Classic Colombia
Trip highlights
- Experience city life in Paloquemao market, the largest in Bogotá
- Ride the cable car to Monserrate Sanctuary for unrivalled views over Bogotá
- Enjoy a private river safari on Don Diego River in Tayrona National Park
- Meet the Katanzama Indigenous community in the Tayrona Region
- Explore Cartagena’s UNESCO historic centre on a private walking tour
- Learn to Salsa with professional dancers in Cartagena
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
- Days 1–4 Bogotá
- Days 4–7 Tayrona Region
- Days 7–10 Cartagena
- Days 1–4 Bogotá
- Days 4–7 Tayrona Region
- Days 7–10 Cartagena
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Three nights in Colombia’s capital, Bogotá
Colombia’s capital is as recognisable and enjoyable as any other in this continent. Bogotá is packed with beautiful architecture, charming historical districts and museums recounting ancient to modern treasures and times. There are also sophisticated restaurants, great bars and markets – including Paloquemao, a lively hub where locals come to stock up from the colourful piles of tropical fruit and fresh flowers.
Where you could stay
Bogotá
Overview
The beautiful Four Seasons Casa Medina was the creative vision of Santiago Medina Mejia, a Paris-educated artist and architect from Medellin. He salvaged local architectural treasures, such as stone columns and hand-carved wooden doors from two recently demolished colonial convents, to create was declared a monument by the country’s Ministry of Culture in the 1980s.
The hotel features 62 rooms and suites, where beamed ceilings and aged leather accents coupled with fresh, contemporary touches making them a sophisticated blend of old and new.
The hotel has two restaurants; the lively La Bodega that focuses on tapas and Colombian coffee, and Castanyoles Raciones y Tapas, where guests chave the option to dine in the beautiful glass atrium with Spanish tiles, living walls and drop lights.
There is also a gym and a spa with treatment rooms, relaxation room and steam room.
→ Find out moreBogotá
Overview
The Sofitel Victoria Regia is located in Bogota’s Zona Rosa district, with many of the capital’s top shops and restaurants on its doorstep. It takes its name from the beautiful water lily that can be found in the Colombian Amazon, and if you look up as soon as you enter the hotel, you’ll see a beautiful stained glass skylight inspired by the Victoria Regia.
There are 102 rooms and suites, a blend of local Colombian character and classic French elegance. Basilic is the hotel’s in-house restaurant, serving exquisite Mediterranean cuisine using local ingredients. There is also a bar where guests can enjoy a drink before heading out to explore Bogota’s incredible foodie scene.
For those that like to keep active while away, there is a small gym as well as treatment rooms where you can indulge in a massage or beauty treatment.
→ Find out moreBogotá
Overview
In the heart of the Quinta Camacho neighbourhood of Bogota, surrounded by some of the city’s best restaurants, cafes, galleries and shops, you’ll find Casa Legado. This family owned bed and breakfast adorns a pretty, almost 1950’s aesthetic, with lots of natural light coupled with delicate pastel colours to ease the mind when retiring at night. The 13 spacious rooms each boast a unique style, inspired by the natural beauty of the country and all rooms are perfectly designed to ensure you feel right at home. Some rooms offer balcony spaces, with views of the relaxing garden space.
A delicious breakfast buffet can be enjoyed in the spacious communal kitchen area before you make the most of the free bikes on offer on which to explore the wonders of this amazing city. Also, here you can enjoy a Thai massage or a yoga session to help you wind down at the end of the day.
→ Find out moreThe best of Bogotá
Outside explorations
Uncover history
City life
City life
Bogotá’s highlights
Gain a deeper insight of Colombia’s capital city with an expert guide. Explore the cobbled streets of the historic centre, La Candelaria, full of colonial buildings, plazas and cathedrals, visit the Botero Museum to admire Fernando Botero’s iconic voluptuous figures and take a cable car to Monserrate Sanctuary at 3,152 meters to enjoy unrivalled views over the city.
National Museum of Colombia
The National Museum is one of the oldest in Latin America, originally built as a prison in 1823. Today it exhibits Colombia’s art, history and culture with a collection of over 20,000 invaluable pieces. Permanent collections range from archaeology and ethnography samples dating 10,000 years BC, to Spanish colonisation pieces and Afro-Colombian art.
Paloquemao market
Early in the morning you will experience the excitement of the largest market of Bogota. Discover Paloquemao and its vast and colourful array of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Meet friendly vendors, learn about traditional cuisine and enjoy tasting exotic fruits from Colombia’s most remote regions.
Two nights in the heart of the Tayrona Region
Tayrona National Park is one of the prettiest stretches of coastline in Latin America, where lush tropical rainforest meets golden sandy beaches and the blue waters of the Caribbean. It makes for a perfect combination of relaxation and exploration in an area which is home to more than 100 species of mammal, 200 species of bird and many reptiles. Time here is for relaxing and enjoying the picturesque views, scuba diving, snorkelling and exploring the nature of the park.
Where you could stay
Tayrona Region
Overview
Villa Playa los Naranjos is located just a short drive from the entrance to Tayrona National Park where the River Piedras meets the ocean.
