In a world of endless notifications, we've forgotten what it means to be truly present. Disconnect is a six-day, phone-free journey into Colombia's Pacific rainforest, where devices are traded for rivers, conversations, jungle trails, ocean sunsets, and the rare chance to experience life without constant interruption.
Modern life has a way of pulling us in a hundred different directions. Before we've even finished breakfast, we've checked our email, answered messages, and scrolled through someone else's vacation. Our attention has become one of the world's most valuable commodities, and every day something new is competing for it.
Disconnect is an invitation to step outside that world for six days.
Our journey takes us to Termales, a tiny village on Colombia's remote Pacific coast where dense rainforest meets black-sand beaches and nature—not technology—sets the pace of the day. There are no cars, boats are the primary means of transportation, and life moves to a different rhythm.
When we arrive, every participant voluntarily places their phone, smartwatch, laptop, and other digital devices into secure storage for the duration of the expedition. For the next six days, there are no notifications, no email, and no social media.
We'll hike to hidden waterfalls, paddle traditional wooden canoes, swim in the Pacific, play soccer with local children, help clean the beach, and spend time with the people who call this remarkable place home. There will also be time to read, journal, walk the beach, sit in silence, or simply let your mind wander.
Disconnect isn't about rejecting technology. It's about stepping outside its influence long enough to remember what it feels like when your time, your thoughts, and your attention belong entirely to you.
Our hope is that you'll return home with more than unforgettable memories of Colombia's Pacific coast. You'll leave with a renewed appreciation for silence, deeper relationships, and the confidence to protect your attention in a world that's always asking for it.
Arrive in Medellín on February 20, one day before our journey begins. Arrange your own accommodation or book an optional early-arrival night with us. If time allows, explore the neighborhoods, cafés, and lively streets of Laureles and El Poblado, or visit Comuna 13 or Pueblito Paisa.
Our journey begins at the city airport Olaya Herrera (EOH), where we'll meet at 9:00 a.m. (don't be late!). From there we'll board a small propeller plane for the 45-minute flight to Nuquí.
After landing, we'll have time to pick up any last-minute supplies before meeting at the docks for a scenic one-hour boat ride along Colombia's spectacular Pacific coastline to the village of Termales.
Once we've settled into our rooms, we'll enjoy a traditional Chocoano lunch, get acquainted with the village, and gather for an orientation. Before dinner, every participant will place their phones and digital devices into secure storage, marking the official beginning of Disconnect.
Walking: 1-2 miles
Transportation: Plane 1 hr, boat 1 hr
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we'll visit the local primary school, meet the students, and divide into teams for what is sure to be a spirited football match (please don’t call it soccer!). Afterward we'll unwind in the village's natural thermal pools before returning for lunch together.
The afternoon is intentionally left open. Wander the beach, journal, read, take a nap in a hammock, or simply sit and observe.
Before dinner we'll gather for a conversation about attention, silence, and what it means to step outside the constant pull of modern life.
Walking: 1 mile
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast we'll hike approximately two hours through the rainforest to the spectacular Cuatro Encantos Waterfall, where we'll spend time swimming, exploring, and enjoying one of the region's hidden treasures.
We'll return to Termales for lunch with our local hosts.
The afternoon is yours. Read, journal, relax, walk the beach, or join the local children for a game of volleyball.
Hiking: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we'll take the boat to nearby Punta Brava, where our adventure begins with a short jungle hike to the Arusí River. There we'll pair up in traditional dugout wooden canoes and drift through pristine rainforest, surrounded by towering trees and abundant wildlife. Along the way we'll stop for a swim in a crystal-clear natural pool before continuing downstream.
We'll finish our journey in the village of Arusí, where we'll enjoy fresh coconut water before returning to Termales for a late lunch.
The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax or take an optional walk along the beach. We’ll be on our own for dinner tonight.
Hiking: 1 hour
Transportation: Boat 2 hours round trip
Activity: Canoe 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast we'll spend the morning helping care for the coastline with a community beach cleanup.
