Day 1 – Arrival in Bogotá
A breathtakingly lush view greeted me from the airplane and I immediately sensed that this place would captivate me. The flight was surprisingly quick, my tips for long-haul flights .We opted for a private room at Selina Hostel as the location was perfect in the historic La Candelaria.
In the evening, we enjoyed a typical Colombian Canelazo Drink on Bolivar Square, as the night air cooled. This drink, with its fresh fruits, was incredibly tasty, offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. It had a hint of mulled wine, although the taste was distinct. We sat on the stairs with our Canelazo, chatting and observing people passing by, occasionally joined by a llama and its owner – a delightful surprise for a European like me.
Day 2 – Paloquemao Fruit Market – Santuario Animal Namigni
We started the day with a hearty breakfast, which was not diet-friendly at all. Fried egg, rice, beans, sausage, patacones and .
We explored the vibrant fruit market called Paloquemao where you’ll find lots and lots of fruit in all sizes, colors and shapes. It was heaven for a European like me. The variety and prices you have are insane. For Lunch we went for Lechon which is roasted pig stuffed with rice and a Tamales. We got both at the market.
In the afternoon we ventured to a sanctuary farm, a spontaneous decision that turned into a memorable journey. The Uber ride took longer than expected and drop us off 2 km in front of the sanctuary because his car couldn’t handle the road. As we walked to the sanctuary I got a bit worried how we are getting back to the city as we were in the middle of nowhere with no signal no people… The landscape was so beautiful tough, that I quickly forgot that we might have a little problem. The sanctuary had lots of rescued animals and the owner, who was also the Vet gave us a lot of (sadly) informations about each animal and the sanctuary itself. It was an enriching experience, but I’d recommend having your own transportation. At the end, another smarter tourist took us back to the city 😉
Day 3 – Explore La Candelaria and Bike Tour
Again we had a very “light” breakfast with Ajiaco, a hearty soup made of potatoes, chicken, guasca leaves and half an ear of corn.
We strolled at La Candelaria, marveling at its historical and colorful buildings.
In the afternoon we had a bike tour, initially I wasn’t thrilled about this idea, turned out to be my highlight. Our local guide unveiled hidden gems in Bogotá, showed us places, neighborhoods, streets and people which we probably wouldn’t have visit without him. The city had a pretty good infrastructure for bicycles.
Day 4 – Museums and Monserrate
While my boyfriend worked, I took it a bit easier and only had the local drink for breakfast, chocolate y queso. So hot chocolate with cheese bits. Not the biggest hot chocolate fan but everyone drinks it there so I had to give it a try and it was really good!
Later I went to the “Museo de Arte Miguel” and the “Museo de Botero”.
The afternoon we spent at the iconic Monserrate, enjoying a rail ride with a cloudy yet stunning view of the vast city
Day 5 – Heading to Playa Blanca, Cartagena by Plane
With four days in Bogotá, we set off for Cartagena, making a pitstop at Playa Blanca to spend some time just relaxing at the beach. A quick Uber ride took us directly to the beach. You can also take a boat ride to Playa Blanca but that would have taken more time.
At the destination we only relaxed, enjoyed a poolside piña colada, and marveled at the sunset.
It’s important to know that there are A LOT of Vendors! They were very persistent but a polite and kind attitude is key.
Day 6 – Beach Day
We spent our entire day around the beach and pool. Despite heavy rain, we embraced the day. The vendors found shelter, allowing us to enjoy the rain in peace. 😉
Day 7 – Boat to Cartagena and exploring the neighborhood
We embarked on a 40-minute boat ride to Cartagena, which, thanks to the storm, turned out to be quite a bumpy adventure. Despite the rough seas and the questionable safety, we embraced the thrill of the ride to the fullest.
In Cartagena, we nestled into a charming hotel in the heart of Getsemaní, perfectly situated within walking distance of the old village.
Lunch was a divine affair – we indulged in the best ceviche ever! If you find yourself in Cartagena, missing out on this culinary delight is simply not an option. Post-lunch, we seized the opportunity to explore the neighborhood, discovering its vibrant charm. Without a set plan, we strolled through the streets with its vivid colors, captivating art, tempting food stalls, and lively street performances.
Day 8 – Bus Tour and Farewell
On our last day, we opted for a bus hopping tour to cover as much ground as possible. It was a great way to see the city’s highlights. In the evening, we indulged in a bar-hopping adventure in the lively old town of Cartagena, savoring the city’s vibrant nightlife.
A week in Colombia is just a glimpse, and we left with a taste for more. Cartagena, in particular, captured my heart, and I’m eager to return to explore further.
Until next time, Colombia!