Colombia Itinerary: Your Guide to 2 or 3 Weeks in Colombia

How much time should you plan for your Colombia itinerary?

You should plan for at least two weeks in Colombia — three weeks is even better. Of course, you can stay much longer, since Colombia has an incredible number of highlights to offer. We spent two months there ourselves and still didn’t see everything.

That said, you can already discover the top sights in Colombia in two or three weeks. In this article, we’ll walk you through the best possible itinerary for that amount of time.

How do you get around on your trip?

First, you’ll need to decide how you want to get around. We recommend a mix of domestic flights and long-distance buses. You can also travel exclusively by bus or fly every long stretch — totally up to you.

Long-distance buses — especially overnight buses — are super popular in Colombia. The network is well developed, though the buses are slow. Several operators run well-equipped, comfortable coaches.

Book your bus tickets for Colombia on Bookaway
Pros and cons of long-distance buses

• The cheapest option
• If you travel overnight, you don’t lose a vacation day
• They take a long time
• If you’re unlucky, they can be uncomfortable

Pros and cons of domestic flights

• The fastest option
• More expensive
• High carbon footprint

We do not recommend renting a car in Colombia. The distances are really long and you’d spend a huge amount of time behind the wheel. On top of that, roads are sometimes in very poor condition, driving at night is dangerous in some areas, and city traffic takes a lot of getting used to.

Itinerary for a 3-Week Road Trip in Colombia

We think three weeks is the sweet spot for a Colombia vacation. That’s why we’re presenting this itinerary first. If you only have 14 days, we’ll show you afterward how to trim the route down to two weeks.

Our 3-week itinerary at a glance

• Days 1–3: Medellín
• Days 4–6: Salento
• Days 7–9: Cartagena
• Days 10–13: Santa Marta
• Days 14–17: Ciudad Perdida hike (Alternative: Barichara and San Gil)
• Days 18–21: San Andrés and Isla Providencia

Days 1–3: Medellín

For your outbound flight to Colombia, we recommend flying into Medellín. There are direct flights to the city from Europe — including from Madrid. You can search and compare flights easily on Skyscanner.

Search for flights on Skyscanner

Day 1: Arrival in Medellín

The airport in Medellín is located outside the city. Your best bet is to grab a private transfer or a taxi to your hotel.

Book a private airport transfer in Medellín

Since you’ll probably be exhausted after the long journey, we recommend keeping the evening low-key with a relaxed dinner. Our tip: the Mercado del Rio.

Day 2: Sightseeing in Medellín

Well-rested, you’ll kick off your Colombia itinerary on Day 2 with some proper sightseeing. Medellín has quite a bit to offer. Here’s our suggested program:

• Guided tour of Comuna 13
• Cable car ride to Parque Arvi
• Quick stop at Plaza Botero in the city center
• Pueblito Paisa

Day 3: Day trip to Guatapé

Guatapé is a small town about two hours from Medellín, situated on a large reservoir. The standout highlight is the Piedra del Peñol — a massive granite rock that rewards you with a stunning panoramic view from the top. Guatapé itself is also seriously worth exploring, with its colorful houses and alleyways.

On a day trip, you can climb the 650 steps up to the Piedra del Peñol and stroll leisurely through Guatapé. You can either book a guided tour or take a bus from the Terminal del Norte.

Book the guided tour from Medellín to Guatapé and the Piedra del Peñol

Our hotel recommendations for Medellín

For accommodation in Medellín, we recommend the neighborhoods of El Poblado and Laureles. Both have great metro connections.

For backpackers: Medellín Vibes Hostel

For more comfort: Sites Hotel
Also read all our tips for Medellín:

Days 4–6: Salento and Valle de Cocora

On Day 4, you’ll take a bus to Salento. Get up early and head to the Terminal del Sur in Medellín. From there, take a bus to Pereira (you may also find a direct bus to Salento). You can book buses online on Bookaway or at the terminal — it’s almost always possible to do it spontaneously.

The ride from Medellín to Pereira takes about six hours. At the terminal in Pereira, take a bus (operator: Alcala) to Salento — budget another hour for that leg. If everything goes smoothly, you’ll arrive in Salento by early afternoon.

Day 4: Afternoon in Salento

Salento sits right in the heart of Colombia’s Coffee Triangle. So the first order of business is to enjoy a delicious coffee. Our picks: Café Jesus Martín and Concreto Café. Afterward, stroll down the main street, Calle Real, and check out the town’s viewpoints.

Day 5: Valle de Cocora and a coffee farm

We recommend heading to the Valle de Cocora early in the morning. This lush green valley full of towering wax palms is the most popular attraction near Salento, and it’s least crowded first thing. Plan for about three hours for the visit.

In the afternoon, visit a coffee farm. You can join a guided tour and learn all about coffee production and its significance to the region — really fascinating stuff.

Book the day tour to Valle de Cocora and a coffee farm

Day 6: Day trip to Filandia

From the main square in Salento, so-called Willys (jeeps) run to the small town of Filandia. The ride takes about an hour.

