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Best Things To Do In Santa Elena, Colombia & Medellín
Santa Elena is a picturesque mountainside town in Colombia. It’s not far from Medellín, known as Colombia’s “City of Flowers.” Travelers will find plenty of intriguing things to do in both beautiful places.
Where Are Santa Elena & Medellín?
Medellín is the largest city in Colombia’s Antioquia department, in the Aburrá Valley. It’s in the northwestern region of the country. It rests 1,495 m. (4,905 ft.) above sea level, on average.
Santa Elena is a little over 9 mi (15 km) east of Medellín. It’s situated in the Andes Mountains, with an average elevation of about 2,350 m. (7,700 ft.).
Distance From Santa Elena To Medellín
Santa Elena is 9.25 mi. (14.9 km) distant from Medellín if a person can travel directly on foot. The hike typically takes 3 hours, 21 minutes.
It’s an 11.18 mi. (18 km.) drive between the two Colombian places by car.
Best Things To Enjoy In Medellín “City of Flowers” Colombia
Explore Medellín’s culture, history, and river.
Medellín Flower Festival (Feria de las Flores)
The Medellín Flower Festival (Feria de las Flores) is a citywide party held every August. The weeklong event celebrates Medellín’s floral arts culture with competitions, concerts, displays, dance and poetry performances, and the grand Flower Growers Parade.
Check out our Guide to The Medellín Flower Festival (Feria de las Flores), to learn more about the event’s history and festivities.
House of Memory Museum (Museo Casa de la Memoria)
The House of Memory Museum is a space for processing grief and commemorating those lost to violence.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Medellín was one of the most violent cities in the world. However, in 2002, Operation Orion launched, breaking up militias and transforming the city into a place of peace and art.
To prevent violence from rising again, people of Medellín created the House of Memory Museum. Today, museum visitors can witness survivors’ testimonies, histories, and depictions of cathartic transformation. Explore displays of art, artifacts, video storytelling, and music. The museum’s theatre hosts live performances throughout the year.
Rafting on The Magdalena River
The Magdalena River is Colombia’s longest waterway, and it cuts through the heart of Medellín (including Santa Elena). Rafting tours are popular.
Thrilling whitewater rapids adventures are available for skilled adults, while easier guided expeditions explore the region’s wildlife, gold mining, history and culture.
Best Things To Do In Santa Elena, Antioquia, Colombia
Santa Elena offers visitors history, a rich culinary culture, and beautiful wildlife experiences. Here are three of the best.
Parque Arví
Parque Arví is a beautiful wildlife park and nature preserve. Its 16,000 hectares encompass rare cloud forests, wetlands, and pine forests.
Visitors can explore independently or with guides, traversing the landscape on foot, by bike, or over the canopy by cable car. Sky bridges allow for treetop exploration, gondoliers offer river tours, and trails come at all challenge levels.
Gourmet Coffee Tastings
Colombia is the third largest coffee producer in the world. The nation’s honed a reputation for specialty coffee beans, a full 40% of their production!
In Santa Elena, visitors can enjoy a wide range of gourmet coffee attractions.
Farmstay experiences offer guests the opportunity to live, plant, harvest, and brew on an authentic organic farm. Tastings with tours Andean Highlands coffee farms, teach guests the art of coffee brewing and appreciation, offering samples of highly-praised blends.
Floral Hacienda Tours
Tour centuries old estates devoted to the art of flower farming. Guests see firsthand how family-run flower farms use traditional techniques to cultivate bespoke varieties. Silleteros teach visitors about their culture’s floral arrangement arts, while guides narrate the hacienda’s history.
Experience Santa Elena & Medellín With Caravan’s Colombia Tour
Caravan’s ten-day Colombia Tour is all-inclusive. Everything from dining to events to accommodations is hand-picked by our travel directors and booked well in advance. As our guest, you’ll be freed of all travel-planning stress, so you’re set to enjoy the adventure!
To reserve your ticket, call 1-800-227-2826. Or, contact us at 1-312-321-9800 to learn more.
2025 Hotels
2025 Hotels
Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are usually rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds.
Days 1, 2, 3 • Bogotá
Bogotá Marriott Hotel
The hotel is four miles from Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport, in the city’s financial and entertainment district. The Marriott has 24 hour front desk reception, two restaurants, a bar, fitness center, indoor lap pool and full service spa. Free Wifi.
Days 4, 5, 6 • Medellín
Estelar Square Hotel
The hotel is ideally located in El Poblado, Medellin’s most exclusive area. The Estelar Square Hotel is within easy walking distance of the Santa Fe and Oviedo Malls. The hotel has 24 hour front desk reception, a restaurant, bar, rooftop pool and fitness center. Free Wifi.
