8 Days: Cartagena & Santa Marta

Tour Overview:
Cartagena, one of the most well-preserved colonial cities in the Americas; it is also one of the most popular cities in Colombia. Cartagena offers colonial architecture, history, art, culture, a vibrant nightlife, and beautiful Caribbean beaches. Santa Marta is between the beaches and the Sierra Nevada. A walking tour in the Tayrona National Park will take you through the rainforest to view the native flora and fauna.

Day 1 – Arrive Cartagena

Arrive in Cartagena, Colombia. Welcome at the Rafael Núñez Airport and transfer to the selected hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2 – Cartagena City tour & Monuments of Cartagena (Historic Center)

Private tour with English-Speaking guide. The tour begins with a visit to the “Convento de la Popa”, where the city’s highest point is located and you can enjoy the best view of the beautiful city of Cartagena. Continue with a visit to the “Castillo de San Felipe”. This castle was built by the Spaniards in the 1600s and it is the greatest and strongest fortress ever built in a Spanish colony. Located at the top of San Lázaro hill, its purpose was to protect and guard the city’s landward side from any attack or invasion. Afterwards, a walk through “Las Bóvedas” is included. These 23 vaults were built in the 18th century and they are considered the last major colonial construction made within the city walls for military purposes. At the end of the tour you will visit the “Iglesia y Convento San Pedro de Claver”. You will also find a beautiful cloister surrounded with trees, a museum and the place where San Pedro Claver lived and died. (B)

Day 3 – Cartagena

Day at Leisure (B)

Day 4 – Real Food, Real Places & Real People

Private services with English-Speaking guide. We invite you to enjoy this delicious and colorful experience where you will be able to taste some of the local flavors of the city and learn about its culture. This walking tour through the inner walled section of the colonial city will let you experience Cartagena like a local resident in a neighborhood where people live, eat and shop. This experience takes you to discover different sites and people from the colonial city, with whom the local residents relate on a daily basis as they pass by and stop for breakfast, lunch, dinner or typical snacks. Featuring authentic food stops with different delicious tastings, you get to escape the crowds and taste the best of what the city has to offer. Along the way, your guide will entertain and tell you stories and insights into Cartagena’s culture and history. Take a break from being a tourist and discover the real Cartagena with us! (B)

NOTES: This tour includes small tastings at different points of the colonial city and one bottle of water per person. Transportation is not necessary for passengers staying inside the colonial neighborhood. Passengers staying outside the colonial city will have two transfers included in the tour for an extra charge. Duration: 2 hours.

Day 5 – Cartagena

Day at Leisure (B)

Day 6 – Cartagena / Santa Marta

Our guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and will take you to Villa María Hotel. Upon arrival we will assist you with the registration procedures (check-in) at the hotel. (B)

Day 7 – Walking to Arrecifes from SMR and hotels around Tayrona Park

Private services with English-Speaking guide. Our guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel to start a walking tour in which you can know the Arrecifes sector at the Tayrona National Park. A private vehicle will take you north of the city of Santa Marta and after 1 ½ hour drive you will pass the park reception in the Cañaveral sector, where the trek begins. On this walk through the rainforest you can see different species of birds, monkeys, squirrels, peccary and other species in their natural habitat. After an hour’s walk you get to the beach Arrecifes (Reefs), with spectacular beauty. You’re not allowed to swim at this beach because of the strong waves and currents. The hike continues for another 20 minutes until Piscina Natural (natural pool), beach on which you can swim and then visit the Cabo San Juan de Guía after another 25-minute walk away and where you’ll have lunch. (BL)

Day 8 – Santa Marta / Depart

At scheduled time private transfer to Airport for your departure flight. (B)

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