We have been planning our first lengthy(er) six and a half week South American journey with our toddler and Colombia was excessive up on the bucket checklist. So selecting to go to Colombia with a toddler was a straightforward determination.
Many individuals nonetheless maintain onto a variety of prejudice about Colombia, however you don’t have to fret. Colombia’s days of crime and medicines cartels are over and also you’ll have this mixture of pure magnificence, mesmerizing archaeology and charming colonial cities nearly fully for your self.
Our daughter, Norah, even acquired to have a good time her second birthday on this unimaginable South American nation! Simply don’t take too lengthy: Colombia is a rising star!
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Our 6 Week Colombia Itinerary with a Toddler
We had six and a half weeks in Colombia, which is a substantial quantity, even for such a big nation. Nonetheless, as we wish to journey at a sluggish tempo with at the least 5 days in every vacation spot, seeing all the pieces that Colombia has to supply would have been inconceivable.
We determined to postpone the southern a part of Colombia to a future South American journey. We began and ended our Colombia household vacation by flying in-and-out of the capital metropolis of Bogota. Throughout our 6-week itinerary in Colombia, we ended up making a big circle counterclockwise.
Flying to Colombia with a Toddler
Residing in Belgium means we’ve acquired many close-by airports to select from. Our airplane tickets included a practice experience from Brussels to Paris, the place we hopped onto a direct flight to Bogota.
We by no means journey with no backpack with digital gear and spare garments for our toddler. We additionally deliver Norah’s little backpack with toddler journey toys, strapped onto the large one, and a tote bag filled with meals and a child provider for journey.
As she was turning two throughout our journey to Colombia, we had to purchase three seats (even for the outbound flight) for our flight with a toddler, so all of us acquired numerous room. At that age, she wasn’t into TV that a lot but, so we ended up enjoying fairly a bit however she quickly settled down (on my lap) to sleep. As we had an early afternoon flight, we didn’t find yourself sleeping a lot, however we didn’t thoughts a few hours binge watching motion pictures.
After a moderately enjoyable 10-hour flight, we made issues straightforward and took a personal switch from the Bogota airport to our resort. Once we have been nonetheless touring simply the 2 of us, we used to take public transport to get to our hostel even after a long-haul flight.
Nonetheless, when touring with a toddler we simply need to get to our resort room as quickly as attainable. By the point we arrived, it was already near 10 PM Colombian time (and extra like 3 AM for us). We crashed into mattress and hoped we’d make it via the evening, however, sadly, toddler jetlag kicked in round 3:30 AM.
Discovering Child-Pleasant Lodging in Colombia with a Toddler
As we’re touring on a moderately small price range, we don’t have tons to spend on good lodging. We sometimes ebook a baby-friendly trip house rental condo via VRBO or Airbnb, however we normally keep in smaller inns. It all the time takes me hours to search out the proper place on Reserving, as a result of we’ve an entire checklist of necessities for locating the proper resort.
However, we wish to be versatile, so for lots of
the inns in Colombia we simply confirmed up with out reserving beforehand.
This normally resulted in a reduction, however blew up in our faces a few occasions as properly. We wouldn’t advocate doing this if you’re touring in excessive season in Colombia. All the time regulate the quantity of accessible lodging. After they begin promoting out it’s not an important thought to point out as much as Colombia inns with no reservation, particularly with a toddler.
Our checklist of necessities for the finest Colombia resort with a toddler are:
Hygiene: in all probability an important issue. We don’t want fancy stuff, nevertheless it needs to be clear.
Breakfast: If we will, we attempt to discover a Colombia resort that provides (complimentary) breakfast. It’s so a lot simpler to rise up and go get breakfast only a few steps away.
Non-public lavatory: we’ll nearly all the time decide a non-public lavatory to go together with our room. Our backpacking days are over, we’re a flashpacking household now.
Double mattress: that is probably the most troublesome requirement. As a result of we co-sleep with a toddler moderately than packing toddler journey mattress, we would like a queen or king sized mattress moderately than an everyday double. Nonetheless, the dimensions of the mattress isn’t all the time acknowledged within the description (though that appears to be altering).
