Beach Days and City Nights in Cartagena & San Andrés
Your TourHero
This trip is looking for a TourHero! If you love to travel and love to organize, get your crew together and make this trip your own! When 5 or more people book this trip, you can travel for free. Chat with us below to get started!
Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Travel Date
Mar 7 - 11, 2022
Activity Level
Moderate
Group Size
6 – 15
Transportation
Uber, van, plane
Tour Price
Your Fellow Explorers
Age range
19 – 25
Travel interest
Beach activities, exploring, making new friends
Your Local Guide
Awake Travel stands as Colombia's pioneering B Corp Travel agency (certified for its social and environmental impact), boasting over a decade of experience collaborating with 300+ hosts across 70 diverse destinations.They pride themselves on working closely with local communities and inviting travelers to discover Colombia with them in a safe, ecological, and socially conscious way. The team is equipped with all the training and expertise needed to ensure your trip runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Let them take care of all the details for you — just let your unforgettable adventure unfold.
This unforgettable adventure starts with a trip to the gorgeous island of San Andrés where you’ll enjoy the beaches, a nature walking tour, and a kayak trip like no other. From here, you’ll head to Cartagena where you’ll take a deep dive into the history of the city with a street art & graffiti tour and excursion with your local guide to all the major landmarks. With sun, sand, and city vibes, this trip will check all the boxes and leave you with lasting memories of Colombia’s cultural wealth.
Cancellation policy
Refunds for deposits
If you cancel your trip after placing a deposit but before your card on file is charged for the full payment, you can request a full refund of your deposit up to 30 days before the tour departure.
Refunds for fully-paid trips
If you cancel your trip after making the full payment, you may change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the tour departure for a refund.
Your TourHero
This trip is looking for a TourHero! If you love to travel and love to organize, get your crew together and make this trip your own! When 5 or more people book this trip, you can travel for free. Chat with us below to get started!
Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Travel Date
Mar 7 - 11, 2022
Activity Level
Moderate
Group Size
6 – 15
Transportation
Uber, van, plane
This unforgettable adventure starts with a trip to the gorgeous island of San Andrés where you’ll enjoy the beaches, a nature walking tour, and a kayak trip like no other. From here, you’ll head to Cartagena where you’ll take a deep dive into the history of the city with a street art & graffiti tour and excursion with your local guide to all the major landmarks. With sun, sand, and city vibes, this trip will check all the boxes and leave you with lasting memories of Colombia’s cultural wealth.
Timeline
- Day 1 · San Andrés
- Arrive in Bogotá
- Fly from Bogotá to San Andrés
- ~ 2 hrs 16 mins plane
- Transfer from airport to accommodation
- Check-in at Aparthotel Las Americas (or similar according to availability)
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 2 · San Andrés
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Ecological Walking Tour (snacks included)
- Lunch (not included in price)
- Mangrove Glass-Bottom Kayak and Snorkel Tour (snacks included)
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 3 · San Andrés & Cartagena
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Free time – beach day
- Lunch (not included in price)
- Transfer from accommodation to airport
- Fly from San Andrés to Cartagena
- ~ 1 hr 18 mins plane
- Transfer from airport to accommodation
- Check-in at Hotel Azuán Suites (or similar according to availability)
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 4 · Cartagena
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Transfer from accommodation to tour starting point
- ~ 15 mins van
- Street Art & Graffiti Tour (snack, juice, and ice cream included)
- Lunch (not included in price)
- Transfer from accommodation to tour starting point
- ~ 15 mins van
- Cartagena City Tour (bottled water included)
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 5 · Departure
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Check out of accomodation
- Transfer from accommodation to airport
- Journey ends
Details
Day 1
Welcome to San Andrés, Colombia – an island paradise
Welcome to San Andrés, a beautiful island off the coast of Nicaragua. Known for its pristine beaches, coral reefs, and reggae music, this idyllic location is the perfect backdrop to kick off this Colombian adventure. The island is part of a grouping that was declared a UNESCO world biosphere and mixes English, Spanish, pirate, and buccaneer influences with the afro-descendent communities. There’s no shortage of cultural depth on this island oasis, and it’s waiting for you to explore all that it has to offer. Hop off the plane, check into the hotel, and enjoy the tropical atmosphere.
