Discover the Best of Colombia: Cartagena and Medellin
At a Glance
Trip Description
EARLY BIRD PRICING! Pricing will go up later this fall.
Are you ready to enjoy one of the most exciting destinations that has travelers buzzing? Come join NextTribe (and a small group of badass women ages 45+) as we explore everything Colombia has to offer. This trip will immerse you in the history, culture, and joy of Cartagena and other locations. You’ll stroll past brilliantly-painted Colonial buildings in the Old Downtown, eat at glamorous restaurants, and connect with local women and share their traditions — and stories. This 8-day trip will also have you visiting lush countryside (including a major self-care session on an idyllic beach), shopping, taking classes, and enjoying other exclusive NextTribe experiences. Join us!
Interested? Watch the recording of our information session to learn more about the itinerary and meet our guide.
Bienvenidos a Colombia!
The country of Colombia has it all and has been keeping it secret for far too long. The landscape ranges from Andean peaks, Carribbean beaches, cloud forests sitting 3,000 feet above sea level, and rainforests surrounding tributaries of the Amazon. We can’t see all of the country in one nine-day visit, but we’ll take you to two of the most beloved spots: Cartagena and Medellin.
For a stunning visual and musical tour of Colombia, click here.
NOTE: NextTribe members receive a $100 discount on price.
You’ll be accompanied by not one but two guides who know and love this country. One lives locally and one–a NextTriber–was born and raised here but has lived in the U.S. for years. In addition to getting their insider perspective, we’ll be meeting local Colombian women who will share what life is like in this fascinating corner of the worl
5 Reasons We Love This Trip
- Exploring the immaculately restored old city of Cartagena, with its UNESCO-listed Colonial-era architecture, evocative stone walls, and rich cultural offerings.
- Sampling the irresistible local cuisine via a Caribbean cooking class, and at sophisticated restaurants.
- Soaking in the perfect “Eternal Spring” climate of Medellîn, reveling in the vibrant art scene and enjoying the view from cable cars up and down the hillsides.
- Boating off the coast of Cartagena and spending a delicious day de-stressing on an island with crystal clear water and white sand beaches.
- Supporting local women through their businesses and empowerment projects–all while surrounded by other like-minded, adventurous travelers.
Meet Your Guide--Victoria Reyes
Victoria was born in Colombia. She’s lived in the U.S. for years, but she maintains close ties with her beloved home country and can’t wait to show it off to you. She first suggested a trip to Colombia while traveling with NextTribe in Cuba. We knew she could offer all that a good guide should–warmth, humor and an intimate knowledge of the destination. She can introduce us to people and places we would never know if we were traveling alone or with any other tour group.
As a career, she has devoted herself to education, curriculum design and supporting students in a holistic way. With her background in anthropology, social science, history, and Spanish language, she can offer a unique perspective and important insights. Plus, good companionship!
Photos
Map
Sample Itinerary
Tuesday, July 8th
Upon arrival at the airport, an English-speaking guide will be waiting to pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. Patio Del Mundo is a charming villa in the heart of Medellin, lovingly restored by a French family. With a lush tropical garden and an enchanting view, it offers a unique setting to enjoy your stay in "the city of eternal spring".
For dinner, we'll head to Alambique where we will get acquainted and begin our adventure.
Wednesday, July 9th
We'll spend the morning touring the historical center of Medellin, learning about its art history. Our tour will include a stop at Plaza Botero with the voluptuous sculptures created by the famous artist Fernando Botero, who was born in Medellín. Next to the plaza is the Museum of Antioquia, founded in 1881, with a collection of more than 5,000 pieces that include everything from artifacts that are part of Colombia's archaeological heritage, to contemporary art.br>
Later, we'll enjoy a cable car ride through the treetops up to Parque Arvi. We'll be met by a bus and transported to the nearby small village of Santa Elena. This area is home to a great variety of traditional flower farmers. The flower arrangements of the Flower Festival (“Feria de Flores”), called “silletas” have an impressive history, and are today a cultural symbol of Medellín. On this tour you'll visit the organic flower farm of Carmen and José and experience the traditional farmer culture of Santa Elena.
Dinner in Medellin
Thursday, July 10th
Today we'll visit the non-profit Mi Barrio Mi Sueño (My Neighborhood, My Dream). The organization has several Women ́s Empowerment projects. One is the jewelry project, where single mothers are taught to make beautiful jewelry with simple tools so they can start their own micro-business. You'll learn about the foundation and take a tour of the neighborhood. You can make your own bracelet together with the ladies of the project! The foundation also has the Barrio Boxing project, where women of all ages receive free boxing lessons that increase their self-esteem and physical and mental health.
After lunch, we begin a cultural tour through Manrique, the vibrant heart of Medellin. Constelaciones is a collection of new urban art the size of 3 football fields! It includes more than 500 houses and 30 murals made by different groups of artists. We'll tour the murals and learn about the history of Medellín, the neighborhood and its challenges, and see first-hand the resilience of a community that has known how to rise from their challenges through art, culture and social work.
