Our Family Journey through Colombia
From horseback riding to a hummingbird forest
There is nothing quite like watching your daughter get married. But watching her exchange vows with a man so deeply empathetic, creative, and intelligent at a gorgeous Colombian hacienda, surrounded by lush scenery and a vibrant culture, is a memory I will always cherish.
This summer our family traveled to Colombia for the celebration, and it turned out to be an incredible vacation. We were able to explore the breathtaking landscapes, celebrate birthdays, and take a deep dive into local culture. The legendary Colombian hospitality started when Sebastian’s family warmly met us at the airport with sunflowers and fresh granadillas!
It was a whirlwind trip filled with unforgettable highs, family bonding, and a couple of classic travel lessons along the way. Here is a look inside our unforgettable Colombian journey.
Staying in Bogotá
When our new son-in-law, Sebastian, recommended we stay in El Chicó, we trusted his judgment. The neighborhood is green, walkable, and safe, making it a great base for our time in Bogota. On our first night, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Crepes & Waffles. The space was lovely, and I loved the Crepe Sombrero Vueltiao dish. It was a lovely welcome to the city.
Over the next few days, it didn’t take us long to find a comfortable routine. For our daily grocery trips, we walked to D1, a popular neighborhood shop that made picking up fresh items quick and affordable. We also found time to treat ourselves to a visit to Juan Valdez 1959 for a premium Colombian coffee experience.
Another perk of staying in El Chicó was its proximity to world-class shopping at El Retiro Shopping Center. When we realized we had forgotten a couple crucial items from home, we just walked to the mall. I easily restocked my missing makeup, and my husband found a sharp new tailored suit from LBR Luber, made in Colombia with premium local materials.
Pampering and Pre-Wedding Celebrations
Before the wedding festivities began, we had quality time to bond with my daughter’s future family. We enjoyed a bachelorette spa day right in the city with massages and sweet treats. It was a peaceful way to merge the ladies of our families and celebrate the beautiful bride-to-be before the main event.
Meanwhile, the guys went out to experience a whole different side of Colombian culture. They played tejo, the country’s national sport, which is a wild mix of something between skeeball and cornhole but with gunpowder. They threw heavy steel discs at a clay target, trying to hit small paper packets to make them explode. It seems they found the ultimate way for men to bond over some friendly, explosive competition.
A Perfect Wedding in a Eucalyptus Forest
The heart of our trip was, of course, the wedding itself, which took place at a stunning hacienda in the mountains outside of Bogotá. While the property was breathtaking, the ceremony itself was meaningful and unique. The couple said their vows tucked away inside a dreamy eucalyptus forest. The towering trees, the dappled sunlight, and the incredible, fresh scent of the eucalyptus in the air made it feel enchanting.
The celebration that followed was the perfect mix of local flavor and heartfelt joy. Guests enjoyed team games, a delicious coastal platter packed with flavor, and a gorgeous wedding cake beautifully decorated with fresh flowers. To top it all off, the night ended with an epic dance party that couldn’t have been more fun!
Exploring Historic Bogotá
A highlight of our trip was a day exploring the historic center of Bogotá, guided by Sebastian’s family. Having locals show us around made the city’s rich history and hidden gems come alive.
We rode up Monserrate, the towering mountain that overlooks the city. At the very top, we found a wishing well where we tossed a coin and made a special wish. It has been a sacred pilgrim site since the 1600s, when a religious hermitage was first built here.
Next we walked down into the cobblestone streets of La Candelaria, Bogotá’s historic heartbeat. We stopped at Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo, a vibrant square believed by many to be the exact location where Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada founded the city in 1538.
We navigated the narrow streets of Callejón del Embudo “The Funnel.” The alleyway is famous for its spectacular murals, which serve as a canvas for political expression and cultural pride.
While wandering, we snacked on fresh, juicy fruit right from a street stand. To drink, we tried smooth avena, a traditional, creamy oat beverage. We also stopped by a chicha bar called Bullitas Gourmet to try chicha—an ancient fermented corn drink that dates back to the Muisca indigenous civilization. We got to sample both the classic recipe and a tropical passion fruit version!
For a delicious sit-down meal, Sebastian’s family took us to La Puerta de la Catedral. It is housed in a beautiful building with sweeping wooden doors and stunning views, serving authentic Colombian food in the historic center.
