Anyone taking the Colombia: South America Eternal Spring tour?
__We will be on the tour mid-February. The itinerary looks great. Although it's a new itinerary, has anyone done a similar itinerary? Our documents include something about safety; it's the first time I can recall seeing that in Tauck documentation. Any reason for concern? Thanks.
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The US State Department has Columbia rated at level 3 (reconsider travel) status.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/colombia-travel-advisory.html
I'm sure Tauck wouldn't take people there unless they were fairly sure it would be safe.
This is just a guess, but I expect your group will be small. Report back and let us know how you enjoyed the trip and whether you felt unsafe at any time.
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Doing a bit more research, the cities of Medellin, Bogota and Cartagena are rated as very safe. Those are the three cities that Tauck takes you to.
This is what the US travel site says about Columbia.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Colombia.html
We almost always register on the government’s STEP register, Especially to a country like this. Even on a Tauck tour, I’m thinking of our tour to Buenos Aires , when the Tour Director clearly told us to remove all jewelry and watches once we got to BA, several days before, not everyone listened and as we were getting out of the bus, she said….I still see watches, take them off! So, Tauck do their best of keep you safe, but you have to listen to them.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Colombia.html
Hi NinaLoo- I took a tour ( with different company) in 2020, returning right when Covid shutdowns began. With a few additional cities, we went to Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena. It was a wonderful trip. The Museo de Oro and Botero museum in Bogota should not be missed. I enjoyed my time very much in each of the cities. Colombia is a country I would like to visit again.
We just returned from the Colombia trip. It was great, well organized . We felt safe and went out around the hotels we stayed on nights that dinner was on our own. We relied on our tour director and the hotel for
suggestions.
I returned late last night from this trip. I will write a more comprehensive review in a few days when I get my thoughts together. It was an excellent tour.
Glad to hear everyone is enjoying Colombia- it is a great country and people, food and cities are beautiful
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JDS11 will not miss your review.
In late February, we will be traveling in Colombia with Tauck. We will be arriving a couple of days early and are looking for things to do on our own in Bogota. Suggestions from those who have recently returned would be appreciated. We don’t see Monserrate listed on the Tauck itinerary, did you go there with Tauck? If you went there on your own, was it worth your time and effort?
Thanks,
sj96. Monserrate was not included in our touring of Bogota. We only viewed it from a distance. I do not recall anyone in my group mentioning they went there prior to the start of the tour.
I did not arrive before the start of the tour so I can not help you with things to do.
I went to Monserrate. It’s very nice, but was not highlight of my time in Bogata. Bogata has some pretty amazing street art. I’m sure your hotel could arrange a tour if that is something that might interest you.
Here are a few examples from my tour in 2020:
This tour is not listed for 2027.
Current events possibly made it not on everyone’s bucket list anymore .
Just like China, Israel and Russia in the past.
I hope to be on a Feb 2026 departure - Tauck hasn't canceled yet.
JDS11 waiting to hear your review, sounds like an awesome tour.
gladysorlando984 - it's under the Colombia Tour heading from 2025
Colombia Tour Summary
from: JDS11JDS11
February 2025 in Latin America
My departure was a group of 19 guests. Our TD was organized, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive. This tour highlights the people of Colombia working to unite, revitalize, and transform their country with a focus on music, arts and resources.
Guides and Transportation: We had 2 local guides for each city. With specialty guides at the Botero Museum, Capilla del Rosario (coffee), Normandia Equestrian Center, and Comuna 13.
We were transported in 2 vans (very comfortable seating), except the days we had a flight then a bus was used. Traffic in every city was congested with narrow streets and motorcycles veering between vehicles. There was no WiFi in the vans or buses. There was no assigned seating on the vans or bus, nor did you have to use the same van everyday.
Flights: Avianca Airline on A320 planes. Coach seating. No delays. Both flights departed about 7pm. An hour flight wheels up to down to Medillin and a little longer to Cartagena.
Luggage pull was 7am. Our luggage was already at the airports when we arrived with baggage claim tickets and boarding passes ready. Usual security procedures to get to the departure gate.
Food: Breakfast buffets at the hotels were nice. Opened at 6am.
Lunches and dinners were all excellent. The food was always fresh, creative, well presented and delicious. Each location was a lovely dining experience. In Medellin our dinner view was rooftop overlooking the city and its twinkling lights. Live music at some restaurants.
Safety: You are always in the Tauck bubble. There isn't much free time. The days start at 8am with the exception of a 7:45am and another at 9:30am.
I never felt unsafe. Our local guides always reminded us to be aware of pickpockets when we were in congested walking areas.
Cartagena was very crowded due to cruise ships in port during the day.
Weather: Bogota 65 and mostly cloudy. Medellin 70 and partly cloudy. Cartagena 90+ sunny and humid. No rain (but it was forecasted everyday).
Currency and shopping: There really isn't any designated "shopping" time available besides some free time in Guatape and at one rest area. There are street stalls and vendors in every city. I was able to purchase a print I saw in an art store in Coumna 13 while on our walking tour. I was able to buy it and wrapped before I was out of range of my Vox. There are also gift shops at the coffee plantation, equestrian center, both music venues, and the museums. Credit cards are accepted. The USD is not accepted in Bogota or Medellin, but I did see USD pricing in Cartagena. The TD let guests know where ATM's are. I did see a money exchange office at the Santa Clara hotel.
I brought Peso with me. If you make any small transactions you will need their currency.
Comparing this tour to the other 13 I have taken with Tauck (Egypt forever #1) Colombia is in the top half of my list.
The tour was active, fun and informative. The cities are vibrant, beautiful and growing with new construction.
Each day was an adventure through Colombia. All the activities and sights were well planned and enjoyable.
I hope this sums up the logistics of the tour since it is new this year. If you have any questions I will be happy to answer if I can.