Colombia March 2024

[Plannerwithaplan]

Arriving early to give yourselves time to adjust is definitely a great idea. Unless you arrive late evening, I *highly* recommend getting out and walking around, getting fresh air and sunshine, and try to stay up as close as you can to a reasonably "normal" bedtime. I've personally found this helped the most with jetlag. Naps were the death of me. Staying well hydrated helps, too.

Sayhello

We arrive after midnight so by the time we get to the hotel, checked in, and ready for bed, it will probably be like 2 am. But we will be on Pacific time so it will still be late for us, but not middle of the night late. We figure we will get up by 10am to get breakfast in the hotel, then we have a tour scheduled for 11am so we figured that will get us up and moving. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Plannerwithaplan]

I just returned from the Colombia ABD. This was my first solo trip as my daughter was unavailable due to work (she's adulting! ) and the first ABD in Colombia. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The guides, the group, the food, the places visited were all great. I wish it had been a day or two longer.

Since you've been on many ABDs, do you feel like the quality has gone down over time (something that seems to be hinted at a bit on here) or did you enjoy the Colombia ABD as much as the others?

 

[AddictedtoTravel]

Since you've been on many ABDs, do you feel like the quality has gone down over time (something that seems to be hinted at a bit on here) or did you enjoy the Colombia ABD as much as the others?

I think you'll see lots of opinions on this. For me the quality of the trips and the diversity of activities remains high. I think there is something special on the first trips one takes partly because it's new and exciting. Over time you get more familiar with the rhythm and know what to expect. I find these trips are a great way to see a tremendous amount in a short period of time with a bit of magic thrown in. I've been able to do as many as I have because it's just me and my daughter and has been since she was one. We were fortunate to travel quite a bit pre ABD and in addition to the price for 2 being more reasonable than that for a larger family, it's nice to have other people to travel with. Don't get me wrong we get along great but it's good to have others to talk to

 

[Plannerwithaplan]

I think you'll see lots of opinions on this. For me the quality of the trips and the diversity of activities remains high. I think there is something special on the first trips one takes partly because it's new and exciting. Over time you get more familiar with the rhythm and know what to expect. I find these trips are a great way to see a tremendous amount in a short period of time with a bit of magic thrown in. I've been able to do as many as I have because it's just me and my daughter and has been since she was one. We were fortunate to travel quite a bit pre ABD and in addition to the price for 2 being more reasonable than that for a larger family, it's nice to have other people to travel with. Don't get me wrong we get along great but it's good to have others to talk to

That makes tons of sense to go with a group tour when it is just the two of you. I'm glad that you find the quality and diversity to remain high. I am sure we will enjoy it seeing as it is our first ABD.

Packing question for you: For the Proyecto Titi, Cocora Valley hike, and coffee farm excursions, am I correct in assuming that we should be wearing hiking-type clothes because we can expect to get dirty? Or will regular casual clothes be fine for all of them? And do we need to wear long sleeve/long pants there due to mosquitos? The photos I have seen from your trip seem to indicate yes, but the temps in Cartagena and the Coffee Region seem so high that I am tempted to wear short sleeve shirts and shorts. Which do you think we should put on our packing list?

 

[AddictedtoTravel]

That makes tons of sense to go with a group tour when it is just the two of you. I'm glad that you find the quality and diversity to remain high. I am sure we will enjoy it seeing as it is our first ABD.

Packing question for you: For the Proyecto Titi, Cocora Valley hike, and coffee farm excursions, am I correct in assuming that we should be wearing hiking-type clothes because we can expect to get dirty? Or will regular casual clothes be fine for all of them? And do we need to wear long sleeve/long pants there due to mosquitos? The photos I have seen from your trip seem to indicate yes, but the temps in Cartagena and the Coffee Region seem so high that I am tempted to wear short sleeve shirts and shorts. Which do you think we should put on our packing list?

The hikes are easy and on well maintained trails. The Proyecto Titi is in an area with mosquitos and if it's during the rainy season they will have rubber boots for you to wear. We didn't need them. The guides will have repellent for the bugs but a light weight long sleeve shirt and pants were worth having, as was a hat, the sun is intense.

 

[Plannerwithaplan]

The hikes are easy and on well maintained trails. The Proyecto Titi is in an area with mosquitos and if it's during the rainy season they will have rubber boots for you to wear. We didn't need them. The guides will have repellent for the bugs but a light weight long sleeve shirt and pants were worth having, as was a hat, the sun is intense.

So do we need the long sleeves and pants only for Proyecto Titi or for all three of these? I will definitely pack a hat but want to know how many shorts v pants to bring.

 

[AddictedtoTravel]

So do we need the long sleeves and pants only for Proyecto Titi or for all three of these? I will definitely pack a hat but want to know how many shorts v pants to bring.

I wore long pants and brought a long sleeve light weight shirt to all three. I looked back at my pictures and the only time I wore shorts was in Cartagena. It was a bit chilly in Bogota and the coffee region.

 

[Plannerwithaplan]

I wore long pants and brought a long sleeve light weight shirt to all three. I looked back at my pictures and the only time I wore shorts was in Cartagena. It was a bit chilly in Bogota and the coffee region.

Thanks. When I looked up the weather in Corcora Valley it said the high is in the 80s all year long which is why I was thinking shorts and short sleeves. So glad to have this board and for your help in figuring out our packing list!

