Inspection Trip to Cartagena and the Baru Peninsula

In early September, Julia, Karol, Lina, and Natalia embarked on a five-day inspection trip to Cartagena and its surroundings. Post-pandemic Cartagena has truly blossomed. We discovered some new tourist offerings and found some exciting new hotels. We've also written a separate article with recommendations for certain hotels.

The Kiubo team in fronto of the impressive fortress of Cartagena: From left to right, you see: Julia, Lina, Natalia and Karol.

The wonderful weather put us in a cheerful mood, and we kicked off the day with a small cooking class. We prepared the typical dish "Patacones with Hogao," mashed and fried plantains with a special sauce. Additionally, we participated in a small cocktail workshop and crafted fantastic drinks from a variety of fruits, both with and without alcohol.

The Caribbean is famous for its rum varieties. Therefore, we couldn't resist participating in a rum tasting. From a magnificent collection, we had the chance to sample a total of 8 different types of rum, all produced here in Colombia. We don't want to encourage excessive drinking, but this tour is available through us.

Rum tasting in Cartagena

Afterward, we embarked on a street food tour through various corners of Cartagena. We indulged in an extremely delicious and calorie-rich Arepa de Huevo in Getsemaní, classic Caribbean "Ceviche de Camaron," and delightful homemade sweets made from coconut, tamarind, and sesame. There was also a selection of different ice cream flavors like Tamarind, Corozo, and Zapote to choose from. This activity is ideal for families with young children, as it provides loads of fun for both young and old. We recommend having a light breakfast or skipping lunch if you plan on taking this tour.

On another day, we traveled to the seaside neighborhood of "La Boquilla" to participate in a drum workshop. From here, you can also embark on exciting tours into the nearby mangrove forests, which play an extremely important role in flood protection and biodiversity.

More detailed information about each tour will be provided in our upcoming newsletter, at the latest.

Popular posts from this blog

Kolumbiens Präsidentschaftswahl 2026: Was Ihr wissen solltet

Image
Kolumbien steuert in diesem Monat auf eine entscheidende Präsidentschaftswahl zu, bei der die politischen Fronten klar gezogen sind und erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die zukünftige politische Richtung des Landes haben wird. Drei unterschiedliche Visionen konkurrieren um die Präsidentschaft. Die politische Landschaft Auf der linken Seite steht Iván Cepeda, der für die Fortführung und Vertiefung der Reformagenda von Präsident Gustavo Petro (dem ersten linksgerichteten Präsidenten in der Geschichte Kolumbiens) steht. Der Fokus liegt auf sozialer Gerechtigkeit, Umweltschutz, strukturellen wirtschaftlichen Veränderungen und der Strategie des „Totalen Friedens“, also Verhandlungen mit bewaffneten Gruppen. Auch wenn die Ergebnisse dieser Friedensstrategie viel schwächer als erhofft sind, gab es in einigen Regionen konkrete Fortschritte, zum Beispiel lokale Waffenstillstände und eine Verringerung der Gewalt in Gebieten, die von Gruppen wie der ELN beeinflusst werden. Iván Cepeda In der po...
Mehr lesen / read more»

Welcome Jana!

Image
We are delighted to welcome Jana to our team at Kiubo! Jana, 24, is from Germany and joined Kiubo in April, where she is supporting us as our new Incoming Manager (German, Spanish and English). Her connection with Colombia began at an early age: she discovered her passion for the country during a school exchange with the German School in Barranquilla. “What I particularly like about Colombia is the warmth of the people, the exotic fruits and the coast. I’m really looking forward to being part of this great team and to getting to know you all and creating unforgettable experiences in Colombia together with you.” Find out more about our team here . 
Mehr lesen / read more»

Willkommen Jana!

Image
Wir freuen uns sehr, Jana in unserem Team bei Kiubo willkommen zu heißen! Jana, 24, kommt aus Deutschland und ist seit April bei Kiubo und unterstützt uns als neue Incoming-Managerin (Deutsch, Spanisch und Englisch). Ihre Verbindung zu Kolumbien begann schon früh: Während eines Schüleraustauschs mit der Deutschen Schule in Barranquilla entdeckte sie ihre Begeisterung für das Land.  “Was mir besonders an Kolumbien gefällt, sind die Herzlichkeit der Menschen, die exotischen Früchte und die Küste. Ich freue mich sehr, Teil dieses großartigen Teams zu sein und freue mich auch, Euch alle kennenzulernen und mit Euch gemeinsam unvergessliche Erfahrungen in Kolumbien zu schaffen.” Mehr zu unserem Team hier .  
Mehr lesen / read more»

Electric Car Tour in Cartagena

Image
  We would like to invite you to try out our new electric car tour: a unique way to discover the charms of Cartagena’s old town in a comfortable, eco-friendly and completely new way. On board these modern vehicles, passengers can explore some of the city’s most significant sights whilst enjoying a peaceful, safe and eco-friendly atmosphere. It is an ideal option for anyone wishing to take their time exploring, taking photos and soaking up the history and beauty of this Caribbean destination. During the tour, you’ll visit iconic spots such as the Plaza de los Mártires, the Clock Tower, the traditional Getsemaní district, as well as various streets and squares in the old town, which are brimming with colonial architecture, colour and cultural life. The experience offers flexible 1- and 2-hour options tailored to the needs of each group. The 2-hour tour extends the route to include areas such as Bocagrande and El Laguito, in addition to the historic centre, Plaza de los Mártires and t...
Mehr lesen / read more»

