Trip Highlights

  • Wander through the vibrant streets of Comuna 13, where bold murals, street performers, and the scent of fresh arepas fill the air. Enjoy a passionfruit popsicle or a local snack as you learn about the neighborhood’s transformation through the eyes of local artists.
  • Step into rural life at our friends’ finca near Guatapé. Help prepare a steaming pot of sancocho, chop veggies under an open sky, and share laughter and stories over a family-style meal in the countryside.
  • Soak up the views from your cloud cabin in Santa Elena. Lounge on your private deck or dip into a bubbling jacuzzi as mist drifts through the trees and city lights twinkle far below.
  • Explore Guatapé’s famous zócalos on a guided walking tour. Discover the stories behind the town’s colorful facades, learning how each mural reflects local identity, history, and imagination.
  • Get hands-on with chocolate, cacao, and traditional breadmaking. From crafting your own chocolate bar to baking masa madre loaves, each activity is rooted in heritage and shared over meaningful conversation.
  • Unplug in nature and reconnect with yourself. Whether you’re hiking to a forest bonfire, sipping coffee lakeside, or simply stargazing from your cabin, this journey invites you to slow down and breathe it all in.

Our Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1: Welcome to Medellín

  • Arrive in Medellín and check into the Landmark Hotel. Nestled in the trendy Manila neighborhood of El Poblado, this boutique gem offers sleek design, cozy comforts, and panoramic rooftop views of the surrounding valley—an ideal place to unwind after your travels.
  • Gather for a Welcome Dinner at Carmen Medellín. This award-winning restaurant serves up modern Colombian cuisine with local ingredients and artistic flair, setting the stage for an unforgettable week of connection, flavor, and culture.
  • End the evening with a high-energy salsa class. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a total beginner, you'll feel the pulse of Medellín as you laugh, move, and soak in the joyful rhythms of Colombia.

Day 2: Discover the City

  • Reflect on Medellín’s powerful history at Parque Conmemorativo and Casa de la Memoria. Through moving exhibits and personal stories, gain deeper insight into the city’s resilience and the spirit of its people.
  • Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class with our friend Manuela. Prepare classic Colombian dishes in a welcoming kitchen setting, sipping wine and snacking along the way before enjoying the delicious meal you’ve created together.
  • Explore the city’s cultural icons and local landmarks on a guided tour. From bustling plazas to the oversized sculptures of Fernando Botero, discover what makes Medellín so distinctive and vibrant with creative life.
  • After a delicious group dinner, join us for a truly quintessential Colombian experience: noche de parche, enjoying beautiful views and great company.

Day 3: Digging Deeper

  • Visit La Fábrica Café to explore Colombia’s beloved coffee culture. Go behind the scenes with our friends at this specialty roaster to learn how beans are sourced, roasted, and brewed with care.
  • Enjoy a guided tasting and pairing led by expert baristas. Savor the subtle flavors of different brews and learn how to identify notes, textures, and aromas like a true coffee connoisseur.
  • Wander through Medellín’s lush Botanical Garden. Take in the peaceful pathways, vibrant orchids, and tropical flora before sitting down to a fresh and flavorful lunch right in the heart of the garden.
  • Dive into the creative spirit of Comuna 13. With local guides, uncover the powerful transformation of this once-restricted neighborhood, now a symbol of resilience, expressed through vivid murals, music, and street art.

Annie, Colombia's Regional Director

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Where We Stay

At Heart of Travel, we believe your home away from home should feel as authentic as the places you explore. That’s why we seek out premium boutique lodging owned and run by local entrepreneurs whenever possible. Rather than focusing on star ratings, we seek out properties that blend sustainable practices with one-of-a-kind character, heartfelt service, and genuine warmth. From thoughtfully restored heritage houses to eco-minded retreats, each stay is chosen for its ability to tell a story, support small-business communities, and create memorable moments.

The Heart Experience

What makes this journey special isn’t just where we go—it’s how we go. From trusted trip leaders to family-run artisanal workshops and a touch of adventure, every detail is designed to connect you with Colombia’s soul and reflect our commitment to community and purposeful travel.

Meet Annie

Colombia's Regional Director

Annie co-designed the Unearth Antioquia: Medellín, Guatapé & Santa Elena tour to reveal through every destination and activity the magic that can be found in Colombia.

