Colombia beyond Cartagena
When Cristina was asked to plan a spring break trip to Colombia for one of our longtime clients and their family, it was more than just logistics, it was personal. Cristina is from Colombia. She lives in Bogotá. She knows the landscapes, the rhythms, the contradictions, and the quiet beauty that so often gets overlooked. And she wanted this trip to show them the Colombia she knows.
The brief was simple: something multi-generational that worked for everyone. A spring break adventure with kids, parents, and friends. Three families in total, traveling together across the country. One of the families had a particularly special reason for going: Luis, a father of three, was born in Colombia but hadn’t returned in decades. Before the full group gathered, Luis took his family to Cali to reconnect with relatives and roots.
Cali is not a city that usually appears on travel itineraries. It’s fast, a little chaotic, and still overlooked by tourism infrastructure. But it’s also the salsa capital of the world, full of Afro-Colombian energy, color, and soul. For Luis, it wasn’t so much about sights, it was about family, sharing the place where his story began and letting his kids see the Colombia that shaped him.
Then, the adventure began.
First stop: Medellín.
A city with a complicated past and a remarkable present. Once the epicenter of the country’s drug war, Medellín has become a global example of resilience and transformation. Cristina describes it as one of the cleanest, most forward-thinking cities in Colombia. Cable cars double as public transport, and former gang territories now hum with street art and music.
The families explored Comuna 13, a hillside neighborhood once plagued by violence and now thriving through grassroots initiatives. They rode the Metrocable through the mountains, learned about community-led change, and wandered through colorful murals that tell stories of resistance and hope.
They also visited the city’s stunning public libraries, the botanical gardens, and the chic neighborhood of El Poblado. This is where you’ll find chef-driven restaurants, boutiques, and green spaces ideal for families.
Their hotel, ElCielo, was a highlight. Designed by Michelin-starred chef Juan Manuel Barrientos, the boutique property blends Colombian heritage with modern style and exceptional food. It was the perfect base for exploring the city and savoring its reinvention and it’s a great option for couples, friends, or families like them with kids who want to be in the heart of the city and love contemporary, boutique-style properties.
Cristina also recommends Four Seasons Casa Medina in Bogotá housed in a beautifully restored heritage mansion with hand-carved detailing, original fireplaces, and old-world charm in the upscale Zona G. The atmosphere is always calm and refined and it’s ideal for anyone looking to ease in or out of a Colombia trip with a peaceful, luxurious base.
From Medellín, they took a day trip to Guatapé, one of Colombia’s most colorful towns. They climbed 740 steps up the iconic El Peñol rock for views over the emerald lake, and visited a nearby coffee finca for a hands-on look at Colombia’s most famous export.
Next: Parque Tayrona.
After the buzz of the city, Cristina planned a complete reset. The group flew to Santa Marta, a coastal city at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, and continued to Parque Tayrona, a natural sanctuary where jungle meets the Caribbean. White-sand beaches. Emerald jungle. Warm Caribbean waters. And just behind it all, the snow-dusted peaks of the Sierra Nevada. It is one of the only places on earth where you can see snow-capped mountains from the sea.
They checked into a newly opened eco-luxe resort tucked between the forest and the sea, where every room felt like a private villa. It was an ideal match for a group this size. Spacious, stylish, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape.
Days here unfolded with an easy rhythm. Cristina arranged boat rides to secluded coves that can’t be reached by road, where the families swam in turquoise water and enjoyed private picnics under the palms. For the more adventurous, there were guided hikes through the rainforest, following trails that opened onto cliffside ocean views.
One of the most memorable moments? Floating down the Don Diego River on oversized inner tubes, the families drifting quietly under the canopy, past monkeys and birds, until they reached the sea where a surprise picnic awaited.
Then came Cartagena.
The final stop brought them to Cartagena, a city of warm Caribbean nights, colonial architecture, and centuries of fascinating history.
Strategically located on Colombia’s northern coast, Cartagena was once the most important port in Spanish America. Gold and silver from across the continent passed through here on its way to Europe. That made it a glittering target for pirates and foreign powers. Over centuries, the city endured constant attacks from English and French corsairs, leading to the construction of massive stone walls and fortresses that still surround the historic center today.
