Colombia By Nature

Travel Just 4U's representative in Colombia will meet you at the airport upon arrival. They will be holding a sign with your name after you leave the secure area with your bags. 

They will escort you to your private transfer, assist you on check-in at your hotel and present you with a detailed itinerary for your experiences in Colombia. This is your chance to run through specific pick up times and logistics for your tours in the country. 

If you have any questions regarding your itinerary, ask them now.

This modern hotel provides free WiFi and free parking in the exclusive Chico area of north Bogotá, 100 m from Virrey Park and 700 m from El Retiro Shopping Center and Zona T. A daily buffet breakfast is included.

Rooms at Hotel B3 Virrey are fitted with a flat-screen TV, a work desk and a private bathroom with hairdryer.

Guests can work out at the 24-hour fitness centre. The 24-hour front desk can arrange dry cleaning services. Chapinero is a great choice for travellers interested in nightlife, food and friendly locals.

After breakfast, you will begin a half day visit to the historic centre known as La Candelaria. This antiquated barrio is of great architectural and cultural heritage and is made up of old “stately homes” or large Spanish colonial buildings with iron windows, thick and sturdy wooden doors, balconies and internal patios with beautiful yet hidden gardens. Visit the Plaza de Bolivar, where a statue of the great liberator Simon Bolivar is located. The Cathedral, on the eastern side of the plaza houses an important collection of religious artifacts such as textiles and artwork that has been collected over four centuries. 

The central area of Bogota, known as the Salon Eliptico, is where congress meets and is the actual chamber for politicians and the Senate. Around the Plaza de Bolivar are the Palacio de Justicia, the Mayor of Bogotá’s offices called the Edificio Liévano, the oldest school in the county called San Bartolome and the Casa de los Comuneros, thus named to remember those who participated in one of the first independence movements towards the end of the XVII Century

The visit continues with the Museo Botero, a colonial house filled with works of art done by and donated by Fernando Botero in addition to artwork from his own personal collection that includes pieces by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí Matisse, Monet and Giacometti. 

Next is the Museo del Oro (Gold museum) which has a permanent exhibition of some 32,000 pieces of gold, 20,000 stones, ceramics and textiles all precious to the Quimbaya, Calima, Tayrona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Tumaco and Magdalena cultures. The Museo del Oro is considered as one of the most important museums of its type internationally and it has been functioning since 1939. Afterwards you will be returned to your hotel to spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

Bogotá is the sprawling, chaotic and captivating capital city of Colombia. Long regarded as unsafe for tourists, Bogota is developing a new reputation as one of the most exciting and culturally diverse cities in Latin America. Bogotá is today a modern city with a bubbling cultural scene and vibrant social aspect. Picturesque, with an important architectural heritage, the most impressive collection of Pre-Columbian art in the world, unrivaled urban graffiti and fantastic museums; it is also a city of futuristic architecture with enormous and modern buildings. The poverty that lives alongside such wealth forms contrasts that make this both a fascinating and aggressive city. here are just some of the things to do whilst in this intriguing city:

Museo del Oro: or Gold Museum, is perhaps the most famous museum in Bogotá and Colombia. It is one of the most spectacular exhibits of pre-Hispanic art, culture and tradition ever displayed. 

Museo de Botero: Fernando Botero is one of Colombia’s most famous artists, known for his unique style that depicts people and animals with large, exaggerated or fat features. Even if you aren’t too interested in art, you’ll find Botero’s work lighthearted and unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Cerro Monserrate: or Monserrate Mountain, rises 3,152 meters (10,341 feet) above the sea level, and overlooks the entire city, providing spectacular views, day or night.

Bogotá Graffiti Tour: You might be wondering why you’d need a tour to see graffiti that is ultimately found all over the city. But this tour is well worth it. You’ll be visiting the murals of some of Bogotá’s most celebrated street artists

Laguna de Guatavita:If you’ve been to the Gold Museum, you have to follow it up with a visit to the Lake of Guatavita. It’s the site of the legend of El Dorado and holds significant importance in Colombia’s history

Optional: Not included in starting price

In the morning depart from Bogotá to the north, towards Zipaquirá. After a journey of roughly 1.5 hours reach the impressive Salt Cathedral, a true achievement of engineering. The name Zipaquirá refers to Zipa, the leader of the Muisca tribe and the chief of these rich salt mines. The excursion will begin by visiting the cathedral in a series of tunnels that pass by the fourteen Stations of the Cross and continues on to the dome. The dome is lit in such a way that let one to contemplate the universe and the relationship between man and nature. Later, visitors reach the enormous cross carved into the saline rock and finally the three naves of the Cathedral that represent the birth, life and death of Christ. In the central nave is where the main altar is located, above which lays the cross that heights 16m and has a width of 10 m. This is the largest cross made from salt in the world. 

Next, we visit the mine where there is an excellent auditorium that can seat up to two hundred people, host film screenings and events such as fashion shows. The trip ends at a mirror of water where it is possible to experience the amazing visual effects of water on carved saline rock. 

