2025
Global Meetup
Cartagena
9-12 OCT 2025
+ Medellín Extension
12-15 OCT 2025
Get out and see the world with other amazing traveling women.
If you’ve always wanted to go somewhere but didn’t want to go alone, here’s your chance.
At Wanderful’s Global Meetups, we visit new places together.
You’ll have access to lightly curated activities with the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own (or with your new favorite travel buddies).
This is NOT a group trip.
Lightly curated.
We organize 1-2 activities per day, usually around a meal.
We also set up a room block with options to stay by yourself or with another Wanderful member.
The rest is up to you. We do NOT plan your travel, airfare, or ground transportation. Outside of specific excursions, there are no tour guides.
Explore on your own.
Stay at our hotel block to meet other Wanderful women and pair off to explore the city how YOU want to.
Plus, you’ll get favorite recommendations from local Wanderful members or partners on places to go and things to see.
In collaboration with locals.
For this meetup, we’re partnering with IMPULSE Travel, a woman-owned agency based in Colombia. IMPULSE thrives on deep local connections, innovative partnerships, and real-time insights. Their business is built on fostering genuine relationships with travelers, local communities, and a team dedicated to curating unique Colombian experiences.
Our partner.
IMPULSE Travel
Colombia-based. Woman-owned. With IMPULSE, we’ll discover Colombia’s hidden gems through tours crafted by locals who know best. IMPULSE works with expert and dynamic local guides and vibrant communities, and will ensure our experience is rich with authentic experiences and meaningful personal connections that will bring us closer together and to the heart of Colombian culture.
The itinerary.
We’ll regroup with an activity together each day.
The rest is up to you!
Thursday, 9 October —
Welcome Drinks + Salsa and Champeta Class
We’ll start with a welcome drink on a rooftop terrace to get to know each other, then take a group class to learn the most popular Latin rhythms: Salsa and Champeta! Champeta is a local musical rhythm that reminds us of Cartagena's connection with Africa, emerging from the periphery of the city as a symbol that became part of its identity. After the class, we’ll come back together for some appetizers.
Friday, 10 October —
Cartagena City Walking Tour
Join the group with IMPULSE Travel for a city walking tour that will highlight the importance of women throughout Cartagena’s rich history.
Saturday, 11 October —
San Basilio de Palenque: Music, Food, and Freedom
Today, we’ll join IMPULSE Travel visit San Basilio de Palenque, the first free town of America, and explore its vibrant Afro-culture through history, traditional music, and tasty food. San Basilio de Palenque was founded by self-emancipated people who had formerly been enslaved during Colombia’s colonial period. The town remains a symbol of resistance and pride, preserving African culture while creating new local ways of life. We’ll have a chance to take a walking tour, learn some of the local language (Lengua Palenquera), see important monuments and colorful pantings, and meet residents of the town to enjoy lunch while learning traditional recipes. Transportation will be included (about 90 minutes each way).
Sunday, 12 October —
Farewell Breakfast
The group will gather at breakfast time to say adios before we head our separate ways!
Read on for more about our optional extension to Medellín!
Medellín Extension
(OPTIONAL!)
12-15 OCT 2025
Sunday, 12 October —
Travel to Medellín
Make your way to Medellín (flight not included) and enjoy a leisurely day in Colombia, exploring local culture at your own pace. Wander through vibrant markets, relax at a nearby beach, or hike scenic trails. Savor traditional cuisine in charming cafés or visit artisan shops. Whether you unwind by the pool or explore, this is the perfect day to embrace Colombia’s beauty and charm.
Monday, 13 October —
Coffee Farm Experience: Corazón de León + Moravia’s Blooming
Discover the secrets of organic coffee production on a traditional farm just 30 minutes from Medellín, nestled in an area renowned for its exceptional coffee and framed by the backdrop of Colombia's beautiful landscapes. An expert will guide us through lush plantations, share insights on organic farming practices, and show us how farmers ensure every cup captures the signature richness of Colombian coffee. We’ll then have a coffee tasting so we can savor the distinct flavors produced by the farm.
