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.
Colombia has so much—rainforests, mountains, beaches, music, and delicious food. It felt like the perfect place for adventure and relaxation.
Cartagena
My trip began in Cartagena, where I met up with the Travel Yogi group. We explored Getsemaní, a colorful and lively neighborhood (you can read my blog: Exploring Getsemani: Cartagena’s Edgy, Lively, and Most Colorful Neighborhood).
After a couple of days in Cartagena, it was time to change pace and head to Barichara.
Cartagena 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—and it was gorgeous. The hacienda had beautiful gardens and a lovely patio where I could enjoy meals and watch the sunset, surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of Barichara. My room even had a private pool right outside the door—an unexpected bonus that made the stay feel like pure 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 in a way to resemble a flower, filled with perfectly spiced mushrooms and topped with fresh greens. The combination of flavors and textures was incredible, and the presentation was beautiful. Food continues to be 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—it felt like a step back in time. Founded in 1705, the town’s cobblestone streets and slower pace made it the perfect place to unwind. I enjoyed wandering through its streets, stopping now and then to admire the views of the mountains in the distance. It’s the kind of place where you could lose track of time, whether you’re soaking up the scenery or just sitting in the square watching life unfold.
Hiking the Camino Real
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 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.
After a few hours of hiking, we reached Guane, where we enjoyed a cold beer before jumping on a brightly painted Chiva for a bumpy but scenic ride to Finca San Pedro Cocina. The lunch was great, and afterward, we hung out with our host and learned how to make macrame bracelets. It was a fun way to spend the afternoon.
Horseback Riding and Exploring Barichara
The next day, four of us went horseback riding through the rural countryside of Barichara—half the group was sick, so it was just the four of us. The landscape was stunning—rolling hills, wide open fields, and views of the mountains in the distance. It was such a beautiful ride, and I felt pretty brave getting back on a horse. I haven’t ridden much since I got thrown off one in Colorado a few years ago and ended up with a couple of broken ribs. Luckily, this ride was totally uneventful.
Afterward, I visited some local shops and galleries in Barichara and stopped by the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the town center. Built in the 18th century, the sandstone cathedral has a timeless look, with its warm tones and grand presence. Inside, the high ceilings and simple altar added to its charm. It’s a landmark worth visiting.
The day ended with another great 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. And all of this plus yoga—after all, this was the second stop on a Colombian yoga retreat! I’d love to go back someday, and without a doubt, Casa Yahri is where I’d stay again. The Travel Yogi truly did an outstanding job finding this gem.
A few other things to do in town:
And, of course, I highly recommend walking the Camino Real.
Though Barichara is small, it has a good mix of restaurants serving everything from traditional Colombian dishes to vegetarian options. And, though the town has a small restaurant scene, there is definitely enough variety.
Tierra Bomba: Island Relaxation
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 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.
On the last day, I relaxed by the pool with a piña colada and plantain chips with guacamole—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.
Cartagena to Bogotá
When it was time to leave, we took a boat back to the mainland. Not ready to head home, I extended my trip with a few extra days in Bogotá.
I stayed in the Zona Rosa area, which is packed with shops and restaurants. A friend who has family in Bogotá recommended it, knowing that I would be traveling solo and wanting to make sure I was in a safe area—and she was absolutely right. The area felt safe, and the busy streets made it easy to relax and enjoy myself. I stayed at Hotel NH Bogotá Boheme Royal, which was both comfortable and super convenient.
There were so many great restaurants to choose from, and not too far from my hotel. One night, I had dinner at Le Biferia Steak House, which surprisingly had great vegetarian options. I had grilled avocado, plantains, and a mojito—everything was fantastic. Honestly, months later, I’m still dreaming about those delicious grilled avocados with the cilantro lime sauce.
The next day, I arranged for a guide to explore the city with. The first stop of the day was Café de la Fonda, named after the traditional roadside inns where travelers and their mules would rest along their journey.
After a quick tour of their coffee roasting process, I enjoyed one of the most delicious cappuccinos I’ve ever had—smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced.But of course, it was to be expected — I was in Colombia after all!
From there, we headed to Paloquemao Market, just a short drive from the city center. It’s the second-largest market in Bogotá and definitely worth checking out if you’re in town. It’s the kind of place food lovers and anyone curious about Colombian culture will enjoy. Food is such a big part of life in Colombia, and this market proves it. There were rows of stalls selling everything—exotic fruits, fresh produce, meat, fish, and so many flowers adding bursts of color everywhere you looked. The air even smelled faintly of the flowers, which was a nice touch.
And speaking of flowers, Colombia is the second-largest flower exporter in the world, shipping millions of roses to the U.S., especially before Valentine’s Day.
The market had plenty of vendors selling Colombian favorites like arepas filled with cheese, empanadas, or warm, pandebonos (Colombian cheese bread). The long lines at the stalls showed just how popular they were. I grabbed one of the pandebonos while I was there, and — damn, it was good. Wandering through the rows, taking in the hustle and bustle, gave a real sense of everyday life in Bogotá.
Then, we headed to La Candelaria, Bogotá’s historic area, where many of the buildings are covered with beautiful murals painted by both local and international artists. Quite a few of the murals depicted indigenous people or had cultural themes. The whole area felt like an outdoor gallery, and the flags and umbrellas hanging over the streets added even more color.
Beyond the art, La Candelaria had a lot of quaint and inviting coffee shops and cafes —perfect for taking a break and soaking in the vibe. With so much to explore, I felt like I had barely scratched the surface.
Here are a few other suggestions for things to do in Bogota:
My trip to Colombia, organized by The Travel Yogi, was an unforgettable blend of vibrant cities like Cartagena, peaceful towns like Barichara, and a quiet retreat on Tierra Bomba. Whether practicing yoga in serene settings, exploring local markets, or hiking historic trails, Colombia offers a beautiful balance of adventure and relaxation. The food, culture, and street art made every day a discovery, and I left feeling grounded, refreshed, and inspired by my experiences.
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