You will then have lunch and head towards the legendary Guatavita Lake. The lake is located within the forest reserve of the Cacique Guatavita and Cuchilla de Peñas Blancas. In this magical and mystical place, formerly inhabited by the ancient Muisca people, it is possible to observe a great variety of flora and fauna endemic to the high-altitude Andean woodlands.

See hummingbirds, hawks and blackbirds flitting between the trees. There is also a great variety of interesting trees. The legend of El Dorado emerged from Muisca traditions. You will ahve the chance to visit the town of Guatavita and the lake of Tominé, striking with its white painted houses, beautiful square and tranquillity. Afterwards you will return to your hotel in Bogota

Words used to describe the Amazon can seldom to do any justice to this remarkable place that leaves an indelible imprint on the memory. The incredible size of the Amazon River, an irrepressible source of life, and the crisscross pattern of the smaller tributaries that splay out through the jungle leave a lasting impression. The city of Leticia is located on one of the banks of the Amazon River in the heart of the most resplendent and exuberant forest on earth. An imaginary line is drawn here creating a frontier between three countries: Colombia, Brazil and Peru

Leticia 

Once you have settled into your accommodation, you will be picked up in the afternoon for a tour of the very interesting towns of Tabatinga and Letica. Tabatinga which is a frontier city in the north-western part of the state of Amazonas (Brazil) and Leticia in Colombia are built together and there is no border control between them. Santa Rosa on the nearby island in the Amazon river is in Peru. 

Scrolling through the small centre of Letica you will visit the Market Square, the drugstore pharmacy and the Park of the Parrots where they have thousands of these colorful birds. You will then head to the Ethnographic Museum of the Amazonian Man where you can appreciate a collection of objects and utensils used by the indigenous culture of the region. 

Continue the tour visiting the city park and walk the streets of Leticia with enough time to stop by the craft shops and try the local drink called "chuchuhuaza", an Amazonian aphrodisiac drink made from an endemic tree species. You will then return to your hotel. 

Important Notes:

• It is important to keep in mind that the services and infrastructure in the Colombian Amazon are basic.

• In Leticia there is an entrance tax to be paid upon arrival at the airport (not included) - approx. USD 13 per person

Featuring two outdoor swimming pools and a garden, this boutique hotel offers an amazing restaurant where you can find international food and typical food of the region 

The rooms at the Waira Suites feature many amenities such as comfortable beds, tv cable, air conditioner, shower with warm water, room service and security box in case you need it.

Guests can enjoy activities in the area such as fishing, canoeing, hiking, and cycling. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk service and laundry services are available upon request.

Leticia to Calanoa

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the pier to take a shared boat to Calanoa, which takes approximately 2 hours. 

Upon arrival you will visit the Mocagua community to have a local lunch and a tour around the village and its picturesque houses. 

Afterwards you will return to Calanoa for a walk through the jungle and then return by canoe along the Matamata Current, which has boundaries with the Amacayacu Natural Park to your hotel. 

Calanoa Jungle Lodge offers a space for the traveler who is in search of a vital experience, who is in a journey of discovery. Our travel plans and workshops propose an experience of the rainforest through the senses and a creative dialogue with the inhabitants. The Calanoa Natural Reserve is at the very heart of the Amazon forest, yet easy to access, and its surroundings are an endless source of marvel.

The buildings have been designed by combining traditional techniques with a contemporary approach and that uses local materials and resources. The woven palm roofs are beautiful and fresh, walls are minimal to improve air circulation, and the structures are built on stilts to elevate them from the ground, allowing for better views and increasing air circulation.

The social pavilion has a central screen tent with a big dining table, and it is located in a way that makes the most of the view of the river. Around it there are hammock swings and seats for guests to relax. A wooden deck connects with the kitchen pavilion, a generous space open for the guests to visit and participate of the preparation of food.

Calanoa's cuisine is a fusion of local Amazonian traditions with Brazilian, Colombian and Peruvian cuisine, put together by the owners’ creativity. Organic and fresh local produce, fire wood cooking and our famous freshly baked bread contribute to a delightful experience.

Calanoa - Puerto Nariño & Tarapoto Lake - Calanoa 

Waking up for amazon sunrise or having a sleep in  the choice is yours. In the morning after breakfast, you will depart for a trip on the Amazon River. You will get to visit Puerto Nariño, the second largest town in the department of Amazonas, after Leticia. 

Puerto Nariño which is considered to be the cradle of life of the Amazon for its natural and cultural setting of peace and harmony. This community is located on the banks of the river Loretoyaco where motor vehicles are outlawed and the only way of getting around is on foot. Puerto Nariño probably displays one of the purest and clearest examples sustainable community living where people are deeply involved in environmental issues, the preservation of river fauna and the ecosystem and live free from smog and pollution. 

After enjoying a typical lunch you will then head towards Tarapoto Lake where it's waters are like a natural aquarium as it is home to grey and pink river dolphins. You will then return to Calanoa for dinner and evening at leisure. 

Calanoa - Leticia 

After breakfast bid farewell to the Colombian Amazon and start the journey back to Leticia airport for your onward flight

Poblado Alejandría offers stylish accommodation in El Poblado, within a 5-minute walk to Oviedo mall. The hotel features a spa with a steam bath, 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi.

