Juliana

Juliana Medina is the CEO and Partner at Impulse Travel, a pioneering figure in Colombia’s tourism industry. Her journey began as a 16-year-old tour guide in Cartagena, working to fund her college education. What started as a means to pay her bills quickly evolved into a passion for using travel as a tool for social change. After a stint in Germany as an au pair, Juliana returned to Colombia with a fresh perspective and a deep desire to share her country’s complex history and culture with the world.

Juliana founded Impulse Travel, Colombia’s most innovative destination management company (DMC), with a vision to merge tourism with social impact. Under her leadership, Impulse Travel creates transformative experiences that go beyond traditional tourism, offering travelers deeper insight into Colombia’s people, culture, and the ongoing peace process. Whether challenging the “Pablo Escobar” narrative through Medellín tours or promoting sustainable, community-based tourism, Juliana connects travelers with the real Colombia, all while supporting local communities.

Known for her forward-thinking approach, Juliana fosters a collaborative environment within her team, which she affectionately calls a “high-performance group of friends.” Her work has not gone unnoticed, earning her accolades from the UNWTO for promoting peace through tourism and recognition as one of Colombia’s top travel innovators.

Juliana and her team have played a pivotal role in the creation of our Let’s Eat Colombia – Cartagena & Medellin tour. Their local expertise and passion for cultural exchange ensure that this journey highlights the rich diversity and culinary traditions of both cities, offering an immersive and meaningful experience to travelers.

When she’s not shaping the future of sustainable tourism, you’ll find Juliana fishing with local communities in Cartagena or indulging in a bowl of her favorite dish, sancocho de pescado, a reminder of her roots and home.