The hotel building is typical of this region with a thatched roof and high ceilings. There are four bedrooms in the main house, as well as two cabins in a separate building set slightly apart from the house. The cabins have a shared terrace outside.
There is a swimming pool and terrace overlooking the river and ocean, from where a wooden walkway leads down to the river’s edge. Upstairs in the main house is a large social area with open sides where you’ll find sofas and hammocks.
The beach is a just a short walk from the hotel, and although the water is a little rough for swimming, it is still a beautiful area to explore and you’ve got Tayrona National Park on your doorstep.
→ Find out moreTayrona Region
Overview
Reserva One Love is nestled on the banks of the Magdalena River within 80 hectares of tropical rainforest. This is the perfect place to switch off and enjoy the flora and fauna of the Sierra Nevada region of northern Colombia.
There are five circular cabanas with thatched palapa roofs. Rooms feature large beds with mosquito nets, air conditioning and fans and a separate bathroom with outdoor shower. Outside each cabana there is a small cold water Jacuzzi and hammocks. In the rooms and throughout the reserve, you’ll find colourful handicrafts made by the local indigenous tribes, including the Kogi, Arahuacos, Kankuamos and Wiwa tribes.
Beautiful gardens surround the property where herbs, vegetables and fruit are grown and used in the kitchen to create delicious and beautifully presented food – this really is one of the highlights of a stay at One Love. The main lounge area is where you will enjoy your meals and is a lovely place to relax with birds flitting through the trees and a fire pit which is lit at night. It is a short walk to the cabanas and the pathways are lit by torches.
A short walk brings you down to the sandy river bank where sun loungers can be set up and you can lay back and relax, take a dip in the water and listen to the sounds of howler monkeys in the distance. Tubing and boat trips along the river can be arranged, as well as day trips to nearby Tayrona National Park.
→ Find out moreTayrona Region
Highlights
- Four en-suite bedrooms
- Two swimming pools
- Lounge areas
- Terrace
Overview
Kasamar is a private villa on the outskirts of Tayrona National Park – a great option for families, groups of friends or people who are after an exclusive getaway.
The house has four en-suite bedrooms with air conditioning and ample space for relaxing and eating. The upper levels of the house have open sides so you can enjoy the sea breeze as you recline in the hammocks or on the wicker chairs with a good book. The views out over the ocean and jungle really are something very special.
There are two swimming pools, which is great as the ocean, although stunning, can be a little too rough for swimming. Guests staying here will enjoy the services of a personal chef so you can enjoy delicious meals at times that suit you. The nearby river can be explored by canoe and Tayrona National Park is a short drive away.
→ Find out moreDon Diego river safari
Take a private transfer to the Don Diego river. After a 15 minute trek up a lush mountain, you will arrive at the river bank from where you will float down a crystalline river all the way down to the ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for exotic birds, howler monkeys and small caymans which are harmless and very shy.
Katanzama Indigenous community
Your driver will take you to the outskirts of the Indigenous Katanzama community, where you will walk approximately a kilometre to find the town used by Arhuaco families as a place of transit when moving around the Sierra Nevada. These families have successfully preserved their cultural traditions and in a meaningful cultural exchange, you will learn about their traditions, beliefs and connection with nature first hand.
Three nights in Colombia’s enchanting Caribbean city
Colombia’s coastal city of Cartagena is steeped in history and diverse culture; it boasts impressive ramparts, forts and bastions as well as plenty of Spanish-style architecture. This is a city made for exploring: wind your way through the historic centre passing carts laden with juicy fruit and vendors selling coconut candies under the shade of the arches that ring the plazas. There are also fortifications to explore, museums to discover and rooftops from where you can watch the world go by.
Where you could stay
Cartagena
Highlights
- Centrally situated in the historic heart of Cartagena
- Stay in rooms and suites that blend authentic Colombian style and contemporary flair
- While away hours poolside or atop the sun-dappled, rooftop terrace
- Indulge in afternoon tea within the quaint library
- Retreat to the luxurious spa for locally inspired treatments
- Sample traditional Colombian dishes at Alma Restaurant
Overview
Casa San Agustin is an intimate boutique hotel perfectly placed within Cartagena’s colourful old walled city, only a stone’s throw from the turquoise Caribbean coast. Its terrific position immerses you in the city’s storied history, where cobbled lanes prop typical Colombian buildings with wrought-iron balconies overflowing with bright flowers.
The hotel itself, comprising three connecting 17th-century homes, evokes a bygone age with classic stucco exteriors and beautiful traditional touches inside. Rooms and suites spotlight dark wood-beamed ceilings, four-poster beds, stone floors and elegantly tiled bathrooms. But natural fabrics alongside a palette of soft blues and greens add a fresh, contemporary edge.
Some spaces gaze to the street life below, while others open to the pretty inner gardens. ‘Premium Suites’, with leafy patios and private Jacuzzis, are suited most to couples and honeymooners; families or groups of friends, on the other hand, will love the larger ‘Prestige Suites’ and ‘Suite del Virray’, featuring thoughtfully designed living areas and personal balconies or terraces.
