Visit the Exotic Caribbean Coast of Colombia

Cartagena - Rich with History

Cartagena, Colombia is one of the top vacation destinations in all of South America due to is rich history, extreme beauty, great food, nightlife & entertainment, and delightfully friendly people.

Cartagena is extremely well-protected and well-preserved and features many beautifully restored colonial building that now serve as hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and shops.

If you enjoy history there is plenty to explore in Cartagena, including La Popa, Castillo San Felipe, Santo Domingo Church and of course the famous Walled City of Cartagena.

Whether you enjoy the South American sun or the shade of a beach-side cabana tent, you'll treasure your experience of the Boca Grande beaches thanks to the local vendors eager to feed you, entertain you or help you to relax with an impromptu foot massage on the beach.

Cartagena provides an interesting mix of old and new with a unique blend of modern architecture, tall buildings and 16th century churches, colonial mansions and military fortresses.

A short boat ride from Cartagena takes you to the beautiful archipelago of Islas del Rosario. These islands feature serene beaches, coral reefs, an amazing outdoor aquarium and great food!

A day trip to the Rosario Islands is virtually a mandatory excursion for anyone visiting Cartagena if you want to experience paradise for a few hours.

Or if you prefer an overnight stay will provide you with the experience of a lifetime in any of the several islands resorts that feature your own cabana with royal treatment from the caretakers.

Santa Marta - Marvelous Beaches

El Rodadero is one of the most popular beaches in all of Colombia. The shallow waters are warm and calm and inviting to anyone wanting to escape the heat of the day's hot sun. Many flock to the beach at night to enjoy the sunset and evening entertainment that frequents the shores.

Santa Marta and the "Rodadero" strip feature many popular resort hotels and bed and breakfasts that sit right on the beachfront. The views are absolutely spectacular.

A short 30 minute taxi ride over the mountains just north of Santa Marta is a bay called "Taganga" where you can catch a boat ride to many of the region's private beaches.

Santa Marta offers fresh fish caught daily by local fishermen in the Caribbean Sea or the Magdalena River, the principle river of Colombia that flows north from the Andes Mountains.

No matter which beach you visit you are guarantee rest and relaxation. Take your pick!

This beach is located in Parque Tayrona short walk from Canaveral where many people rent hammocks for their overnight stay.

The palm roof of the cabana on the hill is a great place to relax, enjoy the views and a meal prepared by the locals of Parque Tayrona.

The waves on the northern shores have carved and polished the landscape into one of the most beautiful places on earth. Be sure to bring you cameras as this is a place you will want to share with your family and friends and remember forever.

Barranquilla - Home to Carnaval

Carnaval de Barranquilla is a Colombian tradition dating back to the 19th century and combines the heritage of Spanish and African imigrants, as well as the indigenous people of the region.

Carnaval takes place every February during the four days preceding Ash Wednesday. This annual celebration is influenced by many forms of music and dance, with Cumbia being the favorite for most locals

Central to celebrating Carnaval are the parades that take place in the heart of the city each day, but rhythmic music and dance can be heard and seen in every neighborhood across the city.

A short drive from downtown Barranquilla is Puerto Colombia and the beach front community of Salgar. Puerto Colombia is one of the original Spanish ports providing access to South America from Spain and other nations that claimed Colombia their home centuries ago.

Although Barranquilla is known as an "industrial" city as a major port and city of commerce to the people of Colombia, it is also the host to several major university's and museums and has some of the cleanest and most beautiful homes on the northern coast of Colombia.

What's the significance of "Cumbia Terra"?

"Cumbia" is a Colombian musical style and folk dance that is considered to be representative of Colombia. Cumbia originated from the Caribbean coast of Colombia and began as a courtship dance practiced among the slave population that was later mixed with European and Amerindian instruments and African musical characteristics.

Cumbia is a variant of Guinean "cumbe" music. Cumbia started in the Caribbean coast of what is now Colombia and Panama, mainly in or around Cartagena during the period of Spanish colonization. Spain used its ports to import African slaves, who tried to preserve their musical traditions and also turned the drumming and dances into a courtship ritual. Cumbia was mainly performed with just drums and claves.

The slaves were later influenced by the sounds of Amerindian instruments from the Kogui and Kuna tribes. Millo flutes, Gaita flutes, and Guiros were instruments borrowed from these Native American tribes. The interaction between Africans and Amerindians under Spanish rule created a mixture from which the "gaitero" (cumbia interpreter) appeared, with a defined identity by the 1800s. The European guitars and accordions were added later through Spanish influence.

"Terra" means "land" so the translation is "Cumbia Land".

To learn more about the history of Cumbia music and dance, read the entire article on Wikipedia here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel to Colombia?
The coastal cities of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta are among the safest in all of Colombia, and even the other major cities have improved significantly in recent years. Police and security are present throughout all cities and most dangers only exist in extreme remote areas. The remote location of the Colombian National Park of Parque Tayrona is extremely well-protected by the government and is very safe for the foreign traveler as it attracts visitors from all over the world. As with any foreign nation travelers are always advised to be alert and take precaution when traveling alone and in remote areas. Tourists visiting Colombia will be pleasantly surprised by the safety and security of Colombia and the friendly nature of the Colombian people.

What is the exchange rate and what do basic items cost?
The Colombian Peso is the currency of Colombia. As of 10/1/09 the US dollar was valued at about 2,000 Colombian Pesos and has been declining in recent months. In addition to the favorable exchanges rates for Americans, the general costs of travel within Colombia are relatively low. For example, the cost of a taxi within city limits costs approximately $3.00 to $4.00 (6,000 to 8,000 Pesos) and the cost of a typical meal in an average restaurant ranges from about $4.00 to $10.00 (8,000 to 20,000 Pesos), or $15.00 to $25.00 (30,000 to 50,000 Pesos) in a very fancy restaurant.

What is the typical food like?
The typical food of Colombia usually consists of meat (beef, chicken or pork) cooked on a grill served with rice, beans and a green salad, but the typical food of the Caribbean coast is much more varied. Seafood caught fresh from the sea or the river is the local favorite and is often served with rice and vegetables and fruits, such as avocado, platano, coconut and mangos. Traditional Colombia dishes are also available as well as many other foods from around the world.

What are the transportation options?
There are more taxis and buses than any other form of transportation within all the cities of Colombia. Finding reliable transportation on any street and at any hour is relatively easy. It is recommended that you use a taxi for intra-city travel. You should have a general idea on where you want to go and how far you have to travel before you get into any taxi. Taxis do not use meters and all prices are "negotiated" before your trip. Buses are most commonly used for inter-city travel and should be reserved with a reputable service in advance of travel. All transportation between cities and for planned touring trips is prearranged by your tour guide.

Do I need to know how to speak Spanish?
The common people of Colombia generally do not speak any English, however, it is not usual for some hotel and restaurant personnel to speak English. We provide all travelers with a language guide and English-to-Spanish dictionary in advance of your trip to Colombia.

Visit the Exotic Caribbean Coast of Colombia

Adventure Tours Available 10 Days & 10 Nights

Tour Itenerary

Meet Your Guides

Request More Info

Colombia is Passion!

Interesting Facts about the Northern Region of Colombia

Cartagena

Cartagena Links

Barranquilla

Barranquilla Links

Santa Marta

Santa Marta Links

What's the significance of "Cumbia Terra"?

A Cumbia Folkloric Music & Dance Performance

Gaiteros de San Jacinto

La pollera colora

We're on Facebook too!

Twitter Updates

Twitter Updates

Frequently Asked Questions