Colombia – Luxury Travel to Peru, Galapagos & Bolivia

Why Journey to the “Liquid Rainbow” River in Colombia?

Molly Krifka — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 08:52:57 +0000

Did you know Colombia is home to the most beautiful river in the world and that this river only unveils its beauty four months out of the year? The Caño Cristales River, aka “the River of Five Colors,” aka “the Liquid Rainbow River,” makes nature’s canvass burst at the seams. Although it is not one of the classic top-five Colombian destinations (due to its somewhat tricky location), the Caño Cristales is an authentic off-the-beaten-path ethereal wonderland!

When to Go?

First thing’s first, the water itself doesn’t create this brilliant array of pink, deep magenta, yellow, green, blue, and even black; the plants growing within the river claim this honor, along with the light hitting those elements just so. Therefore, the Caño Cristales River only shows its true colors from July to November, the spring months in the southern hemisphere.

During these months, this striking technicolor dream comes to life in Caño Cristales, mainly from a plant called Macarenia clavigera that creates an array of deep reds, purples, and pinks. The water level and weather conditions during these months also make the difference. The light hits these pigments brilliantly. Other factors include black rocks, yellow algae, green sands, and blue waters coming together with the Macarenia clavigera; the result is pure magic.

How to get there?

The isolated location of Caño Cristales might deter you from visiting. Still, hopefully, it will inspire you to explore a part of Colombia that until now has been rarely traversed by tourists! You will first need to take a domestic flight into Central Colombia. More specifically, Villavicencio, followed by a smaller charter plane to La Macarena, where you will meet a local guide, who will take you into the exciting wilderness of the Serrania de la Macarena mountain range.

What to do?

It goes without saying that Caño Cristales is a photographer’s paradise. After the obligatory still photos, videos, selfies, and art-shots, you will find this is also the ideal spot for a fantastic swim! The bedrock of this five-color river swoops and dips in the form of weathered rock pools. The river itself flows very fast, and these currents have contributed to pool formations and deep cavities in the bedrock.

For those already imagining the creepy-crawly wildlife lurking within these pools and potentially hiding in the color spectrum, worry no more! Another distinct feature of the Caño Cristales River is the lack of nutrients to sustain a booming fauna population – this means no fish. In other words, the river is quite devoid of wildlife, except for a lingering amphibian or reptile on the river’s banks (keeping to itself and often in plain sight).

Only recently, in the past 10 years or so, Caño Cristales is open and safe for tourists because in the 2000s and before, it was considered part of dangerous guerilla territory. Therefore, if you are looking for a captivating off-the-beaten-path moment during your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Colombia, look no further than the Caño Cristales River. Contact us to learn more about crafting your ideal Colombian adventure!

Uncovering the Spooky in South America: Four Exceptionally Haunted Hubs in Colombia

Molly Krifka — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 09:58:58 +0000

With Halloween around the corner once again, and during an already scary year no less, you might be feeling a bit wary of celebrating. The COVID-19 pandemic has officially torn down the familiar, aka our “normal,” in so many ways, while bipartisan political tension threatens much of the world’s societal sanity. These two factors alone make for an especially hair-raising Hallows Eve.

So, as we all rally together in our homes and in solidarity against this current global doom and gloom, how about an apt distraction? Let’s dive into four tantalizingly spooky histories from some of Colombia’s most haunted hubs!

Bogotá’s Central Cemetery

Throughout South America, local folklore elevates ghost stories and creature myths to coexist with the living. Colombia is certainly no exception to this tradition. Cloaked in mystery, the Central Cemetery in the nation’s capital, Bogotá, attracts both tourists and locals alike, hoping to connect with the paranormal and/or revel in the legacy of prominent figures past.

Built in 1836, shortly after Colombian independence, the Central Cemetery holds quite a bit of historical significance, in addition to cultural and symbolic value. Here lie many of Colombia’s past presidents, as well as those who fought in the War of Independence and the Thousand Days’ War. Then there’s the “Caracol” (the snail). The Caracol is a contraption within the cemetery consisting of an ominous winding metal staircase leading to an underground chamber. Local lore claims that practitioners of dark magic and voodoo congregate in this underground cavern.