Later we'll join Doña Nena for a hands-on cooking class, learning to prepare traditional dishes from Colombia's Pacific coast using local ingredients.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy however you wish. You may walk to nearby Guachalito, relax in a hammock, play cards, swim in the ocean, or simply enjoy unhurried conversations with fellow travelers and members of the community.
As the sun sets, we'll gather one final time around a beach bonfire to reflect on the week and celebrate the friendships we've formed.
Walking: 2 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we'll say our goodbyes to Termales and the friends we've made during our stay.
We'll travel by boat back to Nuquí before boarding our flight to Medellín, bringing our expedition to a close.
Transportation: Boat 1 hour, plane 1 hour
Meals included: Breakfast
This trip offered an incredible balance of adventure, culture, and connection. From the varied hikes and unforgettable Refugio views to the wine tasting, rafting, and spa day, every experience felt thoughtfully planned. The landscapes were stunning, the group dynamic strong, and Matteo’s leadership clear, patient, and supportive throughout.
How beautiful and wonderful the area and people were. And how amazing the trip/activities were planned and executed.
Absolutely incredible. Life long memories were made, and I would love to do another trip.
Traveling with Alithea was a blast. Their ability to immerse you in foreign cultures is unmatched, They made me feel like a local!
I never write reviews, but this was the best trip I’ve had. My experience was absolutely fantastic, with a variety of places, fun hikes, and activities. Transportation and logistics were taken care of, and the tour guide was exceptional—helping navigate the language barrier and sharing culture and history throughout.
Termales is a small fishing village on Colombia's remote Pacific coast, reachable only by boat — there are no roads in or out. Daily life here centers on fishing, farming, surfing, and a strong sense of community, with friendly locals, colorful houses, and a wide beach perfect for long walks and sunset watching. The village takes its name from its natural hot springs, tucked into the jungle nearby, and also serves as a launch point for waterfall hikes and river paddles through the rainforest. Nuquí, the broader region Termales belongs to, has a rich Afro-Colombian and Indigenous heritage that shapes the food, music, and rhythm of daily life along the coast.
Our home base for the week is Ostional River, a small eco-lodge built where Nuquí's rainforest meets the Pacific coastline. Every room and cabin faces the ocean, so you'll wake up to the sound of waves rather than a notification. The lodge sits just a short walk from the beach and about ten minutes from the region's natural thermal springs, tucked away from any noise or bustle — a place built entirely around rest and immersion in nature rather than modern comforts. There is no air conditioning at this lodge or anywhere else in the region; rooms are equipped with fans, and the ocean breeze keeps things comfortable even in the heat. It's simple, intentionally so: this is eco-tourism in its truest sense, prioritizing the surrounding jungle and coastline over amenities.
Our hosts for the week are Jinera Ribera—known to everyone simply as La Nena—and her multigenerational family, who welcome us into their bed and breakfast and small restaurant. More than simply providing meals and accommodations, they invite us into their daily lives and the community they've spent generations building. La Nena is the heart of it all. Her kitchen isn't just a place to eat—it's where neighbors gather, stories are shared, and visitors quickly become friends. Together with her children, William, Yefer, and Viki, she'll prepare traditional Chocoano meals, share local traditions, and join us throughout the week.
We hope you'll leave with unforgettable memories of Colombia's Pacific coast. But if we've done our job well, it will be this family you'll remember most.
For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.
Roundtrip flights (USA - Colombia) are not included in the tour price. We recommend using Skyscanner or Google Flights to search for your international flights. The roundtrip flight Medellín-Nuquí is, however, included in the retreat price.
It is highly recommended to arrive on February 21st, one day before the trip begins. The international airport in Medellín is José María Córdova (MDE). For early arrivals, we can book additional nights in Medellín at our partner hotel. The same option is available if you need a hotel night in Medellín after the trip ends, depending on your flight home — just let us know and we can arrange it for you.
Meet the group at 9:00 am at the departures terminal at Medellín's downtown airport: Olaya Herrera (EOH).
