Overview
This journey begins in the heart of Colombia- the historic city of Bogota. Once travelers gain an appreciation for the urban environment, absorbing ideals of Colombian heritage on their way, they move on to appreciate this country's beautiful beaches and aquatic destinations. You are taken from the centrally located capital, to the city of Cartagena on the northern coast. Finally, a short flight brings you to the Colombian island of San Andres for three memorable nights in the western Caribbean. This tour is ideal for those seeking sand and surf as they experience South America, bringing you closer to the sea than the equator.
Itinerary
Itinerary
First Night in Bogota
Following arrival at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, an agent brings you to a centrally located hotel. From a prime location, you are free to take part in the city's zestful nightlife. Locals recommend visiting the “Gourmet Zone,” or “Zona Rosa,” both popular neighborhoods in the north of the city. Here, many superb restaurants, cafes and bars, and clubs will help make your first night in Colombia memorable.
Bogota's Inner City - Candelaria
- In the morning, you will be given a panoramic tour of Bogota’s historic central city, Candelaria. This unique area preserves the civic and cultural origins of the surrounding city, as well as the foundation of Colombia as a nation. A number of key landmarks and buildings can be found in Candelaria such as the national, Cathedral of Colombia, one of the largest of its kind in South America. Add more glimmer to the day with a visit to the Gold Museum. Here over 30,000 gold relics will demonstrate the richness of Colombia’s indigenous history.
- Bolivar Square hosts impressive federal government buildings such as the Congress, Supreme Court, and mayor’s residence, each constructed using unique architectural styles. Bolivar Square honors Simon Bolivar, the leader of South American decolonization from Spain, with a large statue in its center. To conclude the tour of Candelaria, you will visit a former home of Bolivar’s which was turned into a museum. Come back to the hotel for the evening, or stay for a night on the town.
Explore the Sights in Cartagena
- In the morning,an agent brings you to the airport for a short flight to Cartagena on the northern coast. After checking into a hotel, you will be given an afternoon tour of several traditional neighborhoods in the city. Another visit to a 400 year-old monastery also provides a great overlook of the city. After viewing Cartagena from this tremendous vantage point, you see another piece of history at the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas. This hilltop fortress was built by the Spanish to defend their settlement, and is largely intact today. In the evening you are brought back to your hotel where you are free to rest, or continue exploring the downtown.
Day Trip to the Rosario Islands
- In the morning, board a high-speed boat to reach the Rosario Islands, an archipelago just off the coast of Cartagena. Here, 28 islands are enveloped by crystal clear water, coral reefs, and a thriving ecosystem. You are given a tour of the islands, and have the option to visit the aquarium San Martin de Pajarales to view the local marine life up- close. For lunch, enjoy fresh seafood, coconut rice, and plantains as you unwind along the pristine shore. Spend the rest of the day at the beach before you are returned to the mainland that evening. Back in Cartagena, take a drive through the walled city and dine at any number of fine restaurants serving up fresh Caribbean flavors.
First Day on San Andres
- A driver brings you to the airport for a flight to San Andres, a Caribbean island 470 miles northwest of Cartagena. San Andres has a peculiar history as an island tied to England, through Puritan settlement in the 17th century. Today, this diverse and beautiful island hosts Creole, English, and Spanish speakers and an internationally protected ecosystem. Some of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the Caribbean may be found here, along with numerous marine species. After checking into a hotel, the day is yours to explore the island.
San Andres and the Sea of Seven Colors
- For your first day on San Andres, spend time along the white-sand beaches, or relax at the hotel, until a tour of the island begins in the afternoon. Since the island is only 10 square miles, you don't work hard to see all the native palm trees, mangroves, and green pastures that make San Andres an exotic destination. The waters surrounding the island are called, “the sea of seven colors,” given that 85 species of coral thrive here, each giving the water a unique tint. You see an old pirate hideout at Morgan’s Cave, natural pools, and remarkable rock formations before returning to your hotel.
Tour the Cays of San Andres
The day begins with a six-hour tour along the cays surrounding San Andres. Take a walk through the first stop, Johnny Cay, and enjoy a typical lunch at Haynes Cay in the afternoon. Travellers have the option to embark on a guided snorkeling trip to immerse themselves in the biodiversity of San Andres. However, those who stay behind may still enjoy sunbathing, swimming, or just plain relaxation to the fullest.
Departure from San Andres
- A driver and travel agent bring you to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla airport for a departure flight.
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Terms & Conditions
25% due at time of booking
75% due at 60 days prior to departure
- Rates per person in Dollars
- Rates are subject to changes in availability
- Maximum of 2 children may share a room with their parents
- Suggested activities are not included in program price
- Rates in Bogota are calculated on a weekend, if booking between Monday and Thursday it is necessary to add additional fee per night
- If selected hotel is not available at the time of booking, a hotel of a similar category will be found
All cancellation, change, or update requests must be submitted in writing by email to travel@palacetours.com. Please allow at least 48 hours (and in some cases longer) for us to review, confirm, and process the request and advise any applicable fees. A cancellation, change, or update takes effect only once we have received and processed the request, and we will confirm the outcome to you once it has been processed. Cancellation timeframes and the applicable fee are calculated by reference to the local time and normal business hours at the destination where the tour is provided; a request received outside those business hours (including evenings, weekends, and public holidays at the destination) is treated as received on the next business day at the destination, and a further processing period of at least 48 hours (and in some cases longer) then applies before the request takes effect.
