Colombia·6 - 11 March 2025
Immerse yourself in a boutique + curated experience in Colombia's most picturesque city - Cartagena!
Please note: this retreat sold out during email subscriber early access booking. Feel free to add yourself to the waitlist, and we'll reach out if a spot opens up! Ready to dip your toe into South America and a new + exciting destination? This is a retreat to immerse yourself in the absolute best that the Caribbean coast of Colombia has to offer with a completely curated 6 day + 5 night experience. Your home is a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Cartagena's best historic neighborhood, the Old Town. We'll dive into this area's unique mash-up of cultures and world class cuisine. You'll also enjoy guided tours (including a private boat trip to tropical islands), a local cooking class, daily yoga and wellness offerings as well as chill time by the hotel's pool and hot tub. Fancy even more adventure? We are steps away from iconic architecture, sculptures, restaurants and sights (the hotel boasts a 100 out of 100 on TripAdvisor's "Walk Score)." Get away from your day-to-day and into a new rhythm of a tropical Colombian life. - Group Size: 12-14 Guests - Luxury Score: 4 (out of 5) - Activity Score: 2.5 (out of 5) - Some Active Tours - Cuisine: Omnivore (meat + fish offered) - Pricing: from $3210 per person double occupancy
Our luxury 4 star hotel is held exclusively for Above Yoga Retreat guests. It boasts extensive open-air common areas including a tropical pool, a rooftop hot tub and several indoor and outdoor lounge areas. You're spoiled for choice on where to relax or soak up the sun.
Wake up with one of our invigorating morning vinyasa yoga classes, indulge in an evening gentle class or just take for personal reflection in our journaling workshop. All yoga + wellness classes are 100% optional. We will have 1-2 offerings per day.
We will be taking over an all suites hotel. So expect spacious rooms with warm wood and tropical colors. Bathrooms are well-equipped with local high end toiletries. Rooms open up onto shared patio space or balconies.
Each morning will start with an elaborate breakfast of local baked goods, tropical fruit, coffee and fresh juice, followed by a speciality item of the day. We'll also enjoy a few private group dinners with local chefs. If you're a foodie - you're in luck!
We'll spend a day taking a private chartered boat out to the breathtaking Rosario Islands - an archipelago that's also a national park. You'll enjoy snorkeling, a tropical lunch, sipping drinks on a white sand beach, swimming in aqua waters and lots of sun!
Learn more about the unique styles of Colombian food with our private cooking class. You'll dive in to help prepare dishes like ceviches, arepas and more with fresh, local ingredients. Enjoy the fruits of your labor as we sit down to feast afterwards!
Enjoy a guided tour through Cartagena's historic walled city, most colorful neighborhoods (like famed Getsemani) and epic viewpoints. You'll get insider knowledge on the history, architecture and culture from our local guide.
You'll have plenty of built in time to explore the local area on your own as desired. We are steps from some of the best restaurants, shopping and sights Colombia has to offer. We'll offer suggestions and recs for free time and meals on your own!
Each Above Yoga Retreat has two to three certified yoga teachers or fitness instructors on-site who will lead a portion of the classes and support students in their practice. We find that an opportunity to participate in a variety of classes with various teaching styles adds to our guests’ overall retreat experience.
Anna is Above Yoga's Chief Zen Officer and lead yoga instructor. Anna handles all retreat planning and logistics on-site. She aims to hold space for others to experience personal growth, transformation and community through wellness travel. She loves to teach yin, slow flow and also moderately paced vinyasa flows focused on alignment that are accessible to every level of student but that offer challenges in an inclusive environment.
Kevé completed her 200 hour YTT in her current town of Salt Lake City, UT. You can expect an accessible and fun yoga class when she is teaching - think chill flows with a hip hop soundtrack. She believes yoga should nurture mind, body and soul and always be inclusive. Kevé has been on retreat with Above Yoga to Cambodia (2x), Morocco and is co-teaching on our Kenya Safari retreat in 2024.
Tania has been a dedicated yoga student for many years and decided it was time to dive into a yoga teacher training. She completed her 200 hour YTT at YogaSix Chapel Hill. She believe that everyone deserves the mind-body experience of yoga. Her classes are energizing, empowering, fun, and accessible to all. Tania is a world traveler and has been on yoga retreats to Africa and Europe - including attending our Yoga + Yachting in Coastal Croatia in 2023.