We additionally want to have the ability to push the mattress in opposition to a wall (as our daughter sleeps on one of many sides), though we will work with evening tables and suitcases to construct a don’t-fall-out-of-bed-wall.
Distance: we wish to be in strolling distance of the principle points of interest or the charming middle.
Worth: clearly a vital issue. We attempt to maintain inside our price range when touring by spending about $30 an evening on lodging.
To assist discover kid-friendly lodging in Colombia, I take advantage of the Prime Picks for Households search filter on Reserving.com. It makes it very straightforward to search out good household inns in Colombia.
Getting Round Colombia with a Toddler
We didn’t need to take any home flights thus, buses have been our foremost technique of getting round in Colombia. The bus system in Colombia works moderately properly.
Smaller cities are served by minivans that go away after they’re full. Longer distances are coated by massive buses. Sadly, we didn’t discover the coche cama ones we acquired used to eight years earlier whereas touring in South America. We didn’t have to purchase our toddler a seat on the bus, however Norah normally sat on our lap (except there was a free spot).
We took three lengthy distance evening buses in Colombia (12 hour journeys). As you may think about, sleeping on the evening bus with a toddler wasn’t good, however however doable. And Norah simply went to mattress (stretched out over the each of us) at her common hour. We additionally cherished that taking a Colombia evening bus would save us an evening of staying in a resort.
We prevented taking 8-hour journeys, as a result of these are too lengthy to do in the course of the day, however too quick to do in a single day (you both have to depart very late or arrive very early).
To get round within the Colombian cities or cities, we walked or known as a cab (both via the resort or via Uber). We didn’t journey with a automotive seat, so in cabs which means she was strapped in on considered one of our laps.
7 Ideas for Touring to Colombia with a Toddler
1. Take it Gradual
Whereas touring to Colombia with a toddler, we preferred to spend 4 or 5 nights in the identical place. We discover that we don’t do too properly on a busy schedule, so we attempt to restrict our sights to at least one a day and construct in sufficient room for enjoying within the resort room and enjoyable, playgrounds and all the opposite journey requirements like procuring, consuming and so on.
2. Journey Evenly
Much less is extra is our motto whereas touring. The one toddler journey important we pack is a child or toddler provider and we don’t are likely to take every other toddler or child journey gear (I do know, that’s a bit ironic since our weblog is about journey gear for teenagers).
3. Convey a Toddler Service
We’ve by no means even had a stroller at house, not to mention journey with a stroller, so the toddler provider is our second pores and skin. I really like how straightforward it’s to take with you. We normally roll up and fasten it to our daypack, however my spouse is commonly a bit lazy and retains it on, even when our daughter is strolling round. Toddler carriers for journey are a should!
In most locations you received’t have any issues with a stroller in Colombia. However some colonial cities (like Villa de Leyva) have cobblestone streets (the whole middle!) and properly, strolling in nature is rarely plan with a stroller (Valle de Cocora or Tayrona Nationwide Park).
4. Breastfeeding is okay in Colombia
Norah has been breastfed solely and I used to be nonetheless nursing her throughout our household journey to Colombia. I by no means acquired any bizarre seems, however as she was two years outdated I didn’t feed her on a regular basis, so it was typically restricted to our resort room. I typically nursed her to sleep on the bus, although.
5. Child Necessities are Straightforward to Discover
Shopping for child meals or diapers in Colombia shouldn’t be a
drawback. We encountered supermarkets with an honest choice in each village
or city. As our daughter was breastfed her complete life, I don’t have a clue
about journey with a system fed child.
6. Convey a Journey Excessive Chair
When consuming out in Colombia, we rarely noticed excessive chairs, so it is perhaps clever to deliver a transportable excessive chair in case your toddler can’t sit on a grown-up chair but. Norah has been used to sitting on an everyday chair for a very long time, so we don’t journey with a excessive chair. If she will’t attain the desk, we put her plate in entrance of her on her chair.
7. Don’t Rely on Playgrounds
Playgrounds in Colombia should not overly accessible, however perhaps
we didn’t look laborious sufficient. It wasn’t actually vital but, as a result of our
daughter was nonetheless too scared to attempt something on her personal. We did come throughout a
very nice giant playground in Villa de Leyva, although!
