Vacationer of the Week: Juan David Borja, OUT in Colombia

Juan David Borja is our Vacationer of the Week! He was born in Medellin, Colombia, and spent most of his childhood in Bogota, which makes him the perfect person to hold the position of Operations Manager for OUT in Colombia.  Why? Because he has a broad set of skills that make him just one of the masterminds behind the scenes creating seamless fun, safe, sophisticated, and sustainable ways to explore Colombia. Yep, this LGBTQ+-owned company designs one-of-a-kind experiences for queer travelers!  

And Juan David works his travel magic from Medellin, his home of 10 years. He took time out of his busy schedule to reveal the details about OUT in Colombia’s popular and carefully curated 10-day travel experience. He dishes about some of the best things for travelers in his home country, and he divulges new plans in progress for LGBTQ+ travelers looking to explore, in his words, “one of the best places to visit in Colombia.”

Vacationer Magazine: At what age did you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?

Juan David Borja: I was around 23 years old when I decided to get my passport and plan my first trip outside of Colombia. I visited Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Even though I was afraid to travel solo, my desire for adventure really pushed me to overcome my fear and discover my new passion for travel.

What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel? 

I started to travel in Colombia during my early 20s.  Before that, as a university student, I just didn’t have enough resources to travel.  But after leaving university, I got a job and booked a flight to Cartagena.  I discovered first-hand why this city on the Caribbean Sea is Colombia’s gem. On that trip, I got to explore more about myself, who I am, and what inspires me. I also realized that if Cartagena could show me something different than the world in which I grew up, there must be much more to see and explore around the world. 

What inspires you to travel?

The most important thing when I travel is to figure out how I can connect with the people around me, understand the cultural differences and take into my heart and mind some pieces of their history and tell their stories to my friends and family.  That has always been my motivation to travel. 

When did Out in Colombia officially open for business? 

I first joined OUT in Colombia in 2018, less than two years after we officially opened for business.  The company was just getting off the ground as our founder Sam Castañeda Holdren was pursuing a Master of Sustainability Leadership and building the business around the principles of sustainability at the same time. When I joined the team, I felt so proud and motivated to be part of this new idea to show all the gifts that Colombia has to offer to LGBTQ+ travelers.

Of the different packages OUT in Colombia offers, which one is the most popular for LGBTQ+ travelers and why?

I would say our most popular package is our 10-day experience through the three main cities of Colombia: Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena.  It’s really a way to experience the diversity of Colombia. It’s the perfect solution to experiencing the best of Colombia’s highlights. It’s all here for you in this package: epic history, vibrant culture, bustling cityscapes, sparkling coastline, and world-class culinary experiences to enjoy.  But in reality, no OUT in Colombia itinerary looks alike.  We cater to every traveler’s unique interests and needs and customize each package so they can travel just as they are.

If I’m an LGBTQ+ traveler visiting Colombia, what are some local places, towns, or must-do experiences you’d recommend to first-time visitors?

Colombia is a paradise of changing landscapes and diversity. It really is.  There is something for everyone.  But I honestly think that Medellin is the place to be.  It’s the city of eternal Spring with temperate weather 365 days a year. And there’s so much to do.

For example, our CookingOUT and DiningOUT Experiences are very popular.  They’re a fun way to mix and mingle with local members of the LGBTQ+ community while enjoying a delicious meal.

One of my favorite day excursions is to Guatape.  It’s a day-long journey outside of Medellin where you get to discover Colombia’s most colorful colonial town and try your hand – or foot – at climbing the world’s third largest rock.  We do things differently and take people to an exclusive, upscale site off the beaten path for lunch, and then take a boat ride on the lakes before visiting the village.  It’s a really fun day.

And if you’re looking for some nightlife to experience, you definitely need to check out Bar Chiquita and Club Oraculo.  We actually offer a VIP NightOut Experience where we take you around to all the best spots, skipping the lines and enjoying VIP treatment throughout the night.

Please tell us how you identify yourself on the LGBTQIA spectrum. Tell us if how you identify influences the way you travel. If so, how?

As a gay man, I think it’s important to recognize that no gay traveler is alike.  We all have unique interests and needs when we travel.  Some people want to party, others want to relax on the beach, and others want to immerse themselves in cultural experiences.  Some want to do all of the above.

But there are some things that I think are commonly shared amongst our community.  For example, when I travel, I want to make sure that the place is welcoming and that I am free to be myself.  I don’t want to have to go back into the closet while I’m on vacation. And even if I travel to a place that isn’t necessarily known to be the most gay-friendly spot on the planet, I at least want to know that I am in the company of welcoming and open-minded people. 

Is there a travel destination that most queer travelers would think isn’t safe to visit, but you’ve visited and enjoyed it? If so, where? 

Within Colombia, Santa Marta is a beautiful city on the Caribbean coast with some of the best beaches in the country.  But as a smaller city, it doesn’t necessarily have a reputation as being the most gay-welcoming place.  Still, I have gone there several times and we’ve sent many clients there who all have had great things to say about their experiences.  Part of that is knowing where to stay and play and where to avoid.  That’s probably true of most cities in the world. 

What I like most about going to Santa Marta is spending time on the beaches.  There are so many different beaches and they’re all clean and the water is crystal clear.  Also, the food is different from anywhere else in Colombia.  There’s so much variety of local, exotic fruits that you can’t really find anywhere else, not to mention the fresh fish – and I love seafood.  The weather is great there too…it’s not as hot as other places in the Caribbean. And really, the people are what make Santa Marta a great destination to visit. They’re just so friendly and open.

What are your top three favorite places to visit outside of Colombia?

Outside of Colombia, my all-time favorite place to visit was Buenos Aires, Argentina.  But I also loved visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

What three places are still on your bucket list to visit?

There are many places I still want to visit.  At the top of my list are Bali, Berlin, and Cairo.

What’s one thing you never forget to pack in your suitcase?

LOL. It depends, but definitely, I always pack my speedos and lube.

Do you have any exciting news to share or new package ideas coming up next year for OUT  in Colombia?

Sure, we’re just putting the finishing touches on some new packages that include Santa Marta, which in my opinion is one of the best places to visit in Colombia.

We’re also planning to revamp our private boat tour experiences in Cartagena to make them even more exotic and fun.

We’re also looking at possibly organizing a gay New Year’s Eve celebration in Cartagena.