Colombia: Music & Cultural Tour for Parents of Hopkins High School Students
ITINERARY: March 10-16, 2027
Please note that some activities of this itinerary are still in planning with the local communities. There may be slight modifications on our schedule between now and our travel.
DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 | WELCOME TO CARTAGENA
Arrive at the Minneapolis St. Paul Airport to check into your flight
We recommend departing MSP at 6:00 AM on American Airlines AA2101 and arriving in Miami (MIA) at 10:57 AM and transferring to AA2173 which departs at 12:17 PM and arrive in Cartagena (CTG) at 3:15 PM.
Meet at Cartagena International Airport
Upon arrival at Cartagena’s airport, you will be welcomed by the Project Por Amor team and transferred to the hotel along the Caribbean coast. During the drive, our travel staff will introduce themselves and give you some important information about Colombia.
Arrival in Cartagena
Check in to the Faranda Grand Hotel Caribe Cartagena
The Grand Hotel Caribe Cartagena is located on the seafront on the Bocagrande Beach, just 10 minutes from Cartagena’s historic center. Designed by Cuban architect Manuel José Carrerá Machado, the colonial style of polished white marble floors and wood furnishings is surrounded by lush tropical gardens with views of the Caribbean Sea and the modern city. You’ll enjoy comfortable, renovated superior and premium rooms near the students . This family-friendly hotel offers a welcoming setting to relax and recharge, featuring a daily breakfast buffet, three on-site restaurants offering gourmet regional dishes and poolside drinks, a semi-olympic outdoor pool, and convenient access to the beach.
Faranda Grand Hotel Caribe Cartagena
7:00 pm ~ Welcome dinner with students at local restaurant
Welcome dinner with students
DAY 2: THURSDAY, MARCH 11 | MUSIC, LANGUAGE & CARIBBEAN RHYTHM
Breakfast at our hotel
Each morning, enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel featuring a variety of hot and cold options, including fresh tropical fruits, breads and pastries, eggs, juices, Colombian coffee, and local specialties.
Colombian breakfast
9:00 am ~ Master class on Colombian music (with students)
Sit in on the first half of an interactive Colombian music class with HHS led by our renowned guide and Grammy-nominated musician Gregorio Uribe. Through guided listening, discussion, and live musical interaction, we’ll explore the historical roots, rhythmic structures, and social context of Colombian music while deepening their understanding of its role in cultural expression and community life.
Master class with Grammy-nominated musician Gregorio Uribe
10:30 am ~ Walking tour of Cartagena’s historic core (parents only)
Explore the old walled city's cobblestone streets, colorful balconies, Plaza de Bolívar, and historic fortress walls, and street performers. Step into a UNESCO World Heritage Site where 500 years of history come alive through stunning Spanish colonial architecture, vibrant street life, and stories of pirates, resistance, and independence. This immersive introduction reveals how Cartagena's role as a major slave trade port created the cultural blend of African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences that gave birth to cumbia, champeta, and the Afro-Colombian musical traditions students will experience throughout the week. This guided experience includes a Bilingual Guide and a snack, with visits to historic landmarks such as the Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj), Plaza de Bolívar, and the Cartagena Cathedral (Catedral de Cartagena).
Scenes of Cartagena
12:30 pm ~ Lunch at a local restaurant (parents only)
Savor a delicious lunch in Cartagena, where the coastal flavors of the Caribbean are at the heart of every dish. Enjoy a meal that blends fresh, local ingredients with the rich culinary traditions of the region. Whether it's seafood or traditional Colombian fare, each bite captures the vibrant essence of Cartagena, offering a taste of the city's unique and flavorful cuisine.
Traditional Colombian cuisine
2:30 pm ~ Leisure time for city & beach recreation
After lunch, continue exploring the historic core on your own, or return to the hotel beach to join, students for paddle boarding and free time at the beach. Enjoy the natural beauty of Cartagena’s Caribbean coastline, enjoy the ocean environment, and recharge before the evening’s cultural activities.
Paddleboarding and beach recreation in Cartagena
6:00 pm ~ Sunset Caribbean cruise (parents only)
As the sun sets over Cartagena, board a private vessel from Club Náutico for an exclusive cruise across the bay. Glide past the glittering skyline of Bocagrande, the bustling Puerto Principal, and the iconic Torre del Reloj bathed in warm light—all while enjoying a light ceviche dinner and wine from the most coveted vantage point in the city: the Caribbean Sea.
Sunset Caribbean cruise
DAY 3: FRIDAY, MARCH 12 | COMMUNITY EXCHANGE IN LA BOQUILLA
8:15 am ~ Breakfast at our hotel
Each morning, enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel featuring a variety of hot and cold options, including fresh tropical fruits, breads and pastries, eggs, juices, Colombian coffee, and local specialties.