6 Locations to Go to in Colombia with Youngsters
1. Bogota
We began our Colombia household journey within the capital, Bogota. Sadly, it’s a metropolis that always has to take care of numerous rain and properly, coming from Belgium in late autumn, we didn’t need rain or chilly.
We have been really planning to remain in Bogota for 3
nights, however ended up leaving a day early. We have been in dire want of the solar!
For babywearing within the rain or chilly, take into account packing a child provider cowl.
Nonetheless, we had a beautiful time in Bogota. Our hostel was a couple of 10-minute stroll to the Plaza Bolivar within the coronary heart of the Candelaria district. It’s a beautiful space with colourful buildings and plenty of road distributors. A few of them promote corn to feed the a whole bunch of pigeons that decision the Plaza house. They may eat it out of your hand and even come sit in your head. Norah was somewhat frightened, however cherished it anyway.
Different enjoyable issues to do in Bogota with a toddler consists of the Museo Botero, which was an enormous success. Our toddler cherished seeing the work and statues of “little fats individuals”. We actually wished to go to the Gold Museum, however that wasn’t very appropriate for younger youngsters as all the pieces was excessive up. We ended up leaving after an hour, however we each discovered it very fascinating.
Due to the climate, we wanted to discover a enjoyable indoor exercise for a toddler in Bogota, so we spent a day at an indoor playground in Monkis Place Chapinero. The highest-area of this indoor playground is particularly designed for toddlers.
We have been staying on the Botanico Hostel, which had an important location in Bogota and a enjoyable vibe. It was an actual hostel although, so many chilling backpackers and a little bit of noise. Breakfast was included within the value and was held on the roof terrace, which was a pleasant little spot.
Be sure you are available in time, as a result of it’s buffet model (though you’re not imagined to stuff yourselves) however as soon as it’s completed it received’t get replaced anytime quickly. The most important draw back of our Bogota hostel was the chilly. We have been actually freezing in our room (which was situated on the finish of the small backyard and had 2 bedrooms).
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2. Villa de Leyva
We fell in love with Villa de Leyva, it’s so simple as that. We spent a complete of 9 days (5 at the beginning and we even went again for a further 4 on the finish of our household journey) on this little colonial city, which has been voted probably the most lovely village of Colombia.
The cobblestone streets of Villa de Leyva, the white homes, the large Plaza and the touristy however not cheesy memento retailers have been an ideal mixture for us. There are numerous vacationers, however nearly solely Colombians which creates a beautiful environment.
There are fairly a couple of issues to do in Villa de Leyva with youngsters. For starters, there’s the Pozo Azul, a pure swimming pool only a quick experience outdoors city. Paleontology is a giant factor within the space as properly, as a result of a variety of dinosaur stays have been discovered right here together with probably the most intact skeleton of the Kronosaurus on this planet. Additionally, some historical past/anthropology with the astronomical photo voltaic calendar of the traditional Muisca.
And don’t miss out on a visit to close by village Raquira. It’s the handicraft middle of the nation and the very best place to attain souvenirs. Nevertheless it’s additionally only a beautiful colourful city.
We have been staying at household resort La Hormiga and it turned out to be our favourite of the entire journey to Colombia. The individuals have been beautiful, the mattress enormous, the breakfast yummy (and our daughter acquired some as properly!) and is situated in the course of Villa de Leyva .
3. San Gil
The one purpose to cease in San Gil was as a result of we wished to hike the Camino Actual, an historical path between the villages of Barichara and Guane. Initially, we wished to remain in Barichara, however felt that it will be foolish to take that additional bus journey backwards and forwards.
The Camino Actual hike is very nice, however make sure that to begin early sufficient as a result of it will get actually scorching! Guane is meant to have an important paleontologist museum, however we have been too drained afterwards to have a look.
San Gil is an even bigger Colombian metropolis with numerous noise, however there have been a couple of fulfilling issues. Parque El Gallineral for starters is a very nice place to get pleasure from a few hours. The massive bushes and the small paths create a mystical feeling.
The central Plaza is the place everybody gathers with a few snacks to do some individuals watching. The indoor market is a pleasant place in addition to is the restaurant Gringo Mike’s (we by no means ate wherever else as a result of it was so good!).