Armero

Welcome to the town of 30,000 ghosts. The cursed village of Armero is Colombia’s Pompeii, with the Nevado del Ruiz volcano playing the role of Mount Vesuvius. November 13th, 1985 marks the day the Nevado del Ruiz erupted with some warning the months before, however far too late for the government to start paying attention to the small unprepared town of Armero. The ferocious mudslides of volcanic debris consumed the town within minutes, claiming more than 25,000 lives.

The hauntings rumored here come from these destroyed souls longing for a proper resting place and to find ultimate peace. Countless travelers have heard these cries and have paid their respects to the best of their abilities.

Hotel del Salto and Tequendama Falls

The chilling beauty of Hotel del Salto looking over the Tequendama Falls meeting the Bogotá River will take your breath away and leave you dying to know more – if you dare. Affluent architect Carlos Arturo Tapias once lived in this mansion in the early 1900s, until it was transformed into a hotel in 1928 for travelers to marvel at the falls. However, through numerous challenges and eventual ties to contaminated river water, the hotel was abandoned in the 1990s.

But what makes this abandoned hotel haunted, you may ask? The tragic truth is that this particular hotel and its falls are tied to numerous suicides. The local legend of the Tequendama Falls describes members of the indigenous Muisca communities who leaped from the edge escaping Spanish capture during the conquest. They believed that in doing so, they would transform into eagles and escape their tortured fate. This myth eventually drew more than a few lost souls to the hotel to meet the same destiny.

La Bruja Restaurant

Imagine eating a carefully crafted meal by candlelight, as a local live band softly plays classical Spanish music, oh, and three crafty spirits haunt the entire place. This is what it’s like to dine in La Bruja Restaurant in the Candelaria neighborhood of Bogotá.

Literally meaning “The Witch” in Spanish, La Bruja has embraced the building’s haunted history and legend, awarding added intrigue to the ambiance. During the 1950s dictatorship, the building was actually used as a dungeon. So, the story goes, a woman at that time believed her son to be imprisoned within this dungeon and started bribing the guards to get on their good side. But before long, they learned her true plan and locked her up, claiming her a witch. Driven mad (and who could blame her really), she spent the rest of her life locked up in that dungeon. Her spirit still haunts the now-restaurant, alongside two others, a male and another female – diners and restaurant staff resoundingly attest to their presence, as advertised on their website.

The veil becomes a bit thinner in these hallowed Colombian sites, and the wave of annual visitors may grant some comfort to the tortured souls hovering there. So, on your next trip to Colombia, consider making the journey, if you feel so intrigued, to one or more of these hauntingly mysterious destinations. Contact us for information on how to plan your ideal Colombian adventure into the unknown!

Discover Colombia’s Caribbean Jewel Cartagena!

Molly Krifka — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 14:57:40 +0000

Picture a place brimming with pirate lore, towering fortresses, winding cobblestone streets, vibrant architecture, the freshest seafood, wandering salsa melodies, and a crisp salty breeze. All of these elements, and more, await you in the Caribbean Jewel called Cartagena! Here is just a sampling of the countless reasons why Cartagena, Colombia should secure its place on your travel bucket list:

Dynamic and Legend-Worthy History

Gold was king in the colonies, and Cartagena its palace. Serving as the principal Spanish port and storehouse of gold on the Caribbean Coast in the 16th Century, Cartagena inevitably fell victim to buccaneer plundering. Over the 16th and 17th centuries, a large percentage of what the Spaniards took from the indigenous populations was, in turn, stolen back, in karmic fashion, from true-life pirates of the Caribbean… that is until the walls went up.

In addition to its many charms, Cartagena claims a multitude of nicknames. The Walled City became one of them after the Spaniards fortified the port with walls a whopping twenty meters thick and eleven kilometers long. This section of modern-day Cartagena, now known as “The Old City,” harks back to a time of shipwreck glory and walking the plank. Meandering alongside these larger-than-life stone palisades will transport you to this exact moment in Cartagena’s history, and allow your imagination to run wild!

Great Eats

Once Colombia became a safe and available destination option, news started immediately buzzing about Colombian cuisine. This was especially true of innovative dishes, like sea bass carpaccio, coming out of Cartagena. In many tourist and local circles alike, Cartagena wins the title of the best food in Colombia.

