Sometimes, I like to combine my love of travel with yoga—two things that keep me grounded and refreshed. Over the years, I’ve taken yoga retreats in places like Costa Rica, Peru, Italy, and Greece with my local studio. Yoga sessions were usually held in the mornings and evenings —leaving the rest of the day to explore or relax.
After a while, I started looking for new experiences outside my local group. That’s when I found The Travel Yogi. Their website was easy to navigate, and the photos of their trips—places like Bhutan, Panama, and Bali—looked beautiful. So, I booked a retreat to Santorini with them, and it was perfect. The hotel, food, and excursions were spot on. After that, I joined them on two more retreats: one to Southern France and, most recently, Colombia.
In Colombia, I spent 8 days traveling from Cartagena to Barichara to Bogotá. The contrasts were everywhere—sunny beaches, winding mountain roads, lively plazas, and some reallydelicious food.
My trip began in Cartagena, where I met up with the Travel Yogi group. We explored Getsemaní, a colorful and lively neighborhood where murals covered the walls and music spilled into the plazas:(2 Days in Getsemaní: Cartagena’s Most Colorful Neighborhood).
After a couple of days in Cartagena, it was time to change pace and head to Barichara.
Getting to Barichara wasn’t easy—it involved two flights, a cable car ride across Chicamocha Canyon, and a long but scenic drive through the mountains. Our trip included a lunch stop and coffee tour at Hotel Hacienda El Roble. I’ll start by saying the grounds were beautiful, filled with lush, gorgeous flowering bushes. The lunch looked like it might have been good, but sadly, there were so many flies swarming that I lost my appetite.
After a long day of travel, we arrived at Casa Yahri, where we’d be spending three nights—and it was gorgeous. The hacienda had lush gardens and a wide patio that quickly became my favorite spot for meals and sunsets, all wrapped in Barichara’s peaceful atmosphere. My room even came with a pool just outside the door—an unexpected bonus that made the stay feel a little like luxury.
As a vegetarian, I really appreciated the attention to detail in my meals. The chef at Casa Yahri doesn’t just prepare food—he creates edible works of art. Tonight’s dinner was plantain arranged like a flower, filled with perfectly spiced mushrooms and topped with fresh greens. The flavors and textures were incredible, and the presentation was beautiful. Food has been a highlight of my time in Colombia, and this place—wow.
In the mornings, I was always treated to piping hot arepas and delicious, freshly brewed coffee—the perfect way to start the day. Arepas are round cornmeal cakes grilled, fried, or baked, and they’re usually stuffed or topped with cheese or meat. They’re popular in Colombia and Venezuela. The ones for breakfast were plain—perfect to add a bit of butter and jam to.
There was also plenty of fresh-cut fruit and made-to-order omelets. We were truly well taken care of.
Barichara, with its whitewashed buildings and terracotta roofs, had such a calm and laid-back vibe. Founded in 1705, the town’s cobblestone streets and slower pace made it the perfect place to unwind. I loved wandering through the streets, stopping for views of the mountains in the distance, or just sitting in the square watching life unfold.
One of the highlights of my time in Barichara was hiking the Camino Real, a historic stone path from colonial times. Built by indigenous communities, it connects Barichara to the tiny village of Guane and winds through gorgeous countryside. The weather was perfect—sunny with a nice breeze.
The trail was lined with stone walls, aloe plants, and yellow oleanders. Along the way, we passed cows grazing in the fields, with stunning mountain views in the distance.
The hike is about 9 km (5.5 miles) and took us roughly two and a half hours at a relaxed pace.
The trail ended at Parque Principal de Guane, the village’s small square with its church and a few shops. From there we walked over to Mirador Guane, a lookout with views over the Suárez River Canyon. We grabbed cold beers from a nearby shop and sat for a while before hopping onto a brightly painted chiva bus for the ride to Finca San Pedro Cocina.
The finca is just outside Barichara and focuses on vegetarian and vegan food made with ingredients grown on the farm or sourced nearby. Lunch was fresh and simple, and afterward our host led a short workshop where we learned to make macramé bracelets—a light, hands-on way to end the outing before heading back to town.
Later in town, I visited some of the small artisan shops and stepped inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with its sandstone walls and high ceilings. It’s a landmark worth seeing and added to the sense of history all around.
Once back at the hacienda I lounged out by “my” private pool—okay, well, not quite private since I had a roommate—but still really nice. Then came yoga and dinner, the perfect way to close out what had been a really great day.
The next day, four of us (out of nine) went horseback riding through the countryside around Barichara—half the group was sick, so it was just us. The landscape was gorgeous: rolling hills, wide open fields, and mountains in the distance. I felt pretty brave about riding again. A few years ago in Colorado I was thrown off a horse and ended up with a couple of broken ribs, and I haven’t ridden much since.
I’ll admit I was nervous at times—my horse didn’t always listen and sometimes moved faster than I was comfortable with. Still, I’m glad I did it. It was a wonderful way to see the countryside, and luckily this ride was uneventful.