Many individuals head to San Gil as a result of it’s the journey
sports activities capital, so when you’re into paragliding or rafting, make sure that to place it
into your itinerary. With our toddler, that wasn’t actually an choice (as we
don’t love to do issues solo).
We stayed at La Provincia Casa Hospedaje, a really, very low-cost San Gil hostel with shared lavatory however someway it was an incredible expertise. Do be sure to don’t get a room subsequent to a rest room, as a result of the partitions are skinny!
The individuals are so unbelievably candy. You need to use the enormous kitchen, there’s a backyard and a pleasant deck to lounge with a stunning view. We spent many nights enjoying video games within the inexperienced sofas. They may even allow you to use the washer free of charge! And La Provincia Casa Hospedaje is barely 2 or 3 blocks from the Plaza.
4. Santa Marta, Tayrona Nationwide Park and Palomino
We ended up taking the evening bus from San Gil to the Caribbean Coast. The environment was fairly completely different right here (individuals are pushier and never a lot in a pleasant method). We solely stayed one evening within the metropolis of Santa Marta, as a result of we didn’t prefer it all that a lot (don’t keep at Park Lodge though it has a swimming pool. Unfriendly, tatty and a ridiculous ‘breakfast’.)
Many individuals head into Tayrona Nationwide Park, which sounds superb however mountaineering for hours to get to a pleasant seaside with out shade didn’t sound like a profitable combo for us, particularly with a toddler. Afterwards, we discovered that we may’ve simply booked a pleasant resort in Tayrona Nationwide Park and stayed there.
As an alternative we moved a few hours to the east, to the small village of Palomino. It’s principally only one filth highway lined with hippy locations and cute hostels. Palomino continues to be growing, nevertheless it already has fairly a considerable amount of vacationers.
The primary purpose to come back to Palomino is for the tubing down the river, however we felt like we higher not do this with a toddler. It’s nonetheless a pleasant seaside city, so we spent many hours on the seaside. However primarily we loved the 2 swimming swimming pools or our resort.
To have a good time Norah’s birthday we splurged on a boutique resort. We stayed at Aite Lodge (primarily as a result of all the pieces was promoting out) nevertheless it didn’t disappoint. Apparently, a mistake crept into Reserving as usually solely youngsters age 8+ are allowed. Nonetheless, we have been advised it wasn’t an issue and we may keep.
I received’t inform you an excessive amount of in regards to the two royal swimming swimming pools we normally needed to ourselves, the beachfront entry and the yummy meals since you in all probability received’t be staying right here when you find yourself touring to Colombia with young children, nevertheless it was a-ma-zing!
5. Cartagena
Cartagena might be the highest touristy spot in Colombia, however I wouldn’t skip it! The Cartagena outdated metropolis simply breaths attraction. You received’t know the place to look first: is it the various colourful buildings, the great little retailers, the small Plaza’s. All of this surrounded by the ocean.
And when you’re sick of historical past and colonial attraction, hop right into a cab and inside 10 minutes you’re within the new half with a big procuring middle and the seaside on the Caribbean coast. Now, this final half wants its personal clarification. Whereas it’s removed from a captivating piece of sand (if you need that, hop onto one of many day excursions to the encircling Rosario Islands), it’s the good place to go to whereas in Cartagena with a toddler.
There are tons of mini bays with very shallow and calm water. The seaside is small and also you’ll be saying ‘no, gracias’ to distributors nearly each 10 seconds however we cherished it and so did Norah!
Other than the charming Outdated Metropolis (don’t overlook to stroll the partitions and watch the sundown!), the Castillo San Felipe fortress is a enjoyable factor to do with youngsters in Cartagena. It’s a 10-15 minute stroll from the Getsemani space (the place most inns are located) and it will get scorching, very popular. It has beautiful views although and you can be imitating pirates together with your toddler lots.
We stayed at Hostal 1811 in Getsemani, a brief stroll from the outdated metropolis Cartagena. We cherished consuming at Bohemiano a bit additional up the road and throughout the resort is a sort of dodgy park, however there are sloths dwelling within the bushes. The resort is sweet, with a enjoyable sitting space. Breakfast wasn’t that nice, although.
