You will stay in boutique hotel rooms for the duration of your trip. Solo travelers are paired with someone of the same gender.  

You can request a friend to be your roommate upon checkout. 

If you'd prefer not to have a roommate, private room options are available upon request, subject to hotel availability for an extra charge. Please contact bookings@under30experiences.com for more details.

Laundry service is available at some of the hotels for an additional fee. The best moment to do laundry will be at your hotel in Tayrona and the cost is ~$5 USD. Ask your Trip Leader for details.

We are staying in the city and on the coast so expect to see lizards, frogs, and/or bugs.

Long sleeves and pants are a good idea at dusk to protect from mosquitos. Please opt for eco-friendly, non-aerosol insect repellents.

We can’t guarantee wildlife sightings, but the most commonly seen wildlife are monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and toucans.

We recommend using a large backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer.

A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on our transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage.

Colombia uses 110-volt, 60-cycle electricity, just like in the US. Plugs are typically the 2 pronged flat types so US travelers will not typically need a converter or adapter.

Tap water in Colombia is not safe to drink. There will be potable water to drink in the hotel.

We encourage our travelers to travel sustainably. Please bring a reusable water bottle to refill with clean water.

The arepa is a traditional Colombian food. You can get arepas anywhere in the country. However, they are prepared differently in each region. 

Empanadas are also typical in Colombian cuisine. The tradition is to prepare them fried with corn-based flour, preferably yellow.

Bandeja paisa is a traditional Colombian food and one of the most famous dishes in the country. It includes rice and beans, ground meat, chorizo (pork sausage), chicharrón (fried pork skin), egg, and avocado.

Vegetarian options typically consist of mixed vegetables and salads.

There are two seasons in Colombia. The dry seasons are from December to January and from July to August. The rainy season runs from April to May and October to November. 

However, due to the diversity of Colombia, our temperature variates depending on where you are.

For this trip, you will be in destinations with warm and temperate climates.

Medellín: temperatures between 62°F to 78°F

Santa Marta and Cartagena: temperatures between 76°F to 88°F. 

You will be traveling by private, air-conditioned ground transportation throughout your trip. 

On Day 3, there is a domestic flight from Medellin to Santa Marta. Domestic flights are economy class.

Your airfare includes 1 carry-on bag of a maximum of 17 pounds and 1 checked baggage of a maximum of 30 pounds. Measurements: the sum of the 3 dimensions should not exceed 62 inches (158 cm). We recommend keeping luggage to 30 pounds (15 kilograms) or under due to luggage restrictions. If you wish to bring more baggage, you may pay the additional fee at the airline counter.

A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage.

Private ground transportation to and from the airport (Included)

Public bus and taxi (Not Included)

Optional activities do not include transportation.

Moderate. Some activities include physical activity like canoeing or hiking.

The hike in the Tyrona National Park, from the parking lot to Cabo San Juan is about 8 miles and could take ~2-3 hours.

This hike is on the longer side, but we’ll take our time and go at a reasonable pace. This hike may be challenging for those who experience knee problems or have had recent knee surgery.

We’ve included many activities in the price of the trip giving you plenty to do. However, we pride ourselves in helping you make the trip perfect for you. Therefore we’ve sought out the best activities and vendors to help you have the experience you want.  

*Some of our favorite optional activities in Medellin are:  

• Arvi Park: This is a very large ecological nature reserve in Medellín, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions.

*Some of our favorite optional activities in Cartagena are:  

• Visit the walled city. There you will find a lot of restaurants and shopping stores.
• Music is one of the most important elements of Colombian culture. People live and love music. In Cartagena, you will hear Salsa, Merengue, Vallenato, and Champeta in every corner. You can book a dancing class (Champeta or salsa lessons) for ~$18 per person 
• The street food tour. In this activity, you can discover the gastronomical Caribbean culture. ~ $33 per person, depending on the final number. 
•  Rum tasting activity. Approx 11/2 hour. ~$88 per person

Of course! This trip is your trip, and you don’t have to participate in anything you don’t want to. Just be aware that opting out of included activities will not change the price of your trip.

Medellin and Cartagena both have several nightlife options.  

Medellín’s nightlife has been internationally recognized as being one of the best in the world. The majority of the best clubs and bars in Medellin are located in el Poblado, a vast and affluent central neighborhood. 

Cartagena is a tourist town in the Caribbean where you will find a lot of bars, clubs, and plenty of nightlife to explore.

‍Please drink responsibly and remember you’ll need to be up at a reasonable hour the following day to join the group.

Spanish is the official language of Colombia. English is widely spoken in many tourist areas and hotels.

Knowing a second language is not required to enjoy this trip.

While tipping is not customary, it is certainly appreciated especially when you have received great service. Be sure to tip in the local currency Colombian Pesos (COP)  to ensure the recipient does not have to pay additional fees when exchanging.

Tipping Trip Leaders: We hire the very best local trip leaders we can find to give you the best cultural experience possible. We pay our Trip Leaders well, but your gratuity supports them, their families, and their communities. How much should you tip? Tipping is a practice deeply entrenched in the travel and tourism industry in all the countries we visit. The amount you tip is up to you, but a general guideline is $3-6 per person per day for excellent service.

Bring cash with you! We recommend you have at least $300 USD in the local currency on you to use at establishments that do not accept credit cards.

We recommend bringing some Pesos Colombianos for small businesses. Some places accept USD and credit cards.

No need for a visa for this trip. When traveling with a passport, citizens of the United States, Canada, and most Latin American and European countries are entitled to stay in Colombia for 90 days. They must enter the country with a departure ticket and a valid passport that does not expire within 30 days of their arrival in Colombia.

To find specific visa requirements or restrictions for your home country, visit the Colombia embassy page.

Yes! When travelers take advantage of our “Switch Your Trip” program, last-minute slots open up on sold-out trips. Visit our Trips On Sale page for the latest last-minute deals.

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Feel free to reach out to our all-star customer service team at bookings@under30experiences.com.

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