Overview

Come and spend a week with us in the Caribbean, two different places with contrasting atmospheres.

Cartagena a stunningly beautiful city, was the largest seaport city for the Spanish conquerors during colonial times. The city has a historically well-restored city center with boutiques, cafes, and cozy restaurants. To really experience the Caribbean, however, one should take excursions to exotic islands outside of Cartagena.  

Santa Marta was the first city founded in Colombia. Here South America's biggest hero, Simón Bolívar spent his last days when he retired from fighting his Gran Colombia dream for freedom. Santa Marta, it's also the birthplace of Nobel prize winner in litterateur Gabriel García Márquez

Outside the city, we find the fabulously beautiful -Tayrona National Park, guarded by the mountain range "Sierra Nevada" where you can find snow-capped peaks above the lush jungle vegetation, this is the Caribbean for real,

the fantastic beaches you see in travel brochures!

Our experience on Santa Marta has chosen the most interesting beaches for you to enjoy and get the Caribbean experience you are aiming for, keep in mind that we will visit the different beaches on a daily basis.

7 Nights 8 Days Available on request Cartagena airport
Inclusions/Exclusions
What we'll give. What we won't

What is included in the tour

  • Tourguide English/Spanish-speaking
  • Arrival transfer in Cartagena
  • Hotel in Cartagena (3n) 
  • Hotel in Santa Marta (4n)
  • Breakfast (7 mornings)
  • 2xLunch (day 3 and day 5)
  • Transportation by bus; Cartagena– Santa Marta-Cartagena/Barranquilla
  • Cartagena City tour
  • Boat-tour to Bararu & Rosario Islands
  • Tour to Cabo San Juan, Tayrona National Park
  • Tour to Playa Cristal, Tayrona National Park
  • Hotel transfers in Cartagena and Santa Marta 

What is NOT included in the tour

  • Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
  • Any meals/services not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
  • Park fee in Tayrona National Park 20 USD. 
Highlights
What makes this tour special
  • Cartagena historic center from1533.
  • Bararu & Rosarios Islands
  • Tayrona National Park - Cabo San Juan
  • Santa Marta the third oldest city in the South America
  • Fantastic Carribien beaches
Itinerary

Day 1.  Cartagena  

Today we will fly to Cartagena on the Caribbean coast in Colombia. When we arrive, we feel the warmth and the smell of the Caribbean. Cartagena is Colombia's biggest tourist attraction. Colorful neighborhoods, new and old, fantastic beaches, and a wonderful Caribbean atmosphere. Arrival transfer to the hotel where we will be staying for 3 nights.

Day 2.  City tour 

Cartagena was founded by the Spaniards in 1533, there is a world to discover in this beautiful and well-preserved city with lots to see and experience. 

After breakfast, we take the city tour of Cartagena, a place rich in historical heritage. La Popa Monastery and Castillo de San Felipe, a fort on top of a mountain built by the Spaniards in 1536, was a strategic point to gain control of the huge bay. We continue with the historical center and visit Torre del Reloj, and the Plaza de la Aduana, a place used for the slave trade during the colonial era. Then we go to San Pedro Claver Church, built in the second half of the 18th century, and a quick look at La Plaza de Bolivar.

In the afternoon you have time on your own to explore the city and maybe taste the flavors of Cartagena in one of the gourmet restaurants. 

Day 3.  Beach trip to Bararu & Rosarios Islands 

In order to reach the best beaches of Cartagena we need to go outside the city, where the real beaches of the Caribbean are found.

Bararu & Rosario Islands. 

After breakfast, we take a short walk to the harbor and embark on our boat to the Rosario Islands. A beautiful boat ride through the small archipelago will take us to Rosario Island, where we will choose either to snorkel or go to the Oceanarium of Rosario. On the way back, before we get back to the hotel, we take the boat to Bararu Island, where we enjoy the perfect white sandy beach with palm trees and perfectly clear water, a buffet lunch buffet will be served as we connect to paradise!  

Day 4. Bus to Santa Marta (310 km.) 

After breakfast, we get on the bus for a 5-hour ride along the coastline to get to Santa Marta, located on the eastern side of the Caribe. Transfer to our hotel where we will be staying for 4 nights. 

Day 5. Santa Marta 

Santa Marta has about 800,000 people living in and it is a relatively large city. There are lots of restaurants, museums, and shopping. Here you can easily spend a day or two if you do not want to go to the National Park. Santa Marta's city beach.  

Located about 6 km from the city, we find the real treasure, the Tayrona National Park.

Tayrona National Park, Playa Cristal 

After breakfast, we travel to Playa Cristal, the small village of Taganga a cozy place, where we take the boat for a 30-minute ride that will lead us to this beautiful white sandy beach inside the national park. The place is what you see in films and magazines, small simple restaurants at the crystal clear water beach. We will be spending the day, lunch included. 

What more can you ask for in life? 

Day 6.  Cabo San Juan,  Tayrona National Park

The big event in Santa Marta is in front of us, all the beautiful paradise white sandy beaches in the national park. For those who want to join another boat trip at Tayrona National Park, we offer scuba diving. 

After breakfast, we depart from Santa Marta. A 45-minute bus ride to reach the entrance to Tayrona Park. We take a  walk of about 1 ½ hours through the jungle and to the beaches, Arrecifes, Arenilla, and La Piscina.  Finally, we reach Cabo San Juan del Guía, a spectacular beach with an impressive landscape of large rocks. After a refreshing deep, we enjoy this magical place on our own. San Juan is perhaps the most photographed beach in the entire park. 

NOTE: The national park charges an admission fee of USD 20 per person (Not included). 

Day 7.  Free time in Tayrona and Santa Marta

With a free day at leisure, you can tour Taganga by walking or go out with a mask and snorkel to explore the crystal clear waters. There is also an opportunity to take an excursion to a local hacienda that offers different activities: swimming (rubber ring) in the river, a coffee plantation, bird watching, or seeing how mangoes are grown. Our tour guide will be around and help you figure it out and give you tips and advice for what suits you. 

Day 8. Back to real life 

After a fantastically varied and eventful week in the Caribbean of Colombia, we reach the end of our adventure, we will goodbye and take you to the airport, hoping for a safe return home. 

Pickup point
Directions.
Rafael Núñez internationella flygplats Crespo Calle 70 Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar Colombia
Hotels
Where will we stay?

On this tour you will stay in the following hotels:

STANDARD

Cartagena         Hotel Dorado Plaza centro Historico 3n

http://www.hotelsanfelipeplaza.com​

Sana Marta.      Hotel Nuevo Granada 3n

no wwww.

SUPERIOR

Cartagena         Santa Catalina Hotel**** 3 n.  

https://www.santacatalinahotel.com.co

Sana Marta.      Hotel HiltonGarden Inn  3n

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/smrgigi-hilton-garden-inn-santa-marta/​