Colombia by the Sea:
Providencia | San Andrés | Cartagena | Rosario or Baru Island
Day 1 | Cartagena
Upon arrival at Cartagena airport with national or international flight,
transfer and hotel check-in. Overnight stay. Meals: - / - / -
Day 2 | Cartagena - Panoramic City Tour
Start with a panoramic view of the city from the Monasterio and Iglesia
de La Popa. Formerly known as the Popa del Galeon and famous
for resembling the stern of a galleon. Constructed in 1606 this church
and monastery are located at a height of 140masl from where one can enjoy
360º views of the city and the sea as well as the port zone, one
of the most important in the Caribbean. Continuing to the San Felipe fortress,
erected in honor of the poet from Cartagena, Don Luis Carlos López,
made famous for his sonnet A mi ciudad nativa. It was built
on San Lázaro hill to defend the city from pirate attacks. Walk
around the fortress and know how the castle was constructed, the engineering
feats, the tunnels, underground galleries and passageways. Then, go on
to the Ciudad Vieja (old city) to visit the Convert and Church of the
San Pedro Claver compound which
was built in the middle of the XVII century and owes its name to the apóstol
de los esclavos. Lastly, follow to the handicrafts zone of the Bovedas,
a collection of archways built into the city wall of Cartagena and that
were used until the end of the 1700s to house armaments and then later
as a prison in the XIX century. Nowadays its an artisan center to
appreciate local handcraft. Free afternoon for individual activities.
Overnight stay.
Meals: B / - / -
Day
3 | Cartagena - Rosario or Barú Island
After breakfast, transfer in a regular or private boat to the hotel of
your choice on Barú or Rosario Island. After roughly 1 hour boat
trip, arrival and check-in. Overnight stay. Meals: B / - / -
Note: In Barú Island Full Board option only.
Day 4 | Rosario or Barú Island
Free day to relax on the beach. If you are on Barú it is recommend
the beaches of Playa Blanca, Playita de Cholón, Playa de los Muertos
and Playa Bobo. On the Rosario islands, it is recommend to visit the reef
of the archipelago of Nuestra Señora del Rosario as well as the
islands of Tesoro, Múcura and Maravilla. Enjoy snorkeling and other
water sports, observation of the local flora and fauna and scuba diving
amongst others things.
Overnight stay. Meals: B / - / -
Day 5 | Barú or Rosario Island - Cartagena
In the afternoon, departure by boat to Cartagena. Upon arrival at Cartagena
pier, transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight stay. Meals: B / -
/ -
Day 6 | Cartagena - San Andrés Island
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for direct flight
(departing at mid-day only) to San Andrés. Upon arrival, transfer
to the hotel and check-in. The archipelago of San Andres, Providencia
and Santa Catalina is located to the northwest of the Colombian mainland
in the Caribbean and was declared a UNESCO Biosphere reserve in 2000.
It is believed that the islands were first discovered by Christopher Columbus
on his second journey but they were administered by the English from 1631.
This led to a period of colonisation, in particular, by people of African
descent. In 1670 the infamous pirate Henry Morgan established his base
on the island of Providencia and there are still some who believe the
legends that some of his treasures remain buried here. Due to the history
of the archipelago the language spoken on the islands is a patois, the
mixture of English and
Spanish. San Andres Island is the largest island in the archipelago and
is the administrative and financial centre and has drawn in tourists for
several decades. It is well known for its beaches, some with pink coral
in the sand, the sea of seven colours with its clear turquoise blue waters
in varying tones. Overnight stay. Meals: B / - / -
Day 7 | San Andrés Island
Free day at disposal to enjoy the beach and the activities available in
the island such as a 10 minute boat trip out to Johnny Cay where it is
able to see more than 30 different types of fish. The island has an area
called playa de cedro which inhibits the erosion of the beaches
from waves and strong winds making this the refuge on the island for many
sea birds. Visit the Aquarium as well. Overnight stay. Meals: B / - /
-
Day 8 | San Andrés Island - Providencia Island
Transfer to San Andre airport for 20 minutes flight to Providencia. Upon
arrival, transfer to hotel and check-in. Free remainder of the day for
beach activities. Overnight stay. Meals: B / - / -
Day 9 | Providencia Island
Breakfast and free day for spending time on the beach or exploring other
beaches on the island. It is suggested to visit Santa Catalina Island
connected to Providencia by a beautiful and brightly painted wooden bridge
called the Puente de Amor or take a boat ride to explore the
hidden bays on the island are recommended. Declared a protected biosphere
by UNESCO this is one of the most accessible and well preserved coral
reefs in the world. Overnight stay. Meals: B / - / -
Day 10 | Providencia Island
Breakfast and free day for spending time on the beach or exploring other
beaches on the island. It is suggested to make the hike up to the Peak
a 360m high point on the island to admire fine 360 degree views of the
island, the coral reefs and the multicoloured sea. Most of the freshwater
found on the island is found here on this mountain. On the hike you will
walk through a rainforest that is home to many species of tropical birds.
Overnight stay. Meals: B / - / -
Day 11 | Providencia I sland - San Andrés Island
- Cartagena
Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to the airport for flight to San Andres.
Meals: B / - / -
OPTIONAL: It is possible to include Tayrona National
Park within this itinerary.