Bogota & Cartagena: Exploring Colombia's Bustling Capital and Enchanting Coast
Sandy Harbison, Managing Director at Avondale Travel, recently enjoyed a six-day, five-night trip to Colombia hosted by Colombian Journeys and shares her thoughts and experiences from her time below.
I flew into Bogota through LATAM Airlines and spent two nights at Four Seasons Casa Medina and one night at Four Seasons Bogota. After a few days exploring the historic capital city of Bogota, I took a less than two-hour flight to the vibrant coastal town of Cartagena. I stayed in Cartagena for two nights at Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa hotel and got a taste of the Colombian coast. All three hotels provided different perspectives of Colombia as they tailored to various activities and lifestyles -each one unique and delightful.
On my first night in Bogota, I attended a welcome dinner at Castanyoles Restaurant with the CEO of LATAM Airlines, Santiago Alvarez Matamoros. He spoke of the plans of LATAM Colombia to develop the tourism industry, and during this trip, I definitely got a peek behind the curtain of all Colombia had to offer. Both Bogota and Cartagena exude cultural heritage and historical significance, and all of the hotels I visited allow for a front-row seat to its colorful splendor. There is a contagious exciting spirit within Colombia waiting to be unleashed!
Accommodation
Four Seasons Casa Medina
Four Seasons Casa Medina was built in 1946 and sits just above the lively financial district and Zona G, a gourmet dining destination in Bogota. The hotel is elegantly decorated and features a combination of Spanish and French architecture, utilizing history and modern design to make for a masterful space. The hotel was even declared a monument of cultural interest by the Colombian Ministry of Culture. Sixty-two uniquely decorated double rooms are offered at this hotel, including five superior rooms, seven deluxe rooms, eighteen premier rooms, thirteen grand premier rooms, eleven executive suites, seven one-bedroom suites, and one penthouse. Each room houses a flat-screen tv, a private refrigerated bar, and any other modern luxuries necessary to relax and unwind.
Four Seasons Bogota
Four Seasons Bogota fully encapsulates the capital of Colombia and sits at a walking distance from the iconic Zona Rosa district - an area known for its nightlife, food, and shopping. Charmed with elegance and modern style, Four Seasons Bogota was the first luxury hotel to open in Bogota in 1993. There are sixty-four double and single rooms, including five superior rooms, eight deluxe rooms, twenty-two grand premier rooms, sixteen executive suites, six one-bedroom suites, six one-bedroom premier suites, and one penthouse. Each room is equipped with a Nespresso coffee and tea maker as well 24-hour in-room dining and a multilingual concierge. The hotel houses a spa and fitness club that represents different aspects of Colombian culture through its designs and offerings.
Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa
Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa sits in the heart of Cartagena de Indias' walled city and is a five-minute walk from Torre del Reloj monument city gate. The hotel was originally a seventeenth-century monastery allowing guests to feel the remnants of its original Versailles inspiration. The hotel offers eighty-seven different rooms spread throughout six floors. Rooms are divided into twenty-six classic rooms, twelve superior twin rooms, eleven premium rooms with balconies, twenty-two luxury premier rooms, six junior suites, five colonial suites, two master suites, and three grand suites. Each room is uniquely fitted with traditional Cartagena design elements while still holding onto contemporary designs and modern luxuries. Many rooms have windows overlooking the city, except for a select few that overlook the gardens and colonial backyard. The hotel offers a rooftop pool overlooking the city in addition to a spa and gym. Four meeting rooms with a capacity of 250 guests are available to rent.
Dining
Four Seasons Casa Medina
Four Seasons Casa Medina houses the beautifully decorated Castanyoles Raciones y Tapas restaurant and bar that features a refreshing outdoor space in the middle of the city. This vibrant Spanish kitchen is the perfect place for tapas and classic cocktails with a modern twist.
One culinary Masterdish featured at Castanyoles Raciones y Tapas is Octopus a la feria with native potatoes. Each dish is made using ancestral techniques, ensuring authenticity on every plate.
Four Seasons Bogota
Four Seasons Bogota offers the Biblioteca Restaurant, featuring Colombian coffee, signature drinks, and local favorites. Its menu features an assortment of Colombian classics, with the Braised Oxtail being a favorite. The meat is slow-cooked for eight to twelve hours before being brought out to your table.
Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa
While the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa has many dining options, one culinary highlight was the La Terraza Restaurant on its terrace. The restaurant overlooks the Caribbean ocean with beautiful views of the San Pedro Claver Church.
We were treated to a beautiful dinner at the Casa San Agustin Hotel in Cartagena - I highly recommend this five-star Virtuoso property! The hotel's restaurant, Alma, features freshly prepared dishes that radiate Cartagena de Indias with each bite! The restaurant features live music in its courtyard on select days and emulates a fun and vibrant environment.
Experiences
Bogota
On our first full day of the trip, we dove headfirst into Bogota! The day started with a visit to La Candelaria, a highly significant suburb due to its cultural heritage and Spanish colonial architecture. We went to the main square, Plaza de Bolivar, where a statue of the great emancipator Simon Bolivar is located. The area surrounding the Plaza de Bolivar is full of historic landmarks with enough culture to last for days! A few notable landmarks brought to our attention include The Cathedral, Capilla del Sagrario, and the capitol building, which is still in use.
We continued with a visit to the Botero Museum, a colonial house recognized as one of Latin America's most important international art collections. The Gold Museum was a notable highlight as it is considered one of the most important of its type. The Gold Museum permanently houses 32,000 pieces of gold, 20,000 stones, ceramics, and textiles that tell the story of the culture and history of Colombia. Within the streets, there were several places to sit and watch the world go by.
Later that day, we took part in a two-hour molecular coffee tasting led by a professional barista and coffee ambassador of the Hacienda San Alberto coffee farm, one of the most internationally awarded Colombian coffees. Who knew there was so much to learn about coffee! We learned all about the history of coffee and tasted a variety of products offering different characteristics and properties.
Cartagena
Cartagena is a colorful Caribbean city with a very special charm! Upon arrival, we enjoyed a walking tour of the walled city. We spent some time in Getsemani, a cool and cultural quarter of town marked by colorful graffiti paintings. Stories are told through images of tropical scenes and local flora and fauna - all pointing you back to the history of Cartagena. The neighborhood was home to the first Graffiti Festival in Getsemani in 2013, and the evidence of local art is everywhere! We visited the town's clock tower, La Sierpe street of murals, the famous umbrella street, and a taste of everything in between.
The following day we took a full-day excursion to one of the islands of the Archipiélago del Rosario, about an hour away from Cartagena by boat. We lounged on the beautiful landscapes of the island, taking in the cool breeze and clear water. The beauty was everywhere in this city!
Final Thoughts
I was very impressed with LATAM Airlines and Colombian Journeys and would highly recommend them if considering a trip to Colombia. I think it would be helpful to know a bit of Spanish if you do not have a guide during your trip.
All in all, I felt very safe during my time in Colombia. Police, police dogs, and cameras are visible around both Bogota and Cartagena. In terms of Covid, masks were required everywhere, including outside. Colombian tourism is on the rise and should be added to your list!