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DAY 1
Every yoga class, meal and excursion on our retreats is 100% optional, take or leave whatever you like. Each day will vary a bit depending on our pre-planned activities, however here's how a typical day on this retreat is structured.
7:30 AM: Morning Flow Yoga Class
8:30 AM: Group Breakfast at Hotel
10:00 AM: Group Tour or Local Excursion
1:00 PM: Lunch + Free Time on Your Own
5:00 PM: Afternoon Gentle Yoga or Journaling Workshop
7:30 PM: Curated Group Dinner
Morning Yoga
Breakfast
Guided Excursion
Afternoon Yoga
Group Lunch OR Dinner
Other Meals
Personal Shopping
Private villa exclusive for Above Yoga guests
Roundtrip airport transfers
Daily curated yoga classes
Half day private guided city tour
Private local cooking class
Chartered boat excursion to Rosario Islands
Daily speciality breakfast
Two (2) lunches on excursions
Two (2) curated group dinners
Meditation + journaling workshops
A pre-retreat Zoom meeting and private Facebook group
A mobile-friendly secure web app for use on retreat
A detailed itinerary, packing list and constant support leading up to and during the retreat
Airfare to Cartagena (Code: CTG)
Optional tips for villa staff
Meals + drinks not mentioned above
Spacious junior suite with two double beds, Includes en suite bathroom + a desk and/or seating area, Price is per person - book with a friend or we can pair you up
Spacious junior suite with two double beds
Includes en suite bathroom + a desk and/or seating area
Price is per person - book with a friend or we can pair you up
FROM$3,210.00/pp
Spacious king suite for two guests sharing a bed, Includes en suite bathroom + a desk and seating area, Price is per person - for this room type you must book with your travel companion
Spacious king suite for two guests sharing a bed
Includes en suite bathroom + a desk and seating area
Price is per person - for this room type you must book with your travel companion
FROM$3,410.00/pp
Spacious king suite for those wanting more privacy, Includes en suite bathroom + a desk and seating area, Price is for one guest
Spacious king suite for those wanting more privacy
Price is for one guest
FROM$4,410.00/pp
VIEW GALLERY
Maybe places like Colombia have always been on your list but you aren’t sure where to start for planning a trip there? You could scour Instagram for inspiration, read countless blogs about what to do, spend hours scrolling through TripAdvisor reviews on hotels - or you could skip all that and have it all planned for you. That’s where we come in! When you join any of our retreats you’ll immediately receive a FAQ email with suggestions and next steps, as well as be added to our private dedicated Facebook group with your fellow travelers where updates and additional information will be added often. We'll also host a pre-retreat Zoom about 6-8 months before the trip. Then a month before our adventure, you’ll receive a detailed itinerary, a suggested packing list and full information about how you’ll be picked up from the airport. Let someone else (who has traveled to Colombia multiple times) handle all the planning and logistics for you!
You will need to arrive in Cartagena late afternoon on the first day of the retreat and depart in the late morning on the final day. More details will be shared upon booking, as well as a link to book with our preferred travel agency as desired. The airport for pick up is Rafael Núñez International Airport (airport code: CTG). There are many direct or one-stop flights from major destinations in the United States.
Our boutique hotel is one of the best in the city and perfectly sized for our intimate group. This is a luxury hotel with the character of a Spanish Colonial residence. Originally built in the 17th century, it was restored under the most rigorous conservation standards. Please note, we are located at the heart of the walled city and therefore some amount of city noise is possible.
Average weather for Cartagena in March is: highs in the upper 80s (sometimes low 90s) and lows in the 70s. Expect ample sunshine (pack your sunscreen) and humidity. This is dry season, but with any tropical destination, there is a small chance of a passing rainstorms and of course - bugs!
This is not the Colombia of the 1980s! Colombia welcomes millions of international tourists every year and Cartagena is the most tourist-friendly and safest town in Colombia. Your trip leader has been to multiple cities in Colombia on her own twice in the last few years with zero concerns or incidents. Like any big city you should be mindful of your personal effects and valuables (or leave them at home) and not venture off alone at night. You'll be with the group often and with a bit of common sense you'll be secure and happy!