Rooms at Hotel Poblado Alejandría have parquet floors and are decorated in lively colors with polished wood finishings. Amenities include air conditioning, cable TV and mini bar. A breakfast may be served in the shaded garden or in the sun terrace, with a panoramic view of Medellin. Poblado Alejandría also offers a fitness center and currency exchange service. 

The city of Medellín is surrounded by green hills and you can easily experience the Andean nature a few minutes ride away from the city. Just 45 minutes from the city, in Envigado, this activity begins with an eco-trail that will take you to “La Miel” waterfall. The hike takes about 90 minutes following a small river to reach this waterfall through the dense Andean cloud forest. During the journey, you will cross the river several times and at the end you can bathe in the waterfall if desired. 

Enjoy this natural activity, hike for roughly 4 hours at altitudes of 3,200-3,800 meters above sea level in humid and windy weather conditions. Although it is a demanding excursion, the unique landscape of the Andean mountains permits participants to capture this impressive landscape in photographs.

NOTE: The hike has a medium-low level of difficulty and we recommend having good physical condition since some rocks must be climbed in a part of the route. 

Optional: not included in starting price

Today you will get the chance to see the real Medellin This half day tour will take you to visit those places that best represent the social transformation that has taken place in Medellín. The tour will show the symbolic areas of Medellín from the 1980s, when the city was one of the most dangerous in the world, up to today where many projects have fostered the city’s change. 

Enjoy an exciting tour through the history and present day of Medellin and learn more about the transformation of this fascinating metrópolis. 20 years ago, Medellin was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Back in the early 90s, when the hunt for Pablo Escobar took place, the head of Medellin's drug cartel was at its peak. Until the turn of the millennium the struggles about Escobar's successor continued, but since 2002 Medellin began to change. Intelligent local politicians started to invest heavily in infrastructure and public education. Today the “City of Eternal Spring” is one of the most innovative metropolises in the world.

Visit the barrio San Javier, which used to be one of the most unsafe suburbs of Medellín. Located some 7km from the city centre, it is a clear example of the social transformation that has taken place in the last few years. Arrive here by the metro cable car that joins the north-east area with the city centre, which has been life changing to many of the inhabitants of Medellín. Learn more about the city’s transformation after the death of Pablo Escobar and also get to know the innovative transport-system in the poorer neighborhoods first hand. 

Explore Medellin’s newest invention: the electric stairways of the district Comuna 13, discover stories about its past by visiting the most important places marked by historical events and see some graffiti that symbolizes a form of expression of the community. Here it is possible to have a beautiful view over the city from the balconies of San Javier. 

Then, go on to La Plazoleta located in the city centre, in an area that fell into decline in the 1980s and today houses 23 sculptures of Fernando Botero, donated by this famous local artist in year 2000. Since that time, the city has undergone a social and cultural transformation around these works placed in a public space. You will then be returned to your hotel to enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

This flight is included in the price as it is with a local airline and includes 10 kg checked baggage and 5 kg carry-on. 

Upon arrival to Nuqui airport, your Travel Just 4U representative will transfer you to the dock for the approximately 45-minute boat trip to La Kuka Hotel and check in. 

In the afternoon, walk to the waterfall Cascada del Amor. It is 400m from La Kuka, stroll in the jungle, until arrive at a paradise where crystalline waters tumble over a 4m high waterfall. Lastly, enjoy empty beaches near to the river before heading back to the Lodge for dinner.

Welcome to Colombia’s best kept secret on the Pacific Coast. Here you will experience endless stretches of uninhabited beaches, untouched rainforest, waterfalls, hot springs, and some of the most diverse flora and fauna in the world. If you have been searching for that secret spot of secluded paradise to unplug from your daily life and reconnect with nature, LA KUKA is for you. 

With a design inspired by the jungle and ocean, La Kuka offers an ecologically sustainable refuge that resides in harmony with its surrounding natural paradise. 

Our spacious and unique rooms offer privacy, comfort, and total tranquility to our guests .Our energy is 100% powered by solar, giving you the luxury of personal power outlets and even private mini bars. Each cabin or suite is provided with mosquito nets, towels, a built-in wardrobe, a fresh-cut flower arrangement, and a private terrace with a hammock and ocean view. 

A number of activities are offered in the area, such as diving, hiking, fishing and canoeing.

Today you will have the chance to try to see the famous humpback whale. Humpback whales or yubartas arrive in the Colombian Pacific every year between July and October to mate and give birth to their young. Being a protected area and natural reserve, this is a privileged site for your sighting and in some occasions, you can observe them from the beaches or from the hammock of your room. Today you will leave by boat for whale watching, this can be in the morning or afternoon, depending on where the whales are. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the beach and the natural environment.

Note: Whale watching is possible from July to October. The order of excursions may vary.

In the morning, there will be a guided walk to visit a native community. On the Chori River, there is an indigenous village where 450 natives of the Emberá tribe reside. Here you can talk with the natives, visit their city, learn about their culture and buy some souvenirs from the masters of craftsmanship. 

After one last breakfast you will bid farewell and begin the journey via boat back to Nuquí airport for your onward flight.