If you’re a foodie, you have your pick of wildly original yet authentically satisfying restaurants in this Caribbean coastal wonderland. Considering the waves of immigration to Cartagena after Colombian independence in 1819, many local restaurants bring together Colombian, Italian, French, Turkish, Lebanese, and Japanese traditions.

Most restaurants in Cartagena spotlight a catch of the day, and rotate only the freshest seafood; La Cevichería is no exception. Or if fish isn’t your thing, there are plenty of delectable Italian-Caribbean fusion restaurants. Such as Pizzeria Aguanile, known for their daring pizza toppings and overflowing pasta dishes.

Regal Colonial and Color Pop Architecture

Cartagena became Colombia’s first UNESCO cultural and natural heritage site in 1984 for its impressive collection of colonial architecture. From the gothic-style yellow clock tower guarding the old walled city to Las Bovedas (the vaults) – storehouse turned dungeon, turned artisan-market stalls – you will find an endless array of breathtaking buildings standing the test of time.

But the colonial buildings themselves shouldn’t take all the credit for Cartagena’s stunning architecture. This historic city is also sprinkled with more intricate features, like the incredibly ornate lion, seahorse, mermaid, and lizard doorknobs. Every shade of the rainbow paints the town, often more than one color gracing the same house. The happy frivolity of these pops of color and quirky doorknobs is absolutely contagious.

Explosive Artistic Expression

Cartagena embodies Colombian artistic heritage from before the colonial era into modern-day expression through goldwork, sculpture, music, and dance.

The Zenú Gold Museum houses some of the most spectacular gold craftsmanship from the Quimbaya and Zenú cultures pre-dating the Spanish conquest. And in the Santa Domingo Plaza, you will find one of Fernando Botero’s most famous sculptures: “La Gordita.” Salsa and Cumbia sounds dominate Cartagena’s bars and streets, as do numerous folkloric and imported dances alike. Some of the former include Bambuco, Porro, and Mapale, while the latter represented in the ubiquitous Salsa and Merengue!

Discover the unbridled magic of Cartagena for yourself during your bespoke trip to Colombia!

Cartagena – Colombia’s Jewel by the Ocean

Theresa Galles — Sun, 10 May 2020 14:09:07 +0000

Cartagena, known as “The Heroic City” and “Cartagena de Indias” in colonial times, is a lovely port town on the north coast of Colombia. This historical city holds many secrets in the narrow streets, in its stone walls, and beautiful balconies. Along with rich history, Cartagena also boasts near-perfect weather year-round, making its lush landscapes and warm Caribbean waters the perfect place to get away.

The Old City

One area you will definitely want to visit is the Old City, exploring the neighborhoods of San Diego, Getsemani, and San Diego, as well as the old Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will find all sorts of treasures, including colorful colonial architecture, artists, trinkets, flowers, and more. You will also find monuments and charming plazas dotting the Old City as you enjoy a leisurely stroll through the streets.

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

If you are interested in Spanish forts and fortresses, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is not to be missed. Built starting in 1639, this fortress considered by some to be the most impressive built in any of the Spanish colonies. Despite many attempts to attack the city, this impenetrable fort has never been taken. You can explore some of the dark tunnels and passageways – which were so acoustically sound that you could hear any small noise that an intruder might make. You can also walk along the battlements and walls, enjoying the view over the ocean.

El Totumo – The Mud Volcano

This small volcano is located just outside of the city and is a perfect stop if you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy some nice, warm mud. Here you can climb into the vat of thick, bubbling mud that you can float in for a lovely skin-soothing mud bath. Afterward, you can wash off in the lake, and enjoy the pictures of you and your travel mates covered in mud.

Rosario Islands

A must when visiting Cartagena, the Rosario Islands are a lovely day trip from the main city. This set of 27 islands is located just a boat ride away, dotting the clear, crystalline Caribbean waters. While here, you can swim, snorkel, go boating, or even scuba diving (if you are certified, of course) to enjoy the coral reefs that are home to an incredible variety of marine life. Then on the shores, you may enjoy some hikes, a visit to the aquarium, or even just time to enjoy the white sand beaches.