After our coffee adventure, we’ll explore Moravia, a vibrant neighborhood transformed from a former landfill into a dynamic cultural hub. We’ll walk through streets lined with evocative street art and witness the community's resilience, discovering how the area encapsulates the spirit of urban recovery and creativity. We’ll also visit the Moravia Cultural Center, a beacon of community and artistic expression designed by the renowned architect Rogelio Salmona, and learn about the innovative initiatives that have propelled the area’s urban revitalization.
Tuesday, 14 October —
“We Don’t Talk About Pablo Escobar” Tour
Plot twist alert! This is the real story beyond the Narcos and Griselda TV Shows. We’ll hear from locals on how Medellín has endured through its dark times, the factors that supported its rebirth, and how the cocaine boom has affected politics, social norms, and even fashion. This is not like the regular Pablo Escobar tours. Instead, we’ll go on a journey through the narcotraffic emergence, see how it has impacted the environment and society, and learn how the deep wounds of the infamous war on drugs defined Colombia’s place in the world internationally. Using Metrocable, Medellín's innovative public transport system, we’ll stopping at Parque de la Inflexion, Miraflores Sport Unit, and the Public Library El Pinar. To finish, we’ll visit Medellin’s House of Memory Museum, with its interactive exhibitions that will bring us the voices of the victims of Colombia’s drug war, and will learn about the radical positive change the country has had in recent years.
Wednesday, 15 October —
Afro Tour in Comuna 13
Discover Medellín's Comuna 13 area, which has become a symbol of transformation and resilience. We’ll visit three different neighborhoods and learn beyond history directly from impressive artists who have led impactful projects to transform Colombia’s most feared district. The tour starts at the highest part of the Comuna, the Nuevos Conquistadores neighborhood, where we’ll take in the city view all the way to Medellín’s rural outskirts. We’ll then make our way though the area’s intricate streets, learning from locals about how hip-hop and musical culture have impacted youth after years of gang wars, paramilitary groups, and urban guerillas. Next, we’ll visit Sonbata’s urban gardening project on the roofs of local homes, before heading to the school of arts to learn some rhythms through percussion or dance. From there, we’ll head to the most bustling area of the Comuna, full of shops and galleries, to check out colorful graffiti and murals depicting the area’s story.
Afterwards, we’ll say goodbye and part ways after an amazing week together in Colombia!
Where we’ll stay.
Cartagena
Santa Catalina Cartagena
The Santa Catalina Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel that is a meeting point between old Cartagena and modern luxury. Its delicate design is a tribute to the legacy of India Catalina, whose story is a part of Colombia’s history. Located in Calle del Candilejo, Cartagena's historic center, we’ll be close to everything, including the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría, the Alma Museum, the Clock Tower, the Camellón de los Mártires, the Pegasos pier, the famous Centennial Park, the Museum of Modern Art, the Gabriel García Márquez Museum, the walls, the Heredia Theater, and the famous Getsemaní neighborhood, with its picturesque colorful houses and delicious food stalls.
Medellín
Diez Hotel Medellin
Inspired by Colombian culture, this designer hotel offers luxurious rooms. Located in the commercial center of Medellín, 1.5 km from Poblado Metro Station, the hotel offers free WiFi, a fitness center, and a spa. Each floor is inspired by a different region and the rooms are decorated with local handcrafts in combination with modern technology. All rooms offer a view of the mountains and the city!
Exclusive to Wanderful members only.
This meetup is exclusive to Wanderful members only. You must be an active Wanderful member at the time of purchase and the time of travel in order to join us.
Not a member yet? Join Wanderful for access to global meetups, 50+ chapters, virtual events, a free ticket to Wanderfest and more.
Reserve your spot.
Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot now to join us before we sell out.
To join the Medellín extension, first make your Cartagena booking below and you’ll be emailed a second booking link.
Meetup Only
$999 USD
+ $1,349 for Medellín extension
Booking link sent separately after checkout!
Join us for all of our meetup activities; reserve your own lodging in Cartagena.
