Celebrating 2025 in Colombia

My oldest daughter Annikah and I had an adventure in Colombia and rang in 2025 overseas! This trip was more than just about experiencing Colombia—it was about watching my daughter transform into a more confident young woman. We truly believe that travel is one of the best investments you can make in who you are becoming. There is a beautiful, complicated, nuanced wide world that opens our world view so we want to encourage our kids to explore it so as long as resources allow we gift our kids an international trip (with guidelines and rules: they have a budget they must stay within, no all inclusive places, and they must do cultural learning while there)! Annikah picked Colombia and chose me to go with her! From booking places to stay and figuring out logistics, navigating airports and transport to interacting with folks when you have different languages, to bartering for things and trying new street foods, she built a sense of trust in her own ability to handle new challenges. Each step of the journey, from planning to execution, strengthened her self-reliance and problem-solving skills and even with a big mis-adventure where we ran out of cash and had a loooooong (and unexpected walk) walk to find a bank I was impressed with her ability to figure things out (the funny out takes and even some tears in the highlight from Colombia over on Instagram). After all an international trip isn’t really an adventure until something goes wrong and you just have to figure it out.

Travel has a way of stretching us beyond our comfort zones. It teaches us to adapt, to be resourceful, and to communicate across cultural boundaries. But what made this experience even more special was sharing it just with Annikah. As a mama of four spending extended one on one time with our kids is a blessing and it was especially true as she starts navigating life as an adult. We always encourage her to trust her instincts, do her research, stay curious, and step outside her comfort zone and develop her confidence in unfamiliar situations, but seeing her take charge of the whole planning process demonstrated just how far she had come. We wandered the colorful streets with its cobblestone streets and vibrant colors everywhere, we rang in the new year with thousands of folks in a square in Medellín, we survived crazy fast Tuk Tuk rides (even one small bump of another Tuk Tuk), we hiked through the beautiful forest to see a breath taking waterfall, we navigated public transit and enjoyed learning more about Colombia and the beautiful people there. If you have not been to Colombia yet- add it to your list- amazing place!!

As requested sharing some links and recommendations below (in no real order because it is me but for reference we visited Medellín and then Guatapé for three days each.)

We loved this memorable and challenging hike to get to this beautiful waterfall at Chorro de las Campanas. We saw amazing butterflies toon and met some fabulous people (we had lots of time to chat on the hike). See the BTS video over on my Colombia highlight on Instagram.

Riding the Metrocable cars on the public transit system is a must in Medellín! We took public transit and changed lines to get a great view of the city.

In Medellin we stayed the Epic Boutique Hotel– ear plugs and a sound machine required to sleep but fabulous and helpful staff including Luis who even gave us his metro card to use during our time there. We rang in the new year surrounded by so many people celebrating in a square full of music, food, dancing, and generations of people gathered to ring in 2025! Some local folks gave us some dance lessons and we had a blast- such a memorable experience!

Within the small town of Guatapé everything is accessible by Tuk Tuk or walking. The town square has a beautiful church and checking out the vendors and street food is a must!

In Guatapé we stayed at Tau House hotel– great food and the location was easy to get to and from the town by Tuk Tuk (Ubers not available easily here so be sure to have cash).

More images from Medellín- we explored from public transit- the transit system was clean and efficient and everyone was so kind- even helping us when we took the wrong line (mis adventures in traveling is real).

Our favorite part of exploring Medellin was visiting Comuna 13 in San Javier Medellin. Our experience was excellent in large part due to our amazing guide Esteban with Wondering Medellin was fabulous- so informative and thought provoking. He shared his experience growing up not far from here and knows so many people in the area (we could not walk 20 feet without him greeting people from the community).

This area was once one of the murder capitals of the world and has transformed into a vibrant center of art and culture. It is absolutely a must when visiting!

This dance group Exotic Blacks was amazing- follow them here.

El Peñón de Guatapé is a massive rock in Guatapé that offers amazing views of the area. We walked the 650 stairs all the way to the top and the views were so worth it.

We were asked to take photos with so many people during our trip- “photos with gringas” 🙂

and iphone picture dump because we love a fun selfie…

It was a trip full of adventure and memories with my oldest as she becomes an adult! I’m so grateful for this time- as always ask anything and let me know if you add Colombia to your list or if you have traveled somewhere we must add to our list comment!!!