Days 7, 8, 9 • Cartagena
Estelar Cartagena de Indias Hotel
The hotel is in the upscale Bocagrande neighborhood. It directly faces the beach, and is just a 20 minute walk to the Walled City of Cartagena. The hotel has 24 hour front desk reception, two restaurants and a lobby and pool bar. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, full-service spa, and beauty salon. Free Wifi.
2026 Hotels
2026 Hotels
Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are usually rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds.
Days 1, 2, 3 • Bogotá
Bogotá Marriott Hotel
The hotel is four miles from Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport, in the city’s financial and entertainment district. The Marriott has 24 hour front desk reception, two restaurants, a bar, fitness center, indoor lap pool and full service spa. Free Wifi.
Days 4, 5, 6 • Medellín
Estelar Square Hotel
The hotel is ideally located in El Poblado, Medellin’s most exclusive area. The Estelar Square Hotel is within easy walking distance of the Santa Fe and Oviedo Malls. The hotel has 24 hour front desk reception, a restaurant, bar, rooftop pool and fitness center. Free Wifi.
Days 7, 8, 9 • Cartagena
Estelar Cartagena de Indias Hotel
The hotel is in the upscale Bocagrande neighborhood. It directly faces the beach, and is just a 20 minute walk to the Walled City of Cartagena. The hotel has 24 hour front desk reception, two restaurants and a lobby and pool bar. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, full-service spa, and beauty salon. Free Wifi.
Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers
Arrival Transfers
Transfer on your own from the El Dorado International Airport (BOG) to Bogota Marriott Hotel (Av. El Dorado #69 B-53, Fontibon) in Bogota. Once you have exited customs and collected your baggage at the airport, proceed to the official taxi service known as “Imperial”. The Imperial kiosk is located as you exit baggage claims. Here you can request your taxi. The driving time from the airport to your hotel, Bogota Marriott Hotel, is approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. You can pay using US Dollars, Colombian Pesos, or with a credit card. Taxi fares range from 40,000 - 60,000 Colombian Pesos, or $15 - $20 US Dollars (depending on the exchange rate) plus tip. ATMs and a currency exchange are available at the airport. When you arrive at your hotel, please identify yourself as a Caravan tour member to the front desk personnel.
Departure Transfers
Caravan includes fixed departure transfers from your hotel to Cartagena’s Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG), scheduled to arrive at 5:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. These transfers are only available at these set times on the day the tour ends. If you extend your stay in Colombia or if you wish to go at a different time, you will need to transfer on your own, at your own expense. Please ask the hotel bellman to arrange a taxi. Fares are approximately $25 U.S. Dollars per taxi, plus tip. The driving time from the hotel to the airport is usually 15 - 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers
Arrival Transfers
Transfer on your own from the El Dorado International Airport (BOG) to Bogota Marriott Hotel (Av. El Dorado #69 B-53, Fontibon) in Bogota. Once you have exited customs and collected your baggage at the airport, proceed to the official taxi service known as “Imperial”. The Imperial kiosk is located as you exit baggage claims. Here you can request your taxi. The driving time from the airport to your hotel, Bogota Marriott Hotel, is approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. You can pay using US Dollars, Colombian Pesos, or with a credit card. Taxi fares range from 40,000 - 60,000 Colombian Pesos, or $15 - $20 US Dollars (depending on the exchange rate) plus tip. ATMs and a currency exchange are available at the airport. When you arrive at your hotel, please identify yourself as a Caravan tour member to the front desk personnel.
Departure Transfers
Caravan includes fixed departure transfers from your hotel to Cartagena’s Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG), scheduled to arrive at 5:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. These transfers are only available at these set times on the day the tour ends. If you extend your stay in Colombia or if you wish to go at a different time, you will need to transfer on your own, at your own expense. Please ask the hotel bellman to arrange a taxi. Fares are approximately $25 U.S. Dollars per taxi, plus tip. The driving time from the hotel to the airport is usually 15 - 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
Passports & Visas
Passports & Visas
To enter Colombia, US citizens need a passport valid for 6 additional months after the date of your arrival into Colombia. A 3 month tourist visa is automatically issued to U.S. citizens after clearing customs. Non U.S. citizens, please check passport and visa requirements. Note: It is recommended that children under 18 years old traveling internationally without both parents or legal guardians, carry a notarized letter of authorization signed by the missing parent(s) or guardian(s). A notarized birth certificate showing only one parent, a parent’s death certificate, or a court order of child custody may also be permissible. Failure to have proper documentation could result in denial of boarding by the airline, due to international child protection laws. See Travel Tips for more details.
