Colombian snacks.
Drive about four hours to your next destination, Villa de Leyva. This village is one of the most beautiful in Colombia! Learn about the region's fascinating prehistoric past while you relax in the peaceful village surrounded by mountains.
Your vacation ends in Cartagena, where the Caribbean sea meets a fascinating colonial history. Scale the fortress of San Felipe then visit a convent inside the walled city on an included tour. Explore the vibrant city on your own before heading home.
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.
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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
Hotel Dann Carlton Bogota prides itself on the values of tradition, quality, and trust in its accommodations. Located in Northern Bogota, within close proximity to some popular attractions, this hotel provides ultimate comfort and convenience during any trip to Bogota.
Rooms include a private bathroom, desk and chair, TV, in-room safe, and more. The hotel's on-site restaurant May Fair combines the flavors of Colombia with international food flavors, and Bar Carlton is the perfect place to grab a few cocktails or cup of coffee. In addition, a buffet breakfast is served daily. Guests have access to the hotel's game room and spa where you can laze about in the sauna, request a massage session, or use the fitness facilities.
The Hotel Dann Carlton Bogota is closely located to some of the best things to do in Bogota. It's just 15 minutes from shopping centers like Hacienda Santa Barbara and Centro Andino, a 20-minute drive to Jose Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden and the National Museum, and is just 8-minutes away from Parque del Chico.
Located in one of Bogota's most exciting and popular neighborhoods, Zona G, the bs Rosales Hotel is a contemporary 4-star hotel with an intimate and relaxing feel. The hotel's wide range of amenities and overall atmosphere make it great for guests of any kind, whether you're on a business trip or on vacation in Bogota. The hotel is designed in a simplistic yet lavish aesthetic which adds even more depth to the comfort of the accommodation. Each guest room features a private bathroom, room service, beautiful décor, a flat screen television, and more.
Guests can feel even more at home by taking advantage of some of the hotel's unique features, such as grocery delivery and (by request) area shuttle service. There's an on-site bar and lounge, sauna, and fitness center with great views of the mountains. The hotel also provides their own set of excursions including tickets to national parks, tours, mountain hiking guides, and more. The on-site restaurant offers a daily buffet breakfast complimentary to each guest.
While staying at the hotel, guests will enjoy easy access to some of the best things to do in Bogota. Nearby attractions include the Quinta Camacho, Jose Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden, Bolivar Square, the Gold Museum, and more.
Relax and dine at the Mercure BH Zona Financiera, just a few steps away from the culinary center of Bogotá. Over 60 elegantly-decorated rooms are available, each featuring plasma TVs, private bathrooms, a minibar, coffee machine, and free Wi-Fi. A community snack bar is provided by the hotel where guests can grab a quick bite to eat before heading out to explore Bogotá. Other amenities include a fitness room, 24-hour reception, a sauna, and a business center.
Staying at the Mercure Bh Zona Financiera makes a vacation in Bogotá all the more comfortable. The hotel is just under a mile away from the Financial District and seven miles away from El Dorado International Airport. A variety of other fun attractions are also within close proximity including the National Museum, Bolivar Square, Parque Portugal, and more.
Day 2. Bogota
Wake up and enjoy a half-day city tour taking you to Paloquemao market, La Candelaria district, Plaza de Bolivar, the Gold Museum and Monserrate!
In the evening, head to the trendy Zona Rosa neighborhood for dinner and a shot of aguardiente, an anise-flavored liquor beloved by Bogotanos.
Half-day Bogota City Tour with funicular to Monserrate and lunch (morning)
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.
You'll then 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. Enjoy a typical lunch before finishing your tour.Day 3. Bogota - Villa de Leyva
Say goodbye to Bogota as you depart for Villa de Leyva. En route, stop at the famous Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira and see this architectural marvel up close!
After your tour, continue to the colonial town of Villa de Leyva, founded in 1572 and declared a national monument in 1954. Settle into your hotel, then take a stroll over to Plaza Mayor, the largest square in Colombia! As you stroll down the narrow cobbled streets, pop into the colorful courtyards.
Transfer to Villa de Leyva
Stay in a traditional colonial home in beautiful Villa de Leyva. Walk outside to Plaza Nariño, 4-minute walk from Museo Luis Alberto Acuña and 4 miles from Lake Iguaque. The cozy rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Suites add living areas with fireplaces. Room service is on offer. A quaint restaurant/bar serves European food. There's also an art gallery, a reading corner, a game room and a spa, which offers a Turkish bath, a hot tub and aromatic massages.
This comfortable 3-star hotel is located in Villa de Leyva. The hotel's on-site restaurant offers the best new trends of food and combines those with the tastiest flavors of Colombia. The indoor pool has three waterfalls in the center section, and there is also a jacuzzi for guests to relax in. Other amenities include a beautiful, spacious sauna and Turkish bath. The hotel also offers a fully-functional spa area for guests.
A standard guest room includes a smart TV, private bathroom, in-room safe, a fireplace, and more. Additionally, room service is also available.
Museo del Carmen and Antonio Nariño Park are both within a 7-minute drive from the hotel. Guests are just 2 minutes away from Villa de Leyva Main Square where they can explore the cobblestone plaza, handicraft shops, many cafes, and a stunning colonial church.
