Your trip starts at 1pm when your guide will meet you and you’ll all head out for some lunch together, followed by a leisurely afternoon getting a feel for the city. Known as ‘el sucursal del cielo’ (a branch of heaven) for its climate, natural setting, and general good vibes, Cali is the world home of salsa music and a vibrant center of Afro-Colombian culture.

It’s also perfect to explore on foot, which is what we’ll do this afternoon, starting in the historic center with the baroque, elegant architecture and colorful, delicious street food that characterize most South American cities, then branching out into more uniquely Cali experiences, such as bohemian San Antonio and Cali’s most iconic creature: el Gato del Rio (the cat of the river). El gato is a 3.5 meter (11.5ft) bronze statue of a cat, made and donated by a noted local artist and erected in 1996 in a riverside park. Ten years later, it was decided that el gato needed some company, and 15 lady-cat statues were erected along the river, each decorated by a different artist. El parque del gato y sus novias is the perfect place to round out our afternoon, have a run around, and watch the sun go down!

Meals: Lunch and dinner included

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in downtown Cali

This morning we’ll drive (2.5 hours approx) to San Cipriano Natural Reserve where a crystal clear river punctuated with idyllic waterfalls flows through tropical rainforest. It’s the perfect family day in the outdoors: here we’ll swim in the river, dive off rocks into natural pools, wander the trails, and experience the brujita, a unique method of motorcycle-powered rail transportation through the jungle!

In the afternoon we’ll head to Buenaventura, one of Colombia’s main ports, where we’ll hop on the outboard-motored boat that will take us to our accommodation at Reserva Agua Marina, a family beach resort in Ladrilleros. Here you can enjoy a dip in the pool and a drink on your private balcony as you watch the sun set over the Pacific!

Meals: All meals included

Accommodation: Reserva Aguamarina, Ladrilleros

We’ll spend today boat-hopping between the amazing aquatic attractions of remote, beautiful Bahía Málaga (Malaga Bay).

At Playa Chucheros we can sit under a waterfall right on the beach. At La Sierpe Waterfall, we can swim between twin waterfalls that drop 210 feet (65m) into a jungle pool. At Las Tres Marias, yet another watery adventure awaits: here, we can slide on the rocks from one idyllic river pool to the next.

In between there’s plenty of time for beachcombing, swimming, and eating a delicious local seafood lunch on the beach - we’ll decide which beaches of the many on offer to visit on the day, based on tide and weather conditions.

From mid-July to mid-October, humpback whales raise their babies in these waters. If you’re here at this time, we should definitely include whale watching, either by cutting back on the beaches we visit today, or adding a day before or after this one!

Meals: All meals included

Accommodation: Reserva Aguamarina, Ladrilleros

This morning we’ll take the boat back to Buenaventura and rejoin the world of travel by land! From here it’s a three-hour drive back to Cali, which we will break up with stops to try many delicious snacks, like hot chocolate and cheese, arepa de choclo (cheesy savory corn cake), rice pudding, postre de maracuya (passion fruit dessert) or a merengón (meringue with fruit and whipped cream).

We have one last afternoon in this heavenly Cali, and the choice is yours as to what we do with it! We might explore more of Cali on foot, drive up to the amazing statue and lookout of Cristo Rey for incredible views, or head out to the butterfly sanctuary of Andoka, or the enchanted forest of Bichacue Yath. We might even like to take a cooking, music, or salsa class! By now your guide will know your interests, and will be with you every step of the way to make sure you get the most out of your time in this amazing city.

Meals: All meals included

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in downtown Cali

This morning we’ll take a short flight to Bogotá, a city that officially declared itself a ‘city of children’ in March 2023. Today we’ll see what it has to offer - your family won’t be disappointed! We’ll kick off with the massive (170,000 square foot / 16,000m²) Children’s Park, with its various different play areas for kids of all ages.

