Colombia Caper
My goal for 2025 is to get back to sharing in real time, because adventures have been happening without documentation. I’ve been working to live in the moment a bit more, but that doesn’t help me help others take on the world, so here we go, I’m back!
In February, my husband and I took a trip to Colombia where we spent time in the party city of Cartagena as well as the beautiful beaches of Las Islas. What I loved about this vacation is there is truly something for everyone in Colombia. If you like solitude, there are plenty of non-tourist areas for your enjoyment. If all night activity is more your thing, the city has something for you as well.
I’ll get the obvious out of the way early, is Colombia safe? The short answer is yes, but like any major city, you need to stay vigilant and don’t do things that make yourself a target. I saw situations that could be potential threats, but again, this could happen anywhere. Overall, I found the country to be warm and welcoming, with rich culture and plenty to experience.
We flew into Cartagena and spent our first night in the Walled City, which I highly recommend. First, you step out of your lodging and there is always a party in the street day or night. Next, some of the best restaurants are within walking distance. Our favorites were Candé Cocina and Restaurante Alma. Both the live entertainment and the incredible food options make these must tries while you are in the area. Last, you can get most of the tourist attractions out of the way, fairly quickly by enjoying one of the best sunsets in the world while taking your pictures at Café del Mar or walking the artistic streets of Gethsemane. We lodged at the Casa de Alba Hotel which is a boutique that provided beautiful accommodations and an included breakfast, rich with Colombian foods. The hotel also has an indoor pool and a rooftop that offers great views of the city.
After enjoying the first night in the Walled City, we took a helicopter to the Hotel Las Islas Barú. The helicopter may seem extravagant, but the cost was comparable to a boat ride and during the time that we traveled the public ferry was not available. It was a quick 15 min flight from the private airport to the resort helipad and frankly it was worth it because we took a boat back to the mainland and almost ended up lost like the people in the North Sea. Probably the scariest boat ride I’ve ever encountered with ridiculously high waves and the rockiest swells. However, when we initially arrived at Hotel Las Islas, we entered an incredibly tranquil setting. The grounds are lush, and you have the option to stay in a treehouse or a bungalow right on the beach. You’re provided bicycles to make your way around the resort. The bungalows have private pools and there is also a pool located in the spa area. We spent most of our time on the small private beach outside of our room. The hotel is very isolated, once you arrive, you’re basically onsite from then forward, but they offered very good meals and limited entertainment. Mostly, this place is meant for relaxing and was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
On the torturous boat ride back to Cartagena, we had a chance to see the natural attractions surrounding Las Islas as well as landmarks like Pablo Escobar’s home. For a Narcos fan like myself, that was a bucket list moment. Once we arrived back in Cartagena, we opted to stay in Bocagrande, which is essentially the Miami of Colombia. Full of high-rise apartments and ritzy restaurants and clubs, it’s a fun place to spend a few nights. We rounded out the trip with a walking tour of Colombia booked through Airbnb experiences and I’ll drop the link because it was a great way to learn more about the city and the history. I particularly enjoyed learning about the rich Afro-Caribbean heritage of Colombia.
The best part of this trip was the price point, because the plane ticket is the most expensive thing you’ll have to do, once you arrive, lodging, food and all experiences are extremely reasonable.
