Vibrant Colombia
Forget the tourist trail: this vibrant adventure will take you deep into the soul of Colombia, from award-winning cuisine and late city nights to untouched Caribbean isles
What's included
- Exclusively for people in their 30s & 40s
- All activities mentioned on the itinerary
- 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
About your trip
Forget the tourist trail: this Colombia trip is about venturing deep into the soul of one of South America’s most captivating countries.
Think street art tours with a local expert, rum tasting and salsa dancing in the rooftop bars of Cartagena and community cooking with the women of Medellín.
This is a holiday for foodies, featuring award-winning Ajiaco soup from a branch of Mama Luz (catch her on Netflix) and a taster menu from rising star chef Juan Manuel Barrientos. It’s also a getaway for those who love to venture off the beaten track: we’ll visit a family-run coffee farm deep in the mountains and zip between beaches in the idyllic Rosario Islands by private boat.
- Touch down in Bogotá where a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to whisk you to your hotel in one of the capital’s most vibrant neighborhoods
- Get to know your group at one of Colombia’s most famous night spots, Andrés Carne de Res, with an atmospheric evening of live music, local cuisine and performance art
- Get your bearings on a local-led graffiti tour around the evocative district of La Candelaria, filled with ancient colonial buildings and hidden works of art
- Stop for lunch at Bijao & Malanga, a branch of Mama Luz, whose award-winning Ajiaco soup made her a Netflix documentary star
- Sample craft beer at Tejo La Embajada restaurant, and learn the infamous local drinking game that involves throwing a metal disc at a gunpowder target
- Take a flight to Medellín – once the world’s most dangerous city, now a vibrant cultural hub – and climb El Peñol de Guatapé, a giant ancient rock with incredible city views
- Head for lunch in nearby Guatapé, one of the most colorful towns in Colombia filled with pastel-colored homes and lively waterfront streets
- Cruise across Guatapé reservoir on a private boat to see the ruins of Pablo Escobar’s estate – an eerie relic of the Medellin drug cartel which disbanded in the 1990s
- Visit Comuna 13, a hillside favela, once controlled by Pablo Escobar, with street art depicting scenes of peace and solidarity; learn how social initiatives are helping to drive positive change
- Experience a cooking demonstration and lunch with women from Las Berracas, a community project that empowers single mums and domestic violence survivors
- Dine at exclusive El Cielo Restaurant, famed for the exquisite molecular cuisine of chef Juan Manuel Barrientos; it’s part culinary adventure, part work of art
- Buckle up for an off-road trip across the mountains to a family-run coffee hacienda where you’ll get first-hand experience of how farmers work in the plantations
- Learn how coffee is produced from bean to cup and taste the delicious coffee, followed by lunch cooked by the farmer’s wife
- Return to Medellín for an evening at leisure; check out the beautiful parks, world-class cable car system, atmospheric restaurants and eclectic bars
- Fly to Cartagena on the Caribbean coast; take a walking tour through the buzzing downtown district of Getsemaní
- Feast your eyes on vibrant street art, transforming ordinary buildings into open-air galleries, and taste exotic fruits from tree tomato and guanabana to sour guava
- Head to one of Cartagena’s best rooftop bars to watch the sunset over the sea, soaking up the views of the colonial old town architecture
- Enjoy a free day to explore Cartagena; the Unesco-listed walled city is filled with charming colonial architecture
- Gather at renowned cocktail bar, El Baron, for rum tasting with your group, delving into the history of this legendary drink
- Finish your evening with a salsa lesson – another famous Colombian past-time – followed by bar-hopping into the early hours
- Spend an idyllic day exploring the Rosario Islands by private boat; this archipelago of 27 coral islands offers incredible snorkelling in the clear, turquoise water
- Visit the party island of Cholón and moor around the thatched swim-up bars before moving on to the beautiful Gente De Mar beach
- Gather with your group for a farewell dinner at one of the city’s trendiest seafood restaurants and raise a toast to the adventure you’ve shared
- Say farewell to your new Flash Pack friends and make your own way to the airport for your onward journey; your Pack Leader can help you book a taxi
- You’ll arrive home sun-kissed and energised, bringing the joy of Colombia’s spirit back with you. It’s what happens when you’ve spent nine days building friendships, sailing amongst pristine islands, dancing ’till dawn and feasting on world-class cuisine in a destination that buzzes with life. Happiness? You’ve found it
Where you'll be staying
We often feature these unique hotels on this trip, with final options confirmed a month before departure. We work with these or similar hotels to ensure a stylish and comfortable stay every time.
Hotel Faranda Poblado, Medellín
Lying at the heart of Medellín’s addictive action; Hotel Faranda promises modern rooms in chic muted tones and unbeatable city views. The star of the show? The rooftop terrace, complete with jacuzzis, loungers and a tempting list of sundowner cocktails.
AC Hotel by Marriott, Bogotá
This brand new hotel is brilliantly located in the heart of Bogotá’s Zona Rosa neighbourhood, with many great restaurants, bars, parks and shops in easy reach. Its cosmopolitan setting is matched by contemporary, spacious rooms with free WiFi and a fitness centre on-site.
