Colombia is an up-and-coming vacation spot in South America that has one thing to supply all people. With a various vary of landscapes, from beautiful seashores to the snow-capped Andes, you may be hard-pressed to search out some other place on this planet fairly prefer it. That’s why making a complete Colombia itinerary is not any simple feat—particularly if you happen to solely have 2 weeks!
Certain, the nation has a foul rap from the times of Colombian drug lords, however these occasions of needing to ask your self “is it protected?” are principally behind this nation. It’s rapidly modernizing and opening its arms to the world.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a culturally wealthy vacation spot with a variety of jaw-dropping surroundings and sprawling cities, then look no additional. Right here’s the best way to spend 2 weeks in Colombia the suitable means.
Find out how to Get Round Colombia
Colombia is a reasonably large nation, which implies that getting round it might probably take a while. That is very true as a result of there are such a lot of locations to go to which can be unfold other than each other.
That stated, there are two simple methods of getting between main locations in Colombia: bus and airplane. And the excellent news is that airplane costs are literally fairly low-cost. Throughout our journey round Colombia, we discovered Avianca to be probably the most dependable and fairly priced airline, which took us nearly in every single place we wished to go.
However if in case you have extra time, the buses are even cheaper. You need to use websites like Busbud to search out buses to take you from Level A to Level B. Or you may go to any of the close by bus stations and ask to see the schedules and costs — that is often probably the most dependable means.
2 Weeks in Colombia Itinerary
Colombia is definitely an enormous and various nation, and there may be completely no means you may see all the things right here in simply 2 weeks. The next itinerary is designed to absorb a few of the finest that the nation has to supply and to point out you the highlights.
Though you may actually cram extra right into a 2-week journey, I might not advocate it. It is much better to spend some high quality time attending to know a vacation spot than simply ticking off “must-sees” and by no means really experiencing the nation.
Having stated all that, let’s get began within the steamy Caribbean metropolis of Cartagena to kick off your 2 weeks in Colombia!
Day 1-3: Cartagena
The colourful streets of Cartagena, ColombiaCartagena is the proper place to reach in Colombia as a result of it’s simple to get round and has numerous close by sights. You possibly can mix relaxation and leisure on a seaside with somewhat nightlife and exploring on the town. It’s the proper introduction to Colombian tradition.
Discover Downtown Cartagena
The most effective methods to get an outline of the town is to go to Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, which is strategically situated on a hill exterior of city. After all, the Spanish constructed it right here for that very motive, because it has a commanding view of all approaches to the town.
Subsequent on the agenda is a strolling tour of the historic Cartagena. You possibly can all the time do that your self, ticking off the objects as you go, however I choose to take the free strolling excursions in Colombia. They aren’t really “free” as you need to give a tip on the finish.
Nonetheless, they’re run by locals, and it gives them with a job. Plus, you get actual, native insider data into the town, they usually’ll cowl the entire highlights of the town and a few locations you wouldn’t usually get to see.
Head to Playa Blanca
Among the finest seashores within the nation are situated up north, so Cartagena is effectively situated to get you somewhat seaside time. Some of the picturesque and in addition handy seashores is Playa Blanca, simply exterior of Cartagena.
You possibly can attain it both by boat or highway. I choose the water, because it takes simply 45 minutes from the port. In any other case, you may take native transport, however it might probably take not less than two hours.
Social gathering With the Locals
If there may be one place to celebration if you are in Colombia, it’s in Cartagena. It’s famend with each the locals and backpackers, and there are a few nice choices to reside it up right here.
The primary is the Chiva Bus, which is kind of a neighborhood factor. It features a tour across the completely different barrios of the town, together with an on-board bar and musicians taking part in native Vallenato music.
If that doesn’t sound like your form of factor, the opposite fashionable choice is the Media Luna Hostel celebration, which takes place each Wednesday night time.
The one technique to get to Tayrona from Cartagena is by highway. You’ll have to get on a few buses and make your means slowly there by way of Santa Marta.
Santa Marta is round 4 hours by bus from Cartagena, and it’s an extra hour to Tayrona. If you happen to select, you may spend an evening in Santa Marta. It isn’t probably the most beautiful metropolis to go to, however it’s a handy spot to cease for the night time, and it’s additionally a launching level for Minca and the well-known Misplaced Metropolis Trek.
Day 3-5: Tayrona Nationwide Park
Cabo San Juan, Tayrona Nationwide Park, ColombiaTayrona Nationwide Park is probably the most well-liked park in Colombia, and for good motive. It combines beautiful seashores, with untouched magnificence—and all only a day away from Cartagena.
