Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour from Bogotá
After being picked up from your hotel, drive for 60-90 minutes to the colonial town of Zipaquirá. Proceed to the famous Salt Cathedral, located inside the depths of the world’s biggest salt rock reserve. The Cathedral was first built in the 1950s by miners who carved a small chapel into the salt walls of the mine. Over the years, the cathedral was expanded and redeveloped, and in 1991, a new cathedral was inaugurated. The current cathedral is a stunning feat of engineering, with intricate sculptures, chapels, and cross-shaped stations of the cross, all carved into the salt walls of the mine.
Take a guided tour of the cathedral, which includes information on its history, construction, and religious significance. There are also several other activities available, such as a light and sound show, a 3D movie, and a salt-mining simulator. After your visit to the Cathedral, enjoy a typical Colombian lunch in one of Zipaquirá’s best restaurants.
Private tour of Comuna 13, Medellín
Explore Comuna 13, once known for its high level of violence and poverty and a stronghold of the Medellín cartel, but one of the city’s most vibrant and interesting areas today. Travel on the escalators that connect the lower and upper parts of the neighborhood and explore the vibrant street art scene, with colorful murals and graffiti covering many of the buildings and walls. The street art reflects the neighborhood’s history, culture, and transformation, and is a great way to explore the area and learn about its past and present. Finally, take the San Javier cable car, which connects Comuna 13 with the rest of the city and marvel at the stunning views of the surrounding hills and the city below.
Private Tour of Cartagena & Getsemani
Explore the Walled City of Cartagena and the neighborhood of Getsemani on a private tour. Travel through Colombia’s history as your guide takes you through the city’s historic center. Savor Colombian staples with a tasting of traditional snacks in the hip Getsemani barrio.
Begin your tour in Plaza de Bolívar, also known as Peace Square, by the clock tower, then travel back in time as you visit the Walled City of Cartegena’s historic spots and attractions. Visit San Pedro Claver Square and see the walls and bastions bordering the sea. Hear how these fortifications were important in the 16th and 17th-centuries in defending the territory from enemy troops. While at the square, also admire San Pedro Claver Church and its Spanish Colonial architecture. Stroll through the narrow streets with their colorful old colonial houses, and try some local Caribbean Colombian specialties like arepa with egg (a fried corn-based tortilla with an egg inside) and raspa (a cup of shaved ice with a fruity syrup).
Finally, visit the Getsemani barrio and marvel at its colorful streets where families have lived in the same Spanish colonial homes for multiple generations. Explore the many street blocks filled with magnificent street art. You’ll hear laughter and music throughout the streets. You’re also likely to hear champeta, which is a type of local folk music with Afro-Caribbean roots. Visit favorite local culinary haunts like La Cocina de Pepina to try traditional Colombian foods like ceviche, soups, empanadas, stuffed peppers, plantains, coconut rice, and more.
Private Tour of Cartagena Walled City, San Felipe Castle & Convent of La Popa
Experience the best of Cartagena on this private tour of the old walled city, the San Felipe Castle and the Convent of La Popa. After being picked up from your hotel by your private guide, head to the historic San Felipe Castle, the city’s old fortress built by Spanish colonialists. Learn about the colonial times and how Colombia’s culture became a mix of African, Indigenous and Spanish roots.
Next, visit the Walled City of Cartagena. See Santo Domingo Square, the church, and the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría, and walk around the streets filled with colorful colonial era houses. Try some typical Colombian specialties on the way including coconut sweets and fried arepa with egg, a traditional snack famous on the Caribbean Coast.
Round off your tour by visiting the Convent of La Popa, located on the top of a hill, with spectacular views of the city, the sea and some of the nearby islands. Get dropped back at your hotel in your private transportation at the end of the tour.
Private Guatapé Tour with Lunch & Cruise from Medellín
After being picked up from Medellín, drive for an hour and a half to the eastern Antioquia municipality of Guatapé. Enjoy a guided tour through the colorful village and its unique streets adorned with tile facades. Pass by the Casa Museo panorama, La Cruz, Piedras del Marial, Piedra del Peñol and the Ruins of the Hacienda La Manuela by Pablo Escobar. Then, take a 1-hour boat tour through the reservoir to the picturesque town of Zócalos. Enjoy a traditional Colombian lunch before climbing the 740 steps to reach the top of the Rock of Guatapé or Piedra del Peñol, a monolith which reaches 220 meters high, for spectacular views of the region. Finally, drive back to your hotel in Medellín.