Dec. 6 - 13, 2026
With four nights on the island of Tierra Bomba and three nights inside Cartagena’s walled city, this journey balances rest, exploration, and meaningful connection. Mornings unfold beside the Caribbean Sea, while the final days bring you into one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas. Along the way you’ll sail by catamaran through the turquoise waters of the Rosario Islands and walk the ramparts and fortress that once protected Spain’s most important Caribbean port.
But this trip is also about discovering the Cartagena beyond the postcard—the people, traditions, and everyday rhythms that give the city its soul. You’ll ride on the back of a motorcycle through the village of Bocachica, share a meal in a family home, learn the rhythms of salsa and champeta, and discover the art and history of Afro-Caribbean hair braiding. Somewhere between the sea, the music, and the warmth of Colombian culture, you may just reconnect with a more colorful and soulful side of yourself.
After arriving in Cartagena (CTG), you will be greeted at the airport by your driver and transferred to the city center. From the docks at La Bodeguita, a short boat ride across the bay will bring you to the island of Tierra Bomba, where the pace of life slows and the Caribbean begins to set the rhythm of the journey.
Upon arrival in the quiet seaside village of Bocachica, the Alithea team will guide you to your beach hotel and you’ll settle into the first evening of the retreat. The rest of the day is yours to unwind after your travels—take a swim in the sea, relax by the pool, or simply enjoy the warm breeze and sunset over the water.
This morning we’ll venture from the hotel into the town of Bocachica. Historically neglected by the authorities in Cartagena, this Afro-Colombian seaside community is a powerful example of perseverance and resilience.
Travel through the village the local way—on the back of motorcycles—with guides who will introduce you to everyday life on the island. Along the way we’ll visit historic coastal fortifications that once guarded the entrance to Cartagena’s harbor from pirates and invading fleets.
The morning concludes with lunch in a local family’s home, an opportunity to share stories, conversation, and traditional Caribbean cooking.
Free afternoon to relax at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
Today we explore two traditions deeply woven into the culture of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
In the morning, we’ll learn about the history and symbolism of Afro-Colombian hair braiding (“trenzas”), a tradition that—according to oral history—once carried coded messages among enslaved Africans and remains an important cultural expression today.
Later in the day we’ll turn to another defining element of the coast: music and dance. Local instructors will introduce you to salsa and champeta, rhythms born from the Afro-Caribbean heritage of Cartagena.
Group dinner at the hotel.
After several active days, today offers time to simply enjoy the peaceful rhythms of Tierra Bomba.
Spend the morning at leisure—swimming in the sea, relaxing by the pool, or exploring the quiet village of Bocachica.
Optional Pilates or wellness sessions will be offered in the morning.
The afternoon remains free to enjoy the beach and hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
Today is dedicated to exploring the waters of the Caribbean by catamaran.
After breakfast we’ll check out of the Blue Apple and board a catamaran to explore the turquoise waters of the Rosario Islands, a protected marine park made up of coral islands scattered across the sea. Your luggage will be transported to our city hotel.
Spend the day swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing while enjoying lunch on board.
In the late afternoon we return by boat to the docks at La Bodeguita in Cartagena. The evening is yours to settle in and enjoy the magical atmosphere of Cartagena at night.
Today we explore Cartagena’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with colonial architecture, shaded plazas, and vibrant streets.
Our guided walking tour includes the city’s famous ramparts and the impressive Castillo de San Felipe, the fortress that once protected Spain’s most important Caribbean port.
Free afternoon to explore galleries, cafés, and boutiques throughout the old city.
This morning we visit the bustling Bazurto Market, where fishermen, farmers, and cooks gather each day to supply the city with fresh ingredients and local specialties.
Later we explore the lively neighborhood of Getsemaní, known for its colorful murals, music, and vibrant street life.
Farewell dinner in the city.
After breakfast, our local host will arrange transfers to the airport or to your next destination in Colombia.
Just twenty minutes by boat from the energy of Cartagena, our journey begins at Blue Apple Beach—a boutique hotel tucked away on the quiet shores of Isla Tierra Bomba. Inspired by the Riviera yet rooted in the Caribbean, it blends laid-back island living with thoughtful design, a celebrated culinary program led by an internationally trained chef, and a deep connection to local culture. Days unfold effortlessly between the sea and the pool—whether you’re stepping onto the beach just beyond your room, settling into a sunbed with a drink from the poolside bar, or lingering over long, leisurely lunches. Hidden just beyond the city, Blue Apple becomes more than a hotel: it’s a place to settle in, reset, and begin the journey in rhythm with the Caribbean.
