Encanto Inspired Colombia Itinerary
Encanto is adored and loved for its stunning and vibrant colors, fearless and relatable characters, and for its catchy music. This beloved movie is based in the enchanting country of Colombia, a wonderful destination for families with its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes ranging from lush rainforests to pristine beaches, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes it perfect for exploring together.
If you haven’t seen the movie 2021 Disney movie Encanto yet, it’s set in the magical mountains of Colombia, closely modeled after the Cocora Valley. In the film, each of the Madrigal children has been blessed with a unique gift, except Mirabel. But, when the Casa Madrigal (the family’s magical house) starts to lose its magic, Mirabel steps up and tries to find a way to bring the magic back and save the house.
Traveling with kids, but especially out of the country, can be overwhelming. If it’s your first time taking an international trip, you may have a lot of questions. We have wonderful resources for family travel on our blog and Instagram account.
Don’t fret! You will be able to thoroughly enjoy Colombia and all of the exciting things it offers with your entire family by following this suggested itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival
When flying internationally into Cartagena, Colombia from the US, you’re most likely going to arrive in the morning to mid-afternoon. For the first day, I would recommend not overbooking or over planning the rest of the day.
Taking the time to tour Old Town Is the perfect activity to stretch your legs and adjust to any time change. Cartagena is a historic town known for its vibrant colors, crystal-clear water and sand, its beaches, charming shops, and scrumptious restaurants. You may be a little jet lagged, so take some time adjusting, while also exploring the rich history, culture, and amazing architecture this town has to offer. While walking through the cobblestone streets of Cartagena, you may see architecture that looks a little familiar to Encanto (it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after all!) If so, be excited! The Casa Madrigal got its looks from the stunning architecture found in this city.
Overnight in Cartagena
Day 2
This will be your first full day in Colombia and it’s filled with many fun adventures. If you didn’t have the chance to visit the incredible architectural sites Cartagena has to offer yesterday, I suggest visiting San Pedro Claver Cathedral, Castillo San Felipe Fort, or Plaza Santo Domingo in the morning while the temperatures are cooler and there are fewer crowds.
After taking some time to see these sites, wander through the city to the Getsemani neighborhood. This colorful neighborhood is famous for its breathtaking murals—transforming the sides of buildings into beautiful works of art and lively streets filled with many talented local artists. Be on the lookout for street art, performers, and delicious restaurants.
By now, it’s time to fuel up. There is no wrong answer for what restaurant you should choose, but some well-loved ones are Restaurant Mama-Nilma Pizzeria, Restaurante Kazabe, Stefano’s Bistro, EMEkitcken, and Restaurante Marea.
If you have room for dessert, I highly recommend going on a chocolate-tasting experience in the walled city of Cartagena. A sweet and delicious end to a fun day of exploring new places.
Overnight in Cartagena
Day 3
Another one of the sites that helped inspire Encanto was the historical landmark San Felipe de Barajas Fort, which is located in Cartagena. This fortress is a castle that was built in 1536 and features tunnels and other defense mechanisms that were used to defend against invaders, looters, and pirates. There’s a lot to see at this UNESCO Heritage Site so make sure to wear your walking shoes!
After wandering through the castle, leisurely make your way to Plaza de La Trinidad to grab some lunch. This is home to many restaurants and you’re bound to find some kind of entertainment, including dancers, acrobats, jugglers, and musicians. If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat instead of a sit down restaurant, this plaza is the perfect spot to grab some local street food. You’ll find many captivating murals and colorful buildings, making it a fun place to roam around.
Overnight in Cartagena
Day 4
Begin the day by heading to the Casa Museo La Presentación. This is an art gallery that’s housed inside a large building that has a courtyard filled with palm trees. Various artists’ works are featured here and during your visit, if you want a refreshment, there’s a cafe that serves pastries and Colombian coffee. There’s also a shop that sells local crafts and after you explore the mini-exhibitions, there is an event space that is the melting pot of poetry, music, art, and much more!
Then, if you’re up to see more artwork, the NH Galería is only a 9-minute walk and is located in the heart of the city center. The Galería partners with the Nohra Haime Gallery in NYC and together they can have a constant rotation of stimulating exhibits that showcase renowned and up-and-coming artists. This gallery is home to sculptures, paintings, and photography!
Then, for the next three days, you’ll be spending them in La Boquilla and Bocagrande. It takes around 25 minutes to get there by taxi or car.