Dinner in Medellin
Friday, July 11th
Remember Juan Valdez? Today we will experience the wonders of Colombia coffee by visiting a family coffee farm in Envigado. One of the owners (a local woman) will introduce you their organic farm, and explain the coffee production processes. Then she'll guide us in tasting the finished product. br>
After lunch and a visit to the Botanical Gardens, you'll have a free afternoon to explore on your own and dinner with the group in Medellin.
Saturday, July 12th
Today we'll fly from Medellin to Cartagena. We'll have lunch in Cartagena, settle into our hotel and have some time to explore a little before dinner
Sunday, July 13th
Gastronomy is an important part of the local culture and the Cartageneros are proud of their Caribbean cuisine. We'll spend the morning taking in the sights and smells of the Bazurto Market, strolling through the labyrinth of alleys and stalls where the guide will show us all kinds of fruits, herbs, vegetables, seafood, spices and medicinal herbs. After the market, we'll move on to a cooking class where the chef will show us how to make typical Colombian dishes. br>
Dinner in Cartagena
Monday, July 14th
On Islabela, located in the Rosario Islands, you'll have beautiful views and a private beach with white sand and crystal-clear water. Since it is in a bay and there is no surf or high tide, it's also a good place for swimming and snorkeling. We'll travel by speedboat to the island and back. The ride takes less than an hour. Dinner in Cartagena
Tuesday, July 15th
In Cartagena, coconuts get transformed into unique crafts with an important social impact. The DAMARTES project (Ladies and Mothers of Art) is a micro-business formed by seven women who, since 2008, have turned coconuts into jewelry, vases, containers, belts, and accessories. These pioneers from La Boquilla are liberating themselves from the culture of machismo by generating their own income through artisan products. In La Boquilla you'll be invited to an exclusive and authentic local workshop in a charming rustic restaurant by the sea. Here you'll have the chance to create your personal keepsake while contributing to this project with love. After lunch, you will have free time to explore before our final farewell dinner.
Wednesday, July 16th
Logistics
Fly into Medellin (MDE) and out of Cartagena (CTG). Your domestic flight between Medellin and Cartagena is included.
Before the trip, we will gather for a Zoom meet and greet, and you will also get a schedule of everyone's flights. That way you can see if another traveler is on your flight so you can share a taxi with from the airport.
We ask everyone going on the trip to download WhatsApp (LINK: https://www.whatsapp.com/download/). We use it for communication before and during our trip so we can keep track of flight delays, meetup times, etc. We also ask that everyone have an international data roaming plan so that you can get messages and use GPS while out exploring.
We believe in being as eco-friendly as possible, so we don't hand out printed itineraries. We use this app to give you important updates during the trip, so it is essential. You can always delete it later if you want to.
If you'd like to extend your stay before or after, or if you have questions, please direct them to Marcy Mitchell, our travel manager, travel@NextTribe.com.
What's Included
- 8 Nights Accommodations
4 nights in Medellin
4 nights in the old city of Cartagena
- 7 dinners
- 6 lunches
- Daily breakfasts
- A NextTriber to take you through the trip
- A local guide for the Insider details
- Domestic flight between Medellin and Cartagena
- Cooking class and market tour in Cartagena
- Coffee farm tour
- Day on a coastal island in Cartagena
- Coconut workshop
- Flower market tour
- Art mural tour in vibrant Medellin neighborhood
- Transportation to and from activities on itinerary
- Airport transfers
What's Not Included
- Airfare
- Alcohol not mentioned above
- Gratuities
Tips to local guides, drivers, maids, and hotel staff, travel insurance, personal items such as phone calls, laundry, baggage fees, and any items not expressly listed above as included.
Additional Add-Ons
Hotels
Our travelers love us (yay!)
Colleen M., California
What I love about the NextTribe trips is that there is so much camaraderie of other women that are like you, and then the fabulous things that the organizers puts together to give you that viewpoint, it’s awesome.
”Courtney M., Texas
What I love about NextTribe trips is that you get the experience from an insider’s perspective—someone that has ties to the community and focused on building relationships from the start. I’ve been on a trip with another women’s travel group that dropped a guide in, not personally knowing anything about the locale, traditions, or culture. She was there to make sure you showed up on time, got on the bus, etc. With NextTribe, you feel like you’re having a personalized experience with your best girlfriends.
”Donna B., Washington
I didn't know anyone going on the trip but that didn't stop me from signing up. I have learned that some of my life's greatest adventures have come from taking a risk and jumping in feet first. So glad I did with NextTribe! I may not have known anybody at the start, but now I feel like I know everybody.
”Connie B., Pennsylvania
I love to meet and interact with strong, mature women from across the country as we learn together.
