8 Days: Medellin & Cartagena

Tour Overview:
SITA takes you on an 8-day private tour of two of Colombia’s best cities: Medellin and Cartagena. Medellin, known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ is Colombia’s second largest city. Visit its historic center and listen to the traditional music. Cartagena located on the Caribbean is known for its walled historic colonial city and beautiful beaches.

Day 1 – Arrive Medellin

Arrive in Medellin, Colombia. Welcome at the José María Córdova International Airport and transfer to the selected hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2 – Medellin City Tour

Half day private city tour with English-speaking tour guide. This tour takes you to the most important touristic sights of the “City of Eternal Spring”. Explore downtown Medellín and the historical centre. Listen to local musicians and the traditional “Guasca” music while visiting the Parque Berrío. Stroll through the hustle and bustle of downtown Medellin to the famous Botero Plaza with an exhibition of the Colombian artist Fernando Botero, whose sculptures have become a landmark of the city. Take the Metro Cable up to Santo Domingo, which was once a notorious area of gang violence in Medellín. The cable car was constructed to make the inner city more accessible to people from the outskirts, and allows visitors a glimpse into the lives of the marginalized population. While enjoying the spectacular view you learn more about the transformation of Medellín from one of the most dangerous cities in the world into a fascinating melting pot of cultures with possibly the friendliest and warmest people in the world. (B)

Day 3 – Medellin / Cartagena

Private transfer to Airport. Fly to Cartagena. Upon arrival at the Rafael Núñez Airport, you will be met by our representative and will be taken to your hotel. (B)

Day 4 -Cartagena City tour & Monuments of Cartagena (Historic Center)

Private city 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 5 – Cartagena

Day at Leisure (B)

Day 6 – Cartagena Walking Tour

Private service with English-speaking tour guide. Discover Cartagena’s rich history and beautiful colonial architecture where you will admire the old houses, stunning balconies and different little squares. You will know more about the culture of Cartagena and its interesting architecture as you walk through the different cobbled streets and plazas; each street has a different story to tell. You will also see this city alive, with its students, vendors, and all the people that live there. You will pass by the main square called “Plaza de Bolívar”. Then you will pass by the “Plaza de la Proclamación”, where the town gathered to support the declaration of independence on November of 1811. The tour then continues to the “Plaza de San Pedro de Claver”, a small plaza named after the saint that fought to help the slaves that came from Africa and were sold in the city. Next, you will visit the “Plaza de la Aduana”, the largest and oldest square where the important governmental and administrative buildings were located in the colonial times. Afterwards, visit the “Plaza de los Coches”. A triangular plaza surrounded by the old city wall, houses with Spanish colonial architecture and buildings with colonial arches at ground level. This arcade walkway is known as “El Portal de los Dulces”, a whole street full of stands that sell typical Colombian sweets. There you will also find the main entrance to the inner walled city, which was originally called “Boca del Puente”. This gateway was complemented years later with a Republican-style clock tower, which is known as a symbol of Cartagena. At the end of the tour, you will visit the “Plaza Santo Domingo”. This plaza is full of life and entertainment and it is a perfect place for social interaction and relaxation while enjoying the open-air restaurants that are located there. You will also see the church of Santo Domingo, a beautiful colonial church with a stunning. (B)

Day 7 – Cartagena

Day at Leisure (B)

Day 8 – Cartagena / Depart

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

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