 

[MeDisney]

I just read a trip review on the book of faces from a family on the Colombia adventure and it looks absolutely amazing! We have not done an ABD yet but hoping to soon and so far Costa Rica, Galapagos and now Colombia are all on the list...decisions decisions

How can I access this trip review?

 

[bcwife76]

How can I access this trip review?

It was in a Facebook group from several weeks ago. I can't even remember which group but we aren't allowed to link to other social media sites here, sorry

 

[Plannerwithaplan]

It was in a Facebook group from several weeks ago. I can't even remember which group but we aren't allowed to link to other social media sites here, sorry

I found it when I searched for #adventuresbydisneycolombia or #abdcolombia or something like that. Try it and maybe you will run across it.

 

[Plannerwithaplan]

How can I access this trip review?

I just got back from this trip if you are interested in learning more, just let me know.

 

[MeDisney]

I just got back from this trip if you are interested in learning more, just let me know.

Thank you! How was the food for vegetarians? Is there laundry available? How were the internal flights if we only bring carryons? How are the rooms for triple occupancy?

 

[MeDisney]

I found it when I searched for #adventuresbydisneycolombia or #abdcolombia or something like that. Try it and maybe you will run across it.

Wow great idea. Thank you.

 

[Plannerwithaplan]

Thank you! How was the food for vegetarians? Is there laundry available? How were the internal flights if we only bring carryons? How are the rooms for triple occupancy?

So many great questions, but I sadly don't have many answers. I will try though.

1. I am not a vegetarian nor was anyone else on our trip but I did hear them discuss vegetarian options a few times but didn't pay much attention.

2. We stayed in three different hotels and I don't think any of them had self-service laundry available, but I believe laundry could be sent out for an additional charge.

3. I'm not sure what you meant re: the internal flights and carryons. We both checked bags and had carryons. ABD allows one checked bag, one carryon, and one personal item per person.

4. We are a family of four so we had two rooms in each hotel. The rooms were quite spacious and each had two beds. Not sure if you are looking for three beds though.

Feel free to send more questions or follow-up questions my way! It was really a great trip and it was our first ABD so it was quite special.

 

[MeDisney]

So many great questions, but I sadly don't have many answers. I will try though.

1. I am not a vegetarian nor was anyone else on our trip but I did hear them discuss vegetarian options a few times but didn't pay much attention.

2. We stayed in three different hotels and I don't think any of them had self-service laundry available, but I believe laundry could be sent out for an additional charge.

3. I'm not sure what you meant re: the internal flights and carryons. We both checked bags and had carryons. ABD allows one checked bag, one carryon, and one personal item per person.

4. We are a family of four so we had two rooms in each hotel. The rooms were quite spacious and each had two beds. Not sure if you are looking for three beds though.

Feel free to send more questions or follow-up questions my way! It was really a great trip and it was our first ABD so it was quite special.

Thank you!

I found the reviews the other post mentioned. It does look like lots of fruits and veggies on this trip.

How strict were the internal flights with carry on size and weight? Did they measure or weight them before you boarded? International airlines can sometimes be strict.

Are vaccinations required for this trip? Specifically yellow fever?

Is there a need to have local currency for shopping or tipping the local guide?

 

[Plannerwithaplan]

Thank you!

I found the reviews the other post mentioned. It does look like lots of fruits and veggies on this trip.

How strict were the internal flights with carry on size and weight? Did they measure or weight them before you boarded? International airlines can sometimes be strict.

Are vaccinations required for this trip? Specifically yellow fever?

Is there a need to have local currency for shopping or tipping the local guide?

I don't recall the carry on size and weight being checked but not sure. We had Avianca for all internal flights.

No vaccines were required but we did get yellow fever and typhoid vaccines to be sure, as well as Hep A (we already had Hep B). My husband took antimalarial medications and meds to prevent altitude sickness. We did get bitten by a lot of mosquitoes but they always love me so I wasn't surprised. But at no time did anyone ask for any proof of vaccines so it is just up to you if you want to risk it. I probably would have gone without but hubby has a lot of medical anxiety so that is why we did it. Plus yellow fever is lifelong so I figured, why not.

A bit of local currency is good to have but I took less than $100. Local guide can be tipped in either currency but you can always use the ATM at the last hotel to take out what you need.

 

[MeDisney]

I don't recall the carry on size and weight being checked but not sure. We had Avianca for all internal flights.

No vaccines were required but we did get yellow fever and typhoid vaccines to be sure, as well as Hep A (we already had Hep B). My husband took antimalarial medications and meds to prevent altitude sickness. We did get bitten by a lot of mosquitoes but they always love me so I wasn't surprised. But at no time did anyone ask for any proof of vaccines so it is just up to you if you want to risk it. I probably would have gone without but hubby has a lot of medical anxiety so that is why we did it. Plus yellow fever is lifelong so I figured, why not.

A bit of local currency is good to have but I took less than $100. Local guide can be tipped in either currency but you can always use the ATM at the last hotel to take out what you need.

Thank you so much for this information!

 

[Plannerwithaplan]

How can I access this trip review?

I just posted my trip report if you want to read/see a glimpse of the trip https://www.disboards.com/threads/colombia-trip-report-june-2024.3950110/