HBCU Alumni Weekend: May 13-17,2027 Cartagena, Colombia
May 13-17,2027 | MOOD Travel Club
What Is HBCU Alumni Weekend in Cartagena?
The HBCU Alumni Weekend is a 5-day group travel experience in Cartagena, Colombia from May 13-17,2027, organized by MOOD Travel Club. It’s designed for HBCU alumni and lovers of HBCU culture who want to experience the best of Cartagena’s food, history, nightlife, and Afro-Colombian roots — with a community of like-minded travelers from HBCUs across the country. Think homecoming energy meets Caribbean paradise.
Homecoming. Reimagined.
Imagine your favorite Homecoming weekend, but instead of a football stadium, your backdrop is the Caribbean Sea.
The crowd? HBCU alumni, professionals, entrepreneurs, Greeks, and tastemakers from across the nation.
The soundtrack? Afro-Colombian drums, R&B classics, Afrobeats, and island rhythms.
The atmosphere? Pure HBCU excellence.
MOOD Travel Club combines the spirit of the Yard with the rich Afro-Colombian culture of Cartagena, creating an experience designed for connection, celebration, and cultural discovery.
This isn’t just another vacation.
- It’s a reunion.
- It’s a cultural experience.
- It’s a diaspora celebration.
Whether you’re coming solo, with your line brothers and sisters, your chapter, your classmates, or your entire crew, you’ll arrive as friends and leave as family.
Experience Highlights
HBCU Energy
Caribbean Luxury
Afro-Colombian Culture
R&B Cruises & Rooftop Parties
Professional Content Creation
Meaningful Connections
Memories That Last a Lifetime
Why Wait for Homecoming?
Join us in Cartagena.
May 13–17, 2027
Cartagena, Colombia
The Yard Goes Coastal Cartagena 2027
The Yard Goes Coastal
Calling all HBCU Alumni and lovers of the culture!
Why wait for Homecoming when you can experience the energy of the Yard in paradise?
MOOD Travel Club is bringing alumni from across the country together for an unforgettable HBCU Alumni Weekend in Cartagena, Colombia — where Caribbean vibes, Afro-Colombian culture, and HBCU pride collide for five days of connection, celebration, and unforgettable memories.
- May 13 – 17, 2027
- Cartagena, Colombia
- HBCU Alumni Weekend
Secure Your Spot Today
Spots are limited and payment plans are available.
Only a 25% deposit secures your package.
Alumni from HBCUs across the country are already locking in their spots.
Choose from three incredible experiences:
What the package includes
Your Experience Includes
5 unforgettable days of food, fun, culture, networking, and celebration
Multiple accommodation options, from boutique hotels to luxury private villas
A guided journey to Palenque, the first free African town in the Americas
Catamaran island-hop adventure to the Rosario Islands, featuring a DJ, open bar, and beach club experience
Professional photographers capturing the memories so you can enjoy every moment
Rooftop Welcome Party overlooking Cartagena’s breathtaking skyline
Exclusive Latin Dinner Show Experience
Sunset R&B Bay Cruise with food, drinks, and incredible views
Elegant All-White Farewell Dinner
The 5-Day Itinerary
Your HBCU Alumni Weekend Experience
Curated for the Culture
From the moment you land in Cartagena, MOOD Travel Club handles the details so you can focus on the experience.
Five unforgettable days of HBCU energy, Afro-Colombian culture, luxury experiences, and Caribbean vibes await.
DAY 1 — MAY 13, 2027
The Welcome — Rooftop Soirée
Welcome to Cartagena.
After checking into your hotel or villa, meet fellow alumni and kick off the weekend with breathtaking views overlooking Cartagena’s historic skyline.
Enjoy premium cocktails, appetizers, music, networking, and the perfect atmosphere to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
This is where strangers become family.
Experience Includes:
Premium Open Bar
Rooftop Venue
Appetizers Included
Welcome Networking Event
DAY 2 — MAY 14, 2027
The Roots Experience — Palenque Cultural Tour & Latin Dinner Show
Today is about connection.