We find Filandia just as beautiful architecturally as Salento — and it’s not nearly as crowded. You can enjoy a coffee at a relaxed pace, wander through the alleyways to one of the viewpoints, and after lunch, head back to Salento.

Our tip: Hop off the jeep at La Boquía, just before Salento, and hike to Santa Rita La Cascada — a waterfall where you can go for a swim.

Our hotel recommendation in Salento

Salento is a very safe place. You can stay comfortably in any part of town. We recommend booking a hotel with a nice view and avoiding the center, as it can get noisy there at night.

For backpackers: Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel

For more comfort: Hotel Kawa Mountain Retreat

Days 7–9: Cartagena

On Day 7, you’ll fly from Matecaña Airport in Pereira to Cartagena. From Salento, you can book a transfer directly to Pereira Airport.

Book the transfer from Salento to Pereira Airport

Try to book a morning flight. Once you arrive in Cartagena, take a taxi or transfer from the airport to your accommodation.

Book a private airport transfer in Cartagena

Day 7: Evening in Cartagena

If you still have time and energy after your arrival, stroll through the hip neighborhood of Getsemaní. There are plenty of cool restaurants and bars there, and evenings in Getsemaní are always lively.

Day 8: Sightseeing in Cartagena

Day 8 is all about exploring the city. Don’t miss these must-sees in Cartagena:

• Murallas
• Old Town
• Castillo San Felipe
• Monumento Torre del Reloj

Day 9: Boat tour to an island

Cartagena is hot year-round, so it’s super convenient that the city sits right on the coast. Even better: not far away lie two stunning island archipelagos — the Islas del Rosario and the Islas San Bernardo.
Day trips to these Caribbean paradises are offered all over Cartagena. Whichever archipelago you choose, both have gorgeous beaches.

Book the catamaran tour to the Rosario Islands

Our hotel recommendations for Cartagena

The best neighborhoods to stay in Cartagena are the Old Town and Getsemaní. We’d suggest Getsemaní — it’s livelier in the evenings and has a great selection of bars and restaurants.

For backpackers: Santuario Getsemani Hostel

For more comfort: Hotel Boutique Casa Isabel
Also read all our tips for Cartagena:

Days 10–13: Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park

On Day 10, your best bet is to book a group transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta. They’re affordable and run city center to city center — the ride takes about five hours. We traveled with MarSol, but you can also book a budget long-distance bus through Bookaway.

Day 10: Santa Marta and Taganga

If you leave Cartagena in the morning, you’ll have time in the afternoon to explore the area. Santa Marta itself isn’t really that exciting, so we recommend just taking a quick walk through the historic center and then heading to the nearby town of Taganga to cool off in the sea.

Day 11: Tayrona National Park

The excursion to Tayrona National Park will take up your entire day — leave Santa Marta as early as possible. Once you reach the park, you’ll pay the entrance fee and then hike through the jungle, where you’ll spot exotic animals like monkeys.

At the end of the trail, you’ll reach stunning beaches where you can snorkel or simply soak up the sun.

Day 12: Day trip to Palomino

Day 12 is another packed day. In the morning, head from Santa Marta to the beach town of Palomino. Buses depart every 15 minutes from the Mercado Público, and the ride takes about two hours.

In the river at Palomino, you can try tubing or simply relax on the beach, which is incredibly beautiful and photogenic with its many palm trees. In the late afternoon, head back to Santa Marta.

Day 13: Day trip to Minca

Minca is the complete opposite of Palomino — it’s deep in the jungle. It takes about an hour to get there from Santa Marta, with buses departing every half hour from the Mercado Público. In Minca, you can hike to the Marinka Waterfalls and learn about chocolate at the cacao museum.

Book the day trip to Minca from Santa Marta

Our hotel recommendations for Santa Marta

Santa Marta makes a great base for day trips. Since you only have a few days here, it’s much more practical to do day trips rather than spending the night in places like Palomino or Minca — otherwise, you’d be lugging your luggage back and forth the whole time.

For backpackers: Imagine Hostel

For more comfort: Casa Gaitana

Days 14–17: Ciudad Perdida Hike

Ciudad Perdida (translated: Lost City) is an archaeological site in the Colombian jungle near Santa Marta, accessible only via a multi-day hike. You’ll need to book a guided tour to get there. The tours typically last four days and start and end in Santa Marta.

You’ll be picked up at your hotel on the morning of Day 14. On Day 17, you’ll return to Santa Marta in the afternoon. If you can find an evening flight, you can fly to San Andrés on the same day.

Book the four-day hiking tour to Ciudad Perdida

Days 14–17 Alternative: Barichara and San Gil

If hiking isn’t your thing, you’ll want a solid alternative to the Ciudad Perdida trek. Our recommendation: the towns of San Gil and Barichara.

To get there, take a night bus on Day 13 from Santa Marta to Bucaramanga. The ride takes about eight hours, and you’ll arrive at the terminal in the early morning. From there, transfer to a bus to San Gil, which takes another three hours.

Book the bus from Santa Marta to Bucaramanga

Alternatively, there are also flights on the Santa Marta–Bucaramanga route. From Bucaramanga Airport, your best bet is to take a taxi to the bus terminal and catch a bus from there to San Gil.

