Cartagena: Two Week Itinerary
Below is the sample itinerary for our two week Cartagena program. You'll receive a tailored itinerary for your program closer to your trip.
Day 01
Sat
Before 6 PM - Arrive, check in, and meet your fellow travelers
One of our staff members will meet you at the airport and help you check into your hotel.
7:30 PM - Welcome group dinner
Location: Restaurante San Valentin
Cost: Included
San Valentin serves a delicious cuisine of Caribbean-Colombian food and routinely has live music. The restaurant is in the Walled City. With its beautiful architecture, brick streets, and colorful homes the Walled City is one of the most iconic spots in Cartagena.
Day 02
Sun
12 PM - Group brunch followed by short tour of the neighborhood
Location: El Muelle
Cost: Pay for yourself
El Muelle is a beach restaurant/bar that has excellent food, delicious drinks, high speed internet, and a beautiful view of the ocean. After brunch, we’ll go on a tour to show you important parts of the neighborhood you will be living in and your work location.
5 PM - Sunset cruise with open bar
Location: Gather in hotel lobby
Cost: Included
Enjoy a Cartagena sunset from the sea and admire the spectacular skyline on this 2-hour tour.
7:30 PM - Group dinner
Location: Marea Cartagena
Cost: Pay for yourself
Marea offers delicious food and a majestic view of the water. Charming decor keeps the inside of the restaurant looking just as ambient as the outside. On the menu, you’ll discover both Mediterranean and Caribbean flavors.
Day 03
Mon
7:30 AM - First day of work
Location: Gather in hotel lobby and walk to work together
Cost: Workspace is included for the length of the trip
We have allotted enough time to walk to work, check in, and begin working by 9 AM CST. If you plan to start work earlier please let us know and we will coordinate check-in.
Evening - Rest or choose your own adventure
Scroll down to "On Your Own Activities" for our recommendations
Day 04
Tue
AM - Walk to the co-working space or stay in the apartment
You will have a co-working space that can be used at your leisure. There is also high speed internet in your apartment, in case you're feeling lazy :). Alternatively, you can work from places like El Meulle that have Wi-Fi and are on the beach.
4:30 PM - Walking tour of Getsemani neighborhood
Cost: Included
We will take you on a walking tour of Gersemani neighborhood. Lined with beautiful artwork, historic homes, and colorful streets, is one of Colombia's most iconic neighborhoods.
6:30 PM - Try Colombian street food
Location: Colombitalia Arepas
Cost: Pay for yourself
After the walking tour we will head to one of the best arepa stands in Colombia (a traditional Colombian meal).
Day 05
Wed
Evening - Rest or choose your own adventure
Scroll down to "On Your Own Activities" for our recommendations
Day 06
Thur
4:00 PM - Castle Tour
Location: Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
Cost: $6 Entry + Optional Guide
Originally built by the Spanish, Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, is one of the most iconic sights in all of Cartagena. Offering one of the best views in all Cartagena the wall is located on top the Hill of San Lázaro. Castle de San Felipe de Barajas closes at 6 PM.
7:00 PM - Group dinner
Location: San Nicolas
Cost: Pay for yourself
San Nicolas offers a fun upbeat atmosphere with delicious food! With drinks like the Coco Loco, Pina Colada and live music this restaurant will surely hit the spot!
Day 07
Fri
6:00 PM - Happy Hour
Location: Café Del Mar
Cost: Pay for yourself
Café Del Mar is located on top of the wall surrounding the walled city. The cafe offers one of the best sunset views in all of the city and has delicious cocktails too :).
Day 08
Sat
8:00 AM - Day trip to the Rosario Islands
Location: Gather in the apartment lobby
Cost: Included
Embark on a day-long tour of the Rosario Islands. The Rosario Islands are some of the most beautiful beaches on the Colombian Caribbean coast. You’ll visit four different islands, enjoy a mini party in Cholon, and snorkel in Isla Grande.
