The Maven Retreat | Colombia
Our annual retreat is a chance to step-away from the day-to-day and experience a destination with the same intention we use to design our client’s travels (just a lot busier!). Our third annual retreat took us to Colombia - a destination layered with an endless supply of culture and color - where each stop offered something entirely different. From the energy of Bogotá to the rhythm of Cartagena and the stillness of Barú, this was a journey that brought our team closer, deepened our partnerships, and reminded us why shared experiences are at the core of everything we do.
Bogotá
Our 2025 Maven Retreat opened in Bogotá - a city that eased us into the trip while immediately immersing us in Colombia’s culinary and cultural depth.
Where we Stayed | Bogotá
Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá
A fantastic home base that let us settle in as a team before diving headfirst into the city. Effortless and polished - exactly what you want at the start of a multi-stop trip.
Day One
Our guide, Luis, met us at the airport and handled every logistical detail from the moment we landed - the kind of seamless arrival experience that’s easy to underestimate, but makes all the difference.
That evening, just steps from the hotel, we discovered Central Cevichería 85, a lively spot with truly standout ceviche and the perfect setting to settle in and reconnect as a team. It came recommended by the hotel concierge, whose on-the-ground insight often leads to the kind of places you might not find on your own.
Day Two
The following morning, Luis brought us to meet our partners at Nahbu Travel- the team behind our journey throughout Colombia. One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is the relationships built along the way, and it was a rare opportunity to connect in person with a team we typically work with across time zones and email threads.
We took the 1929 funicular to the summit of Cerro de Monserrate to visit the Santuario del Señor Caído, a 17th-century Roman Catholic basilica and one of Bogotá’s most significant pilgrimage sites. From the top, one side overlooks the entire expanse of the city, while the other opens to lush, rainforest-covered mountains. A striking contrast with truly unmatched photo opportunities.
While at the top, we paused at Cafe Bistro, a small café, for coffee and sweets before heading back down to continue exploring the city. It would have been easy to linger longer here - whether for a proper lunch or a more formal dinner at San Isidro, which felt especially well-suited for a special occasion - but our schedule had us moving on.
The Gold Museum’s collection of ornate artifacts brought the legend of El Dorado to life. The Museo Botero was a personal highlight. Seeing his work in person was a check off the bucket list for most of our team.
We rounded out the day walking through La Candelaria, stopping at an emerald shop (the region is renowned for its mining heritage), and capping the evening with great food, drinks, and late-night conversations at the hotel. When the Mavens are together, there’s no such thing as an early night.
Maven Insider Tips | Bogotá
Monserrate is absolutely worth the visit, especially if you plan a proper lunch at San Isidro and give yourself time to linger longer.
A private guide made all the difference. Luis handled every translation, navigated the city from a local’s perspective, and let us truly be present. For a city as layered as Bogotá, this is a non-negotiable.
Cartagena
From Bogotá to the Caribbean coast, Cartagena brought color, history, community and more than a few unforgettable meals.
Where we Stayed | Cartagena
Casa Pestagua
A restored colonial mansion in the heart of Old Town with beautiful courtyards, tall ceilings, and quiet, understated elegance that feels very true to Cartagena. The hotel’s restaurant and bar were outstanding. Its location truly places you in the center of it all - just steps from some of the city’s best restaurants, shopping, and historic landmarks.
Day One
After a quick 1.5 hour flight from Bogotá we made it to Cartagena. Our guide, Carlos, was waiting at the airport, and from the moment we left the terminal he was already pointing out landmarks and sharing context and insight. That evening, dinner at Mar y Zieloset the tone for what would become a deeply food-forward few days in Cartagena.
Day Two
We spent the morning on a walking tour of Old Town with Carlos. He seemed to know everyone we crossed paths with, which gave the experience of a genuinely local quality far beyond the typical tour. He shared his go-to spots for shopping, dining, and drinks, layered with the deeper history of the city.
Neighborhood Getsemaní – A world apart from Old Town. More lived in, more expressive, with colorful streets, and murals with a remarkable food scene. It is one of those places that feels both vibrantly alive and completely authentic.
Private Salsa Lesson - Arranged by Nahbu, complete with a live band, the team spent the evening dancing, laughing, and collectively discovering that none of us have the hips for salsa.
Day Three
Granitos de Paz- One of the most meaningful parts of the trip. This local foundation, a Nahbu partner, focuses on creating long-term, sustainable change by centering the entire family: education for children, vocational training and job placement for adults, and healthcare support across generations. We walked the gardens, met program participants, and saw the model in action.
Maven Insider Tips | Cartagena
Cartagena is hot - there’s no way around it. It’s worth it, but preparation matters. Lightweight clothing, comfortable shoes, and planning your days around the heat will make a difference.
Post Retreat | Barú
Not quite ready for the retreat to come to a close, a few of us continued on to Barú, adding a final chapter at a hotel we had been wanting to experience for some time. About an hour by boat from Cartagena, everything shifts. Jungle meets Caribbean beaches, and the pace slows almost immediately - making it an ideal place to decompress after a full, experience-driven itinerary.
Where we stayed | Barú
Las Islas Hotel
A nature-forward retreat set between dense jungle and open water, made up of private bungalows designed to feel immersive without sacrificing comfort. What sets the property apart is how seamlessly it integrates into its surroundings - not a single tree was removed during construction, and you feel that at every turn, from pathways that wind around trunks to open-air spaces built directly into the landscape.
Barú was the perfect way to end the trip. After days of movement, this felt like a true exhale - slower mornings, unstructured afternoons, and space to simply enjoy where you are. It’s less about doing and more about settling in, which makes it especially well-suited as a final stop.
Evenings here take on a different rhythm. The property is home to one of the more advanced telescopes in the region, making for a surprisingly memorable stargazing experience. A boat excursion to a nearby private island offered an even deeper sense of seclusion, with an arrival that felt completely removed from everything else we had experienced.
While the property leans into a barefoot luxury aesthetic, it’s worth noting that its design prioritizes immersion over polish in certain areas.
Maven Insider Tips | Barú
The boat transfer from Cartagena can be rough depending on conditions, but this is absolutely the way to arrive. Winding through the marshy jungle before pulling up to the dock, where you’re greeted with a welcome drink and whisked away by golf cart, sets the tone from the very first moment.