Colombia · WORKSHOPS
Good workshops & classes fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 14 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Join local hosts such as Camila, Marbeluz, Hugo, or Jorge for a six-hour night through Cartagena’s Old City and Getsemaní. You’ll learn basic Salsa or Champeta moves, play drinking games, collect shots, and visit three changing bars and clubs with English or Spanish guides.
“Nothing it was a good experience and a good variety of bars and clubs!”
At Ocio Gallery in Bogotá, an instructor such as Cali, known as TET, or Diego guides beginners through spray-can drills, tag design, color choices, and a finished 3D throw-up on a courtyard wall. The two-hour class includes materials, gallery access, and wall space.
“I was very impressed both by the artist who led this workshop and by the gallery (OCIO) where it was hosted. The workshop started with a chance to explore the gallery, which is full of amazing prints by an array of Colombian artists. They also sell a line of printed clothing - really interesting work, and a chance to take home an exceptional souvenir. (If you don't take the workshop, you could still have a super visit to the gallery, which is close to the La Perseverancia Market and lots of eating options.) The grafitti workshop took place in a courtyard behind the building, with walls covered by experiments and…”
Meet your guide near Museo Casa de la Moneda, learn how gold and emeralds shaped Colombia, then choose a stone and design for your own silver ring. Guides such as Juan and Nick work with master jewelers including Carlos in a small Bogotá workshop. Gold and larger emeralds cost extra.
“Everyone was great to learn and help guide us to go through the steps towards making a nice emerald ring. I highly recommend this to anyone that is interested in doing something out of usual tourist activities.”
Spend 90 private minutes at Tu Baile in Bogotá learning salsa or other Latin rhythms from instructors such as Julien, Laura, or German. The class starts with basic steps, adapts to your level, and gives couples a quiet place to practice before heading to a club on their own.
“My husband and I (60+) were attending a relative's wedding in Bogota and wanted to be able to hold our own on the dance floor, so we booked a 90 minute salsa lesson. Our instructor Laura was wonderful -- patient and did a great job helping us with the basic steps of merengue and salsa (including the special steps of Colombian salsa). It was a little tricky for us finding the studio, but Laura was responsive and helpful. There's a great big mall across the street if you want to shop and pick up an Uber from there. Highly recommend and we had a great time on the dance floor!”
Meet your English- or Spanish-speaking barista at Avoeden Café in El Poblado for a practical Colombian coffee workshop. Learn how beans are grown, roasted, ground, and brewed, then compare drip, AeroPress, espresso, and French press methods with unlimited samples.
“Lina was great. I ended up being the only one in the tour, but she was still thorough and detailed in her explanations. I got to hear about the history of how coffee came to the americas. And we tried different methods to prepare the coffee, while she explained the process and why the outcomes were different. Prepare to have lunch afterwards and eat a good breakfast before, if you’re sensitive to caffeine.”
Meet your English-speaking instructor at Arví Park Metro Station, then travel to Don Leandro Special Coffee Farm for a hands-on barista session. Learn how grind, water, timing, and technique shape coffee made by different methods. The four-hour outing includes transport back to Arví.
“A really good day! Weather delayed our arrival on the cable cars, and they were very accommodating and stayed late to make sure we had the full experience. We did not realize this tour included the sauna and massage experience, which was a pleasant surprise. The farm is located deep in the park, and the journey to get there is longer than expected, but great views. The guides and attendants were very kind and friendly!”
Travel from Santa Marta to Minca for coffee and cocoa workshops, a 25-meter waterfall swim, jungle walks, and lunch. Guides such as Pedro and Ronaldo have led recent departures. The small group, bilingual format, and included transport make this a practical one-day taste of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
“I enjoy a lot! Pedro was kind and very helpful. Everything was very good. The hike, the swimming the lunch, and the cocoa workshop. The landscape of Minca amazing”
Meet near Arsenal Street in a pink building, then enter a working chocolaterie for a 105-minute private class. Alejandra guides you through roasting, cacao varieties, and hands-on chocolate making with white, milk, dark, pure cocoa, and blended chocolate.
“Very cool experience and tasty chocolate! would absolutely reccomend”
Meet photographer Paola at Plaza Trinidad for a two-hour small-group walk through Getsemani. Learn phone angles, composition, poses, presets, filters, and feed planning while photographing street art and colorful walls. Bring a charged Android or iPhone and extra cash for Palenquera photos.
Meet Sky and his father near Bolívar Park or arrange pickup, then visit a typical San Andrés house or coastal setting to learn coconut-palm weaving. Watch hats and fruit bowls take shape, make small souvenirs yourself, and hear island stories in English or Spanish during this private 90-minute to two-hour workshop.
“My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with Sky and his Dad. We started the experience by visiting their typical San Andes house with a very interesting history of the islands (with old photos) and the importance of the coconut trees before tourism became the main industry of the island. After, we learned how to craft items from coconut tree leaves and watched in awe as they crafted a sunhat and a fruit bowl from this amazing material. Truly old skills passed down from generation to generation. We also learned (hands on) how to make some simpler ornamental items such as a decorative bird and a necklace. This is…”
Walk La Candelaria with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide such as Juanita or Alejandra, then learn two coffee brewing methods, taste two cacao origins, try an ancestral drink, and make latte art with a professional barista.
“This is a wonderful tour full of information and interesting experiences. Juanita, the guide, did a great job explaining the rich history of La Candelaria. She's super friendly and nice. Walking around La Candelaria with its beautiful architecture is must in Bogotá. The Cacao and Coffee Workshop was an amazing learning experience. It took place at Cacao and Coffee House, where the very best examples of Colombian cacao and coffee can be tasted. The barista experience was informative and fun. I highly recommend this tour!”
At Nativokite in La Boquilla, you can learn standup paddleboarding with a bilingual instructor or rent a board for one hour. Equipment and a life jacket are included, and you can relax afterward at the beach facility with chairs, umbrellas, a bar, and massages.
Join Paola or another professional bilingual photographer for a three-hour private walking workshop in Cartagena. Start at Plaza de Bolívar, review camera basics, then practice portraits, architecture, fashion, documentary, and scenery photography in the Historic Center and Getsemaní.
“Paola did a great job with the tour. Before we started, we reviewed the most important theoretical concepts. Afterward, we walked around Getsemaní and the Historic Center, where many opportunities for taking pictures exist. I was free to take any type of picture and at the same time, received tips and tricks on what to pay attention to. Furthermore, Paola asked me what I would like to focus on and made sure I was able to practice the same. Super friendly and helpful, many thanks!”
Meet your guide near Tapas Macarena for a two-hour graffiti lesson in Bogotá’s Macarena neighborhood. You’ll practice markers, color theory, spray control, gradients, and 3D effects, then create a graffiti name and throw-up on paper or a wall. Diego is one named guide.
“It was an amazing experience! Diego took me from the basics with marker on paper and foundational principles all the way up to spray painting a 3D design on the wall. I loved it and highly recommend. Skip the tourist baloney and experience the real deal!”
Pick a coastline, a mural or a coffee farm.
