Travel can be so much more than a vacation. It’s an opportunity to learn not about places and culture. At its best, travel can also be transformational, introducing us to new ideas and new ways of thinking about our lives.
If you’re looking for a transformational travel experience, you should consider Colombia as a destination.
I had the opportunity to tour Colombia with a small group of other travel advisors before attending the Colombia Travel Mart. It was a whirlwind tour of Medellín, Cartagena, and Bogotá, and it also included classroom sessions designed to make us experts in Colombian travel.
I feel like there are several articles I could write about Colombia, but I’m going to start with transformational travel experiences.
1. Learn about the drug wars
Let’s not beat around the bush. Many people are afraid to go to Colombia because they fear it isn’t safe. At one time, that was certainly true. In the early 1990s, Medellín was the most violent city in the world. You may have seen the TV shows Narcos or Griselda. Visiting Colombia gave me the opportunity to meet real people whose lives were affected by the drug wars. It also allowed me to witness the remarkable resilience of the Colombian people. The transformation that has taken place in Medellín is incredibly impressive.
2. Visit a transformed community
Comuna 13 is a vibrant hillside neighborhood in Medellín, Colombia, renowned for its remarkable transformation from a history of violence to a hub of art and culture.
On the outskirts of the city, it was the closest neighborhood to rural guerrilla groups and was plagued with conflicts involving the guerrillas, gangs, and paramilitary groups. In other words, it was NOT a city that tourists should visit. Now it attracts visitors from around the world with its colorful street art, dynamic music scene, and cultural performances. If you love to explore what’s unique to a destination, Comuna 13 is a must-see.
3. Learn about history through architecture
Cartagena is a beautiful coastal city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast that was founded during Colombia’s Spanish colonial era. Its walled Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with well-preserved colonial architecture.
You could certainly have a most enjoyable time strolling around the Old Town on your own. However, I would highly recommend also going deeper and touring the city with an architect who will show you about not only the original colonial architecture, but also how the city changed when Colombia became a republic. Cartagena has so many details that I would have missed had I not gone on this tour.
4. Learn about the salsa culture of Colombia
Cali, Colombia, is the Salsa Capital of the World. Salsa is an energetic dance form that is characterized by rapid footwork and dynamic spins to infectious Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Although I didn’t get to visit Cali, I did go on a tour in Cartagena that included learning about the history of salsa dancing, salsa dancing lessons, and visiting three different salsa clubs.
I loved that the tour took us beyond the touristy parts of the city to where the locals go. The locals were amused by our efforts but very welcoming.
5. Learn about the peace process through a food tour
In 2016, Colombia ended more than 50 years of conflict with a Peace Agreement. There are powerful stories to be learned from Colombia’s peace process. It’s a serious topic that many people would be hesitant to tackle on a vacation. However, a food tour is the perfect way to learn while still having an enjoyable time. I learned a lot about the Colombian peace process while sampling ice cream, coffee, and chocolate, all produced from crops grown on lands that used to grow coca leaves for cocaine production.
We also visited a brewery where people are encouraged to talk about their differences over a beer rather than acting out in violence.
This entire tour has really stuck with me. One of my favorite moments of the entire trip was seeing one artist’s creation that honors the victims of the violence in a memorable way. I don’t want to say too much to spoil your visit, but I would love to help you plan a trip to experience it.
Do you want to visit Colombia?
One of the hard parts about writing these articles is that there’s so much more I could say. But this is an article, not a book. And I can always write more articles. For now, I will say that a trip to Colombia can include one or more of these transformative experiences, but that doesn’t mean your entire trip needs to be composed of them. Colombia also offers many options to get out in nature or just relax on a beach.
One of the best reasons to work with a travel advisor is that we can tailor the trip for the right mix of learning, fun, and relaxation for YOU. Every traveler is different. As a professional travel advisor, I listen to what you want. Then I work with my partners and find the right tour, or design a custom tour just for you.
I’d love to talk to you and explore if we’re the right fit to work together to bring your dreams to fruition. Please read about how my services work and then schedule a complimentary consultation to get started.