Tayrona is beautiful and there may be heaps to see there, however don’t anticipate action-packed events. It’s a Nationwide Park, in spite of everything.
Hike to the Numerous Seashores
Tayrona is among the finest locations to return if you wish to do some climbing in Colombia. And even if you’re not usually into climbing, this can be a good spot to only go for a stroll.
Take a while to hike to the varied seashores, beginning with the most well-liked, Cabo San Juan. But in addition be sure you spend a while on the less-visited ones, too. Some aren’t solely simply as picturesque, however they’re usually abandoned, too.
Go to El Pueblito
This Kogi settlement is a good way to get a style for the tradition and folks whose land this really is. After all, additionally, you will come throughout a few of the folks when you’re making your means across the park, however this is a bit more particular in your Colombia itinerary.
Loosen up a Little
The most effective issues to do whereas in Tayrona is to only spend somewhat downtime on the seashores or in your lodging. There are few distractions within the park as a result of there isn’t any WiFi, no noise and it’d generally seem to be nothing to do. So, get pleasure from it, and catch your self somewhat R&R.
There are many flights every day trip of Santa Marta airport, and given the gap to Medellin, it’s the most suitable choice. After all, attending to the airport will also be accomplished quite a lot of methods. Some accommodations and hostels provide shuttles, however the least expensive choice is a colectivo bus to Santa Marta, then a taxi from downtown.
If you happen to completely must torture your self and go by bus, it is going to take one of the best a part of a day (15 to twenty hours) and may not even prevent any cash.
Day 6-9: Medellin & Guatapé
View over Guatapé, ColombiaGetting to Medellin will be accomplished simply by inner flight from Santa Marta, and it takes simply over an hour. As you land, you will note the sprawling metropolis that appears to fill each crevice and hill on this valley.
Medellin has moved on from the times of Pablo Escobar, and the folks right here are literally not an enormous fan of his, so don’t run round asking about him. There’s little or no in the best way of hazard right here, so long as you are taking the standard precautions of staying away from iffy areas at night time and never flaunting your valuables.
Take a Free Strolling Tour
There are some things you need to completely do right here to profit from your time in Medellin and, in the end, to profit from your Colombia itinerary. The primary, like in Cartagena, is to take a Free Strolling Tour and get to know the town as an entire, together with its sordid historical past.
This won’t solely offer you a terrific overview of the downtown space, however it is going to additionally give you some insider ideas and data, too. You additionally get to see a few of the highlights like Botero Plaza, the place you may see the enjoyable “fats” paintings of Botero, who hails from right here.
Trip the Metro Cable to Arvi Park
One other enjoyable half-day (and even full-day) tour is to go out to the Metrocable that climbs slowly up and over the hills to Arvi Park. This offers you an attention-grabbing perspective into the less-well-off inhabitants of the town, in addition to a spectacular view of the world.
And, the ultimate stretch is thru the center of a fairly wild park, the place you may spend the entire day climbing if you want. Or you may merely return to Medellin once more.
Try Comuna 13
On the opposite aspect of Medellin is Comuna 13. This was as soon as a spot you’ll by no means head as a vacationer. Now, it is stuffed with them.
You possibly can take a tour with a neighborhood and study all about their lives right here, or just experience the escalators to the highest of this hillside neighborhood and discover the graffiti-adorned roads. You would possibly even get fortunate and see some super-talented break dancers on the high.
Go to Guatapé
Guatapé is a well-liked aspect journey from Medellin for a motive. The city is situated in a water-filled, picturesque area of the nation and has some nice actions to maintain you busy for a day. It’s a must-see in your Colombia itinerary.
It takes round two hours to succeed in there from Medellin, so go away early and are available again late if doable. You can too spend an evening, however it’s not crucial.
The 2 fundamental issues it would be best to see if you are listed here are the enormous monolith, El Peñol (also referred to as the Guatape Rock), in addition to the attractive colonial city itself. The hike to the highest of the Guatape Rock is a climb up 740 steps. It ought to solely take about 15 to twenty minutes, and also you’ll have spectacular views from there.
Salento is a good distance from Medellin, so if you’re pressed for time, I like to recommend flying, which solely takes 50 minutes. Nonetheless, you don’t land in Salento itself, however relatively the closest huge metropolis, Pereira. From right here it’s important to both take a taxi straight or head simply downtown to the bus station, after which take a bus to Salento. Direct with a taxi is round an hour; with the bus combo, it’d take you two or extra, relying on connections.