Once back we grabbed a coffee at one of the little cafés and then headed toward our hacienda. I didn’t mention that half the group was actually staying at a place across the street, and that’s where lunch was waiting for us. It was fantastic. We started with a glass of sangria, homemade guacamole, and plantain chips—honestly, that alone would have been enough for me. After that came grilled vegetables and salad. I’m sure there was meat for the others, but I was more than happy with my plate.
Later in the afternoon we visited a local art studio for a class where we painted with natural clays and pigments. Barichara is known for its artisan traditions, and this workshop gave us a small taste of that. The pigments came straight from the surrounding hills, mixed into earthy reds, browns, and yellows, and we used them to decorate tiles and small canvases. The process was simple, and I loved seeing how the natural colors of the region could be transformed into art. I can’t say I loved how mine turned out, but it was still fun to try.
The day ended with another incredible dinner at Casa Yahri. One of the night’s most memorable moments was when the chef created an edible masterpiece for dessert. Using a large marble slab like a canvas, they arranged caramels, chocolates, and fruit compotes into a beautiful and delicious work of modern art.
I absolutely loved Barichara and only wish I’d had another day or two to enjoy it. The vibe of the area was incredible, and my stay at Casa Yahri was perfect. I can’t say enough about how wonderful it was—from the warm welcome to my beautiful room to the most amazing and creative meals. Its location couldn’t have been better, making it easy to enjoy everything Barichara has to offer.
But tomorrow we’d be packing up and heading out to our final stop—Tierra Bomba.
From Barichara, we took two flights followed by a ten-minute boat ride to Tierra Bomba, an island off the coast of Cartagena. Since the boat couldn’t pull up directly to shore, we waded through shallow water to the beach and then followed a pathway to Palmirito Beach Club. The resort was beautiful—with a pool, shaded sun beds, and cushioned loungers—it seemed like the perfect place to relax during our last days.
Our yoga sessions were held in a straw-covered gazebo surrounded by greenery—the perfect place to practice. Afterward, we enjoyed fresh fruit juices and coffee.
One our fist full day, we took a boat ride around the Rosario Islands, stopping for several hours at Agua Azul Beach Club. I liked this place much better than the Palmarito Beach Club because it had a lovely beach area. The water was crystal clear and calm—perfect for a swim. There were also options to rent paddleboards and kayaks, though we weren’t really there long enough for it to make sense to rent one.
We spent the afternoon at Agua Azul lounging in hammocks under palm trees, swimming, and taking walks along the beach. They also prepared a wonderful lunch at tables set outside under the palms. I had a vegetarian dish, while the rest of the group enjoyed fish, which they all seemed to like.
My last full day was filled with yoga, spa treatments, and swimming. In between I relaxed by the pool with a piña colada and plantain chips with guacamole, salty and crunchy against the tropical sweetness of the drink—a laid-back way to wrap up the retreat.
While Palmarito Beach Hotel was a comfortable and relaxing place to stay, I found it a bit limiting as someone who loves to explore beyond the resort. The beach itself wasn’t particularly nice, so most guests, including me, gravitated toward the pool. I think a lot of people come from Cartagena for the day or an overnight stay, which sounds ideal.
For me, though, the lack of transportation options made it difficult to explore more of Tierra Bomba Island. You could only walk so far on the small trail near the resort—and then it just ends. The massages offered at the resort were a definite highlight, but I would have enjoyed my stay more if there had been easier ways to visit other parts of the island.
When it was time to leave, we took a boat back to the mainland in Cartagena. From there I caught a short flight—about an hour—to Bogotá. Not ready to head home, I added a couple of extra nights in the capital to round out my trip. You can read about that part of the journey here: Two Nights in Bogotá: Markets, Murals & a Taste of the Capital.
In the end, this retreat gave me such a wide slice of Colombia—bright street art in Cartagena, peaceful days in Barichara, island relaxation on Tierra Bomba, and a quick taste of Bogotá’s contrasts. It felt like four different trips wrapped into one, blending yoga, travel, food, and discovery. Colombia isn’t simple or one-note; it’s layered and full of energy, and this journey left me both grounded and wanting to come back for more.
Looking back, The Travel Yogi did a fantastic job with this retreat. Their hotel choices were spot on—especially Casa Yahri in Barichara, which I’d happily return to for a whole week on its own. I’ve traveled with them before, and they always seem to find those special places that make a trip unforgettable. And while I went with a group this time, having seen it all firsthand, I realized how easy it would be to plan a trip like this on your own. Either way, I’d go back in a heartbeat.
2 Days in Getsemaní: Cartagena’s Most Colorful Neighborhood – Murals, plazas, and street life in Cartagena’s most vibrant district.
Two Days in Bogotá: Coffee, Culture & Color in Colombia’s Capital – A short stay in Colombia’s capital, from La Candelaria to Usaquén.
Hi, I’m JoAnne—writer, wanderer, and lover of places that surprise me. I’ve traveled to 60+ countries (and counting), usually with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’m drawn to mosaics, markets, and mountains, and I write to remember what moved me. When I’m not traveling, I’m working on my blog Travels Afoot, trying new creative projects, or planning my next adventure.