Colombian breakfast
9:00 am ~ Travel to La Boquilla
Students will travel to La Boquilla, an Afro-descendant fishing community on the outskirts of Cartagena, for a day of cultural and musical exchange with the local organization Batambora. This immersive visit offers students a unique opportunity to engage with the community and learn about its rich traditions and way of life.
La Boquilla fishing village
10:00 am ~ Beach recreation & lunch (with students)
Students will enjoy a traditional lunch with community members after participating in a friendly soccer match and spending time at the beach. These shared meals and activities provide a relaxed and engaging setting to connect with local youth, fostering teamwork, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding.
Beach recreation and lunch
1:00 pm ~ Gondola trip through the mangrove (with students)
Mangroves are swamp ecosystems of the incredible diversity that are key for the environmental balance of many tropical coastal areas. This is the place where a big part of the maritime life originates. They work as a natural barrier to protect the land from natural disasters and make a unique scenario to be in close contact with nature. This canoe trip will take you through the channels and tunnels formed by dense mangrove swamp forests at Cienaga de la Virgen. You will go deeply into the heart of this ecosystem, making stops at small hideaways where biodiversity reveals natural treasures within these fishing communities of Afro-Colombian families.
Mangrove gondola trip
4:00 pm ~ Traditional rhythm workshop
Take part in a private, hands-on rhythm workshop led by community members of the local music organization Batambora. Through guided instruction and collaborative participation, they will explore traditional Afro-Colombian musical expressions and gain insight into how music, sports, and collective creativity strengthen cultural identity and community bonds.
Dance & rhythm workshop
6:00 pm ~ Return to hotel for time at leisure
Return to the hotel to relax for a couple of hours. Get some food at the hotel if you’re hungry before going out this evening.
8:00 pm ~ Cartagena nightlife (parents only)
Cartagena's nightlife is an explosion of energy. On this guided tour, we will venture into a curated selection of vibrant local bars to experience the true Cartagenero rumba alongside the locals. The adventure begins with transportation to a salsa club where you can enjoy good food and drinks. Your guide will teach you the basics to dance to diverse rhythms that define the Caribbean night, such as vallenato, champeta, reggaetón, salsa, and dancehall. We’ll continue on to a couple of other favorite places for both upbeat dancing and relaxed atmospheres with scenic views. Drinks are included!
Cartagena nightlife tour
DAY 4: SATURDAY, MARCH 13 | GAITA TRADITIONS & STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN MONTES DE MARIA
Breakfast and check out of our hotel
Each morning, enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel featuring a variety of hot and cold options, including fresh tropical fruits, breads and pastries, eggs, juices, Colombian coffee, and local specialties.
Colombian breakfast buffet
8:30 am ~ Travel to Montes de María
After breakfast, the group will travel to the Montes de María region, a culturally rich area of Colombia known for its musical heritage and vibrant communities.
Montes de María region
10:30 am ~ Cacao & coffee Experience (parents only)
Journey by a traditional jeep ride to Finca Rodáculo, a traditional farm in a region known as the "breadbasket of Bolívar." After the local farmers welcome you with delicious patacones and cheese., they'll walk you through their lush fields of coffee, cacao, avocados, yucca, pineapples, and chili peppers, learning about the sustainable practices that make this land so fruitful. After soaking in the beauty of the landscapes and the stories of the farmers, we’ll continue on to San Jacinto.
Cacao and coffee farm visit
12:30 am ~ Lunch at local restaurant in San Jacinto (parents only)
In San Jacinto, you'll enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.
1:30 pm ~ Coffee roasting at Cerro Maco (parents only)
Immerse yourself in a hands-on coffee experience from hulling and roasting to grinding the beans. You'll gain a deep appreciation for the art of coffee making in one of the world’s best coffee regions, and you'll take home a bag of freshly roasted coffee as a souvenir.
Cacao and coffee farm visit
3:30 pm ~ Visit to San Jacinto Community Museum (parents only)
Internationally recognized as the birthplace of Gaita music, San Jacinto is one of Colombia’s most significant traditional musical expressions. We’ll visit the Community Museum, learn about the construction and symbolism of gaita instruments, and engage with a local music school where intergenerational transmission of musical knowledge is central to community life. Proceed to Montes de María.
San Jacinto Community Museum
5:00 pm ~ HHS public concert
In the late afternoon, HHS students will participate in a public concert in Carmen de Bolívar, performing alongside local youth musicians. This joint concert highlights music as a bridge between cultures, generations, and shared experiences.
Public concert with HHS & local high school
7:30 pm ~ Dinner at restaurant (with students)
In the evening, students will gather for a group dinner in Carmen de Bolívar featuring regional Colombian cuisine. This shared meal provides time to unwind after a full day of travel and musical exchange, reflect on the day’s experiences, and connect with local hosts and fellow students in a welcoming community setting.
Dinner at restaurant
Overnight in Carmen de Bolívar (with students)
Students will spend the night in Carmen de Bolívar, allowing time to rest and recharge after a full day of travel, cultural exchange, and performance.