The deposit is $600 and is fully refundable within 30 days of payment.
Yes, payment plans are available as long as full payment is made by the start of the tour. Once you have paid the deposit, write to explore@alitheatravel.com or respond to the tour confirmation email to request a custom payment plan.
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All activities and all but two dinners are covered in the trip. You must pay with cash (Colombian pesos) while in Nuquí or Termales. Credit card payments are NOT available in this remote area. We recommend budgeting about 12-15 USD (35,000-50,000 COP) per meal as well as funds for bottled water, additional snacks, and alcoholic beverages.
This is physical experience in a remote part of Colombia. Expect uneven terrain, bumpy boat rides, muddy trails, and torrential downpours. If you are unsteady on your feet or and can't hike in the heat for 2 hours then you will need substantial preparation. If you're expecting an all-inclusive resort that requires no effort or physical fitness on your part, then this is not for you.
Although no vaccinations are required for entry to Colombia from the United States, due to Chocó’s hot, humid, rainforest environment it is advisable to get vaccinated against yellow fever, hepatitis A, and typhoid, and to consider malaria prevention medication.
For a full list of the CDC recommended vaccines click here.
Your phone will be held in secure storage during the trip, so if you need to be reached for an emergency, by family, work, or otherwise, your tour leader's number will be provided before departure.
Colombia has quietly become one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the world — the country recorded tourism sector growth of more than 56% during 2025, and welcomed over 10.2 million international arrivals and departures combined, positioning it as the leading destination in South America. Medellín alone drew nearly 1.2 million foreign visitors in 2025 — a dramatic transformation for a city once known for very different reasons. ColombiaOne + 2
The department of Chocó, where much of this retreat takes place, has long been a favorite of European travelers drawn to its untouched rainforest, whale-watching, and Pacific coastline — but it remains largely off the radar for American tourists, which is part of what makes it special: you'll experience a side of Colombia most U.S. travelers never see.
As with any international destination, it's worth doing your own research before you travel — the U.S. State Department maintains a travel advisory for Colombia, which you can check at travel.state.gov. Your guide will be with you throughout the trip and knows the region well.
At our first group meeting, you'll hand in your phone (and any other connected devices — smartwatch, tablet, etc.) to your guide, who will store them securely for the duration of the trip. Your devices will be returned on Day 6. Digital cameras are also not permitted, but one disposable film camera will be provided to each participant.
Your $600 deposit is fully refundable within 30 days of payment. After that 30-day window, payments can be transferred to a future trip instead of refunded — unless you cancel within 90 days of departure, in which case payments are non-refundable. Because plans can change, we strongly recommend Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance, which offers more flexibility than our standard policy.
Chocoano cuisine is built around the bounty of Colombia's Pacific coast, featuring fresh seafood, coconut, plantains, tropical fruits, and aromatic herbs prepared with Afro-Colombian traditions. We can accommodate gluten-free and vegetarian diets, but more specific dietary requests cannot be met — this is a remote region with limited food infrastructure, not a place where a custom menu is possible. If you can't eat fish or don't have an adventurous palate, this is not the right trip for you.
Yes. Travel medical insurance is required to participate in this trip, and we recommend broader trip coverage as well. This itinerary involves remote locations and physical activity, and — as outlined in our cancellation policy above — some costs become non-refundable as you get closer to departure. Travel insurance protects you against trip interruption, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and last-minute cancellations. Insurance is not included in the trip price; you're responsible for arranging your own coverage.
Chocó is hot, humid, and rains often — pack for warm, wet weather. Essentials include: rain jacket, hiking sandals or water shoes, sturdy sneakers/hiking shoes for muddy trails, swimsuit, insect repellent, sunscreen, a dry bag for electronics, and a headlamp or flashlight. Bring cash (Colombian pesos) — cards aren't accepted in Nuquí or Termales. A full packing list will be provided two months before departure.
No. Your guides will translate throughout the trip. That said, a few basic phrases go a long way with locals, and we'll send some pointers before departure.
