NextTribe Discovery Call: Questions about this or any other trip? Click here to schedule a phone call with Jeannie Edmunds, COO of NextTribe.
From Medellín's eternal spring to Cartagena's Caribbean glow — Colombia is having its NextTribe moment.
Colombia's turnaround is one of travel's great comeback stories — and after eight days here, you'll wonder why it took the rest of the world so long to notice.
We're gathering a small tribe of adventurous women to explore two of the country's most electric cities: Medellín, the mountain metropolis that reinvented itself street by street, and Cartagena, the walled Caribbean beauty that's been seducing travelers for 500 years. In between, you'll hike coffee farms with the modern-day heirs of Juan Valdez, learn to move to a vallenato beat, and make a bracelet alongside single mothers who are building their own businesses, one bead at a time.
NextTribe Members receive $100 off this (and any) trip.
This is the Colombia most travelers never see — not a country to rush through, but one to sink into: mountain by mountain, plate by plate, new friend by new friend.
~ Small groups—women 45+ ~ Solo travelers welcome
~ Led by a woman our age ~ Aging boldly since 2017
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Colombia is unfamiliar to many people outside of South America, and it can be daunting to plan a solo trip there. That's exactly why we built this trip the way we did.
Will I be the only one traveling solo?
Not even close. Most women on a NextTribe trip come by themselves. You're not the exception here — you're the rule.
Do I have to share a room?
No. A single room is available for those who'd rather have their own space the single supplement applies. If you'd rather reduce the cost — and maybe make a fast friend — let us know and we'll help pair you with a roommate.
Will I feel like the odd one out among pairs or groups of friends?
Honestly, no. Our days are built around shared meals, group activities, and plenty of built-in conversation starters, so introductions happen naturally — usually before you've even unpacked.
What if I want some time to myself?
Take it, guilt-free. The itinerary has breathing room built in, and no one will blink if you skip an optional stop for a nap, a walk, or a quiet coffee.
How do I meet people before the trip even starts?
We are all about plugging in as soon as possible. We have a WhatsApp group just for your trip, so you can share info and ask questions of your fellow travel mates. Also, we'll have a Meet and Greet a few weeks before the trip so friendly faces will feel more familiar before you even land.
Is it safe for a woman traveling alone to join?
You're never really alone once you're with us. An English-speaking guide and a small group of women are with you throughout, and both Medellín and Cartagena are well-established, tourism-ready cities.
We visited two vibrant cities in Colombia’s diverse landscape, Medellin in the mountains and Cartagena at the beach, and experienced their rich culture and history. From the family-owned flower farm and coffee plantation, to the the women’s empowerment projects, to the food market and all the fine dining…it was immensely gratifying to see the pride and dedication of these beautiful people.
- Mary Lou M.
I really didn't know much about Colombia before the trip. Our tour guides and country experts, Lee and Victoria, were OUTSTANDING! We learned so much about the history of Colombia, its people, art and architecture, and we had amazing food. Medellin and Cartagena offered two wonderful and unique experiences of the country. These NextTribe trips always broaden your horizons.
- Melanie A.
A City Restored, Not Just Preserved. Cartagena's UNESCO-listed Old City isn't a museum piece — it's alive, its ancient stone walls and candy-colored balconies framing a city that still knows how to throw a party.
Flavors Worth the Flight. Hands-on cooking classes and long, unhurried dinners will have you mastering Caribbean classics and understanding why Colombians talk about food the way the French talk about wine.
Eternal Spring, Actual Bliss. Medellín's famously perfect climate means more time outdoors — riding cable cars over the mountains and wandering a street-art scene that rivals any big-city gallery.
Island Time. White sand, turquoise water, zero agenda. Consider this your permission slip to do absolutely nothing for a day.
Friendships That Outlast the Suntan. Meet the Colombian women reshaping their communities — through jewelry-making, boxing, coffee, and sheer will — and the women in your own group who'll become the friends you call from the airport on your next trip.
Is Colombia safe?