Open Social House Getsemaní, Cartagena
This big, beautiful eco-hotel in one of Cartagena’s coolest neighbourhoods is full of personality and feel-good vibes. Earthy colours, exposed brickwork and walls draped with plants add a touch of modern Colombian style, while the beautiful roof-top pool offers outstanding Old Town views.
Adventure FAQs
-
Fly into Bogotá Airport (BOG) and fly out of Rafael Nuñez International Airport in Cartagena (CTG).
-
Before 5 pm ideally. The welcome meeting and dinner will be from 7 pm onwards starting at the hotel, which is located approximately 30 minutes away from the airport.
-
There are no activities planned for the last day, so leave any time you wish. The airport is approximately 15 minutes away from the hotel.
-
If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.
Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.
We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. We will offer you support with finding a local taxi, which should cost around 30,000 COP, the equivalent of approximately 6 GBP.
-
Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.
You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:
- UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
- US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
- Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
- Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.
Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.
-
Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:
- Pack Leader: 10 USD per day
- Drivers: 3 USD per day
- Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.
However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.
-
We already include most meals however we recommend around 150,000 COP, the equivalent of 30 GBP / 40 USD per day for extras.
-
Yes, and even more so on a guided group tour with Flash Pack. Colombia is one of the world’s friendliest countries, and whilst there are dangerous areas, your tour has been carefully planned with the help of expert Pack Leaders on the ground. We’re confident you’ll get nothing but enjoyment from your time in Colombia.
-
Overall, the trip is relatively relaxed so only a moderate level of fitness is required. However, there is a good amount of walking (at your own pace) and a climb up Piedra del Peñol on Day 3 which has 654 steps to the top, so good, worn-in walking shoes are advised.
We recommend having a read through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.
-
Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting.
-
Every year, the Bijao & Malanga restaurant closes for a Christmas break. If you’re travelling during this time, please be aware that an alternative will be found.
-
The hotels we stay at in Colombia have been chosen for their excellent locations and comfortable accommodation, however they are not luxurious options. While we always take care to give you the best experience, we hope you can appreciate that different countries have different standards.
-
Your Colombian adventure will involve a variety of activities, so you’ll need to pack a range of clothes – including a smart outfit for eating out at restaurants (formal dress for women; closed shoes, long pants and shirts for men). Generally, we recommend bringing light and breathable tops and shorts that will keep you cool, but some warmer layers may be required in the evenings.
What you pack is personal to you and our list is certainly not exhaustive. If you have any questions about what to pack for your trip to Colombia, please get in touch with one of our friendly Trip Experts.
Please note there is a 15 kg (33 lbs) suitcase and 5 kg (11 lbs) handbag limit on internal flights, so we recommend packing light.
Baggage
- A large backpack or suitcase – It’s up to you whether you bring a backpack or a suitcase, but either way, a soft-sided bag is best for packing into transfer vehicles.
- A day bag – This will need to be big enough to fit your daily essentials in, such as your water bottle and your camera.
Clothing
- Lightweight tops – T-shirts work well, but you should also bring a lightweight long-sleeved top to keep the sun off your skin if required.
- Shorts/skirts – Ideal for keeping you cool in the Colombian heat.
- Activewear – Breathable and light materials are perfect for most activities.
- Swimwear
- Sunhat/sunglasses
- A poncho – You might not need one, but there is a slight chance of rain all year round in Colombia.
- You may want to bring a jumper/sweater and a pair of trousers/pants for any cooler evenings.
- Linen pants are always handy for keeping the sun off of your legs.
- An evening outfit. You’ll need want some nicer clothes for going out in the cities.
Shoes
- Comfortable walking shoes – Sports trainers with good grip should be fine.
- Comfortable sneakers – You’ll need breathable, closed shoes for everyday use.
- Sandals/flip-flops – It’s a good idea to bring a comfortable pair of shoes for relaxing in.
- Evening shoes – You’ll need some smart closed shoes to wear out in the cities in the evenings.
Accessories
- Electricals, chargers and accessories – Phone, camera, chargers, etc.
- Plug socket adaptor – Type A and B plugs are standard in Colombia with two flat parallel pins.
- Refillable water bottle – This will reduce your group’s plastic footprint.
- Book or music – For transfers and any relaxed evenings, you might want a book or some music.
- Eye mask and earplugs – If you’re a light sleeper, you may feel more comfortable bringing these as a precaution.
- Beach towel – Hotels will provide bath towels, but you will need a towel for the water-based activities and for swimming in the sea. Travel towels work well and pack down very small to save space.
Toiletries/medical
- Any personal medication you require
- Personal toiletries – Including a toothbrush, deodorant, razors, hairbrush etc.
- Painkillers
- Anti-bacterial gel
- Plenty of insect repellent
- Lip balm with SPF
- Moisturiser
- High SPF factor sun cream
Similar trips
Subscribe to our newsletter
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Hear about our new adventures before anyone else
Hear about our new adventures before anyone else.
Be the first to hear about exclusive Flash Pack offers.
Access exciting competitions.
Receive weekly inspiration and travel stories from solos just like you.