Cristina arranged a guided visit to Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the formidable hilltop fortress built to defend against these invasions. The kids climbed through its maze-like tunnels and peered through cannon slits, imagining ships in the harbor below. Stories of treasure, conquest, and resistance brought Cartagena’s dramatic past to life.
The families stayed at the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, a 17th-century convent turned luxury hotel in the heart of the old city. With vaulted ceilings, lush courtyards, and one of the only large pools in the historic district, it was ideal for traveling with kids. Cristina also loves Casa San Agustín for couples. Other excellent options include Casa Pestagua, Casa Don Luis, Casona del Colegio, and Casa del Arzobispado. Coming soon is the Four Seasons Cartagena, opening after a 12-year restoration and set to become the city’s most luxurious address.
No trip to Cartagena is complete without time on the water. The group spent a day island-hopping through the nearby Rosario Islands, swimming and snorkeling in crystal waters over coral reefs. For time on the coast, Cristina also recommends Las Islas or Sofitel Calablanca, both located on Barú Island and offering full-service barefoot luxury within easy reach of Cartagena by boat (suggested) or car.
One of the most meaningful moments came from a visit to Koininia, a local NGO supporting vulnerable youth. The families spent the afternoon with local children, playing games, learning Spanish and English together, and gaining perspective. It was joyful, humbling, and exactly the kind of experience that stays with you long after you return home.
Additional stops
If you have more time in Colombia, Cristina has a few favorite additions to help you experience the country’s full range, from cloud forests and colonial towns to rainbow-colored rivers, immersive food scenes, and off-the-grid adventure.
The Coffee Region (Eje Cafetero)
This is Colombia at its most idyllic. The landscape is all rolling green hills, red-tile-roofed haciendas, and slow mornings over world-famous coffee. Cristina recommends basing yourself near Salento or Filandia, where you can hike among the towering wax palms of Valle de Cocora, visit working fincas with third-generation growers, and unplug in boutique countryside stays. There are no large-scale luxury hotels here but for those looking to slow down and reconnect, that’s part of the magic.
Bogotá
Cristina lives in Bogotá and will be the first to tell you it’s one of Latin America’s most underrated capitals. It's big, bold, and buzzing with creativity. Come for the food scene — Bogotá is home to several restaurants listed in Latin America's 50 Best (including Leo and El Chato) — but don’t miss the culture. There are museums, architecture, music, and street art at every turn. It’s also a natural place to begin or end a journey through Colombia.
Caño Cristales
Known as the “liquid rainbow,” this river in the Sierra de la Macarena turns vivid red, yellow, purple, and green depending on the season, thanks to a rare aquatic plant. It’s remote and takes effort to reach, but the reward is one of the most surreal natural landscapes in the world. Best visited June through November.
The Amazon
Cristina recommends Leticia as a launch point for those craving an immersion into Colombia’s slice of the Amazon. Expect river lodges, tribal communities, pink dolphins, and wildlife treks. The infrastructure here is limited but that’s exactly what makes it feel so unfiltered and alive. For luxury-seeking travelers, we can arrange elevated jungle lodge stays or glamping experiences.
Cerros de Mavicure
Remote and otherworldly, these granite outcrops in Colombia’s Guainía region rise dramatically above the jungle. Little known and little visited, the region offers powerful connections to Indigenous communities and landscapes few travelers ever reach. Best for intrepid explorers seeking the rare and raw.
Mompós
A sleepy, riverfront town that time forgot. Mompós (pronounced Momp-ohs) is all faded facades, long sunsets, and literary charm. Cristina describes it as “dreamy and untouched.” While getting there by land takes time, a new AmaWaterways luxury cruise now includes Mompós on its Magdalena River itinerary, making it a lot easier to access now than ever.
Ready to see the real Colombia?
This itinerary was planned for Ami Desai, a content creator and friend of Lux Voyage, who brought her family and friends along for a meaningful, soul-stirring spring break. But it was just as impactful for Cristina, who had the chance to show her home country through her eyes.
Colombia is often misunderstood. For Cristina, it was a chance to shift the narrative. To show the warmth of the people, the wild beauty of its landscapes, the joy in something as simple as a fruit tasting or a boat ride to a hidden cove. It was deeply emotional to see these families fall in love with the country she calls home.
“I felt honored,” she said. “They trusted me to shape their experience, and they left loving the food, the people, the place. I got to give them a version of Colombia that most visitors miss—and it reminded me why I love what I do.”
Let us do the same for you.
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