Overnight in Bocagrande
Day 5
La Boquilla is a fishing village in Colombia and is known for its Afro-Carribean roots. At the end of 2019, this beach was recognized for achieving and maintaining high standards of pure bathing water, high safety equipment, and exhibiting protocols that are sustainable.
Enjoy the day by eating lunch by the water at one of the 44 restaurants that work hard to offer diverse food and drink options. It’s recommended to get the “catch of the day”, which will come with coconut rice and plantain patacones. You will also find fruit sellers who have an abundance of refreshing, fresh fruit, including e mango, bananas, pineapple, watermelon, and papayas. Then, towards the afternoon, the sellers transition to walking around with traditional sweets. Have a taste of Colombian desserts by indulging in caballitos (papaya sweets), cocadas, alegrías (corn and coconut sweets), caballitos (papaya sweets), or enyucados (cassava and coconut sweets).
Have you ever wanted to try kite surfing or paddle boarding? You’re in luck! The wind is strong in La Boquilla all year long, and because of this, there are schools that specialize in lessons and offer courses for beginners that range from 1, 2, and 5 hours!
Overnight in Bocagrande
Day 6
Today you will explore Cienaga de La Virgen. This is a 193-square-mile lagoon located on the coast and is connected to the city bay through internal lakes and pipes. La Cienega is a forest that has three different mangrove species, blue crabs, and dozens of fascinating bird species such as the cattle egret, scarlet ibis, and the northern shoveler. A little tip: the best time to spot native and migratory birds is at dawn or in the late afternoon.
You’ll most likely be on a canoe to enter the forest and along your way, you’ll be educated about the stories the animals and mangroves hold. Some tours even offer the option to plant mangrove seedlings, helping the forest grow! The tour will last for around 2-4 hours depending on who you booked your reservation with.
Overnight in Bocagrande
Day 7
Today is a great day to spend the way exploring Bocagrande, a neighborhood located in Cartagena. There are many things to do and see here. One option is to book a tour, but specifically, a day pass. Blue Apple Beach, a beach resort located on the island of Boca Chica (only able to be accessed by boat), offers a day pass where you can get a round-trip water taxi from the main port located near the Walled City. For $25 a person, you’ll be taken to the beach club (which also doubles as a boutique hotel), where you’ll have exceptional service and eat delicious drinks, appetizers, and entrees. I recommend choosing the 5:30 pm water taxi for your return as you’ll be able to enjoy the sunset from the boat, which will be stunning to see.
Overnight in Bocagrande
Day 8
Start the day early in the morning by traveling by bus, taxi, a serene boat ride, or even via plane to the beautiful peninsula of Isla Barú located in Colombia. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get there and if you are interested in the boat ride option, you can look into booking the boat transfer through a hotel such as the Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel in Cartagena.
After enjoying some lunch, enjoy the warm weather and the beach. Something to note is certain beaches here are either private or are a part of hotel complexes. A few of the popular ones are Punta Iguana, Playa Bobo, Playa Blanca, and Puerto Naito.
Finish the evening by taking a self-guided walking tour of one of the beaches near Cholón. Here, you will be taken aback by the bioluminescent plankton which are seen to shimmer in the waters. Have fun watching their captivating glow found in the peaceful waves with your kiddos!
Overnight in Isla Baru
Day 9
For your last day in Colombia, we’re getting back into our Encanto movie roots. Are you and your children as enchanted with Antonio’s magical rainforest as my daughter and I are? If so, I recommend visiting the Aviario Nacional de Colombia. This aviary is known for having about 1,800 birds from around 160 different species. Be transported into the world of Encanto by visiting this colorful habitat that’s home to stunning parrots, peacocks, and flamingos.
The tour normally takes around 2-3 hours and you can learn more about the conservation and their mission here! And, if you want to get the full experience, try catching the live bird shows which take place at 11:30 am and 3:30 pm and each show normally lasts around 15 minutes.
After a day of seeing many colorful birds, it’s time to cool off and see the island from another perspective…the water! Relax with your kiddos on the warm sand right next to the water at Playa Puntilla. The clear, blue waters are perfect for those who love to go swimming or surfing and there are many food stands for you to grab a bite to eat.
Overnight in Isla Baru
Day 10
Last day of the trip. Time to head home!
Ready to turn this dream trip into reality?
Book a call with us today and let’s help you plan your unforgettable journey to Colombia where your itinerary and all the details would be the last thing you’ll worry about!
Who is Christina?
Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation too.
She specializes in Disney, Caribbean, Europe and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
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