Itinerary

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Dates and order of activities are likely to change, but the activities themselves will likely remain consistent.

MAY 6 – BOISE

You will be taking a redeye (overnight) flight from Boise to Bogotá, with a 4-hour stop in Atlanta. That will be plenty of time to eat, rest for a bit, and find your connecting flight. For more flight details, go to Flights.

MAY 7 – BOGOTÁ

Daniel and Amanda will be there with a driver to pick all passengers up.

We will have lunch ready at the house once we get home from the airport. The plan is to take it easy on the first day so your body has a chance to acclimate to the high elevation.

DonDoh is a Japanese steakhouse and Daniel’s favorite restaurant in Bogotá. See the menu here.

MAY 8 – BOGOTÁ

Paloquemao Market is a large indoor-outdoor market known as “the sweetest market on earth.” Colombia is the second-most biodiverse country in the world, and a fruit tour at Paloquemao is the perfect way to showcase that. We will eat both fruits and light snacks/dishes throughout the tour so no need for breakfast. We have been on this tour several times and yet Victor, the tour guide, always makes it feel special. See more info at his Instagram page fruittour.bogota.

Lunch spot TBD

Tejo Tumerque is a casual spot where we can try out Colombia’s national sport: tejo. The game is simple and fun: you toss a metal disc (called a tejo) at a clay board that has small paper triangles filled with gunpowder. Hit one, and it pops! It’s loud, surprising, and safer than it sounds.

Tumerque serves drinks and delicious dishes like chicharron and Colombian empanadas. It’s a great way to experience a uniquely Colombian tradition together in a safe and fun setting.

MAY 9 – BOGOTÁ

We’ll have breakfast egg sandwiches at home

We’ll take a 2 hour walking tour through Plaza Bolívar and the surrounding streets of La Candelaria. Plaza Bolívar is the political and historical center of Colombia, surrounded by landmark buildings like the Capitol, cathedral, and old government offices. From there, we’ll wander through nearby streets filled with colonial architecture, murals, small plazas, and hidden corners that tell the story of Bogotá. It’s an easy-paced walk focused on history, culture, and taking in the city’s oldest neighborhood. Bring comfortable shoes.

We’ll stop for a light lunch in La Candelaria, the historic center of Bogotá. This area is known for its colorful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and a strong mix of history, art, and everyday local life.

Eliu and Daniel will attend the STYG and Bane concert. The kids and wives will have an alternative activity or will chill at home, whichever the group prefers.

MAY 10 – BOGOTÁ

We’ll start the day at Abasto, a well-loved café in Usaquén known for fresh, local food. It’s a good spot for a slow morning—coffee, eggs, arepas, and a nice setting to ease into the day.

After breakfast, we’ll explore the Usaquén market. It’s a mix of handmade crafts, jewelry, art, and snacks, set along cobblestone streets and an old plaza. Worth a stroll—even if we don’t buy anything, it’s a fun place to see local life and people-watch.

For lunch, we’ll head to Mercado de La Perseverancia, a food market in Bogotá known for its variety of traditional Colombian dishes. Each stall is run by a local cook, many of whom have been serving regional specialties for decades. It’s a great place to sample flavors from across Colombia all in one place—everything from ajiaco (Bogotá’s signature soup) to bandeja paisa, arepas, fresh juices, and more.

Everyone can choose what they like, so it’s also a great option for different tastes.

If the schedule lines up, we’ll catch a Millonarios match—Bogotá’s most iconic soccer team and a national favorite. The game is held at El Campín Stadium. It’s a great way to experience Colombian sports culture up close.

We’ll try to get tickets in one of the private boxes (palcos) so we can enjoy the match with extra comfort and a good view. For regular tickets, there is a minimum age of 5 years old. I am not sure if that applies to the private boxes. Either way, the baby will stay home with our night nurse (who is highly credentialed and embassy-investigated/approved) and—if Ezra can’t come to the game—Ezra can also stay with her if you all are comfortable with that.

MAY 11 – CARTAGENA

We will head to the Bogotá airport for our flight to Cartagena. We’ll have a light snack at the airport lounge.

For full details of our flight to Cartagena, go to Flights.

We will go straight from the Cartagena airport to the InterContinental Hotel.

Breakfast at Epoca

We will spend a couple hours relaxing by the pool. We can sit in a cabana, order food and drinks, swim, and tan.

In the late afternoon, we’ll take a leisurely walk through Cartagena’s Walled City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and colorful buildings draped in bougainvillea. This is the heart of historic Cartagena.

We’ll take our time wandering the narrow streets, popping into a few small shops or cafés, and soaking in the coastal breeze. It’s the perfect time of day for photos and getting a feel for the rhythm of the city before dinner.

Location TBD

MAY 12 – CARTAGENA

We’ll have breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

We will visit one of the local beaches, likely Baru. The men may go boating/snorkeling while the women and young kids stay at the beach. Logistics are still being worked on.

Dinner TBD

MAY 13 – CARTAGENA

We’ll have breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

For full details of our flight to Bogotá, go to Flights.

We will have dinner at home. Menu TBD.

MAY 14 – BOGOTÁ

We will go to Les Amis or Brot, two of our favorite bakeries in the city.

Towering over Bogotá at over 10,000 feet above sea level, Monserrate offers some of the best panoramic views of the city. We’ll take a funicular (cable train) or a gondola up the steep mountain, where there’s a church, walking paths, small cafés, and plenty of photo-worthy views.

It’s a peaceful spot that locals and visitors alike enjoy—great for a slow morning or sunset visit. Because of the altitude, we’ll take it easy and enjoy the scenery, grab a warm drink, and maybe pick up a souvenir from one of the small market stands at the top.

For lunch, we’ll head to Mercado de La Perseverancia, a food market in Bogotá known for its variety of traditional Colombian dishes. Each stall is run by a local cook, many of whom have been serving regional specialties for decades. It’s a great place to sample flavors from across Colombia all in one place—everything from ajiaco (Bogotá’s signature soup) to bandeja paisa, arepas, fresh juices, and more.

Everyone can choose what they like, so it’s also a great option for different tastes.

We will take it easy for the rest of the day and you’ll have some time to pack before the flight the next day.

MAY 15 – BOGOTÁ

The night before we’ll pack breakfast egg sandwiches so you don’t go to the airport hungry.

Daniel will go with the family to the airport so they can check their luggage and know where to go more smoothly and efficiently.

For full details of your return flight to Boise, go to Flights.