the stage | the schedule | Logistics | FAQs | action items
let's run away
together
Here is a Google Maps list with the places you’ll need to know about for planning the trip, and we'll be adding add places that you might find interesting if you’re walking around town. There is tailored information on each location that you can see if you click on the notes for each place.
The logistics
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Preparing for the Trip:
COORDINATION
The Final Guest List is located here. This is what I’ll use to coordinate everything on the trip. Please check to make sure all the info is correct and specifically your: 1) flight number, 2) arrival date & time, and 3) which airport you land in.
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For those of you who request airport transfer those schedules are on the Final Guest List, Airport Transfer Schedules tab.
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HOTELS
The room schedules have changed a lot due to unforeseen circumstances. We’re all good, but pretty much no one is in the room that we had originally had you in. The only 2 things you need to do for this are:
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Check the Final Guest List to see which hotel you should go to when you arrive, and
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When they check into any hotel on this trip, confirm at check-in that you have your room for the dates that you think you have your room. Call me if there are any inconsistencies between the dates on the Final Guest List and the hotel’s records.
COMMUNICATION
If you don't have WhatApp, I recommend you download it before the trip, so that you can communicate more easily in Colombia. If you need help at any point on the trip here are the phone numbers to call:
Courtney +1.916.220.8546, Ricky +1.916.213.8613, Sara +57 (317) 538-7361, or Lina +57 (314) 617-0034
Sara and Lina are our Colombian friends who will be with us, and will have service more often than we will. They speak English and will be helping us avoid tourist traps and get out of kidnappings.
Also, Sheik Rojas +57 (300) 384-4185 is the manager of both Casona del Colegio and Casona del Porvenir, in Cartagena. He can help with anything, if you have questions, need to check in, or want to book spa services you can call or text him.
​Money
Someone in your group needs to pull cash out of the ATM when you land. You don’t need much but you need some to get into town. I would say take out $200 and you might not need to get cash again on the trip. Don’t pull too much out because statistically 2 of us are going to get pick-pocketed at some point on the trip.
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SAFETY
While we’re on the subject - a friendly request to PLEASE not take more than $100 USD, 1 credit card, and your ID (if you want) out with you in Colombia - and PLEASE DO NOT TAKE YOUR PASSPORT ANYWHERE WITH YOU. You will have to spend the trip in Bogota if you lose it. Also, please don’t forget your passport. I’ve almost forgotten mine 500x, and one time I put it in my luggage and checked it in at the airport in Mexico City, so don’t do that either.
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COVID PROTocols
The US Embassy in Colombia says that you need your physical vaccination card to enter the country (as opposed to a photo of it) or, if you’re not vaccinated, that you’ll need a PCR. But please do your own research because I never feel like I really understand COVID protocols - and let me know if you find anything different. You also need to complete Migración Colombia’s online Check-Mig form within 72 hours of boarding (note for Americans: when you create your account you need to search "Estados Unidos," even in English.)
TABS
In Colombia, the only way to facilitate a huge group like this is to put the large bills on a single tab. For us, these situations are things like the hotels, Rosario Islands, and possibly dinner and the bar on Saturday. In these cases I would just split everything evenly, but if you dont drink or eat or whatever just ignore that line item when I enter everything in after the trip. Let me know if you have any questions about prices and payment.
Medellin people
I created a schedule for the Medellin leg of the trip. Feel completely free to opt out of whatever - no need to stay with the group the entire time. However, I am paying for some non-refundable reservations now so I know which of these you’ll be attending. If there’s an asterisk next to the activity that means you need to opt in to it on the Medellín tab of the Guest list by Tuesday EOD so I can finalize reservations on Wednesday. If you’re opting into everything just click the box in column K. I’ll pay the tab for all these activities and dinners and split it after the trip. NOTE: I might have to change the exact location of some events but the backup option will be similar in price.
flights
Flying into Tayrona
Best Option: Fly into Simón Bolívar International Airport, Santa Marta (SMR).
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SMR is a 45-minute ($40) cab ride to our Tayrona hotels.
Secondary Option: Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, Barranquilla (BAQ).
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BAQ is a 2-hour+ ($100) cab ride to our Tayrona hotels.
These airports are small and not super easy to get to. My standard for a good flight from the states is that it's one of the 10- or 13-hour flights and doesn’t have a long, middle-of-the-night layover in a central American airport.
Book early so you don’t have to spend the middle of the night in the Panama City airport, it's always either cold or hot and there are no lounges.
Talk to us if you want help choosing a flight.
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Flying out from Cartagena
This is the easy part. Rafael Nuñez International Airport, Cartagena (CTG).
CTG is very close to town - 15 minutes from your hotel and has tons of international flights.
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If you're going to Medellin after, book a flight from Cartagena to Medellin for Tuesday, March 7th. We booked the Viva Air flight #VH5653 at 11:58 AM. It was $75/ person after luggage and taxes and everything (price will increase quickly as more people buy this ticket). You can book directly on the Viva website once you confirm that Viva is still the cheapest option.
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*Pro tip from my brother: “You can transfer Citibank Thank You points to Avianca 1:1, and then each flight was like 22k points + $135, which is decent.”
hotels
The room schedules have changed a lot due to somewhat foreseen circumstances. We’re all good, but pretty much no one is in the room that we had originally had you in.
The only 2 things you need to do for this are:
1) Check the Final Guest List to see which hotel you should go to when you arrive, and
2) When you check into any hotel on this trip, confirm at check-in that you have your room for the dates that you think you have your room. Call me if there are any inconsistencies between the dates on the Final Guest List and the hotel’s records.
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Minca Hotels
Half of us are in Trekker Glamping and the other half are at the Siembra. See the "Guest Info" tab on the Final Guest List doc for reservation details.
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Tayrona Hotels
We have 2 hotels in Tayrona. They are a 3-minute walk from each other, owned by the same company, and very similar.
Senda Watapuy is the primary Tayrona hotel where we will hang out and eat dinner.
Senda Koguiwa is the secondary hotel where the majority of us will stay.
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Journey Hostel is the tertiary hotel where a few people will stay for the 1st night. It's a 4-minute drive from the Sendas.
Cartagena Airbnbs
We have 2 Airbnbs in Cartagena. They are next to each other, owned by the same company, and very similar.
Hotel Casona del Colegio is the primary Cartagena Airbnb. It has a ton of common areas, 2 bars, a restaurant, a pool, a full spa with massages, and is staffed, so we’ll be spending most of the time there.
Hotel Casona del Porvenir is the seondary Airbnb where the majority of us will stay.
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Sheik Rojas is the general manager for both hotels. His phone number is +57 (300) 384-4185 - you can call or text him to help with anything - if you have questions, need to check in, or want to book spa services. H speaks English and you’ll need WhatsApp to contact him.
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Medellín
We'll be staying at the Selina in Medellín. See the "Medellín" tab on the Final Guest List doc for reservation details.
