Kean2Travel

05/31/2026

One of the things that has stood out most to us onboard the AmaMagdalena is how deeply Colombian this experience truly is. 🇨🇴

This isn’t just a river cruise through Colombia — it feels like Colombia is woven into every part of the journey.

The ship itself is intimate, with just 60 guests and 30 crew, which means you get to know the people taking care of you very quickly. And the crew? 100% Colombian — and honestly, simply the best. Helpful, knowledgeable, warm, proud, and so genuinely friendly. Every question is answered with a smile, every need is looked after, and you can feel how much pride they have in sharing their country with us.

They were genuinely excited to show us their country — not in a scripted way, but with a deep pride that felt very familiar to us as Canadians. The same way we love sharing Canada with visitors, they wanted us to see, taste, hear, and understand the Colombia they know and love. 💛💙❤️

The local connection continues right into the dining room. The produce, fruits, meats, fish, and ingredients are sourced right here in Colombia, giving us a true taste of the region as we sail the Magdalena River. The meals have been fresh, flavourful, and beautifully prepared — another way this journey feels authentic and connected to the places we’re visiting.

And this is one of the things we love most about travel when it’s done well: it gives back. When local crew are employed, local guides are leading the way, local food is being purchased, and guests are visiting small communities along the river, tourism becomes more than just sightseeing. It helps support families, preserve traditions, and create meaningful connections between travellers and the people who call these places home.

AmaWaterways designed this itinerary to highlight Colombia’s music, food, culture, traditions, and people — and that’s exactly what we’re experiencing. From the crew onboard to the guides onshore, this has felt personal, welcoming, and incredibly special.

Colombia has surprised us in the best possible way. And the people? They may just be the biggest highlight of all.

05/31/2026

Barranquilla brought the colour, the rhythm, and the wow factor today! 🇨🇴✨

Today we visited the Museo del Carnaval de Barranquilla, and it was such a fun way to understand just how important Carnival is to this city.

Barranquilla’s Carnival is one of the largest and most famous carnivals in the world, and it has even been recognized by UNESCO for its cultural importance. For several days before Lent, the city comes alive with parades, music, dancing, elaborate costumes, and traditions that blend Indigenous, African, and European influences.

Inside the museum, the displays were incredible — sparkling crowns, colourful costumes, drums, feathers, and so much history behind each piece. You quickly realize Carnival here isn’t just an event… it’s part of Barranquilla’s identity.

We also saw the famous Shakira statue along the waterfront and some amazing murals that added even more colour to the day. Barranquilla is proud, creative, musical, and full of personality.

One thing we’re really enjoying about this AmaWaterways Colombia itinerary is how different each stop feels. Cartagena was colonial and romantic, Mompox felt like stepping back in time, and Barranquilla? Barranquilla dances. 💃

Hot, colourful, cultural, and full of life — another great day in Colombia!

Yours in Travel,
Kathy
Kean2Travel

05/30/2026

Santa Barbara de Pinto — a little riverside gem on the Magdalena 🇨🇴

Today’s stop brought us to Santa Barbara de Pinto, a small riverside village that gave us such a wonderful look at everyday life along the Magdalena River.

There were two ways to get there — an optional 2-mile hike for those wanting to stretch their legs, or a relaxing boat ride into town. Either way, we all ended up in the same place, welcomed with colour, music, smiles, and a whole lot of local flavour.

We watched a to***co rolling demonstration, saw how fishing nets are made and thrown, and learned a little more about the traditions that have shaped life along the river for generations.

One of the highlights was a local dance showing the process of preparing corn and making what is likely called bollo de mazorca — a traditional Colombian corn roll made from fresh corn, wrapped in corn husks and steamed. It was such a fun way to see food, culture, music, and storytelling all come together.

And of course… when in Colombia, you make friends, take photos, and maybe even share a cigar with the locals. 😉

These are the moments we love most about travel — not just seeing a place, but connecting with the people who call it home.

05/29/2026

We’ve been sharing lots of moments from our Colombia adventure, but now we’d love to hear from you! 🇨🇴

What would you like to know about this trip?

Maybe you’re curious about the AmaMagdalena, the food, the excursions, safety, what surprised us most, or what it’s really like travelling through Colombia.

Drop your questions in the comments and we’ll answer them in an upcoming post or video. We’re happy to share the real experience — the beautiful, the unexpected, and the things we wish we had known before going.

Colombia has been full of colour, culture, history, warm people, amazing food, and a few surprises along the way.

Ask us anything!

Yours in Travel,
Kathy
Kean2Travel

05/27/2026

Mompox, Colombia 🇨🇴

Today was one of those days that reminds me why I love travel so much.

Mompox is absolutely full of charm — colourful colonial buildings, beautiful churches, flower-filled streets, little plazas, and so much history around every corner. It feels slower, quieter, and incredibly authentic… the kind of place where you just want to keep wandering and taking it all in.

One of the highlights of our visit was taking part in a filigree jewelry workshop. Mompox is famous for this delicate metalwork, and it was so interesting to learn about the artistry behind it. Watching how these intricate pieces are created gave us a whole new appreciation for the skill and patience involved. And yes… we even got to make a little piece of our own! Such a special keepsake from our time here. 💛

We also toured some of the town, admired the beautiful architecture, visited the churches, and even had a few fun little surprises along the way… including iguanas trying to join lunch! 🦎

Mompox may not be a place everyone knows, but it is definitely a hidden gem — rich in history, culture, and character. It has been such a memorable stop on our AmaMagdalena journey.

05/27/2026

Bird watching, Colombian style! 🇨🇴🦜

Today’s excursion took us deep into the natural beauty along the Magdalena River. We spotted iguanas along the way, picked up three local guides as we went, and found ourselves surrounded by birds, wetlands, and quiet little moments you only get when you slow down and look around.

Not every travel memory comes from a big landmark — sometimes it’s a white egret in the grass, birds gathered by the water, and a guide pointing out something you never would have noticed on your own.

Another beautiful day exploring Colombia with AmaWaterways on the AmaMagdalena.

05/27/2026

Last night after dinner, while we were docked along the Magdalena River in what felt like the middle of nowhere, a load of fresh pineapples arrived at the ship. 🍍

Of course, a few of the Plus Ones couldn’t resist jumping in to help unload — because apparently even pineapple delivery can become part of the adventure!

All of this effort was for a special breakfast drink served right in fresh pineapples. How fun is that?

And somehow… a few of those pineapples mysteriously found their way to Rhonda and Flemming’s bed. 😂

It’s the little unexpected moments like this that make river cruising so memorable.

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

Nature, river life, and a little taste of the real Colombia 🇨🇴

Today’s excursion took us out by small boat near Boca de Tacaloa in the Magangué region, where the Magdalena River shows off a completely different side of Colombia.

This wasn’t a polished tourist stop — and that’s what made it so special. It was peaceful, scenic, natural, and full of little moments that made you slow down and just take it all in.

We spotted beautiful white birds tucked into the tall grasses, iguanas sunning themselves along the riverbank, local fishermen, small boats, riverside homes, and everyday life unfolding right along the water.

One of the sweetest moments was seeing a little girl watching us from the shore. Those are the kinds of travel moments that stay with you — not staged, not planned, just a real glimpse into life along the river.

And then, of course, there was the view of our beautiful AmaMagdalena waiting for us on the river. What a unique way to experience Colombia — not just from the cities, but from the water, the villages, and the nature in between.

This is exactly why river cruising is such a special way to travel. You don’t just visit a country… you quietly move through it. 🌿🚤