Journey to San Basilio de Palenque, the first free African town in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Experience the history, traditions, music, language, and culture that continue to influence Afro-Colombian life today. Share a traditional lunch within the community before returning to Cartagena for an unforgettable evening.
The night concludes with an immersive three-course Latin Dinner Show featuring live entertainment, music, dancing, and authentic Colombian flavors.
Experience Includes:
UNESCO World Heritage Site Visit
Traditional Afro-Colombian Lunch
Cultural Immersion Experience
Three-Course Latin Dinner Show
DAY 3 — MAY 15, 2027
The Main Event — Rosario Islands Catamaran Experience
This is what everyone comes for.
Board a private catamaran and cruise through the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea toward the breathtaking Rosario Islands.
Enjoy a full day of music, dancing, cocktails, island hopping, and unforgettable views while connecting with alumni from across the country.
Think Homecoming energy on the Caribbean.
Experience Includes:
Private Catamaran Experience
Rosario Islands Excursion
Live DJ
Lunch Included
Open Bar
Beach Club Experience
DAY 4 — MAY 16, 2027
The Grand Finale — Pool Party, R&B Bay Cruise & All-White Farewell Dinner
The final full day is an all-day celebration.
Start the afternoon at our exclusive rooftop pool party featuring tropical cocktails, great music, delicious bites, and stunning Caribbean views.
As the sun begins to set, board the R&B Bay Cruise and sail through Cartagena Bay while enjoying classic R&B hits, cocktails, dancing, and some of the most spectacular views in Colombia.
Then cap off the weekend in style at our elegant All-White Farewell Dinner. Dress to impress as we gather one final time to celebrate new friendships, unforgettable experiences, and memories that will last long after the trip ends.
This isn’t just a farewell.
It’s the ultimate finale.
Experience Includes:
Rooftop Pool Party
Premium Open Bar
Bites Included
R&B Bay Cruise
Sunset Cartagena Skyline Views
All-White Dress Experience
Farewell Dinner
Professional Photography Opportunities
DAY 5 — MAY 17, 2027
Until Next Time
Enjoy breakfast, final hugs, and one last Cartagena sunrise before heading to the airport.
You’ll leave with more than photos.
You’ll leave with new friendships, stronger alumni connections, unforgettable memories, and stories you’ll tell for years.
One thing is certain:
You’ll already be planning your return.
Experience Includes:
Airport Transfers Available
Final Group Photos
Departure Day
What Awaits You
Five unforgettable days of food, fun, culture, networking, and celebration
Multiple accommodation options, from boutique hotels to luxury private villas
A guided journey to San Basilio de Palenque, the first free African town in the Americas
Catamaran island-hop adventure to the Rosario Islands with a DJ, open bar, and beach club experience
Professional photographers capturing the memories so you can enjoy every moment
Rooftop Welcome Party overlooking Cartagena’s breathtaking skyline
Exclusive Latin Dinner Show Experience
Sunset R&B Bay Cruise with food, drinks, and incredible views
Elegant All-White Farewell Dinner
Why Cartagena?
The city that hits different
Cartagena isn’t just beautiful. It’s Black history, Caribbean soul, and Latin energy wrapped into one walled city on the Colombian coast. For the diaspora, it’s deeply personal.
The Afro-Colombian community of Palenque, located just outside Cartagena, was the first free African settlement in the entire Americas. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The music, the food, the people. All of it roots back to African heritage. This is culture travel at its highest level.
- UNESCO Walled City
Cartagena’s historic walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring some of the best preserved colonial architecture in the Americas. - Afro-Colombian Roots
Palenque, 45 minutes from Cartagena, was the first free African town in the Americas. The culture, language, and music here are unlike anywhere else on Earth. - Caribbean Paradise
Crystal clear Caribbean waters, the Rosario Islands, and a coastline that makes every photo look professionally shot. Year-round sun. No passport stress. Just vibes. - Food, Music & Nightlife
World class cuisine, rooftop bars, and cumbia and champeta in the streets of Getsemaní. Cartagena’s nightlife scene can rival any city in the world.
The Yard Is Going Coastal Secure Your Spot on The Yard.
