Salsa, Coffee & New Year's Eve in Colombia
Dates: December 27, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Country: Colombia
Cost: €2,850
Janet’s Journeys is taking on Colombia for the FOURTH year in a row! And this time to ring in the New Year 2027 🎉
This 11-day adventure takes you through some of the most varied and vibrant parts of the country: the colonial streets of Bogotá, the wax palm forests of the Coffee Region, the street art of Medellín, the colourful lakeside town of Guatapé, and the Caribbean coast of Cartagena.
Colombia is warm, welcoming, and genuinely one of the most diverse travel destinations on the planet. We’ve put together an itinerary that shows you everything! The history, the culture, the nature, the food, and yes, the dancing 💃🏻
What’s Included
Meals, as indicated
All activities as stated in the itinerary
All accommodations for 10 nights
All domestic transport
2 domestic flights
Airport pick-up on day 1 of the tour
Expert local guides in each region
Janet’s Journeys trip leader
Excluded:
Additional snacks and any extra activities
Personal expenses
International Flights
Airport departure taxi / drop off
Alcohol
Travel Insurance
Visa fees
Tips for guides etc
Accommodation
Throughout our stay in Colombia, we will stay in a mixture of 3 and 4-star hotels, each chosen for their character and location.
All rooms on all trips are shared, with 2 people in each room. We will partner you with an adventure buddy – an amazing way to make new friends! You’ll be moved around to pair up with a new friend every couple of nights.
All rooms will be twin-sharing, private rooms!
Itinerary
Day 1 - Bogota
After you land in Bogota, it’s time to say “hola” to Colombia! You’ll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel in Bogotá, the Andean capital sitting at 2,600 metres above sea level.
You’ll have some time to settle in, and we will jump right in with a late afternoon walking tour, taking in La Candelaria – the oldest and most colourful district in the city.
In the evening, we’ll have our first group dinner at a local restaurant and cheers to the epic adventure ahead of us!
Meals included: Welcome Dinner
Day 2 - Coffee Region
Today, we take a domestic flight to Armenia, Colombia’s famous coffee region.
From there, we head straight to Finca La Morelia, a working coffee farm in the mountains of Calarcá. Over about two hours, you’ll follow the entire process from plant to cup: touring the plantations, getting hands-on in the harvesting and drying stages, and finishing with a cupping workshop where you’ll learn to identify the aromas and flavours in the cup. If you think you like coffee now, wait until you’ve done this!
We’ll settle into our accommodation in Salento, a charming village surrounded by towering wax palms and rolling green hills.
The evening is yours to explore the colourful streets, artisan shops, and cafés of this quaint country village.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 3 - Cocora Valley & Salento
Time to explore the breathtaking Cocora Valley!
We’ll hop in a traditional Willy Jeep to take us deep into the countryside before hiking through the Cocora valley, home to Colombia’s iconic wax palms – the tallest palm trees in the world. They shoot up out of a lush green valley at 2,000+ metres, creating one of the most striking natural settings on the whole trip.
After our leisurely hike, we’ll return to Salento for a late lunch, and our giuide will show us around the town in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 4 - Jericó
Today, we break up the journey to Medellín by staying one night in Jericó, a colourful village in another part of the coffee region. Jericó is the oldest town in the region, and you’ll surely love its charm!
You’ll also have the optional opportunity here to go paragliding across the Colombian countryside for those seeking an adrenaline rush and epic views!
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 - Medellín
Welcome to Medellín and it’s New Year’s Eve!
Our bus will leave Jericó early in the morning as we finish up the drive to Medellín.
We’ll spend the afternoon soaking in one of the most talked-about urban transformations in the world – Medellín has reinvented itself through art, culture and community.
We’ll plan something special for you to ring in 2027 together 😉 ssh it’s a surprise!
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 6 - Medellín & Comuna 13
Happy New Year 🎉
Free morning to sleep in and recover. In the afternoon, we head to Comuna 13, a neighbourhood that went from being one of the most dangerous in the city to one of the most visited, thanks to the community’s use of music, muralism, and dance as tools for change.
We’ll have a dance workshop, an urban art workshop and a tasting of the local products – all leed by the people from the community itself. It’s the kind of experience that sticks with you long after you get home.
In the evening we will visit a hip restaurant for dinner together.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7 - Guatapé
Today we’ll be doing a 3-hour drive out to Guatapé, one of Colombia’s most colourful towns, famous for its zócalos – the hand-painted decorative panels that line every building on every street!
After exploring the town, we take a two-hour boat ride across the Guatapé reservoir, with lunch and drinks on board.
Complete with rainbow houses, panoramic viewpoints, and the opportunity to climb up Piedra del Peñol, one of the most famous rock formations in the country. The 740 steps to the top are worth it for the breathtaking views!
We’ll spend 1 night here before departing the next morning to catch our flight to Cartagena.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 8 - El Peñol & Cartagena
Before flying south, we stop at El Peñol, the giant granite rock that towers over the whole region. Climb to the top for sweeping views over hundreds of islands and waterways stretching to the horizon. It’s breathtaking panoramic views of the vast Guatapé reservoir and its many islands.
We’ll hop on a short flight to Cartagena, arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon!
Get ready to fall in love with this coastal gem!
Meals included: Breakfast & dinner
Day 9 - La Boquilla & Cartagena Old Town
An early departure from our hotel towards La Boquilla, a traditional fishing village where an Afro-Carthaginian community lives.