Medellín and Cartagena are both well-traveled, tourism-ready cities, and you're with an English-speaking guide and a great group from touchdown to takeoff. Use the same common sense you'd use in any major city, and you'll be just fine.
What's the fitness level required?
Moderate. Expect cobblestone streets, some hills, and a fair amount of walking on tour days — nothing that requires training, but comfortable shoes are non-negotiable.
Will I be the oldest — or youngest — person there?
Unlikely. NextTribe travelers tend to be adventurous women in their late 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, so you'll find plenty of company wherever you land on that range.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not a word. Guides are English-speaking throughout, though a well-timed “gracias” will earn you extra smiles.
What should I pack?
Light layers for Medellín's spring-like days and cooler evenings, breezier pieces for Cartagena's heat, comfortable walking shoes, a swimsuit for island day, and shoes you can dance in for Day Five.
Do I need to come with someone?
Not at all. Women come with friends, sisters, or completely alone. The group dynamic works beautifully either way — and solo travelers often tell us it's the best decision they ever made.
Will I know anyone?
Probably not going in. Almost certainly yes by day two. It happens on every single trip — that's not marketing, it's just what this kind of travel does.
What's included?
All accommodations, all meals except one lunch, ground transportation, guided excursions, domestic flight between Medellin and Cartagena, and your NextTribe trip leader throughout. International flights not included.
What if I need to cancel?
Full refund up to 90 days out (except for your deposit, which can be applied to another trip). We recommend trip protection insurance for added peace of mind — and we're happy to point you toward options.
Need to know more? Click here to schedule a discovery phone call with Jeannie Edmunds, our NextTribe COO.
Activity Level 3: Be ready to walk between 10,000 and 15,000 steps a day, some of that on cobblestone and uneven surfaces. Be aware that the elevation in Medellin is 4,900 feet. Everyone must be able to handle their own luggage.
Victoria was born in Colombia and has lived in the US for many years. She has a BA and MA in anthropology, history, and Latin American studies, and is able to offer both historical and personal context to the sights and culture of Colombia
Your adventure starts the moment you land. An English-speaking guide will meet you and whisk you off to Patio del Mundo, a French-restored villa turned boutique hotel tucked into the heart of Medellín, all lush gardens and knockout views. Consider it your soft landing into “the city of eternal spring.”
Tonight, we gather for the first of many meals worth remembering — introductions, easy conversation, and the unmistakable feeling that this trip is going to be a good one.
Spend your first morning getting to know Medellín's artistic soul. At Plaza Botero, meet the round, unapologetic sculptures of native son Fernando Botero, then dig deeper into the city's cultural story at the Museum of Antioquia.
From there, do as the locals do: hop the Metro to Acevedo Station and let a cable car lift you over the city and into the clouds, toward Parque Arví. (Yes, your commute today comes with mountain views.)
A private bus carries you up to Santa Elena, a mountain village where Carmen and José welcome you to their organic flower farm — a fragrant, unhurried afternoon steeped in the traditions that make this region bloom, literally.
Today is about the people building Colombia's future. At Mi Barrio Mi Sueño (“My Neighborhood, My Dream”), you'll meet single mothers who've turned jewelry-making into micro-businesses — and make your own bracelet alongside them. Then it's on to the Barrio Boxing project, where free lessons are building self-esteem (and biceps) block by block.
From there, head to Comuna 13, once one of Medellín's most dangerous neighborhoods and now a riot of street art, music, and outdoor escalators climbing a hillside gallery. Few places tell Colombia's story of resilience better than this one.Today focuses on inspiring community initiatives. Visit Mi Barrio Mi Sueño (My Neighborhood, My Dream), a nonprofit organization running several women's empowerment projects.
Learn about their jewelry program, where single mothers master craft techniques to launch micro-businesses. You'll create your own bracelet alongside these entrepreneurial women and discover their Barrio Boxing project, which builds self-esteem and promotes health through free boxing lessons.