6. Salento
After a brief cease into Medellin (don’t overlook a experience with the cable automotive metro system as much as Parque Arvi), which we didn’t like an excessive amount of, we set off to Salento. This turned out to be one other considered one of our favourite villages. Located within the coronary heart of the espresso area, the panorama round Salento is completely breathtaking.
The village of Salento is charming however touristy and the 2 foremost issues to do listed below are Valle de Cocora and visiting one of many many espresso farms. There are not any cabs on this city, so concentrate on that earlier than you arrive (we weren’t and had a little bit of bother attending to our resort that was 10 minutes out of city!). As an alternative of cabs, Salento has Willy’s, that are these brightly coloured oldtimer jeeps that can deliver you to the sights at set occasions.
The primary sight of the Valle de Cocora are the enormous palm bushes that may develop as much as 60 meters! This tallest palm tree on this planet can be the nationwide image of Colombia and possibly probably the most spectacular sight in your journey to Colombia with youngsters.
If you’re visiting Colombia with youngsters as a result of they love the hit Disney film Encanto (which relies in Colombia), you’ll have an interest to know that these large palm bushes have been a giant a part of the inspiration for the Colombian setting in Encanto. The fictional city seen in Encanto relies off one other Colombian city known as Barichara, which a good distance away, on the alternative facet of Bogota.
You may select to take the quick 20 minute hike and head straight to the valley of the palm bushes or you may make it a full day hike, add in a go to to a hummingbird farm and finish with the valley.
We opted for the primary choice as we’re not that good at mountaineering. We spent fairly a little bit of time enjoying within the valley and take into account this one of many highlights of our journey Colombia with a toddler.
The subsequent day, we visited a espresso farm and have been once more very
impressed by the friendliness of the individuals. We hiked down the highway with the
espresso farms and we stopped on the first one, which was really helpful to us. Las
Acacias didn’t disappoint! We acquired a tour from the granddaughter as it is a
household enterprise and discovered so many issues about espresso and its manufacturing
course of.
We stayed at La Serrana Eco Farm and Hostel, which made it to our prime 3 of favourite inns of all occasions! The primary purpose for this was the view together with the value. The La Serrana Eco Farm and Hostel is located about half-hour on foot from Salento.
There are literally 2 places: the principle constructing with a camp website and a villa somewhat nearer to Salento. There are three rooms on this villa, we acquired the 3-person bed room with a non-public (exterior) lavatory.
Whereas the room was somewhat outdated, the lounge with home windows on three sides made up for all the pieces. Together with the very nice household with youngsters we have been sharing the villa with, it made us fall in love with this place.
We had a set dinner spot at Hostel Luciernaga, which has nice meals and a again deck with superb views! I additionally cherished the vegetarian choices right here.
Closing Journey Ideas for Colombia with a Toddler
Colombia turned out to be our favourite vacation spot of all time. Touring with a toddler in Colombia went flawless, regardless of the typically enormous distances we traveled.
The Colombian individuals have been pleasant each in direction of us and particularly to youngsters. Nonetheless, they don’t trouble them as a lot as individuals in South East Asia are likely to do. We weren’t requested for any footage, though we did study to say No le gusta que la toauen (“she doesn’t wish to be touched”) moderately quickly.
We hope this information will provide you with some inspiration to journey Colombia together with your youngsters and we hope you get pleasure from it as a lot as we did.
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Babs
Babs is hooked on touring the world along with her associate in crime Kath and their joyful 4-year-old daughter Norah. She created her weblog Journey Gear for Youngsters to make a location unbiased life-style taking place.
Celine Brewer is the proprietor of Child Can Journey. Not solely does she have years of expertise touring with infants & toddlers, however she’s helped thousands and thousands of latest mother and father journey with their infants and toddlers for over a decade. Along with writing on her child journey weblog, she has shared her experience on touring with a child or toddler by contributing to articles about touring with a child with the Washington Submit, USA Right now, the Lonely Planet journal and Being pregnant & New child journal.
Celine additionally writes about household journey on the location FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns along with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her ardour about her house and journey to Banff Nationwide Park and space on their website TravelBanffCanada.com.
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