Included:
— Thursday welcome mixer and dance class
— Friday Cartagena walking tour
— Saturday San Basilio de Palenque tour
— Sunday farewell breakfast
— 2 pre-trip meetings
— Exclusive WhatsApp group to meet and connect with other travelers
— Personal tips and recommendations from our local partners
— A special Cartagena charm for your Wanderful bracelet!
Does not include lodging, ground transportation, or airfare.
Interested in the Medellín extension? Booking link will be emailed separately after checkout.
Meetup + Shared Room
$1,099 USD
+ $1,349 for Medellín extension
Booking link sent separately after checkout!
Affordability meets sisterhood; stay in a room with another Wanderful woman at Santa Catalina Cartagena.
Included:
— 3 nights accommodation with another Wanderful member in a shared room with separate beds at Santa Catalina Cartagena from 9-12 October 2025
— Thursday welcome mixer and dance class
— Friday Cartagena walking tour
— Saturday San Basilio de Palenque tour
— Sunday farewell breakfast
— 2 pre-trip meetings
— Exclusive WhatsApp group to meet and connect with other travelers
— Personal tips and recommendations from our local partners
— A special Cartagena charm for your Wanderful bracelet!
Does not include ground transportation or airfare.
Interested in the Medellín extension? Booking link will be emailed separately after checkout.
Meetup + Private Room
$1,399 USD
+ $1,349 for Medellín extension
Booking link sent separately after checkout!
Get a private room at Santa Catalina Cartagena and access to all of our global meetup activities.
Included:
— 3 nights private accommodation at Santa Catalina Cartagena from 9-12 October 2025
— Thursday welcome mixer and dance class
— Friday Cartagena walking tour
— Saturday San Basilio de Palenque tour
— Sunday farewell breakfast
— 2 pre-trip meetings
— Exclusive WhatsApp group to meet and connect with other travelers
— Personal tips and recommendations from our local partners
— A special Cartagena charm for your Wanderful bracelet!
Does not include ground transportation or airfare.
Interested in the Medellín extension? Booking link will be emailed separately after checkout.
FAQs.
-
Sometimes you’re looking for a travel experience without having someone plan out absolutely everything. That’s where Wanderful’s Global Meetups come in.
We coordinate a group of Wanderful members to travel to a place at the same time where we have a local hub. We’ll organize a room block and set up 1-2 activities per day to do. The rest is up to you.
We’ll give you access to a private group in the Wanderful member portal so you can find and meet other travelers in advance and set up activities to do together. If you select shared accommodations, we’ll match you with roommates to stay with. -
Unlike a typical group trip where everything is covered in advance, we organize 1-2 activities per day and everything else is up to you.
If you choose to stay with us at the group hotel, we’ll take care of the cost of accommodations. Any items listed in the official meetup activities are also prepaid and therefore free of charge when you arrive.
Everything else, including airfare, ground transport, and any other activities or meals not included in our primary planning, are costs that you can expect to spend independently.
-
Look no further! We’ll have two group meetings to help you meet other travelers and also connect with our partner so you get all the information and advice you need.
We’ll also have an exclusive group in the Wanderful member hub where you can continue to ask questions as you get into travel planning mode.
Just remember that transportation and additional activities not listed above need to be booked on your own.
-
This Global Meetup is exclusive to Wanderful members only. You’ll need to be a member at the time of booking your spot, as well as during the trip itself. For information about how to become a member, visit community.sheswanderful.com.
-
Global meetups are for Wanderful members only. You’re welcome to arrive or stay with a partner or travel companion, but only Wanderful members who have purchased a Global Meetup ticket can participate in official Global Meetup activities.
-
We strive to make sure that all of our Global Meetups are as accessible as possible. We seek out restaurants that can offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal options and will check in with you on any dietary needs.
If you have any mobility or other accessibility concerns, we’ll be as accommodating as we can and are delighted to help you feel comfortable and supported!
-
After you make your Cartagena booking, you’ll be sent a separate link to the Medellín extension via email. The Medellín extension is ONLY bookable to those who also have a spot on the Cartagena meetup.