When I first heard that AmaWaterways was launching a river cruise in Colombia, I was intrigued. South America isn’t a region I’ve spent much time in, and this itinerary is completely different from anything else in river cruising right now. But the more I’ve read about it, the more it feels like it’s filling a gap that’s been missing for a long time, especially when so many itineraries start to feel like variations of the same routes.

A Different Kind of River Cruise

This is not a “greatest hits” itinerary.

You’re not sailing past castles or docking in major European capitals. Instead, this journey along the Magdalena River focuses on smaller towns and communities, many of which haven’t seen river cruise tourism in decades.

The route runs between Cartagena and Barranquilla, with stops in places like Mompox, Magangué and Calamar. These are destinations that feel largely untouched by mass tourism. That’s what makes this itinerary stand out. It’s a chance to experience a region that still feels relatively undiscovered in the context of river cruising.

Day-by-Day Highlights Along the Magdalena River

The journey begins in Barranquilla with an exclusive Carnaval celebration, an energetic and colorful introduction that immediately pulls you into the culture.

From there, the focus shifts into smaller riverside communities. In Sabanagrande, a guided village tour offers a closer look at daily life along the Magdalena River, providing a more grounded and local perspective.

In Magangué, the emphasis moves toward the landscape. One guest described the nature excursion here as a highlight, noting that parts of the river felt almost otherworldly. The day concludes with an evening jazz performance.

Mompox is one of the stops that really stands out, largely because of the time spent there. Over two days, guests have the chance to get familiar with the city through a walking tour, a tuk-tuk ride and a visit to a filigree workshop where traditional techniques are still used. Cultural elements like cumbia music and local traditions are also woven throughout.

The itinerary continues with scenic cruising before reaching Calamar, where a paola tour through town and a visit to Palenque, the first “free town” in the Americas, introduce an important historical dimension to the journey.

You end in Cartagena, with time spent exploring the walled city, San Felipe Castle and Getsemaní.

What makes this itinerary stand out is the variety. It moves between high-energy cultural moments, quieter community experiences, time on the river and historically significant sites. Plus, the colors and scenery look so beautiful.

The Ship Still Looks Like Ama

The Ship Still Feels Like Ama

Even though this is a completely different itinerary, the ship, AmaMagdalena, still feels very much like Ama. It’s small with a well-designed interior that reflects the destination in which it is sailing. There’s a sun deck, a pool and wellness offerings like yoga, along with a range of stateroom categories depending on how you like to travel.

I Didn’t Know I Wanted To Cruise Colombia, Now I Can’t Stop Thinking About It

If you’ve spent any time around river cruising, you know how rare it is to see something new. Not a slight variation on an existing route, but a completely different region and experience.

And this didn’t just happen overnight. Ama had to build this itinerary from the ground up. That meant working with local communities and governments to develop infrastructure, create landing points, design excursion boats and train local teams. Even the ship itself was built in Colombia.

I didn’t expect Colombia to be next on my list, but now that I know more about this itinerary, it’s one I can’t wait to explore.