Day 09
Sun
8:00 AM - Day trip to Private Island: Bendita Beach (Optional)
Location: Gather in the hotel lobby
Cost: $80
Enjoy the magic of the Rosario Islands, on a private island, away from the crowds of the city. The beach is secluded and offers travelers a tranquil spot to enjoy the beauty of Colombia. The trip includes transportation on a speed boat, welcome drink, lunch, beach chairs, and kayaks.
Day 10
Mon
Evening - Rest or choose your own adventure
Scroll down to "On Your Own Activities" for our recommendations
Day 11
Tue
8:00 AM - Rooftop Salsa Lessons
Location: House in Getsemani
Cost: Included
In this 2.5 hour long dance class, you’ll learn the basics of Salsa, Bachata and the local genre of Cartagena: Champeta. To keep the class authentic, it will be taught, on a rooftop, by a local salsa teacher. The class will prepare you for all the dancing you will be doing in Cartagena!
Day 12
Wed
Evening - Rest or choose your own adventure
Scroll down to "On Your Own Activities" for our recommendations
Day 13
Thur
7:00 PM - Group dinner at El Arsenal: The Rum Box
The Rum Box is conveniently located in the Getsemani neighborhood and is known for having some of the best drinks in Cartagena! Our recommendations include a Cinnamon Old Fashioned, the delicious Gringo Flamingo, and the appropriately named Coconut Cream Dream.
Day 14
Fri
7:00 PM - Group Dinner
Location: Alma
Cost: Pay for yourself
Say goodbye to Cartagena with a farewell dinner at one of Cartagena's fanciest restaurants. We recommend getting the cazuela de mariscos (seafood chowder) with coconut rice and coconut ceviche!
Day 15
Sat
By 12:00 PM - Check out & depart back to Chicago
We hope you enjoyed the two weeks in Cartagena with Chicago Group Travel. Please check out of your apartment by noon.
On Your Own Activities
If you prefer a busier schedule we have plenty of extra recommendations to keep you busy!
01.
Water Sports
Staying on the beach means you can always take a Jet Ski out before going to work or even during the lunch time! We'll share a place walking distance from your apartment where you can go rent Jet Skis, learn to surf, try out windsurfing and kitesurfing, or do a paddleboard tour during sunrise or sunset!
03.
Take a Class
Do you want to learn how to cook Colombian food or make a new cocktail? We'll provide you recommendations for classes from reputable vendors that can be booked on your own
05.
Try New Food
We will provide you plenty of recommendations for some of the best food in Cartagena including both street food and restaurants. Trust us, you won't ever be hungry!
02.
Local Tours & Experiences
Do you want to learn history, go on a food tour, take professional photos, or take a bar crawl/party bus? We'll provide you recommendations from reputable vendors that you can book on your own.
04.
Go Sightseeing
We'll provide you with a list of local museums and attractions that you can visit in your free time.
06.
Night Out
We will provide you plenty of nightlife recommendations so you'll always have a place to keep the adventure going no matter where you are.
Additional Day Trips
If you decide to take a day off work, during the two weeks, we have recommendations to help maximize your day off!
01.
Rent a Private Boat for the Day
You can make your own island tour or go to the playpen (Cholon) by renting a private boat that can hold up to 10 people.
03.
Day Trip: Totumo Mud Volcano
One of the most popular day trips from Cartagena is a small volcanic caldera - a naturally heated bath of grayish brown silt. After hiking up the volcano travelers submerge themselves in a soupy mix of the mineral-rich volcanic mud before heading over to the lagoon to wash off the mud filled with therapeutic properties.
02.
Day Trip: Namaste Beach
Namaste Beach is located in Tierra Bomba Island. It is the closest island to Cartagena and is about a 10 minu boat ride.
04.
Day Trip: Playa Blanca, Baru
Baru, a peninsula, often called an island, which is bounded by the bay of Cartagena, the Dique Canal and the Caribbean Sea. Baru is famous for its white and pink sands, as well as for its crystalline water that allows you to see the bottom and many colorful fish