In the heart of the walled city, your final nights unfold at Townhouse Boutique Hotel Cartagena—an intimate, design-forward space that captures the creative pulse of Cartagena. With just a handful of rooms, the space feels personal and alive, filled with art, thoughtful details, and a warm, effortless energy. Above it all, the rooftop becomes the center of life: a breezy terrace with plunge pools, a lively bar, and views over the city’s tiled roofs, where mornings begin slowly and evenings stretch into music and conversation. Tucked within walking distance of the city’s plazas, cafés, and hidden streets, Townhouse offers a perfect contrast to the island—bringing you back into the rhythm of Cartagena, where culture, color, and nightlife meet.
This trip is for the woman who feels like there’s a part of her that hasn’t been fully lived yet—the part that wants to move more freely, feel more deeply, and connect without overthinking it.
Maybe that looks like sitting by the sea at the end of the day, letting everything slow down. Or dancing one night and realizing you’re not thinking about how you look, just enjoying being there. It could be something as simple as sharing a long meal in someone’s home, or learning something new—like braiding your hair—and feeling, even briefly, connected to a rhythm that’s different from your own.
This is a space to step out of your routine and into something more real, alongside a small group of women who are looking for that same shift. In the warmth of the Caribbean take time to soften, to open up, and to rediscover a more vibrant, soulful version of yourself.
You’ll remember the beauty, the hotel, the sea, how easy everything felt. But that’s not what will stay with you.
You’ll remember the feeling of being somewhere real. Riding on the back of a motorcycle along dusty roads, holding on and laughing, a little unsure at first and then completely in it. Sitting at a table in someone’s home, sharing a meal that wasn’t prepared for you as a guest, but offered to you as something personal.
You’ll remember the women you met. The conversations, the stories, the quiet moments where something shifted in how you saw the world. You’ll carry pieces of their lives with you. The strength, the warmth, the complexity of a culture shaped by history that is still present, still felt.
And you’ll remember a moment when you let go a little. Maybe dancing one night, not thinking about the steps, not trying to get it right. Just moving, feeling the rhythm, and allowing yourself to be seen without holding back.
And maybe, more than anything, you’ll remember how you felt in those moments. A little more open. A little more connected. A little more yourself.
Andrea Kane has spent over three decades helping people reconnect to the intelligence of their bodies, reclaim their clarity, and trust their desire. At 52, she brings both deep life experience and professional expertise as a somatic educator and energy practitioner, guiding people to move from disconnection, anxiety, and old relational patterns into self-trust, presence, and embodied joy.
Andrea’s approach is simple but transformative: healing is not about fixing or striving; it’s about remembering who you are beneath the patterns of overthinking, people-pleasing, and self-doubt. Through movement, breath, energy awareness, and somatic exercises, she helps people release tension, restore nervous system safety, and reconnect to their sensual aliveness.
For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.
The deposit is $800 and is fully refundable within 30 days. If the trip does not reach viability (10 rooms filled), your deposit will also be fully refunded.
This departure will be confirmed once 10 rooms are filled. You’ll have until May 11th to reserve your spot. Once confirmed, we’ll reach out with next steps and the green light to book your flights.
Plan to arrive in Cartagena by 4:00 PM on December 6th at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG).
If you're coming from the West Coast, a red-eye on December 5th is usually the easiest way to arrive on time. If you'd prefer a more relaxed start, you can also arrive a day early—we’ll help coordinate your transfer and an extra night at the hotel.
Yes—airport transfers are fully taken care of. Upon arrival, a driver will meet you at Rafael Núñez International Airport and bring you to La Bodeguita docks, where you’ll take a short boat ride to Tierra Bomba Island.
If you’re arriving late or prefer a bit of extra support, an Alithea team member will be there to guide you from the docks to the hotel.
On December 13th, we’ll arrange your return transfer to the airport by taxi or van.
Yes. Cartagena is one of the most visited destinations in Latin America, welcoming millions of travelers each year, many of whom experience the city without issue.
Like any major destination, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, but this trip is designed to make that easy. We work with trusted local partners, experienced drivers, and guides who know the city and its rhythms well. Throughout the journey, you’ll be supported by the two full-time Alithea team members, and all activities and transportation are coordinated in advance.
Our intention is not just to show you Cartagena’s highlights, but to do so in a way that feels thoughtful, grounded, and secure—so you can relax into the experience and focus on what you came for.
This trip is designed to be relaxed and accessible. However, most days include light walking, time on your feet exploring the city, dancing or swimming––and, of course, Pilates!
No. Most participants join this trip solo. The small group setting makes it easy to meet others, and many women leave with meaningful connections and new friendships.
This isn’t just a trip to Cartagena—it’s a way of experiencing it that goes beyond the surface.
You’ll still see the beauty of the city and enjoy time on the Caribbean, but what sets this journey apart is the access and the intention behind it. You’ll spend time in places most visitors don’t reach, connect with local communities, and experience the culture through people, not just places.
It’s also a small, women-only group, which creates a different kind of atmosphere. There’s space to be yourself, to connect more easily, and to share the experience in a way that feels natural and unforced.
The result is something that feels both relaxed and meaningful—and about introducing you to people and communities that will make you want to return again and again.
