Caribbean Coast

Mompox, Parque Tayrona

During this journey you will experience all the Caribbean Coast has to offer. From breathtaking nature in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, to the sleeping beauty Mompox and vibrant Cartagena. And everything is complemented by authentic encounters with hospitable Colombians. Beside the travel programme you will always have the opportunity to take a break from everyday life.

Highlights

  • Tayrona National Park – the wild Caribbean beaches
  • Mompox – Where time is standing. One Hundred Years of Solitude, UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Cartagena – Colonial architecture, pirates and the sea, UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • Day 1 Santa Marta

    Transfer from the airport Simón Bolívar to your hotel in Santa Marta.

    Day 2 Santa Marta

    You drive along the mountain range Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and around 30 minutes later you arrive at the Tayrona National Park. There is a trail that takes you after an almost 2-hour hike to Arrecifes, where you can relax and enjoy the beach. If you hiked not enough after another hour you will arrive at the famous Cabo San Juan, where you can cool off in the crystal-clear water. For active hikers, there is the possibility to take over a more extended version of the hike to the ruins of Pueblito, a city of the Tayrona indigenous people.

    Day 3 Santa Marta – Mompox

    The road takes you through a landscape dominated by cattle to the inland. Stop in Aracataca and discover more about the native place of the famous Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez. You will reach Mompox, a small and dreamy village.

    Day 4 Mompox

    You explore Mompox and surroundings. You go to the small village Santa Teresa which can be reached by motorcycle and ferry. The first stop is at a home of a native family where you get an overview of the life and their daily routine. Enjoy the hospitality and let the natives spoil you with coffee, maize and cream cheese. You will get to know the famous delicate jewelleries from the Mompox region. The precious metal is handmade by pulling, turning and flattening to get fine gold wire and in the end to become nice and lovely gem. Nowadays the jewellery is mostly made of silver because the gems in gold are much more expensive. If you want to have them in gold you have make a request. The six churches and one chapel reflect the religious importance of this town. The most known church, Santa Barbara, is located at a branch of the Magdalena River and is unique for its octagonal tower.

    Day 5 Mompox – Cartagena

    You need to catch the ferry. The drive from Mompox to Cartagena de Indias shows the amazing change of the landscape from cattle breeding to the Caribbean coast. Cartagena is one of the prettiest and well preserved cities Colombias and framed in a wonderful bay.

    Day 6 Cartagena

    To get to know the city better you start with a visit to the hill of La Popa. At this highest point of Cartagena, Augustinian monks built a monastery in the 16th century. From here, you have a perfect view of the bay of Cartagena and the most important colonial port city of the Spaniards South America. Then visit the Fort San Felipe, which was built by the Spaniards to protect the rich city of Cartagena against attacks from the mainland. Cartagena was the place, where the looted treasures of the Incas by the Spaniards and the gold and silver treasures from the mines of Peru and Bolivia were stored for shipping to Spain. Thus, the city was repeatedly the object of desire of many pirates. In the labyrinthine corridors of the fortress, you feel transferred back to the pirate’s time. From the fortress, you walk through the colonial Old Town. If desired, you can stop for a cold fruit juice drink. During a walk through the well-preserved old town, visit the important historic buildings and churches. Get an overview of the city and try to orient yourself to be able to walk through the city on your own in the afternoon, go souvenir shopping at the city wall and admire the sunset from the Café del Mar on the city walls.

    Day 7 Cartagena

    Transfer to the airport in Cartagena on time for your flight.

    Services included

  • Transfers in private car from/to the airport
  • Overland transfers in private car according to the program
  • Excursions with English speaking local guides according to the program (incl. entrance fees) (other languages on request)
  • Accommodation in double room

  • Services not included

  • International flight to Colombia
  • Tip and local taxes
  • Domestic flights