Gardens of Colombia: From the Caribbean to the Andes

Picture yourself out for a morning stroll beneath lush green canopies that echo with birdsong. The mist rolls off the mountain slopes as you smell the first notes of coffee brewing just a few short steps from where it was grown. It’s breakfast time in the Andes—bringing you ripe tropical fruit, savory sausages, and fried plantains to usher in another day full of sensory experiences, fascinating culture, and a rich tropical environment like no other.

Perched on the equator, the nation of Colombia is the perfect place to find comfortable year-round weather, and VBT's Colombia Discovery Tour to Medellín & the Cocora Valley is designed to do just that. Defined more by altitude than by seasons, Colombia’s mountainous regions are consistently cool, while the coastal regions offer delightfully tropical weather—perfect for enjoying the nation’s many miles of coastline on the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. With a fascinatingly diverse countryside, Colombia is a cornucopia of rich culture and vibrant ecosystems. Touted as the second most biodiverse country on Earth, Colombia is the perfect place to spot toucans, capybara, and brightly colored macaws in the jungle. It’s also home to rare and lush vegetation—including colorful orchids, the bright red flash of the scarlet flame bean, and the towering wax palm—the tallest tree in the world.

Nurturing Colombia’s National Treasure

Once sought after for the waxy resin that lines its bark, the wax palm has been harvested to near extinction. Growing to heights of up to 200 feet, this slender giant is both world’s tallest tree and a powerful symbol of Colombian identity—and is now formally protected in Columbia’s Cocora Valley. “During our visit to the Cocora Valley, we will explore a wax palm valley, and learn about the history of Colombia’s national tree,” explains Maria Vega, a Colombian friend who helped us plan the adventure. “We will also learn about the ecology of this amazing tree—and even have a chance to plant a baby wax palm and learn how to nurture it into a strong, healthy tree in the high altitude of the Andes.” Despite its protected status, the wax palm is still being felled for timber, so raising awareness of the risks to this iconic, towering palm tree is important work.

Your Dreams of Becoming a Certified Coffee Expert Are About to Come True

Of course, no Discovery tour of Colombia could possibly be complete without experiencing the fruits of its most beloved crop—coffee. Beneath the towering wax palms at the heart of the Cocora Valley lie the world’s most renowned coffee plantations. “During our visit, we’ll see the coffee beans growing on the bush,” explains Maria. “We’ll have a chance to explore the grounds and talk with the coffee growers about their techniques.” Stroll the plantation’s lush green paths and learn about growth, harvest, and roasting of coffee beans before moving into the tasting room for a deep dive into coffee roasts, flavors, and caffeinated kick. “This is a fascinating opportunity to get the inside scoop on coffee roasting in an authentic coffee laboratory,” explains Maria. “First, we’ll learn about the processes that go into making the world’s best coffee—and then we’ll get to taste and compare different roasts and brews.” Heading into the coffee tasting room, we’ll meet a coffee sommelier who leads us in a cupping workshop. “Different environmental factors can really impact the flavor of the coffee beans,” says Maria. “A coffee sommelier tastes the coffee like a wine connoisseur tastes wine—experiencing the aroma, textures, and colors as well as the flavors.” At the end of this fascinating coffee experience, you’ll be presented with a certificate attesting to your new-found coffee expertise—a wonderful keepsake and an excellent credential to show off when it comes to coffee bragging rights.

Orchids: The Colorful Blossoms of Love

As your path winds deeper into the lush green valleys of the Andes, we’ll pass tumbling waterfalls and hillside terraces bursting with tropical plants—perhaps even spotting the awe-inspiring craters of Andean volcanoes looming in the distance. A tropical region just north of the equator, the Andes is known for its vibrant tropical blooms. Here, your Colombian Trip Leader introduces you to a family with a very special story about one of the most beloved Andean treasures: orchids. “Finca Romelia was started as a labor of love,” says Maria fondly. “The land has been in the Londoño family for over 150 years—but it took on a new life after a wedding brought together two people with a common passion for orchids.” It all started when José and Marisa Londoño Arango got married and received orchids as a wedding gift—a fancy which blossomed into a pioneering path of environmental conservation and passion for the treasured blooms. Over the last 50 years, the couple has dedicated themselves to collecting, studying, and preserving orchids at Finca Romelia—now home to more than 840 species and nearly 8,000 orchid plants, with a special focus on native species. “During our visit, we’ll meet the owners and learn more about their remarkable story,” says Maria. “As we enjoy lunch together, we’ll hear about what it was like to grow up in a local coffee-growing family—and the role of orchids, hummingbirds, and other pollinators in this fragile but vibrant ecosystem.” As you stroll the colorful paths of Finca Romelia and discover these delicate and beautiful blooms, you may even find yourself discovering a fresh new passion of your own.

Gazing into the Cultural Kaleidoscope of Cartagena

Lush with rainforests, tropical fruit orchards, and access to both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, Colombia is a nation with rich culinary traditions. As we make our way to the Caribbean coast, the scenery changes, and so does the culture and cuisine. “Colombia has five distinct regions, and they all have unique characteristics,” explains Maria. “In the Caribbean region to the northeast, we find many African influences and a distinct cultural heritage—including a unique language, Palenquero.” Originally settled by people who escaped from slavery, the walled hamlet of San Basilio de Palenque is often touted as the first free village in the Americas, and has been recognized as a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Over time, as the Palenqueros migrated to nearby Cartagena, they brought their influences on art, music, and cuisine to mingle with the Spanish-influenced local culture. “Colombia’s Caribbean region is truly a fusion between Spanish and African influences,” explains Maria. “In Cartagena’s historic Barrio Getsemaní, we’ll find colorful street art depicting Colombia’s cultural fusion, quirky boutiques selling iconic emerald jewelry and mochila bags—and plenty of live music that brings a fun, jaunty atmosphere to the neighborhood.”

During your journey, you’ll find a myriad of delicacies to savor—including pescado en coco, a dish made with fresh fish simmered in coconut milk, as well as deep fried empanadas, and arepas stuffed with meat or cheese. One of the most delicious ways to experience the delightful fusion of African, Caribbean, and Spanish cultures is through its cuisine. “In Cartagena, you’ll find many dishes prepared with fresh fish and tropical fruits. As we explore Barrio Getsemaní, we’ll meet with a local chef who shows us how to prepare iconic Caribbean dishes while also introducing us to the fascinating culture of the region.” As we explore this vibrant neighborhood, your Colombian Trip Leader will introduce you to the colorful street art, up-tempo music, and charismatic local people that make Barrio Getsemaní—and Colombia as a whole—a must-see for any serious traveler.