It’s part of a complex of three ginormous parks in the middle of Bogotá, and we’ll take our time wandering through them, strolling through green space and forests, paddle-boating on a lake, and visiting the Botanic Gardens with its orchid collection and South America’s greatest terrarium.

While it’s tempting to spend all afternoon in the park, we really can’t miss nearby Museo Maloka, one of the finest children’s museums in the world. Focussed on science and technology, and fully interactive, Maloka makes learning about everything from space to sea monsters fun for everyone, and is a must-see in Bogotá.

Meals: All meals included

Accommodation: 4-star hotel near Parque de la 93, Bogotá

We’ll spend today in La Candelaria, Bogotá’s historic colonial center. It’s mostly pedestrian and safe for riding so it’s up to you whether we get around by bike or on foot!

As well as the expected elaborate churches and imposing government buildings, this area abounds in ghost stories from La Candelaria’s long past (the city of Bogota was founded here, nearly 500 years ago!) It’s also taken on a new life recently as a center for graffiti… there’s a lot more to La Candelaria than history!

Later this afternoon we’ll play Colombia’s national sport, tejo - this entails throwing a metal disc at an envelope full of gunpowder stuck to a clay board - think explosive cornhole! - crazy fun no matter what age you are!

Meals: All meals included

Accommodation: 4-star hotel near Parque de la 93

This morning we’ll take in Bogotá’s most classic lookout, Monserrate, accessible by cable car or funicular. (What even is a funicular? It’s a tiny little train that chugs up and down a very steep mountain!)

Up the top, as well as a waving goodbye to Bogotá, which is spread out spectacularly below us, we can wander in the forest, visit an elaborate church, and do a little light souvenir shopping, before we head for the airport and hop on a flight to Santa Marta. From here a quick 40-minute drive takes us to Minca, a tiny town nestled in the lush green folds of the Sierra Nevada, known as the ecological capital of Colombia, where we’ll spend the night.

Meals: All meals included

Accommodation: Charming accommodations in the rainforest, Minca

Minca is paradise. Today we’ll hike through tropical rainforest, refresh ourselves in rivers, and swim in a pool at the bottom of a spectacular waterfall.

We’ll fuel our adventures with a delicious traditional lunch - Minca´s restaurants are known as the best in Caribbean Colombia - and a visit to the local, indigenous, organic chocolate factory!

Meals: All meals included

Accommodation: Boutique Eco-lodge near Parque Tayrona

We’ll drive through one of the most beautiful and ecologically important areas of Parque Tayrona this morning, catching glimpses of sea and sky through the tropical rainforest all around us, to the poetically named Playa de las Siete Olas (Beach of the Seven Waves), where we’ll count waves and catch our breath from a panoramic natural lookout.

Then we’ll climb aboard a typical fisherman’s boat and head for Crystal Beach where we have plenty of time to explore, swim, snorkel the crystalline water that gives the beach its name, and laze around in this tropical paradise!

This is a classic day between rainforest and beach, and by the end of it, you’ll understand why Tayrona is South America’s most popular national park.

Meals: All meals included

Accommodation: Boutique Eco-lodge near Parque Tayrona

Bahia Concha is the perfect place to spend a day on the beach - enjoying the views from a shady hammock, wandering the beach, paddling in the little river at one side, swimming and snorkeling in the sea.

In the late afternoon we’ll drive half an hour to the coastal city of Santa Marta, which is the oldest city in South America - so if we feel like some culture, there’s lots to explore… or if we feel like it, we can just hang out by the pool at our resort!

If you’d prefer a more active or cultural day, we can hike between various different beaches or visit a ruin and interpretive center in the jungle instead. Talk to us about the best option for your family! *

Meals: All meals included

Accommodation: 4-star resort in Santa Marta

Our time together ends after breakfast today. If you’re thinking of heading onwards to Cartagena (or anywhere else in South America!) feel free to hit us up with any questions - we’re here to help make sure you have the best family adventure ever in Colombia!

Meals: Breakfast included