Today, we are going to discover Colombian folk music through a traditional drum workshop that introduces you to the rhythms of Cumbia, Mapalé, and other regional styles.
We will also take a canoe trip in the mangroves, an amazing natural site for observing numerous bird species.
Back in the city, we do a walking tour through the colonial districts of San Diego and Santo Domingo, past colourful houses, lively squares, the Palace of the Inquisition, and the famous walls that once protected the city from pirates.
Meals included: Breakfast & lunch
Day 10 - Rosario Islands
Time to explore Colombia’s tropical Caribbean paradise!
We will spend the day at Rosario Islands, a charming group of islands surrounded by turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and beautiful coral reefs. Today is about sippin’ cocktails, relaxing and exploring…and enjoying our private cruise! Snorkel in crystal-clear waters, sunbathe on pristine beaches, and soak up every last moment of this incredible trip.
Tonight, we’ll gather for our farewell dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Farewell Dinner
Day 11 - Departure Day
Day 11 is departure day!
After one last breakfast together, it’s time to say goodbye to Colombia and your new travel family. We can help arrange airport transfers to get you to Cartagena airport for your onward journey.
Please note this tour starts in Bogota and ends in Cartagena. You can either book 2 one-way flights or book return flights to Bogota and book a cheap domestic flight from Cartagena to Bogota on the final day before your international flight.
FAQ & Itinerary Note:
This itinerary, as always, is open to small changes depending on the weather, flights, etc. Fear not, if we have to make any adjustments, it will be to swap something out with an equally, if not better, experience!
Please note: this trip begins in Bogota and ends at Cartagena.
I'm ready! How do I book?
Ready for an unforgettable adventure in Colombia? Click the BOOK NOW button to head to our payment portal and secure your spot with a €750 deposit. The remaining balance will be divided into two equal payments, due 2 and 3 months before departure.
Need a custom payment plan? No problem! Reach out to us, and we’ll create a plan tailored to your needs. Remember, spots are booked on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait!
How many people are on the trip?
This trip requires a minimum number of guests to proceed, and this minimum must be met at least 4 months before departure to be guaranteed. If the minimum number of guests is not met by then, a full refund will be issued.
Expect to travel with 6-14 new friends!
Why are deposits non-refundable?
The deposit for your trip is non-refundable due to several important factors. Firstly, when you book a spot, we immediately begin the process of planning and preparing for your journey. This involves engaging staff who work diligently behind the scenes to ensure every aspect of your trip is meticulously organised. These preparations often involve upfront costs that are incurred from the moment your booking is confirmed. Additionally, by requiring a non-refundable deposit, we aim to ensure that all participants are committed to the trip.
We understand that plans can change, which is why we insist all travellers have trip insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances that might affect their ability to participate.
What about my other payments? Are they refundable?
All payments, except your deposit, are fully refundable three months prior to the departure date. After the three-month mark, any payments made are non-refundable. This is because we are usually unable to find a replacement at such short notice, and have contracts in place with our vendors that need to be fulfilled.
Again, we strongly recommend all travellers have travel insurance so that they can refund you should your plans change. At the end of the day, we are a small business, and we want nothing more than to continue showing our guests the world. We hope you understand the importance of adhering strictly to this policy.
How much money will I need for non-included meals, alcohol, and souvenirs?
Colombia is very affordable! For non-included meals, expect to spend about €8-€15 for casual dining and up to €25-€30 for nicer restaurants. Street food and local eateries are incredibly cheap and delicious – often just €3-€5 for a filling meal.
Alcoholic drinks are reasonably priced: beer costs around €2-€4, cocktails €5-€8, and wine €4-€7 per glass. Colombia is famous for its rum and aguardiente, which are even cheaper!
For souvenirs, Colombia offers amazing shopping opportunities – from colourful handicrafts and emeralds to coffee and handwoven bags. Budget based on your personal spending habits, but you’ll find that your money goes quite far here. Most places accept cards in cities, though it’s good to have some Colombian pesos (COP) for markets and smaller vendors.
How does tipping work?
To make things smooth and stress-free, we will be collecting a kitty of €50 at the beginning of the trip. This ensures all of our incredible on-the-ground vendors are taken care of, including guides, drivers, meals, and activities that are listed in your itinerary.
For any additional meals or personal expenses not included in the itinerary, you should expect to pay a separate tip. We will guide you on what is appropriate throughout the trip so you feel confident and comfortable.
How physically demanding is the trip?
The trip is designed to be accessible to most people in good health. Activities include moderate walks, visits to historical sites, and some optional light hikes. It’s not overly strenuous, but a basic level of fitness will help you get the most out of the experiences.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Absolutely! Colombian cuisine is diverse and delicious. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions with advance notice. Please inform us of your specific needs when booking.
What if I want my own room?
We believe that rooming is one of the best parts of the experience. It feels a little like adult summer camp and has always been a highlight for our guests, with nothing but positive feedback in the past.
That being said, if you feel that sharing does not suit your travel style, we are happy to discuss the option of a single room supplement. Simply reach out to us at janetsgrouptrips@gmail.com and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What are the health and vaccination requirements?
There are no required vaccinations to enter Colombia unless you are coming from a country with a yellow fever warning, in which case you will be required to provide proof of yellow fever vaccination. However, it’s always wise to stay up to date on routine vaccinations.
Please feel free to do your own research or consult with your GP about any additional vaccinations you might consider for the trip.
Who’s leading the trip?
An experienced Janet’s Journeys leader and the local tour guide will be with you every step of the way.
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