Trish S. and her husband had cruised with AmaWaterways twice before in Europe, so when their friends asked them to join in on their plans and take advantage of a special group rate on our new Magdalena River cruises in Colombia, they said, “Sure, why not?” Little did they know how much this cruise would change their lives and make them want to return to South America.

Magnificent Medellín

The group chose to begin their 7-night Wonders of Colombia itinerary early with our pre-cruise land package in Medellín, the second largest city in Colombia, otherwise known as “The City of Eternal Spring.” During their three nights there, Trish was particularly moved by our guided tour to Comuna 1, a neighborhood formerly impacted by violence, poverty and political corruption. She was inspired by the community’s resilience as well as by art and urban dancing presented by local youth, showing the strength of the people and their joy in watching the area prosper and thrive.

Medellín is nestled in the Aburrá Valley within the Andes Mountains where Trish was also struck by the stunning landscape and natural resources, particularly during our included coffee tasting tour atop a local mountain. In addition to exploring the coffee making process from farm to cup, guests were treated to samples of fresh local fruits – many of which do not appear regularly in North American markets. “Honestly, the fruit was so unbelievable in Colombia I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat pineapple in the US again!” Trish claimed.

AmaMagdalena: A Home Away from Home in Colombia

Following their time in Medellin, the guests embarked on our 60-passenger AmaMagdalena, a stunning river cruise ship designed to reflect the region with art, textiles and even ceramics sourced from local artisans.

Having river cruised with us previously in Europe, Trish was delighted to find that, even aboard a more intimate ship, she could find the same generous amenities she’s come to know and love, from the open-air top deck and pool to the Main Lounge and specialty restaurant with a multi-course tasting menu.

She also participated in the complimentary wellness classes offered by our Wellness Host on board. “There was one day we spent on the water where I took advantage of the yoga class on the Sun Deck. I was looking up at the Colombian sky and a big white bird flew by,” Trish recalled. “I just loved the views. You could see the countryside and hear the villagers calling out to tell each other the ship was coming. It was as exciting for the Colombians as it was for us!”

Adventure Among Like-Minded Travelers

Our Colombia river cruises tend to attract travelers who have a sense of adventure, an insatiable curiosity about the world and a relaxed mindset. Trish and her group certainly fit into these categories and this mentality was shared by all guests on board. “We really liked our fellow cruisers,” Trish said. “We all had a lot of travel experience, and everyone had open minds. By the end of the cruise, I felt like I had 60 new best friends.”

When it came to concerns about safety in Colombia, it was Trish’s previous experiences with AmaWaterways and trust in the company that assured her there would be no issues. “We knew AmaWaterways wouldn’t take us anywhere unsafe,” she remarked, unprompted. “We felt completely taken care of the entire time we were there.”

The People of Colombia

Trish and her group happened to embark on our second-ever Magdalena River departure and were fortunate to experience the initial excitement and passion of the local people as the program was still debuting. “They were all just so happy this is happening,” she remarked on the decision to bring river cruising back to Colombia. “We visited a lot of villages where tourism had all but disappeared. We felt like celebrities – the children in Santa Barbara de Pinto were taking pictures of us, and people were stopping on the bridges as the ship passed underneath because the river hadn’t seen a ship in 50 years.”

Colombian Cultural Immersion

AmaWaterways’ Colombia itineraries fully immerse guests in the local culture, which includes several performances of music and dance. During Trish’s cruise, the “Queen of Cumbia” was invited on board to share her talent. In Santa Barbara de Pinto, local entertainers told the history of Colombian farming through dance. And in Palenque, dancers welcomed the cruise ship to town. “There was so much diversity with the town’s African roots,” Trish shared. “It was really powerful and energetic.”

In addition to artistic performances, local villagers demonstrate some of their trades, such as cigar rolling, fish net weaving and filigree jewelry making in Mompox. Excursion boats take guests through the floating village of Nueva Venecia as well as on birdwatching and nature tours. Another form of transportation featured on our itineraries is a paola in Calamar (a bicycle taxi for two). For Trish, these experiences highlighted some of what makes Colombia unique. “Every day on the cruise just got better and better,” she offered.

Post-Cruise in Panama

Following their time on the Magdalena River, Trish and her group extended their journey with our 3-night post-cruise land package in Panama, which includes a stay at the luxurious Sofitel Legend Hotel in Panama City. “The hotel in Panama… there are no words,” commented Trish. “It was just so nice.”

While in Panama, wildlife was on full display. From a sloth to an alligator to unique birds, it was all a reminder that the guests were far from home.

Final Thoughts

All smiles throughout her interview, Trish described her time in Colombia and Panama as “terrific” and highly recommends everyone reserve their Magdalena River cruise with our pre- and post-cruise land packages.

“South America wasn’t even really on my radar,” she admitted. “We reserved this cruise on a whim, and I’m so glad that we did. I feel like I discovered a whole part of the world I didn’t know anything about.”