Colombia’s 2026 presidential election: What you need to know

Image
Colombia is heading toward a decisive presidential election this month, in which the political lines are clearly drawn and which will have a significant impact on the country’s future political direction. Three distinct visions are vying for the presidency. The Political Landscape On the left is Iván Cepeda, who advocates for the continuation and deepening of the reform agenda of President Gustavo Petro (the first left-leaning president in Colombia’s history). The focus is on social justice, environmental protection, structural economic changes, and the “Total Peace” strategy - that is, negotiations with armed groups. Even though the results of this peace strategy have been much weaker than hoped for, there has been concrete progress in some regions, such as local ceasefires and a reduction in violence in areas influenced by groups like the ELN. Iván Cepeda In the political center, Sergio Fajardo and Claudia López advocate a more moderate course. They emphasize strengthening state inst...
Mehr lesen / read more»

Élections présidentielles en Colombie en 2026 : ce qu'il faut savoir

Image
La Colombie s'apprête ce mois-ci à vivre une élection présidentielle décisive, où les clivages politiques sont clairement marqués et qui aura des répercussions considérables sur l'orientation politique future du pays. Trois visions différentes s'affrontent pour la présidence. Le paysage politique À gauche se trouve Iván Cepeda, qui prône la poursuite et l'approfondissement du programme de réformes du président Gustavo Petro (le premier président de gauche de l'histoire de la Colombie). L'accent est mis sur la justice sociale, la protection de l'environnement, les changements économiques structurels et la stratégie de la « paix totale », c'est-à-dire les négociations avec les groupes armés. Même si les résultats de cette stratégie de paix sont bien moins probants qu'espéré, des progrès concrets ont été enregistrés dans certaines régions, par exemple des cessez-le-feu locaux et une réduction de la violence dans les zones sous l'influence de groupes...
Mehr lesen / read more»

Tour of the Month: Football in the Comuna 8

Image
Colombia is the land of coffee, music and football, characterised by stunning natural beauty, great diversity and an innovative spirit. It is a fascinating and multifaceted country. Even though Tejo is our national sport, we Colombians love football. And we have some true legends: Radamel Falcao, James Rodríguez, Carlos ‘El Pibe’ Valderrama, Linda Caicedo, René Higuita, Luis Díaz… to name but a few. Football brings the whole country together. There is hardly anything more special than experiencing a match involving the Colombian national team in the country. For 90 minutes, the country comes to a standstill, in a positive sense. People come together to support our 11 players, who make us proud every time they take to the pitch. Football is played everywhere: in every region, every city and every neighbourhood. With a simple ball and makeshift goals made from shoes, or in large stadiums with professional teams. Football knows no boundaries and no social divides; it is a language that un...
Mehr lesen / read more»

Searching for the Spectacled Bear in Colombia

Image
Just a few days ago, almost the entire Kiubo team embarked on a full-day excursion to Chingaza National Park, located east of Bogota and right at our doorstep. The goal of this expedition was ambitious – to witness the spectacled bear , the only bear species in South America, native to Colombia, with our own eyes. These bears thrive in the remote, high-altitude Paramo ecosystems, where they find abundant food. Kiubo Colombia in Chingaza Early in the morni ng, we set out to the national park east of Bogota. Over 80% of the excellent-quality drinking water , supplied to approximately 10 million residents, is sourced from this park through massive pipelines. Amidst impressive landsca pes, mostly at elevations exceeding 3000 meters above sea level, we observed various animal species throughout the day. An Andean condor approached us to within about 300 meters, a golden eagle soared past us with rapid speed, and we spotted several white-tailed deer along the way . Boundless landscapes ...
Mehr lesen / read more»

Guide for VAT Refunds for Foreign Tourists in Colombia

What is the VAT refund? It is a benefit granted to foreign tourists that allows the reimbursement of the Value Added Tax (VAT) for purchases of taxable goods within Colombian territory. Main Requirements: Foreign tourist status:  You must not hold Colombian nationality, must have a tourist migration status, and a stay in the country of less than 90 days. Electronic invoice:  Purchases must be supported by electronic invoices containing the tourist's identification details (name, surname, and passport or entry document number). Goods must leave the country:  The purchased goods must physically leave Colombian territory. Formal request:  A refund request form must be completed at DIAN-authorized points, such as offices, self-service kiosks, or virtual platforms. Steps to Request the Refund: Before leaving Colombia:  The request must be made at airports, international bridges, or authorized ports before checking luggage. Self-service kiosks from Global Blue ...
Mehr lesen / read more»

Elektroauto-Tour in Cartagena

Image
  Wir  möchten Euch einladen, die neue Elektroauto-Tour kennenzulernen: ein einzigartiges Erlebnis, um die Reize der Altstadt von Cartagena auf bequeme, umweltfreundliche und ganz neue Weise zu entdecken. An Bord dieser modernen Fahrzeuge können die Fahrgäste einige der bedeutendsten Sehenswürdigkeiten der Stadt erkunden und dabei eine ruhige, sichere und umweltfreundliche Atmosphäre genießen. Es ist eine ideale Alternative für alle, die ohne Eile auf Entdeckungstour gehen, Fotos machen und die Geschichte und Schönheit dieses karibischen Reiseziels auf sich wirken lassen möchten. Während der Tour werden ikonische Orte wie die Plaza de los Mártires, der Uhrturm, das traditionelle Viertel Getsemaní sowie verschiedene Straßen und Plätze der Altstadt besucht, die voller kolonialer Architektur, Farben und kulturellem Leben sind. Das Erlebnis bietet flexible Optionen von 1 und 2 Stunden, die auf die Bedürfnisse jeder Gruppe zugeschnitten sind. Die 2-stündige Tour erweitert die R...
Mehr lesen / read more»