Passports & Visas
Passports & Visas
To enter Colombia, US citizens need a passport valid for 6 additional months after the date of your arrival into Colombia. A 3 month tourist visa is automatically issued to U.S. citizens after clearing customs. Non U.S. citizens, please check passport and visa requirements. Note: It is recommended that children under 18 years old traveling internationally without both parents or legal guardians, carry a notarized letter of authorization signed by the missing parent(s) or guardian(s). A notarized birth certificate showing only one parent, a parent’s death certificate, or a court order of child custody may also be permissible. Failure to have proper documentation could result in denial of boarding by the airline, due to international child protection laws. See Travel Tips for more details.
Weather & Clothing
Weather & Clothing
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Bogotá | Medellín | Cartagena | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | |
| Jan | 66/44 | 1.6 | 77/62 | 4.4 | 87/76 | 0.1 |
| Feb | 66/46 | 2.6 | 77/63 | 4.6 | 87/76 | 0.1 |
| Mar | 66/48 | 4.2 | 78/63 | 5.5 | 87/77 | 0.1 |
| Apr | 65/49 | 7.7 | 78/64 | 9.3 | 87/78 | 1.0 |
| May | 65/49 | 7.8 | 78/64 | 10.5 | 88/79 | 3.4 |
| Jun | 64/48 | 5.4 | 78/63 | 8.5 | 88/79 | 3.4 |
| Jul | 63/47 | 4.0 | 78/62 | 7.5 | 88/79 | 3.6 |
| Aug | 63/47 | 3.9 | 78/62 | 8.3 | 88/79 | 4.0 |
| Sep | 64/46 | 5.1 | 78/62 | 9.1 | 88/79 | 4.8 |
| Oct | 65/47 | 7.2 | 77/63 | 10.3 | 87/78 | 6.1 |
| Nov | 65/48 | 6.0 | 77/63 | 9.3 | 87/78 | 4.3 |
| Dec | 65/46 | 3.3 | 77/63 | 6.3 | 87/77 | 1.4 |
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogotá | ||||||||||||
| temp | 66/44 | 66/46 | 66/48 | 65/49 | 65/49 | 64/48 | 63/47 | 63/47 | 64/46 | 65/47 | 65/48 | 65/46 |
| rainfall | 1.6 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 5.4 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 3.3 |
| Medellín | ||||||||||||
| temp | 77/62 | 77/63 | 78/63 | 78/64 | 78/64 | 78/63 | 78/62 | 78/62 | 78/62 | 77/63 | 77/63 | 77/63 |
| rainfall | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 9.3 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 10.3 | 9.3 | 6.3 |
| Cartagena | ||||||||||||
| temp | 87/76 | 87/76 | 87/77 | 87/78 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 87/78 | 87/78 | 87/77 |
| rainfall | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 6.1 | 4.3 | 1.4 |
Clothing Tips
This is a casual tour. Casual wear is suggested for sightseeing and daytime travelling. Dress code for evenings is casual. Suit jackets for men and dresses for women are not required. During the middle of the day, the sun is hot and bright. Caravan recommends shorts or light pants, a light shirt, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Also essential are comfortable, sturdy walking shoes with good treads. See Travel Tips for more details.
This is a casual tour. Casual wear is suggested for sightseeing and daytime travelling. Dress code for evenings is casual. Suit jackets for men and dresses for women are not required. During the middle of the day, the sun is hot and bright. Caravan recommends shorts or light pants, a light shirt, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Also essential are comfortable, sturdy walking shoes with good treads. See Travel Tips for more details.
Travel Tips & FAQs
Travel Tips & FAQs
These are only the first 10 Travel Tips. Read all 43 Travel Tips Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Free bottled water is provided on the motorcoach. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified. Virtually everything! Hotels, most meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary, airport departure transfers, gratuities to hotel porters and restaurant staff. Caravan’s professional Tour Directors and local guides will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a worry free vacation. They are fluent in English, experienced and fun, ensuring a worry-free vacation. Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Caravan Tour Director, driver, and local guides. A well-paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation. Caravan has been offering fully guided tours worldwide under the same family ownership and management since 1952. Caravan understands and truly cares about your great expectations. The farther in advance that you book, the more likely it is that your preferred tour will be open. Late bookings are welcome if the space is still available. Families are always welcome on any of our tours, but we do not have any programs specifically for or limited to families. Families can make specific requests for connecting, adjacent, triple or quad rooms, when available. Children must be at least 5 years old. Caravan Travel Protection offers peace of mind if you cancel for any reason whatsoever prior to the departure of the tour. The travel protection plan also includes air, baggage, evacuation, medical, and quarantine coverage. The cost is $129. Children age five (5) and older are welcome on tour when accompanied by an adult. Usually, children travel during the school vacation months of June, July and August, and also during spring and winter school breaks. If you are travelling with children under 18 years old without both parents or legal guardians, carry a notarized letter of authorization signed by the missing parent(s) or guardian(s). A notarized birth certificate showing only one parent, a parent’s death certificate, or a court order of child custody may also be permissible. Failure to have proper documentation could result in denial of boarding by the airline, due to international child protection laws.Are meals included?