Turns out Juan Valdez wasn't just a mustache and a mule — he's real, and today you'll meet his modern-day counterparts. In Envigado, just outside Medellín, hike through fragrant coffee plantations, learn what sustainable growing actually looks like, and taste beans that rarely leave the country.
Then it's on to a nearby organic farm run by an inspiring Colombian woman who's built her own agro-ecological retreat — part working farm, part wellness escape. Sip a welcome herbal drink, wander the gardens and orchards, and take in mountain panoramas in a setting equal parts rustic and refined.
Trade Medellín's mountain air for Caribbean sizzle. After settling into your hotel and grabbing lunch, set out on a walking tour through Cartagena's UNESCO World Heritage old town, where your guide unpacks the layered history — Romanesque, Moorish, colonial, Arab — written into every archway and balcony.
Then it's time to move: an evening dance class puts salsa, merengue, vallenato, and champeta in your hips, prepping you for a Cartagena night out that runs later than you planned.
Trip leader Victoria Reyes leads you through Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, Cartagena's fortress landmark, its tunnels and watchtowers still holding centuries of battle stories and engineering feats.
Work up an appetite — because this afternoon, you're cooking. A hands-on class in Caribbean classics like fresh seafood and coconut rice reveals the dishes Cartageneros are fiercely, deliciously proud of.
Today, the only agenda is the sand. Isla Bella, in the Rosario Islands, delivers a private, protected bay of white sand and glassy water. Kayaking and lunch are included; snorkeling and a waterfront massage are yours if you want them. (You'll want them.)
One last Caribbean morning to soak in the sun and let the trip settle in your bones. When it's time, we'll get you comfortably to the airport — with new friendships, new stories, and a country you'll be recommending to everyone for years.
You will fly into Medellin (MDE).
Please arrive by 2:00 PM. An English-speaking guide will warmly welcome you and transport you to our hotel. If you arrive early, you will be responsible for your own transfer.
No Visa is required for US citizens.
Departure Airport will be Cartagena (CTG) and you may book your flight out anytime that day. Transportation to the airport will be provided if you depart the day the trip ends.
We require all international travelers to purchase travel insurance. We strongly recommend trip protection insurance to protect your investment.
You will be receiving periodic communications from us leading up to departure with other important details included. If you have any questions, you can contact our travel manager, Marcy, at travel@nexttribe.com
Legal Stuff: For complete terms of service, see below
Inclusions:
7 Nights Lodging
5 Dinners
6 Lunches
7 Breakfasts
Ground Transportation
All domestic flights as mentioned
Airport Transfers for international flights, if you arrive and depart when the trip begins and ends. If you arrive early or stay later, you are responsible for your own transfer.
Airport Transfer for domestic flight
All activities noted in the itinerary
A NextTribe host with you through out your trip
A curated Enrichment Guide that helps you prepare for the adventure
Exclusions:
Roundtrip Airfare
Meals not mentioned
Alcohol not mentioned above
Travel Insurance
Optional Activities
Gratuities to local guides, drivers, maids and hotel staff, travel insurance, round trip airfare, passport and visa fees, personal items such as phone calls, laundry, baggage fees and items not expressly listed as included.
For most of history, women past child-bearing years were basically put out to pasture. This was happening even in our mothers’ time. We call bullshit on that. We believe we are at a peak in so many ways and are devoted to helping women our age live the richest, most kick-ass lives possible.
We do that by informing, promoting and connecting women–through our magazine, through our member community and through the transformative experiences of travel.
So many travel choices…so little time. You could spend days and days trying to put together just the right combination of destination, activities, and price.
Or you could stop shopping and start traveling with us for something that feels like the greatest girlfriend trip ever–even if you come solo. We specialize in experiences that deeply connect you to other women–travelers and locals–and create life-lasting memories. Experiences you can’t get on your own. And do it all with flexible payment options.
This video will tell you if you’re a good fit for a NextTribe trip. We are proud that we’ve become known for how quickly and deeply our groups of women bond on our trips. One of our rules: No divas, please.
For more information, please contact our travel manager at travel@nexttribe.com