Colombia 🇨🇴

Welcome to Colombia: Culture, Coastlines & One Epic Finale

A Caribbean start, a city in the sky, and a journey we’ll never forget.

After an incredible four weeks in Panama, our travel family was ready for the next big chapter. We tossed around a few ideas (and definitely ruled out the multi-day boat journey across the Darién Gap 😅), and finally settled on a quick 3-hour flight to Colombia.

We’d heard so many great things about the country from fellow travellers that our curiosity got the better of us — even though, to be honest, Colombia hadn’t originally made our list due to the safety alerts and past reputation.

But the world is changing, and so is Colombia. The backpackers we met reassured us that their experiences had been positive, and that much of Colombia is now a must-see. And so… we went for it!

🌴 First Stop: Cartagena – Caribbean Vibes & Colonial Colour

We weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to the coast just yet, so we made a family call to start in Cartagena, Colombia’s gem on the Caribbean Sea.

And wow — what a welcome!

From the moment we stepped off the plane, we were wrapped in warm air, bold colours, music on every street corner, and a palpable cultural energy. Cartagena was alive. You could feel the rhythm of Colombia in the cobbled streets, in the scent of street food, and in the friendliness of the people.

🍴 A Foodie Win

One of our biggest wins? The food. Everything from arepas, empanadas, patacones and the endless varieties of fresh tropical juice — we were hooked. Even Tilly found new favourites (and she's not easy to impress when it comes to trying new flavours!).

We explored the vibrant old town, strolled along the fortress walls at sunset, and danced along to live street music under fairy-lit plazas. There was a strong Afro-Caribbean influence in Cartagena that gave it a totally different feel from Panama or Costa Rica — and we loved every bit of it.

🏙️ Medellín – A City in the Clouds

After some slow coastal days, we flew inland to Medellín, once considered one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Today? It’s a city transformed — modern, buzzing, creative, and nestled in the lush Andes mountains.

It felt surreal being in such a huge metropolis surrounded by towering green hills. The cable cars that carry people up and down the mountain neighbourhoods were one of the coolest (and most scenic) ways to get around.

We learned about Colombia’s complicated past, including the story of Pablo Escobar, and how Medellín has worked to rebuild and reclaim its identity. The museums, street art, and local guides really helped us understand the city’s journey — and left us feeling hopeful and inspired.

🌳 Amazon Dreams (Almost!)

Our original plan was to make our way south to Leticia, the gateway to the Colombian Amazon. We were so close to booking a river trip and jungle stay to spot pink dolphins and monkeys. It was the dream.

But as we looked deeper into logistics, weather, and safety (especially with a child in tow), we had to make the tough call: not this time.

Travel isn’t just about chasing the wild — it’s about knowing when to pause, too.

💛 The End of Our South American Chapter

If you've watched our YouTube videos, you'll know that our time in Colombia came to an unexpected and intense end. We experienced an incident that really shook us up, and in that moment, we had to make a difficult but necessary decision to leave. Our safety as a family always comes first—no questions asked.

With little time to plan, we made a last-minute call to head to Southeast Asia. It wasn’t easy—six flights over three days to get there—but it was absolutely the right move. We threw the budget out the window (sometimes you have to), and leaned into what felt safest and right for us.

We’d heard from so many people that Southeast Asia is not only safer, but also much more budget-friendly. And honestly, that was a huge factor in our decision. It just made sense.

Do we have any regrets?

Absolutely not. Exploring Central and South America had always been a dream, and if we hadn’t gone, we would’ve always wondered “what if?” We saw some incredible places, met beautiful people, and made memories that will last a lifetime. But this journey is about more than just ticking countries off a list—we're on a mission to find a place we can truly call home, somewhere with a lifestyle that feels right for us. And we realized that Central and South America, for all its wonders, just wasn’t it for us.

Now, we’re embracing a new chapter in Southeast Asia with open hearts. Let’s see where this part of the journey takes us!

Us in Thailand, meeting Thai Students ❤️

✈️ All the Way to Asia!

After lots of late-night talks and some serious map-staring, we decided to make a bold move. We booked last-minute flights all the way across the world to Southeast Asia — landing in Chiang Mai, Thailand!

We’d heard such great things about Chiang Mai from other families:
✔ Safe
✔ Affordable
✔ Super family-friendly
✔ Surrounded by mountains, temples, and peaceful vibes

It just felt right.

While we didn’t make it to Peru this time — a country that’s long been at the top of my personal bucket list — I know in my heart: one day, I’ll get there. Just not this time. And that’s okay.

One of our first Asian meals!

🌟 Colombia: A Quickfire Travel Recap for Families

⏰ Visa Time: 90 days on arrival for most nationalities
📍 Where we went: Cartagena, Medellín
🛫 How we got there: Flight from Panama (3 hrs)
💸 Budget Note: Colombia was great value — accommodation, food, and transport were all affordable
🥥 Must-Try Foods: Arepas de huevo, limonada de coco, bandeja paisa (bring your appetite!)
🎶 Unexpected Highlight: The street performances in Cartagena — spontaneous salsa and cumbia every night!

💬 Final Thoughts from the Road

Colombia taught us that preconceptions don’t always match reality. Yes, you should stay aware and informed. But wow — this country is rich in beauty, history, and warmth.

For us, Colombia was the sweet, unexpected ending to a huge South American adventure — the icing on the cake before shifting gears and continents. Unfortunately, we didn’t get time to post a vlog of our time in Medellin just the incident but we did get a vlog of Cartagena!

Now, with slightly heavier backpacks (and hearts full of memories), we’re taking on Southeast Asia with wide eyes and open hearts.