My Tour Price Includes
My Tour Price Does Not Include
A Well-Paced Itinerary
Fully Guided Tours Since 1952
Many Tours Sell Out Each Year
Family Trips
Caravan’s $129 Travel Protection
Children on Tour
International Travel with Minors
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews
These are only the first 7 Customer Reviews. Read all 20 Customer Reviews "The tour director was wonderful. I believe she went above and beyond in taking care of her group. The hotels were top-notch. I enjoyed the tour and all of the activities." "This was a fabulous tour through a fabulous country. The tour director is a true professional, making everybody feel welcome at all times. Her attention to detail made sure that the tour went off without a hitch. The hotels were superb. The breakfasts were outstanding and plentiful. This is a superb tour. Anyone wanting to explore a country like Colombia, and not wanting to travel alone, would be well advised to take this Caravan tour." "The price for this 10-day, 3-country tour was quite affordable. The tour director and the local tour guides were phenomenal." "The tour director was lovely, the hotels were good and the meals were good. The salt mine and gold museum were interesting. We enjoyed the coffee tasting and the flower hacienda was fun and delicious." "The tour director was very personable and knowledgable. We learned alot from him and he really helped us with navigating Cartagena after the tour ended as well as recommendations during the tour. We would love to have him again, and he has great recommendations for improving future trips. We would go with him anywhere!" "The hotels were lovely, clean, comfortable and conveniently located." "Overall, I enjoyed the Columbia tour, especially experiencing all three of its most popular areas/cities. Each presented a different flavor and experience. I liked the overall city tours, the bird aviary, and the flower farm experience."
Read All 20 ReviewsClick Here to Read All 20 Customer Reviews
Why Travel with Caravan?
Why Travel with Caravan?
Excellence Since 1952
You can trust our years of experience with tours of superb quality and excellent value. Caravan has enjoyed the same family management and ownership since 1952.
Caravan Care
For your safety, Caravan cancelled most 2020 and all 2021 tour departures and refunded 100% of all payments received. See Caravan’s Covid-19 Terms of Travel.
Caravan's Proud History
In 1965, Roger Mudd hosted a two-hour CBS TV special on Caravan Tours. This TV production took about one month to make and was so successful it inspired the 1968 romantic comedy movie “If it’s Tuesday this must be Belgium.” In the early 50’s the Mayor of Dublin presented Caravan with the Key to Dublin for bringing the first American tour to the city after WWII. Since then, Caravan has been recognized as a pioneer in travel. You can trust in our stability, experience and dedication to quality.
Great Hotels
Stay at park lodges, scenic resorts, and excellent hotels in great locations. See hotel descriptions on each tour page.
Meals
Most meals included within Latin America. For USA and Canada tours, included meals are listed on each itinerary page. Bottled water is provided on motorcoaches in Latin America.
Complete Sightseeing
Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides.
Fully Guided by Tour Directors
All tours conducted from start to finish by professional tour directors, who are fluent in English, experienced, and fun.
All-inclusive
Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary page. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.
Shopping Freedom
Caravan will not bring you to overpriced shops in exchange for payments. Caravan gives you ample opportunity and time for great shopping, and the freedom to choose where and when to shop.
Great Value, Book Early
Caravan’s strong buying power gives you great vacations at prices much lower than you can find anywhere. In a typical year, most of our tours sell out quickly. Book early for the date you prefer and the best air fare.
How does Caravan Tours sell these tours for such a low cost?
Caravan delivers volume to our suppliers, who in turn reward us with their very best prices. We in turn pass these savings on to you, and you reward us by buying our tours. As volume continues to rise, we then receive even better prices from our suppliers, and we pass even greater savings on to you. This year our tours are better than ever.
Trade Association Memberships
Caravan is a member of NTA (National Tour Association), ABA (American Bus Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and ACMA (American Commerce Marketing Association).
