Cartagena de Indias – November 2026
Cartagena de Indias
A city of a thousand stories, colors, and Caribbean rhythm.
Five days inside a García Márquez novel
Cartagena is the Caribbean’s most romantic walled city: flower-draped colonial balconies, candy-colored houses, fortress walls at sunset and a rhythm you feel in the street from the moment you land. It inspired García Márquez, and it will inspire you.
We built this trip around experiences, not endless sightseeing: long dinners, a day on the water, dancing, and a small group that feels like friends by the second night.
What we’ll do together
- Live inside the old city walls, two steps from the Clock Tower
- Walk the García Márquez trail through Santo Domingo and Bolívar squares
- Toast the sunset at a rooftop gala in a 17th-century convent
- Sail by catamaran to the Rosario Islands and snorkel coral reefs
- Star in your own photo shoot among the painted houses
- Dance salsa to live music at Tertulia de Getsemaní
The itinerary
Welcome to the City of a Thousand Stories
A group transfer meets us at Rafael Núñez Airport and brings us straight into the old town. Check in at Hotel El Balconario, a colonial house two steps from the Clock Tower. Time to unwind, then the whole crew gathers for a welcome dinner and a first toast under the Cartagena sky.
Streets that Remember García Márquez
A guided walk along the fortress walls and the colorful squares of Santo Domingo and Bolívar, lunch at the iconic Candé, then a café-bookshop stop and free time to find your banana-fiber hat and linen outfit.
Evening: a gala dinner at Botika Santa Clara Bar in the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, on the rooftop of the former convent that inspired Of Love and Other Demons. Sunset, string lights, apothecary-inspired cocktails. Dress to impress.
Pirates of the Caribbean
A full day by catamaran to the Rosario and San Bernardo Islands National Park. Sparkling wine as we set sail, snorkeling over coral reefs at a white-sand beach, and a seafood lunch prepared on board on the way back to Cartagena.
Make Dreams Come True
A vibrant photo session among the city’s painted houses, then a free afternoon for shopping or the beach. After a gala dinner, we head to Tertulia de Getsemaní, an authentic salsa bar with live music. We’re in Shakira’s homeland, after all.
To the Next Chapter
One last Caribbean sunrise, then a group transfer to the airport. Some stories don’t end; they simply wait for their next chapter.
Hotel El Balconario by Faranda Boutique
A restored colonial house in the heart of the walled city, two steps from the Clock Tower. Wooden balconies, terracotta roofs, a courtyard pool and a rooftop that looks straight at the cathedral dome.
Every detail, handled
One price covers the hotel, breakfasts, transfers and every experience in the program. You book your flight once your spot is confirmed.
Included
- Double room at Hotel El Balconario (single room +$650)
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Group round-trip airport transfer
- All scheduled transfers throughout the program
- Guided sightseeing throughout the itinerary
- Lunch with live show at Candé
- Rosario Islands catamaran excursion with lunch
- Cold brew coffee tasting
- Colombian-style photo session
- All activities and experiences in the program
Not included
- International airfare to and from Cartagena (CTG)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not listed in the program
- Single room supplement: +$650
- Personal shopping and tips
Three steps to Cartagena
Request your spot
Tap Reserve or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm availability and send the full trip details.
Pay in full
The full trip price is paid at booking. Your spot is confirmed as soon as payment is received.
Book your flight
Once confirmed, we send recommended flights into Cartagena (CTG). Please book only after we confirm your spot.
Cancellation policy
Counted from the trip start date, Nov 21, 2026.
Questions everyone asks
Entry & passport
US citizens don't need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the whole trip.
Flights
The trip starts and ends at Cartagena (CTG). Plan to arrive on Nov 21 and fly home on Nov 25; we confirm exact transfer times after booking. We send recommended flights after you book.
Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended and covers cancellations, medical care and delays. We're happy to point you to a policy.
What to pack
Light linen and summer clothes, swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and two outfits for the gala dinners. Dresses and your finest looks are a must.
Join the crew in Cartagena
$3,250 per person, double occupancy, plus airfare. Spots are limited. Full payment at booking; 100% refundable up to 30 days before the trip.