Throughout the hotel, you’ll find plenty of indoor-outdoor spaces designed for relaxation. At the centre of the courtyard, a freshwater pool beneath an ancient aqueduct offers a refreshing escape from the heat, along with shaded daybeds nestled between tropical palms. There’s also a lovely rooftop terrace, framed by vibrant pink bougainvillaea, and a serene library adorned with original frescoes – perfect for enjoying a peaceful afternoon tea.
For a truly relaxing experience, treat yourself to a soothing session at the intimate spa, where treatments feature local ingredients like Colombian coffee and volcanic mud. The dining experience is just as rooted in tradition. Alma Restaurant brings the heart of Colombian cuisine to life with standout dishes such as Cartagena-style seafood casserole and freshly made ceviche.
→ Find out moreCartagena
Overview
Bastion Luxury Hotel is located in Cartagena’s charming old town in a restored 16th-century private home. A colonial aesthetic runs though the hotel balanced perfectly with more contemporary touches.
Its 51 elegant rooms and suites have a neutral colour scheme and feel bright and fresh. Some come with a separate living area and outdoor terrace.
The hotel’s restaurant, El Gobernador, showcases the best of Colombian cuisine and offers a nine-course tasting menu, while the patio restaurant offers more relaxed dining. El Gobernador also has a small patio which is a lovely space to enjoy breakfast.
The rooftop terrace is a real highlight of the hotel with a good sized swimming pool, ample space to relax under a cabana and a bar where you can enjoy a drink and light bites as the sun goes down of the beautiful city of Cartagena.
There is also a small spa with treatment room and outdoor Jacuzza and relaxation area, as well as a small gym.
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Cartagena
Overview
With a history dating back to 1621, the former convent of Saint Clare of Assisi is now one of Cartagena’s grandest and most illustriest hotels. The Sofitel Santa Clara is still home to crypts, wells, confessionals and paintings which have been expertly resorted to fit its new life as a modern luxuiry hotel.
At the centre of the hotel is a large courtyard filled with lush tropical plants and framed by the original stone arches of the convent. There are 123 rooms and suites, including four ‘iconic’ suites, two of which are insired by famous Colombian artists, Fernando Botero and Enrique Grau Araujo. More modern rooms complete with contemporary republican décor are available, many with views of the city wall and Caribbean Sea. There’s also the option of staying in the cavernous and colourful colonial rooms adorned with grand antique furniture.
Enjoy modern cuisine with a Caribbean touch at the Santa Clara’s two restaurants, El Claustro and 1621, and make time to relax with a drink in the beautiful garden.
The hotel is home to a large outdoor swimming pool as well as a spa and small fitness centre.
→ Find out moreCartagena
Highlights
- 10 suites and 6 rooms
- Views of the gardens, the streets, or the sea from every room
- Ánima restaurant
- Activities at Casa Pestagua's sister properties
- The hotel is a UNESCO historical and cultural heritage site
- Animate bar
Overview
Lying within the walled city of Cartagena de Indias is Casa Pestagua, which has been declared a historical and cultural heritage by UNESCO. The hotel preserves its colonial structure of double-height ceilings and Moorish-inspired arches, alongside its internal gardens of exuberant vegetation that recreate an atmosphere of romanticism, relaxation, and luxurious comfort.
10 spacious suites and 6 harmonious rooms form the space available to guests at the hotel. Views of the interior garden, the bustling street, or the sea can be found in every room, alongside king-size beds and generous bathrooms.
You will find one of the best options for ancestral gastronomy of the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of the Colombian territory within Casa Pestagua. When you dine in restaurant Ánima, meaning ‘soul’ in Latin, your palate will be delighted by the authentic menu created by the hands of the executive chef Heberlo Eljach. Attached to the restaurant is the bar Animate, where you can relax with cocktails in an idyllic setting.
Casa Pestagua hosts a range of activities, including many at their sister properties: at the Acasí private beach you can indulge in an exclusive Caribbean experience, whilst at Aurum spa in Hotel Casa San Agustín you can personalise a treatment to reinvigorate your body and soul.
→ Find out moreThe best of Cartagena
To wander
Sip and Enjoy
The dancer
The dancer
A history and culture experience
Walk the winding streets of Cartagena’s historic centre with a local historian who will recount the fascinating stories behind the plazas, cathedrals and colourful houses that characterise El Centro and Getsemani. Taste fresh fruits and traditional snacks along the way.
Delicious rum tasting
Enjoy a tasting experience in which your local rum expert will guide you through how rum is processed and aged, in order to recognise its unique characteristics.
An exclusive salsa class
Put on your dancing shoes and learn how to dance salsa with professional dancers who will teach you their best moves to dance the night away.
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
I spent 9 days traveling solo in Colombia, specifically Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena. The trip was planned so thoughtfully and thoroughly, and they took into consideration all of my feedback and interests. From hotels to restaurants, to tours, everything exceeded my expectations. Lily and Berni were great to work with, and always available to discuss the details of the trip,…