A 20% deposit secures your spot on this retreat, the remaining 80% can be paid off in any increments up to 90 days before the trip. Please read our full FAQs, liability waiver and cancellation policies before booking as you will be required to agree to them at checkout. www.aboveyoga.com/terms/terms_and_conditions
If you are a U.S. citizens you are not required to obtain a visa prior to entry into Colombia. For small purchases at corner stores and tips for guides the local currency is the best way to pay (Colombian Pesos). Plan to take out money at your local bank before the trip or use an ATM once in the country. Major credit cards are also accepted at most establishments.
I didn’t know I wanted to go to Panama until I saw this retreat on the Above Yoga website. The moment I read about this retreat I knew I needed to go. I was nervous about being a solo traveler in a group. I didn’t need to be. I was nervous about sharing a room with people I just met. I didn’t need to be. From the moment I booked to the post-retreat survey, the attention to detail, communication and offerings were top-notch. I knew this trip was going to be amazing, but it was so much more. I can’t even put it into words.
Becky, Milwaukee, WI (Panama 2023 Retreat)
What a wonderful retreat! Above Yoga takes care of every detail making travel stress free and easy. Although I went for yoga, sun and relaxation, I came away grateful for the time spent with new friends exploring a new country. The nature walk and swim in the cenotes were the highlight of the trip.
Melissa, Downers Grove, IL (Dominican 2021 Retreat)
Everything about this trip worked for me. The pre-trip communication was sufficient without being excessive. The airport pickup was smooth and painless. The yoga was perfect for me. I attended every class but knew I had the option to skip. The retreat property was beautiful, the owners and staff members were delightful, the food was delicious and all of the coastal excursions were great. It was just the right balance of activity and relaxation with cool new friends!
Anne, Greenwich, CT (Panama 2023 Retreat)
This trip was so awesome. As a solo traveler, a place like SE Asia can be intimidating but the communication and availability Anna showed before and during the retreat was excellent. The yoga, food, optional excursions and community were all great as well. Highly recommend!
Bethany, Milwaukee, WI (Cambodia 2022 Retreat)
Above Yoga has changed my outlook on yoga retreats! Yoga retreats seemed inaccessible to a novice yogi. But that all changed from the moment I learned about the way Anna builds her retreats. There is yoga, and free time built, but also carefully curated excursions. There is no way you will regret gifting yourself the time away. I came home feeling refreshed, rested, and ready to dive back into my day-to-day.
Angela, Charlotte, NC (Mexico 2022 Retreat)
All of the communication before, during, and after the retreat was amazing - you were never left wondering what was going on. Everything was planned perfectly, the retreat property was amazing, and the food was divine. It really was a life changing experience, and I think a lot of that was due to the planned activities and the structure of the retreat. Marrakech and the surrounding areas are a must see, but Above Yoga made it a bucket list destination.
Allie, Durham, NC (Morocco 2023 Retreat)
The planning and organization were excellent - unlike any event I attended. The mobile app was great to have a quick glimpse of schedule multiple times a day.
Vijay, Northville, MI (Dominican 2021 Retreat)
Anna is prompt in communication. I really appreciated her keeping in contact with us during COVID. She was always open to being asked questions. The retreat venue felt like paradise. The staff we interacted with were very welcoming. I only attended one yoga class and never felt any type of pressure to do more. I can’t wait to go back.
Lori, Winston-Salem, NC (Mexico 2021 Retreat)
Anna's attention to every detail is beyond compare! From the moment we booked our retreat, her communication with us was timely and just the right amount. I felt comfortable upon arrival, at every excursion, to our departure. The schedule was clear and organized but also allowed for a lot of flexibility and spontaneity - a great balance for a retreat/vacation. Anna's calm energy was also super-appreciated. Truly excellent!
Sarah, Milwaukee, WI (Mexico 2021 Retreat)
As with previous retreats, the trip was amazing from start to finish. In this case, I signed up because it would be my first Asia adventure and my experiences with Above Yoga have always exceeded my expectations. The hotel, food, excursions and of course yoga were magical. It was a unique experience I'll always remember.
Lee, Charlotte, NC (Cambodia 2020 Retreat)
Colombia·6 - 11 March 2025·5 nights
FROM$3210/pp
Join the waiting list and we will let you know if a spot becomes available.