Some of her favorite highlights include:

  • Sitting down with a group of professional dancers after watching their amazing performance and learning more about their lives as artists in an open conversation. And enjoying delicious snacks as an accompaniment!
  • Taking a cacao workshop that is not only a delicious demonstration of the production of chocolate, but also a journey through time as the cacao bean intersects with several crucial points in the history of the Americas.
  • Learning from passionate teachers in Santa Elena about medicinal plants and creating your own herbal extracts!
  • Sampling Colombian dishes such as patacones, sancocho, and arepas!

This is travel with heart—where impact and experience go hand in hand.

Cuscún

Cuscún

Artisanal Cacao & Local Tourism

Originating in Antigua, Guatemala, we are overjoyed that the small family business of Cuscún has found its way to Colombia. Driven by our dear friends Joaquín and Erika, Cuscún always manages to embody the absolute best that a region has to offer, stemming from their commitment to collaborate with a network of local providers. From delicious, traditional recipes to premium cacao creations, at Cuscún you are guaranteed an unforgettable experience that stems from and gives back to the local community. 

Esteban Higuita

Esteban Higuita

Medellín City Guide

Growing up in Medellín's Comuna 13, Esteban has dedicated himself to inviting visitors into his home neighborhood and imparting the history and beauty that it holds. Expanding beyond the neighborhood where he grew up, he helps shepherd travelers and visitors in their discovery throughout all of Medellín and surrounding areas, always demonstrating grace, humor, and a truly astounding work ethic. He is a joy to be around and a treasured member of the Heart of Travel extended family.

Paneros Artesanales

Paneros Artesanales

Traditional Artisans

The family run Paneros Artesanales has commited itself to preserving and sharing the traditions of Santa Elena and the inhabitants of Colombian lands since before the evolution of modern practices and society. Believing that there is wisdom in the past, they turn to the earth to drive their tourism, imparting the powerful teachings that have descended through generations to all those lucky enough to walk through their doors.

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How We Define Activity Levels

We rate each trip from Level 1 (Easy) to Level 5 (Challenging)—from fully accessible experiences to adventures best suited for experienced hikers/adventurers.

Whether you prefer a relaxed stroll or a rewarding trek, there’s a pace—and a place—for you.

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Hear What People Are Saying

- Katie F, Enchanting Pueblos and Transformed Barrios in Colombia

An amazing trip!! I have never used a tour company before and am so glad that I did. The guides were incredible. I felt they went above and beyond to make our trip memorable. The restaurants we went to were TOP NOTCH! The communication leading up to the trip was ample, and I felt very in the loop at all times.

- Katie F, Enchanting Pueblos and Transformed Barrios in Colombia

- Abigail P, Urban Beats to Forest Retreats: Escape to Medellín

This was an incredible trip -- packed with the types of experiences that you couldn't get from travel on your own or with a more traditional company. One of my favorite things to do when traveling to a new destination is to meet and chat with locals, and it can be tough to do so when you're on your own. Heart of Travel makes this so easy, and it seems to be a hallmark of their travel philosophy. I knew in going to Colombia with them that I'd get a real sense of what living in Colombia is like in 2025, but also that I'd meet people who had such smart perspectives on Colombia and its place in the world. The experiences themselves are all top-notch -- never once did I feel like I was getting a fabricated experience. Instead, we met warm, welcoming people who were delighted to share their skills and expertise with us and deepen our understanding of Colombian culture and people.

- Abigail P, Urban Beats to Forest Retreats: Escape to Medellín

- Theresa L, Enchanting Pueblos and Transformed Barrios in Colombia

This was such an amazing trip. There were so many beautiful sites and really fun and interesting activities. Making chocolate from a cacao pod and tasting fresh coffee straight from the farm - plus the awesome cooking classes and lessons! It made for a memorable time - and I will be thinking forever about the ridiculously fantastic restaurants we got to eat at forever.

- Theresa L, Enchanting Pueblos and Transformed Barrios in Colombia

- Kim B., Enchanting Pueblos and Transformed Barrios in Colombia

I had a great time on this trip to Colombia. Everything was organized so well by Heart of Travel — it was my second trip with them. They have a knack of having unique excursions and experiences in the itinerary. Being my 31st country, I was very impressed with the flow of the itinerary, including a little bit of free time so that we could enjoy our surroundings, which was important to me as a solo traveler. I also made some lifelong friends on the trip from the other travelers, as well as our impressive Heart of Travel hosts and local guides.

- Kim B., Enchanting Pueblos and Transformed Barrios in Colombia

How We Define Activity Levels

We rate each trip from Level 1 (Easy) to Level 5 (Challenging)—from fully accessible experiences to adventures best suited for experienced hikers/adventurers.

Whether you prefer a relaxed stroll or a rewarding trek, there’s a pace—and a place—for you.

Get the

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