The Hospedería Duruelo is a serene, homelike accommodation in Colombia's town of Villa de Leyva just outside the city of Tunja. The hotel captures the essence of the nearby natural landscape and mixes it with an antique Colombian feeling. The result is a lodging that is comfortable, serene, and eco-friendly.
Each room comes equipped with a flat-screen TV, phone, private bathroom, minibar, and more. Other services provided include daily housekeeping, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and access to laundry rooms. Rooms are situated in front of beautiful courtyards with stellar views of the nearby landscape.
A fitness center, spa, multiple pools, game room, and meeting centers are also available for guests to use. Additionally, guests can arrange time at the on-site tennis court or nearby golf course through the front desk.
Transfer from Bogota to Villa de Leyva, with visit to Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and lunch
Depart Bogota in the morning and drive approximately one hour to the city of Zipaquira, home to the famous Salt Cathedral. A feat of architecture and human endeavor, this unique structure is almost 400 feet deep and occupies an area of around two acres. The trip will begin in a tunnel that passes the fourteen Stations of the Via Cruxis, each designed by a local artist, then continue on to a dome. The final tract leads to the center of the Cathedral where you'll find three monumental cameras and the 50-foot tall cross. After the approximate one hour visit to this impressive cathedral, enjoy a typical lunch in a nearby restaurant. You will continue the journey to Villa de Leyva, which will take approximately two hours.
Day 4. Villa de Leyva
After breakfast, walk around the pretty village of Villa de Leyva with the finest examples of colonial architecture: wooden balconies, arches, and heavy wooden and brass laden doors in contrast to the white buildings. Enjoy the quiet surroundings and solitude of its streets and the easy-going life of its friendly inhabitants.
You'll then enjoy a tour of the Fossil and Ecce Homo Monastery, followed by a visit to the Periquera waterfalls and Pozos Azules.
Visit to the Fossil Museum and Ecce Homo Monastery with lunch
Visit El Fosil (the Fossil), a museum about three miles from Villa de Leyva that houses an almost complete kronosaurus, a giant and prehistoric gatorlike marine reptile. The 120 million-year-old fossil is one of many found in the region which was once underwater.
The tour continues to the Ecce Homo Monastery, a large stone-and-adobe structure founded by Dominican fathers in 1620. The convent in the countryside close to Villa de Leyva has a lovely courtyard and floors paved with stones quarried in the region. Look closely at the floors containing ammonites and fossils, and see more fossils in the base of a statue in the chapel.
You will continue to the impressive Periquera waterfalls and the Pozos Azules, pretty blue lagoons set in the desert landscape on the outskirts of town (Entrances are not included).Day 5. Villa de Leyva - Bogota - Cartagena
Say goodbye to Villa de Leyva as you transfer to Bogota airport. En route, stop in the colorful town of Raquira, the pottery capital of Colombia. Then head for your flight to the colonial jewel of Colombia, Cartagena.
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 Bogota airport (BOG)
Fly to Cartagena!
Transfer to Cartagena hotel
Nestled in lush tropical gardens, the 5-star Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand boasts unmatched beachside elegance. Featuring a semi-Olympic outdoor pool, charming colonial architecture, and impressive interior design, this hotel will sweep you off your feet.
Check in to your air-conditioned room and look out the window at a colorful view of palm trees and the Caribbean Sea. Relax on the plush bed, or indulge in deliciousness at one of the hotel's 3 on-site restaurants. Pamper yourself at the spa, or work your stresses away in the fitness center!
Relax in style at Hotel Dann Cartegena! The only hotel in Bocagrande with direct access to the beach, the whole family will find something to love. A recent remodeling has refreshed each of the 101 guestrooms to create more space and a refreshed atmosphere to revive you after a day of sightseeing. Splash around in the heated pool and Jacuzzi, or take the short stroll to the beach. Sample the local flavors at the Bucaneros Restaurant, which boasts a variety of dishes including local and international cuisine as well as hand-crafted cocktails.
Almirante Cartagena Hotel is located on a beach in the lively Bocagrande neighborhood of Cartagena. The hotel is elegantly decorated with amenities including a pool, casino, spa, and fitness center. Each guest room design is inspired by the colonial style of the city, and most rooms have a beautiful view of colorful Cartagena. There is also a desk, private bathroom, minibar and air-conditioning.
The hotel has multiple on-site restaurants. Alcatraz Restaurant specializes in international cuisine and overlooks the Bocagrande beach, while The Terrace Café offers refreshing drinks and sandwiches with al fresco dining. American Bar offers a quiet, relaxed environment in the hotel lobby with some live music, and the Sports Bar is the perfect place to grab drinks and play games.
Guests are just minutes away from some of the best places in Cartagena when staying at this hotel. The Caribbean and Emerald Jewelry Museum is only two minutes away, and Cartagena Modern Art Museum and Bolivar Park are both within a 15-minute drive. Bocagrande Beach is just a minute away, and Castillo Grande Beach is only four minutes from the hotel.
Visit to the town of Raquira (en-route to Bogota Airport)
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
Your Colombian vacation comes to an end today. 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.
Advertised vacation package prices are per person based on two people traveling together, unless otherwise noted. Advertised package rates are based on select departures as noted on the booking calendar above, were available via the Great Value Vacations website and may not represent current prices.
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