Day 2
Explore the island on an ecological walking tour
Good morning and welcome to your first full day in San Andrés. Enjoy an island breakfast and meet your guide for an ecological walking tour around the island. You’ll explore Cover Valley and Big Pond Lagoon, aka Lake La Loma, two places where you can observe the native wildlife, see fruit growing from the trees, and soak up the chill atmosphere of the jungle landscape. Enjoy a delicious snack, learn about the island’s ecosystems, and discover the history of the region from your local guide.
Take a ride in a glass-bottom kayak and see the ocean from a new perspective
After a morning of walking through the lush jungle, we’ll head to The Old Point Mangle Regional Park, a place where the vegetation is flourishing and the wildlife is diverse. Your guide will teach you about the history of the area while you paddle around in a glass-bottom kayak. You’ll cross beautiful mangrove tunnels, observe seagrass meadows, jellyfish communities, oysters, crabs, rays and starfish, and have free time to snorkel at the end. The tour will wrap up with some traditional island snacks, such as fried fish, breadfruit, local bread, and natural juice.
Day 3
Enjoy a beach day with the group then fly to Cartagena for your next adventure
Rise and shine, travelers! Today, enjoy a relaxing breakfast and explore the beaches of San Andrés on your own time until we leave for the airport and head to Cartagena. After a quick flight and hotel check-in, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore this new location with the group. Cartagena is a port city on the Caribbean coast enclosed by a historic wall that juxtaposes its white-sand beaches. Walk the palm tree-lined streets, observe the colonial architecture, and eat an authentic meal with new friends.
Day 4
Discover the cultural stories of the city through a street art & graffiti tour
Travelers, wake up ready to attack the day! After breakfast, we’ll head out with a local guide to the Getsemani barrio and explore the colorful streets filled with graffiti, street art, and culture. The stories of the Colombian people and their history are painted on these buildings and will provide you with deeper insight into Colombia’s roots. We’ll also check out a few of Cartagena’s must-see landmarks, such as the clock tower, Umbrella Street, Trinidad Plaza, and Puerto Duro to name a few. Get those walking shoes on and your cameras charged!
Journey through the historic streets of Cartagena on a city tour with a local guide
Cartagena has a vibrant and complex history with legends and tales of pirates, commercial slave trade, and incredible artists of all kinds who have paved the way for their people. Learn about these historic touchpoints and many more on a city walking tour led by a local guide. You’ll pass the clock tower, the Plaza de Bolivar, the Gold Museum, and the Palace of Inquisition. You’ll also explore Castillo de San Felipe, a Spanish mountain fort and the site of many historic battles, where you can explore the castle’s tunnel system and take some stellar pics. The tour will end at Las Bóvedas, the old dungeons attached to the city wall, which is now a handicrafts market. After a long day on your feet, grab some food with the group and reflect on an incredible journey in Colombia.
Day 5
It’s time to say adiós to Colombia
After four days of exploration and culture, it’s time to return home. Have one last meal in the city and head to the airport with unforgettable memories and some stellar souvenirs. We hope you had a sublime trip. Until your next adventure, be well and safe travels!
Accommodation
Aparthotel Las Americas (or similar according to availability)
With a private pool, a restaurant/bar on site, and a quick walk to the pristine beaches of San Andrés, you won’t want to leave this tropical paradise. Aparthotel features comfortable rooms, traditional hotel amenities, and AC for those hot days. Sit back and relax in this prime accommodation and enjoy the jungle and the beaches of San Andrés. Room type: Multiple occupancy.
Hotel Azuán Suites (or similar according to availability)
Hotel Azuán features comfortable rooms in a location that can’t be beat. You’re five minutes from Castillo, Bocagrande, and Laguito beaches and surrounded by great restaurants and bars. This is the perfect place to explore Cartagena and rest your head each night in an air-conditioned room with various hotel amenities and comforts. Room type: Multiple occupancy.