”Leslie M., Georgia
I always come by myself on NextTribe trips because I like to meet super fun and interesting women. We're always doing fun and interesting things in great cities that you couldn't do on your own because you wouldn't know the people or places or the insiders.
”Teresa S., Kentucky
NextTribe fills the need I have to travel with older interesting women who are curious about the world and want to share the journey.
”We write articles about all our trips. Read about these special experiences.
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Frequently asked questions
What’s different about your trips?
We curate trips specifically for curious, engaged women over 45. You’re pretty well assured that your fellow travelers will be a lot like you–since you’ve all responded to the idea of “aging boldly.”. That means built-in compatibility in your small group, including the woman who is leading the adventure.. In addition to specializing in group travel for people who don’t normally like group travel, we also pride ourselves on creating experiences that allow you to interact with local women or get deeper into the culture than you would if you planned the trip yourself.
Where do you go?
We have a wide range of weekend jaunts here in the U.S. for those who want a quick getaway. We also love taking women to Mexico, where founder Jeannie Ralston used to live. We’re always talking about pushing boundaries, and we’re doing that in the geographic sense too. For those with more time, we offer trips all over Europe, to India, Vietnam, Peru (for a hike on the inca Trail to Machu Picchu). Soon, our travelers will be getting passport stamps in even more countries on six continents. Be saving those frequent flier miles!
What do you mean by transformational travel?
NextTribe is affiliated with the Transformational Travel Council, an international group of travel professionals dedicated to making the world a better place, one trip and one traveler at a time. We recognize that travelers, especially post-pandemic, are looking for more than just a date and a destination. They can shop for that anywhere online. Our community honors the intention behind a traveler’s investment in a trip. Our travelers want to have fun (we do too!) and to travel with a sense of purpose and belonging. That’s why we go to great lengths to provide ways for women to self-select by reading the articles in our magazine and the content of our website. If you like what you see, you’re likely to be a NextTribe traveler, and we look forward to seeing you on a trip soon!
What if I travel solo?
If you really prefer to book your travel yourself and go it alone, we applaud you. That’s brave and bold and we would never try to talk you out of it. But our trips are designed so that even a woman who’s used to traveling alone, or someone shy about meeting new people, will feel comfortable in our group. Our trip leaders are there to “read the room” and make sure everyone feels included and respected.
What if I don’t like group travel?
We don’t either! Not the way most groups do it. If you feel like doing what the group is doing, great! Join us for dinner or just some of the activities. All the benefits of solo travel and the comfort of being with a group. Our groups are small (normally around 12 to 14 women) and in most situations, you are free to opt out of an activity. We figure you’re grown-ass women who know what’s best for you.
What’s the price range of your trips?
We are committed to providing what we call “affordable-luxury” travel. Don’t expect
the Four Seasons, but who wants to stay in a gilded bubble anyhow? We always look for good value and offer wonderful hotels and memorable experiences that won’t break the bank and will get you closer to how locals live. Our prices depend on the length of the
trip and the destination. We offer domestic trips for under $2,000 for a shared room, which we encourage. If you don’t have a roommate we will match you with someone. Sometimes this has resulted in lasting friendships with new travel buddies., Some of
our longer trips–two weeks in India or Vietnam, for example–will cost between
$4,800 and $6,000.
What’s included in the price?
Our trips cover most everything you’ll need to dive into a destination. Hotels and most meals, plus special experiences such as hands-on classes and sessions with local artists, writers or entrepreneurs are almost always included, but each trip is different so please be sure to read The Experience and the itinerary. We occasionally have an add-on for an extra price, but those are clearly designated. What’s not covered as a rule are airfare, alcohol and tips.
Do you have payment plans?
We sure do. It’s easy to pay for our trips by setting up automatic credit card charges at regular intervals, interest free. Think of it as the layaway plan to feed your soul.
How do I get trip discounts?
Our NextTribe members get a discount on every trip. Plus, members are the first to hear about new trips and receive upgrades on rooms if they’re available. Check out our three different membership levels here.
What’s the average age of women on the trips?
We welcome all women over 45, but most of our travelers are in the 50 to 65 age range. More important than age is the spirit of the traveler–her curiosity about the world, and her eagerness to embrace new opportunities. We’ve found women of any age with those qualities fit in well with our groups.
What’s the activity level of the trips?
Most of our trips are geared for active travelers who like to walk–a rating of 3 on our 1-5 rating scale. Here are some examples of how we rate. A designation of 1 would be our beach trips, where it’s up to you if you’d like to stroll down the beach, or play in the waves or walk around the small town. Trips where we have dedicated transportation for much of the time (such as India) are a 2; Paris is a 3 because we believe the best way to appreciate a city is to view it on foot. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is a 4, because you’ll be walking up some hills (at 6,000 feet altitude) and occasionally on cobblestone sidewalks. Our Inca trail trip is a 5, as are our more adventurous outdoor trips.
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