Guests need to add 3 business days to the above timeframes. An administration fees of 15% on any monies paid by the client will be charged prior to refund.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover the losses incurred in case of cancellation. For information on available plans or to purchase travel insurance, please visit www.palacetours.com/insurance.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- Accommodation
- Meal plan
- Transfer from the airport to hotel and back in private service
- Tours
Exclusions
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Prerequisite and extra expenses for consumption
- Airline tickets
- Hotel insurance
- Dock tax, (9USD), and entrance to aquarium, (13USD)
Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
The best season for travel is generally late fall into early winter. In the range from October to January, the weather is milder, yet still enjoyable.
Depending on the site and activities, tours may range from 4 to 8 hours. 6 hours may be considered an average duration for the day tours.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing because there will be a good deal of walking on the tours. Generally, Bogota's climate is milder than one might expect. Temperatures typically do not climb above the 80's during the summer. However, in cities like Cartagena on the northern coast, and Medellin, temperatures tend to be higher.
Yes, all city tours and excursions will be accompanied by an English speaking guide
You will be provided with a similar accommodation close-by.
Yes, this museum visit is part of a tour, and included in the costs.
No, this excursion is optional and the expense for renting the equipment must be paid at the location, apart from the overall costs of the trip.
San Andres was settled by English Puritans and Dutch settlers in the 17th century, alongside an indigenous population. Slaves from West Africa and Jamaica were also brought to the island. Caribbean pirates were also known to use the waters around San Andres, and the island itself. The Spanish empire took an interest in San Andres and conflicted with the English for control. After the successful revolution of Simon Bolivar in the 1820’s, San Andres became officially recognized as Colombian following the expulsion of Spain from South America.
No, this is an optional stop in the Rosario Islands, and as such, tickets for entry are not included. Tickets cost roughly 13 USD.
Candelaria is a city center in the heart of downtown Bogota. Key national government buildings and institutions are located here. Candelaria may also be thought of as the, “old city,” of Bogota due to the historical architecture and aesthetic preserved here.
It is a private 7-night, 8-day journey. You arrive at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota on day 1 and are met and taken to your hotel, and the tour ends on day 8 with a private transfer to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla airport on San Andres for your departure flight.
The route runs from the capital to the coast and then out into the Caribbean: two nights in Bogota (including a tour of La Candelaria and the Gold Museum), two nights in Cartagena (city tour plus a day trip to the Rosario Islands) and three nights on the island of San Andres, with an island tour and a full day among the cays.
No. Airline tickets are excluded, and the itinerary uses two short domestic flights (Bogota to Cartagena on day 3 and Cartagena to San Andres on day 5) as well as your international flights in and out. The private airport transfers at each stop are included, and we can help you plan flight times that match the itinerary.
Fares start from about USD 2,400 per person sharing a double room, and single occupancy starts from about USD 4,080. The fare depends on the hotel class and departure date you choose, and the exact fare for each departure is shown on this page.
The tour is offered in two hotel classes, Luxury and Deluxe, which change the hotels used in Bogota, Cartagena and San Andres while the itinerary, private transfers and touring stay the same. The fare for each class is listed against every departure on this page, and we can tell you which hotels apply to the class and date you are considering.
On day 4 you take a high-speed boat to the Rosario Islands, an archipelago of 28 islands off Cartagena surrounded by clear water and coral reefs. You tour the islands, can visit the San Martin de Pajarales aquarium, have a seafood lunch with coconut rice and plantains, and spend the rest of the day on the beach before returning to the mainland in the evening.
Day 7 is a six-hour boat tour of the cays around San Andres. The first stop is Johnny Cay for a walk and swim, followed by a typical lunch at Haynes Cay. Guided snorkeling is available for those who want to see the reefs, while others can simply sunbathe and swim; the day before includes an island tour with Morgan's Cave and the natural pools.
Yes. The inclusions list notes a dock tax of about USD 9 and the entrance to the aquarium of about USD 13, both paid locally, plus personal and extra consumption expenses and hotel insurance. Everything else listed as included - accommodation, the meal plan, private transfers and the tours - is covered by the fare.
A deposit of 25% of the tour price secures your booking, and the balance is due 65 days before departure. Departures run from 27 September 2026 to 27 December 2026, and children are priced in two bands based on their age at departure (0-5 and 5-12).
Email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610, where a travel specialist or our AI assistant will answer. The departure list on this page is bookable directly, so you can also choose your date and hotel class and book online.
Media Gallery
San Andres- Colombia's Island in the Caribbean
A Neighborhood in Candelaria, Bogota
Cartagena- Colombia's Walled City by the Sea
Fish in San Andres
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From $2,400 per person (double occupancy, USD) — live dates and rates are in the Book This Tour section above.
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