Included
- Flight from Bogotá to San Andrés
- Flight from San Andrés to Cartagena
- 2 nights in Aparthotel Las Americas (or similar)
- 2 nights in Hotel Azuan Suites (or similar)
- Shared occupancy in accommodation
- La Iguana Ecological Walk
- Mangrove Glass-Bottom Kayak Experience
- Street Art & Graffiti Tour
- Cartagena City Tour
- Travel insurance
- English guide
- 24/7 guest support
Not included
- Flight to Bogotá
- Flight out of Cartagena
- Dock tax of 2 USD per person and entrance card to the island of 30 USD per person
- Personal expenses not stipulated
- All meals
- Optional add-ons
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
Available add-on
White Night Party Boat
Enjoy a killer night of fun on a White Night Party Boat. Dress in your best white clothing, get on the boat, and let the fun begin! With the Latin and tropical beats bumping all night, enjoy an open bar (beer excluded), a buffet dinner, and a spacious dance floor with a DJ ready to make this night unforgettable. Experience a classic nightlife tradition in Colombia's Caribbean on this exciting night cruise around the island.
Price: USD 70
20 spots left
Cancellation policy
Refunds for deposits
If you cancel your trip after placing a deposit but before your card on file is charged for the full payment, you can request a full refund of your deposit up to 30 days before the tour departure.
Refunds for fully-paid trips
If you cancel your trip after making the full payment, you may change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the tour departure for a refund.
- Get lost with your camera down these colorful streets. - Unsplash: Jorge Gardner
- Observe nature from a glass-bottom kayak with a local guide. - Awake Travel Website
- Take a stroll with a local guide through the lush jungles of San Andrés. - Awake Travel Website
- Get some R&R on the beaches of San Andrés. - Unsplash: Guillermo Bresciano
- Swim in the pristine waters of San Andrés and discover the vast wildlife under the sea. - Unsplash: Darren Lawrence
- Walk the beautiful streets of Cartagena and fall in love with the vibrant architecture. - Unsplash: Ricardo Gomez Angel
- Discover the history behind these colorful buildings with a local guide. - Unsplash: Reiseuhu
- Get the story behind the graffiti in Cartagena from a local guide. - Unsplash: Anette Bratteberg
- Take a street art tour and bring home a piece of Cartagena. - Unsplash: Jorge Gardner
- Hear the stories of the barrios told through street art and graffiti by local artists. - Unsplash: Azzedine Rouichi
- Make sure your phone is charged for this graffiti street tour! - Unsplash: Jorge Gardner
- See the famous Cartagena clock tower aka Torre del Reloj. - Unsplash: Jorge Gardner
- Walk through the city square with your guide and learn about the various cultural influences within Cartagena. - Pixabay: Makalu
- Observe the eclectic architecture that makes up this majestic city. - Pixabay: ELG21
- Walk the palm tree-lined streets of San Andrés and enjoy the beautiful ocean views. - Awake Travel Website
- Walk with your guide to Cover Valley and the Big Pond Lagoon to observe the vibrant wildlife and various ecosystems of the island. - Awake Travel Website
- Known for reggae music and beautiful coral reefs, San Andrés is the place to kick back and relax. - Unsplash: Andrés Dallimonti
- You'll never want to leave this little slice of heaven! - Pixabay: Nanny
- Explore the crystal clear waters of San Andrés by glass-bottom kayak. - Awake Travel Website
- Enjoy the comforts of home in these triple and quad rooms. - Booking.com
- Welcome to Hotel Azuán Suites! - Booking.com
- Rest your head each night at this comfortable hotel. - Expedia
- Welcome to San Andres and your home away from home at Aparthotel Las Americas. - Expedia
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel's cafe and prepare for a day of adventure. - Booking.com
- Enjoy a night on the water at San Andres' hottest white party event! - Pexels: Isabella Mendes
- Discover a colorful array of homes and businesses in this bustling port city. - Unsplash: sara.illustration