Jungle & Beach
First and foremost, thank you once again for helping us thoroughly enjoy our three weeks in Colombia. Each and every location was totally different and offered us a truly wonderful experience.
Calanoa Lodge, in southern Colombia, was a great way to begin. Even though we had researched where we would be going, we were totally surprised, that after our initial pickup at the airport, we would head to Brazil for a quick lemonade while we waited for our boat to transport us down the Amazon and into the jungle. Our guide was extremely welcoming and for the next week, we trekked in the muddy jungle watching our every step as we carefully stepped over roots, vines, spiders and were continuously amazed by the wild life. The lodge itself was lovely offering us daily hikes, boat rides to Peru across the Amazon, community visits (where I proudly made a basket), freshly caught fish for just about every meal, fruit and ample variety to keep us happy. We even chose to spend a night sleeping in hammocks in the jungle which the lodge happily arranged for us. Our duplex room had a great view of the Amazon and would have been large enough for a family of 4 but the two of us were quite content. Even the cold showers at the end of the day were refreshing but quick.
Next stop, La Kuka Lodge, in Nugui on the Colombian Pacific where the jungle meets the coastline, for some scuba diving, boating and continued trekking in the jungle. We were told that the lodge is quite crowded in whale watching season but we were pretty much alone and the quiet, except for the birds and howler monkeys, was perfection. Our 2nd floor room/cabin was quite large with a big balcony with hammocks and every day we would head to the beach to watch a spectacular sunset as the pelicans continually flew in formation overhead. At night, we would fall asleep under our mosquito netting listening to the surf pounding right outside our room. Our days were filled with walks on the beach, boating to villages with spectacular waterfalls and doing a few dives in the Pacific.
La Macarena in Choco, south of Bogota, was our last stop and every second here seemed to be filled with activities. Without a doubt, this lodge was our favorite accommodation, nestled in the jungle with delicious food and hot water showers! Every day we were up with the sun, ate our fresh fruit and breakfast and were then off for another adventure. We boated down the rapids in the Guayabero river, climbed over rocks and trails to the City of Stone, an indigenous ceremonial spot, then rested and marveled at the view. Carefully we trekked back down the mountain, into the boat and next off to see the petroglyphs. The following days were filled with horseback riding, canoeing to the Laguna de Silencio, more waterfalls, hiking to Cano Crystallino to see the aquatic plants that seasonally change colors, celebrating my birthday with local musicians and nightly watching for the squirrel monkeys as they flew from branch to branch by the bar. This place had it all!
As should be apparent, we loved every second. We were met at every airport by knowledgeable and helpful guides who assured that we found our way through airports and into our overnight hotels. The trip was seamless and we again send so much thanks to you for helping us enjoy yet another amazing adventure. Mark & Jo Beth Ravitz - Mar 2025