Alumni from HBCUs across the country are locking in their packages. The MOOD Villa has only 16 spots. Don’t be the one watching the recap video. Secure your spot with a 25% deposit today.
Book My Package — 25% Deposit | Questions? Contact MOOD
May 13–17, 2027 · Cartagena, Colombia · HBCU Alumni Weekend · MOOD Travel Club
Who Is MOOD Travel Club?
Travel Made For the Culture
MOOD Travel Club creates epic group itineraries for Black travelers who want the best food, fun, history, and culture the world has to offer. We attract professionals and elevated travelers who value experience, not just destinations. We don’t do ordinary. We don’t do forgettable. Every MOOD trip is curated, fully managed, and designed to connect you with a community of like-minded travelers who become lifelong family.
- Black-owned and operated
- Group travel done right
- Food, culture, and history first
- Professional photography included
- Community that lasts beyond the trip
Don’t Watch the Recap Video Wishing You Were There.
The MOOD Villa (The MOOD Package) has only 16 spots. All packages are limited. The only way to guarantee your spot is to pay your deposit now.
Got Questions? We got answers.
Got Questions? We got answers.
The HBCU Alumni Weekend is a 5-day group travel experience in Cartagena, Colombia from May 13-17,2027, organized by MOOD Travel Club. It's designed for HBCU alumni and lovers of HBCU culture who want to experience the best of Cartagena's food, history, nightlife, and Afro-Colombian roots — with a community of like-minded travelers from HBCUs across the country. Think homecoming energy meets Caribbean paradise.
What is the deposit? A 25% deposit per package secures your spot. For the Explorer package, that's approximately $320–$400. For Destiny VIP, approximately $455–$535. For The MOOD Villa package, approximately $494–$580. You can pay in full at any time. Payment plans are available for the remaining balance. Click "Book Now" to complete your deposit and lock in your package and occupancy type on the MOOD Travel Club website.
Explorer is the entry package — beachfront hotel, daily breakfast, Palenque tour, and catamaran boat day. It's perfect for travelers who want the core experience at the best value. Destiny VIP adds the full social calendar: Don Julio open bar party, 3-course Latin Dinner Show, R&B Dinner Cruise, and beachfront pool party — the complete weekend. The MOOD VIP Package upgrades you to a luxury private villa with a private chef and full all-inclusive dining. Only 16 villa spots are available, so this one moves fast.
Not at all! This experience is open to HBCU alumni AND lovers of HBCU energy, culture, and community. If you've ever wished you could feel the electricity of homecoming season without waiting for October — this trip is for you. MOOD Travel Club welcomes everyone who shows up for the culture.
Solo travelers are not just welcome — they're celebrated on MOOD trips. The entire trip is designed to connect strangers into family. By the rooftop welcome party on night one, you'll have found your people. Many MOOD solo travelers have become lifelong friends and travel partners from their first trip.
San Basilio de Palenque is a village located about 45 minutes from Cartagena, Colombia. It was the first free African town in the Americas — established by escaped enslaved Africans who fought for and won their freedom in the 17th century. It's a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site, and the people of Palenque maintain a distinct language, music, and traditions that trace directly back to West and Central Africa. For any member of the African diaspora, visiting Palenque is a deeply moving and transformative experience.
Cartagena is one of the most visited tourist cities in Latin America and is extremely welcoming to Black travelers — particularly given its deep Afro-Colombian roots and history. MOOD Travel Club has a strong track record of safe, well-organized group trips to Cartagena. As with any travel, using common sense and staying with the group is recommended. Our team provides full on-the-ground support for the entire duration of the trip.
Do flights come with the package? Fly into Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) in Cartagena. Flights are not included in the packages — you'll book your own airfare. MOOD Travel Club will provide recommended arrival and departure times to ensure you don't miss any scheduled events. Many travelers fly through Bogotá (BOG) or connect through Miami, Atlanta, or New York.
MOOD Travel Club's full refund and cancellation policy is available on their website. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment. Please review the Trip Contract and Terms & Conditions on moodtravelclub.com before completing your deposit.