Days 14 to 17: Sightseeing in Barichara and San Gil

On Day 14, you’ll have the afternoon and evening to walk around San Gil. On Days 15 and 16, you’ll explore the surrounding area. Here are our recommendations:

• Stroll through the alleyways of Barichara
• Walk to the Salto del Mico viewpoint in Barichara
• Hike from Barichara to Guane
• Marvel at the Chicamocha Canyon
• Try an extreme sport: e.g. paragliding, rafting, or canyoning

On Day 17, you can already fly to San Andrés. To do so, you’ll need to get to the airport in Bucaramanga. There are currently no direct flights — expect a stopover in Bogotá.

Our hotel recommendations for San Gil and Barichara

San Gil is larger and better connected by bus than Barichara, making it the more practical choice from a logistics standpoint. That said, staying in Barichara has its own charm — it’s simply the more beautiful of the two.

San Gil for backpackers: Traveler Hostel

For more comfort: Hotel Santorini

Barichara for backpackers: Hostel Trip Monkey Barichara

For more comfort: La Loma Barichara

Days 18–21: San Andrés and Isla Providencia

At the end of your Colombia trip, you’ll spend a few days putting your feet up on the beach. The Caribbean island of San Andrés is perfect for that. Just as paradisiacal is the neighboring Isla Providencia, which you can reach from San Andrés by boat or plane.

Decide for yourself which of the two islands appeals to you more — the beaches on both are gorgeous. You really can’t go wrong.

Days 18 to 20: Beach vacation

You now have two to three days to explore the islands. Here are our picks for the most beautiful beaches on San Andrés and Providencia:

San Andrés

• Johnny Cay
• Spratt Bright
• Cocoplum Bay

Providencia

• South West Bay
• Fresh Water Bay
• Playa Manzanillo

Day 21: Return flight

After three weeks, it’s time to say goodbye. For your return flight from San Andrés, your best bet is to book a connection via Bogotá. There are currently no direct flights from San Andrés to Europe.

Our hotel recommendations for San Andrés and Providencia

San Andrés for backpackers: Dreamer Beach Club

For more comfort: Aquamare Hotel

Our hotel recommendation for Providencia: South West Bay Cabañas

Itinerary for a 2-Week Road Trip in Colombia

Only have two weeks? Then we recommend following the three-week itinerary exactly through Day 8 and then adjusting the rest of your trip slightly.

Here’s our 2-week Colombia itinerary at a glance

• Days 1–3: Medellín
• Days 4–6: Salento
• Days 7–8: Cartagena
• Days 9–10: Rosario or San Bernardo Islands
• Days 11–14: Santa Marta

Just like with the three-week trip, we recommend heading from Cartagena on Day 9 to the nearby Rosario Islands or San Bernardo Islands. There, you’ll spend the night.

Since two weeks isn’t enough time to fly to San Andrés, these islands are a great alternative for experiencing some of the most beautiful beaches in Colombia.

On Day 10, take a boat back to the mainland and book a bus to Santa Marta. You’ll arrive there in the evening. With Days 11, 12, and 13, you’ll have three full days to visit Tayrona National Park, Palomino, and Minca.

On Day 14, take your return flight home from Santa Marta. Expect at least one stopover in Medellín or Bogotá.

How much does a Colombia itinerary cost?

Colombia is generally a very affordable travel destination — great news whether you’re backpacking on a tight budget or want to treat yourself to a more comfortable trip without breaking the bank.

Costs for our 3-week Colombia itinerary

If you follow the three-week route as we’ve outlined it, here’s roughly what you can expect to spend:

• Accommodation: €400
• Food: €350
• Sights and activities: €250
• Transportation within Colombia: €400
• Round-trip flights: €1,000
• Miscellaneous: €100

Total costs: €2,500

These are rough estimates, of course. You can do it for less or spend more — it really depends on your travel style.

Costs for backpacking in Colombia

Colombia is super popular with backpackers. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, you can get by on €30 per day. Here’s roughly what you’d spend each day:

• Hostel dorm bed with breakfast: €12
• Lunch: €4
• Dinner: €6

On top of that, factor in bus rides. Longer routes cost around €15–20. If you take an overnight bus, you save on a night’s lodging. Additional costs include entry fees for sights, short bus rides, and activities — how much you spend on those is entirely up to you.

Book your bus tickets for Colombia on Bookaway

Costs for a more comfortable vacation in Colombia

Of course, you can also travel through Colombia in more comfort. In that case, you’ll stay in nicer hotels, join more guided tours, and deal with less planning stress. For this style of travel, budget around €70 per day. Here’s roughly what your expenses would look like:

• Double room in a hotel with breakfast (per person): €25
• Lunch: €4
• Dinner: €10

Instead of overnight buses, you’ll tend to book domestic flights, and for sightseeing you’ll opt for guided tours. As a result, your overall costs will be higher than for backpackers.

Practical tips for your Colombia trip

Before you head off on your Colombia itinerary, it’s worth reading up on the country. Key topics include the best time to visit and the safety situation in Colombia.

You’ll find more advice on entry requirements, vaccinations, language, and more in our travel tips article.