DAY 5: SUNDAY, MARCH 14 | PALENQUE: MUSIC, IDENTITY & RESISTANCE
8:00 am ~ Breakfast and check out of hotel
Each morning, enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel featuring a variety of hot and cold options, including fresh tropical fruits, breads and pastries, eggs, juices, Colombian coffee, and local specialties.
8:30 am ~ Travel to San Basilio de Palenque
After breakfast, students will travel to San Basilio de Palenque, the first free African town in the Americas and a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage site known for its rich history, living traditions, and enduring cultural identity.
San Basilio de Palenque
11:00 am ~ Walking tour of Palenque (parents only)
Visit San Basilio de Palenque, the first settlement of the world founded by emancipated slaves (negros cimarrones) from the Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule. This town remains a symbol of resistance and of African pride. Thanks to isolation and resistance, Palenqueros preserved African culture while creating new local manifestations such as Alegrías (a type of candy), Son Palenquero (a music genre) and the first and only Spanish-based creole language, which is still spoken here. On a walking tour we’ll see important monuments and colorful paintings like the statue of Benkos Bioho, the Congolese leader that escaped forming the first African settlements in the territory in the early 1600s or Kid Pambele, boxing world champion in 1972 and son of the town's fighting spirit. We’ll meet Tambores Ri Tabalá, a local children’s music project, and learn how rhythm and oral tradition play a central role in preserving cultural heritage.
Workshop with Kombilesa Mi ensemble
1:00 pm ~ Lunch & music in Palenque (with students)
Something not to be missed on a cultural experience in San Basilio is trying their mouthwatering sweet and savory preparations like sancocho, coconut rice and the tasty cocadas sold by "Palenqueras" on the streets of Cartagena. We’ll learn about their traditional recipes and what they mean to them., followed by a musical experience with Sexteto Tabalá, one of the community’s most iconic traditional groups.
Concert of Sexteto Tabalá
3:00 pm ~ Hopkins High School concert at local school
Students will perform a concert for a local school that includes an exchange with the community.
HHS performance in Palenque
5:30 pm ~ Return to Cartagena
In the afternoon, the group will return to Cartagena, allowing time to relax after the day’s activities and prepare for the evening together.
7:30 pm ~ Dinner at restaurant (with students)
A late group dinner will provide space for reflection, discussion, and shared learning from the journey so far.
Dinner at local restaurant
DAY 6: MONDAY, MARCH 15 | ROSARIO ISLANDS & CLOSING CELEBRATION
Breakfast at our hotel
Each morning, enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel featuring a variety of hot and cold options, including fresh tropical fruits, breads and pastries, eggs, juices, Colombian coffee, and local specialties.
8:30 am ~ Private Speedboat to Rosario Islands (parents only)
Experience a private speedboat excursion to the enchanting Rosario Islands, one of the Caribbean's most coveted and alluring destinations. Surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and fascinating shipwrecks. Our boat is equipped with a cooler filled with beverages and snacks as you cruise through the archipelago. Enjoy breathtaking views of Tierra Bomba and visit highlights such as Isla Grande, Playa Azul, Playa Blanca, Playa Linda, Playa Libre, and Barú. Take time to relax and unwind on the pristine beaches or snorkel among vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Explore the intriguing shipwrecks that bear witness to the countless sea battles fought in these waters. After enjoying the freshly caught fish and Caribbean dishes, board your speedboat for the return journey to meet up with the students at 3:00 pm.
Excursion to the Rosario Islands
3:00 pm ~ Celebration at Fénix Beach (with students)
Join up with the students spending their final full day on the island of Isla de Tierra Bomba, enjoying Fénix beach. They’ll be snorkeling and paddle boarding, along with free time to relax and explore the natural beauty of the Caribbean coast.
Celebration at Fénix Beach with students
6:00 pm ~ Closing bonfire dinner (with students)
In the evening students will gather for a closing bonfire dinner by the coast. This meaningful experience creates space for group reflection, shared stories, and appreciation of the journey, celebrating the friendships formed and the cultural understanding gained throughout the program in a relaxed and memorable setting.
Farewell bonfire dinner party
DAY 7: TUESDAY, MARCH 16 | ¡HASTA LUEGO, COLOMBIA!
Breakfast at our hotel and check out
Each morning, enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel featuring a variety of hot and cold options, including fresh tropical fruits, breads and pastries, eggs, juices, Colombian coffee, and local specialties.
Transfer to Rafael Núñez International Airport
We will bring you to the airport for departure to MSP according to your flight’s departure time. Leave the hotel at 12:!5 if you’re on the flight with the students that departs Cartagena (CTG) at 3:15 PM on American Airlines AA2168 and arrives in Miami (MIA) at 7:26 PM for a two hour layover departing on American Airlines AA1690 at 9:36 PM and arriving at MSP at 12:41 AM.
¡Adios, Colómbia!
Arrive at the Minneapolis / St. Paul Airport
Arrive late at night into the Twin Cities.