We spent time in the grand Plaza de Bolívar, the political and historical epicenter of Colombia since its colonial days. We fed eager pigeons with dried corn right in front of the monumental Primary Cathedral, the National Capitol, and the Palace of Justice. On the corner, we saw the Casa del Florero “The Vase House.” This building is famous in Colombian history because a dispute over a borrowed flower vase here on July 20, 1810, sparked the riots that ultimately led to Colombia’s independence from Spain!
Celebrating Birthdays
In addition to the wedding, our vacation was packed with milestones as we got to ring in family birthdays with some unforgettable adventures:
For Ben’s birthday, we went horseback riding across the gorgeous countryside. Feeling the mountain breeze and taking in the views from horseback was the ultimate way to celebrate Ben.
Sebastian’s sister also celebrated her birthday while we were there. For her special day, we went to La Juguetería “The Toy Store” a really unique restaurant filled with nostalgic cartoon decorations, where we had Speedy Gonzales burgers. It was really nice to sit back, laugh, and celebrate her together in such an eclectic spot.
For my birthday, we headed to Termales del Ruiz, a serene thermal spa tucked into a lush, high-altitude landscape. We spent hours soaking in the natural, warm pools, which are heated by the nearby volcano. While there, we also got to feed tiny hummingbirds from the palms of our hands. Feeling their wings buzz just inches away was pure bliss.
Jeeps and Giant Palms in the Cocora Valley
Once we were fully refreshed from the thermal spas, we headed to Salento. The picturesque small town stole my heart. We stumbled into a little souvenir shop called D’Arte en Manos. We chatted with the owners and walked out with a traditional sombrero, cozy ruanas, beautiful necklaces, and hand-woven scarves.
The highlight of our time there was easily our trek out to the famous Cocora Valley. To get there, we piled into the traditional Willys, which are the iconic, colorful jeeps the locals use to navigate the rough terrain. The guys were thrilled to stand on the back bumper, holding on to the roof racks, while us ladies got to sit safely and comfortably inside. When we arrived, standing among those towering, surreal wax palm trees, the tallest in the world, it genuinely felt like stepping onto another planet.
We spent the day exploring, climbing up a steep hillside to visit some alpacas and standing on the giant hand sculpture overlooking the valley. After working up an appetite, we treated ourselves to some local comfort food. We found something that looked similar to mozzarella sticks, but it was actually sweet melted cheese stuffed inside a fried plantain wrapper, called aborrajado. We also ordered a traditional platter of hot chocolate and cheese, locals drop a slice of mild white cheese into their steaming mug of chocolate and let it get gooey. It was the perfect, laid-back end to a wonderful day.
A Tropical Fruit Safari
One of the biggest highlights of the trip was the sheer volume of fruit we consumed! The obsession started on our very first morning in Bogotá when Sebastian met us with bags bursting with local varieties. It was so exciting that it sparked a daily routine, we had enough to enjoy fresh fruit every day of our stay in Bogota.
Some were familiar favorites that just tasted extra fresh from the source, like juicy pineapple, bananas, mandarins, plums, and star fruit. But the special treat was trying unique fruits that I had either never seen in person or never even heard of before. We sampled unique brown pears and tart little kumquats alongside some truly exotic finds.
My favorite new fruit was the granadilla. We learned how to crack open the firm orange shell against our foreheads, and we laughed as we slurped out the sweet, crunchy, jelly-like seeds inside. We also tried pitahaya, the yellow-skinned cousin of the dragon fruit, and couldn’t believe how sweet those tiny, bite-sized bananitos were. Peeling the hairy, bright red skin of the rambutan was a lot of fun, and cracking open the tough purple armor of the mangosteen revealed these beautiful white segments that just melted in our mouths.
The Not-So-Glamorous Reality
Reflections on Colombia
For me, what makes Colombia truly special is its people. From Sebastian’s welcoming family to the locals we encountered along the way, the people of Colombia are extraordinarily warm, helpful, and friendly. They hold a deep affection for their country, and their genuine hospitality is remarkable. Between the eucalyptus forest wedding, the historic streets of Bogotá, the birthday adventures, the vibrant fruit markets, and the time spent with our newly expanded family, it was truly the trip of a lifetime.
What a wonderful glimpse into the traditions, foods, culture and beauty of Colombia!
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts! Colombia is a special place!