Playa Blanca

If you want to visit a beach, but don’t want to take the full day to travel to the Rosario Islands, you can visit the most popular of Cartagena’s white-sand beaches, Playa Blanca. During the day, it can be full of people – locals, travelers, and beach vendors, which adds to the festive atmosphere. The water here is a deep, brilliant blue, which you can enjoy with some delicious fried fish and coconut rice from one of the quaint beach-side restaurants.

The Palace of the Inquisition

If you’re interested in the darker side of Colonial Spanish history, you may be interested in a visit to this macabre museum housed inside of a lovely colonial building. Here you can learn all about the Spanish Inquisition sent to punish the heretics for crimes such as magic, witchcraft, and blasphemy, all considered grave threats to the Holy Catholic Church. You can also read about the different instruments of torture they used to convince people to confess to said crimes, and visit the places where the accused were imprisoned and then publicly executed.

These are just a few of the many exciting things to see and do while visiting Colombia’s vibrant port city. Whether you are a history buff, foodie, or just want to rest and relax on the beach, there is something for everyone. The only drawback to visiting Cartagena is that once there, you may never want to leave.

Celebrate Christmas in South America – Colombia

Laurel Thompson — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 09:00:31 +0000

In this third installment of our series on Christmas around South America, we’ll talk about some of the colorful traditions of a Colombian Christmas. This gorgeous country, located in northern part of South America, is known for its emeralds, its wonderful coffee, and as the birthplace of famous author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who was one of the inventors of a style of writing known as magical surrealism. Colombia has its own unique style of Christmas magic as well.

Christmas is hailed with a celebration known as Día de las Velitas, or Day of Little Candles. Colombians line the streets with thousands of little candles, lighting a pathway for Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she comes to bless their homes. This takes place on December 7th, the Catholic Day of the Immaculate Conception. The candles may be placed inside luminarias or farolitos, plastic or paper coverings, to protect them from the wind and create a magical glow, and their presentation differs in different parts of the country. For example, in Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, the candles are placed in doorways and windows of homes and buildings, and the streets are filled with family fun, games, and activities that go on all night. Medellín celebrates with multitudes of candles in the streets, and the celebration goes on all the way through the end of December 8th.

A Colombian tradition, which is also practiced in Ecuador and Venezuela, is known as the Novena de Aguinaldos. This custom is practiced during the nine nights leading up to Christmas Eve. Colombian families take it in turn to host a Novena party, which includes a set of Christmas prayers, followed by the singing of Christmas songs known as villancicos, festive merriment, and Christmas food and drink.

As in Peru and Bolivia, a special meal is consumed on the night of Christmas Eve. Among the special Colombian Christmas foods are lechona, a pork roast with a filling of peas and rice; arepas, fried cornmeal cakes filled with meat or vegetables; ajiaco bogotano, a flavorful chicken, potato, and corn soup, and natillas, a creamy Christmas custard. Here is a recipe for natillas you can try at home.

Both Christmas trees and elaborate nativity scenes known as pesebres are found throughout Colombia. Rather than composing letters to Santa, children write to Baby Jesus (Niño Dios) asking for gifts. These letters are often placed in the pesebre in the hopes that the divine child will bring them presents on Christmas Eve.

The Christmas meal in Colombia is frequently consumed before the midnight mass.

It is common for children to try to stay up as late as they can. Christmas Day is spent relaxing and, in the case of some adults, recovering from the excesses of the previous night!

A post- Christmas celebration, known as el Día de Los Inocentes, takes place on December 28th. This celebration commemorates the day on which the biblical King Herod commanded the slaughter of male children under two years of age in order to prevent the prophesy of his downfall. While it has serious origins, this is known as a day of jokes and fun throughout Colombia as well as a day to celebrate childhood, perhaps as a sort of antidote to the unspeakable crime portrayed in the story that inspired it. Activities benefitting children and celebrating childhood are staged around the country. Television programs may show bloopers and mistakes people made throughout the year, for laughs.

While the ways a Colombian Christmas is celebrated overlap with Peruvian and Bolivian festivities, Colombia also has its own unique and colorful traditions. Next time, we’ll discuss how Ecuadoreans commemorate the winter holidays.