Hike, Kayak and Sail in Caribbean Colombia

I really can’t fault anything about this trip. It was my first time traveling solo and it was such a great experience that I will remember forever. Everything was organised brilliantly and Sol our guide was absolutely awesome, super friendly, helpful, patient and great fun.

This was such an amazing adventure I can't recommend it highly enough. The variety of activities was exactly what I wanted, and I particularly enjoyed the paddle boarding and kayaking. Our guide Sol was exceptional, so knowledgeable and passionate about her country it was a real privilege to learn about Colombia from her. Much Better Adventures made everything so easy, we were well prepared for every activity. I think my favourite part of the trip was getting to experience parts of Colombia and activities that we would just never have found on our own, such as the farm stay in the mountains which was truly the highlight of the week. The family were so lovely and accomodating and it was so fascinating to experience their way of life which is so different to our own. Overall the major downside of this trip is that's it's going to be pretty difficult to top for future adventures!

The trip was great. I selected it for the specific variety of activities. The sequencing with hiking followingbthe mountain biking was perfect. It likely would have been even more difficult to ride the challenging terrain after the long Cerro Kennedy hikes. Sol, our guide, was fantastic- very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Colombia and the changes the country has gone through culturally, politically, environmentally, etc. She's super personable and attentive to all details. The day guides for sailing, the cacoa plantation and the floating village/kayak were also exceptional. Food was plentiful and good everywhere. While I expect eco lodges to be basic (I've stayed at ones before), this was a bit lacking. The shared room had only a small bench for 2 people to squeeze two small duffel bags on with nowhere to spread out the contents which was particularly difficult for re-packing for the return trip home. Also, the open air restaurant was very hot with no fans and the tables were never wiped clean - all had pollen or something on them. It would also be nice if the path between the outdoor shower and our building had pavers vs. being dirt/mud. The setting however was very unique and I loved that we had to take a boat to get there. The first and last full days were likely my favorite but I loved it all. It was also nice that the auto transit times were not long. The tuk tuks to the kayak spot were a nice touch.

An excellent way to see some of the diversity of Colombia due in no small part to a great itinerary. All the activities were very well organised.

So many great things to mention, but the highlights were staying at the farm at Cerro Kennedy, having excellent Colombian food and coffee, and kayaking through the jungle to the sea. Sol was an amazing guide - very knowledgeable and so friendly. My 3rd adventure trip and definitely my favourite. Advice for potential travellers: - Inexperienced mountain-bikers and hikers could find those activities a bit difficult. They are more suitable for those with some experience due to the temperature and the steepness. - Bring some small board games / card games for the evenings. - Bring plenty of sun screen and a hat. It’s a hot country and there’s a lot of time in the sun. - I loved the more austere elements of the trip (farm house and eco lodge) but if you want hot showers, fast WiFi and air con throughout your trip, this isn’t for you.

The trip on the whole was great. Rosa is a fantastic tour leader; listens to concerns and accommodates as needed. Unfortunately the sailing got canceled secondary to weather concerns. I do have some criticisms; the hiking to Cerro Kennedy was difficult; but then we were scheduled to hike down 1500 meters the same day; which is excessive for a level 2 trip. The accommodations on the whole were good but the Eco lodge has some deficiencies. Toilets don’t flush ; electricity is rationed somewhat strictly.

This was an epic week. Fun activities in beautiful settings, whilst also learning about local history and lives of the indigenous communities. Will recommend this to friends. The activities were easier than expected, with the exception of one of the hikes. But this meant you could really enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. Rosa, our guide, was a brilliant ambassador for Santa Marta and Colombia. She was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and ensured we all knew what to expect from each day.

This trip offers an incredible blend of adventure, beauty, and cultural insight. From sailing and supporting eco-friendly companies that clean up beaches to exploring a floating town and and various local initiatives, there's so much to discover. Paddleboarding through serene mangroves, kayaking along picturesque waterways, trekking through lush rainforests starting from a coffee plantation, and mountain biking to a cacao plantation all create an unforgettable experience. It's a unique combination of adrenaline activities and fascinating learning about the area's natural and cultural heritage. This is a must-do adventure for anyone looking to immerse themselves in something truly special!

It was a great week filled with activities that ranged from hard (mountain biking uphill for me) to relaxed (gliding downstreamin the kayak). What I loved about doing this organised tour was that we got to visit towns and areas we wouldn't have chosen on our own, as they are less developed and not always easy to navigate if you dont know the language or the region. Seeing things like the floating village with insight into the everyday life of the locals was enlightening. Only thing is that in the true eco style of the organisation, some hotels were more hostels or had no aircon / hot water, and this came as a surprise. Lots of mosquitos and midges so we were all eaten alive by the end of the week, but it was worth it. We had a small group of 5 people + Sol our guide, which was lovely as way more interactive and fun! Sol was a great guide, anticipated our requests and needs early on and surprised us with amazing organisation for things she knew we would like, what a gem! Definitely recommend this trip!

We had a brilliant time exploring the Caribbean coast of Colombia with our local guides and our group leader Sol. It was great to see the diversity and undertake various activities - jewel of the trip was our homestay at Villa San Carlos.