If you happen to select to take a bus to Salento straight from Medellin, simply remember that it’s not less than six hours over lengthy, winding roads, which, though scenic, are tremendous time-consuming. If you happen to don’t wish to eat that point up out of your Colombia itinerary, we don’t advocate the bus journey. That stated, it’d prevent a number of {dollars}.
Day 9-12: Salento Espresso Area
If you happen to’re a espresso lover, Salento is the place to be!Salento is among the premier espresso areas in Colombia, so if you’re a espresso lover, you’ll by no means wish to go away. It’s a lush, hilly space lined with espresso plantations, in addition to well-kept colonial villages like Salento and plenty of others.
Take a Espresso Plantation Tour
The most effective issues you are able to do in Salento is a deep dive into the world of espresso. There are a selection of locations you are able to do excursions within the hills round city. I like to recommend taking as in-depth a tour as you may, as that is really the place to see how espresso involves your cup and discover the tastes.
Go on a Valle de Cocora Hike
The subsequent hottest factor to do within the Salento area is to hike via the Valle de Cocora, which is peppered with the world’s tallest palm timber. There are a variety of choices relying in your health stage—this Colombia itinerary is for everybody!
There’s a full loop down the valley, alongside the river after which again by way of the wax palms, which is definitely what folks come to see. This takes round 4 hours. Or, you may head straight to the wax palms, which is round one and a half hours return. There are even horse rides, for these so inclined.
Discover the City
Though really fairly small, it’s value spending a number of hours strolling round Salento and seeing it from all sides. There’s one thing for everybody, from the yummy contemporary juice bought on the city sq. to the perspective (Mirador de Salento) to the little nightlife and native night time markets on the weekends.
Once more, it’s far simpler to get right here by airplane, which is just 50 minutes from Periera. Understand that you’ll need to get to the airport once more. This could add not less than a number of hours.
There’s a day-long bus choice, as effectively, if you wish to save somewhat cash. The journey is break up in two components. The primary is a 45-minute experience to Armenia, the place you then catch the Bogota bus. This could take wherever from seven to 9 hours, so many individuals choose the in a single day choice.
Day 12-14: Bogota
Overlooking the town of Bogota.The final cease in your 2-week tour of Colombia is the capital, Bogota. The town itself just isn’t the jewel of the Carribean like Cartagena, however there are nonetheless a number of issues you need to see if you are right here. In any case, a part of attending to know any nation is to go to its capital metropolis!
Take a Bicycle Tour of Bogota
Not like most different cities in Colombia, one of the best ways to see Bogota is by bike. The excursions run out of La Candelaria are one of the best, they usually additionally offer you an opportunity to discover this barrio, as effectively. The excursions run twice a day, they usually don’t require reserving. They take you to all a very powerful landmarks, in addition to the native fruit market and some different native highlights.
Climb Montserrat
To get one of the best views of Bogota, you completely have to go to Montserrat throughout your Colombia itinerary. You possibly can take the simple means up by way of cable automotive or you may hike. Simply remember that there have been some studies of issues of safety when climbing early or late within the day. Locals warn of robberies and assaults, however rumors abound as regular. So do your due diligence earlier than heading up there and err on the aspect of warning.
Go to the Museo Del Oro
Earlier than the Spaniards got here to South America and form of “borrowed” all of the gold, the continent was flush with the stuff. And, fortunate for us, they’ve collected numerous what was left within the fabulous Museo del Oro. It’s proper within the coronary heart of Bogota. You probably have some spare time, this place is unquestionably value a go to. If solely to place some future jewellery in your want checklist.
Colombia is definitely fairly low-cost, so this Colombia itinerary could even price quite a bit lower than 2 weeks at dwelling for a few of us. The next are some tough prices for various kinds of vacationers:
The Price of Transportation in Colombia
Buses usually price round $30 to $40 for journeys between Bogota and Salento, Salento and Medellin, Cartagena and Santa Marta.
Flights usually price between $50 and $100 relying on the airline, how far forward you e-book, and many others. Simply remember that the most cost effective airways like VivaAir usually don’t have baggage included. So, though they appear low-cost, they arrive with extra prices and sometimes extra delays than Avianca.
The Price of Lodging in Colombia
On the decrease finish of the spectrum, you will discover hostel dorm beds starting from $10-15 an evening. Hostels round Colombia are fairly first rate, starting from the naked fundamentals to extra “luxurious” hostels in sure cities.
Not about that hostel life? You could find personal double rooms for 2 folks starting from between $25-50 per night time in price range accommodations. These gained’t be five-star luxurious accommodations, however you’ll be snug and also you’ll have your privateness!
The Price of Meals and Drinks in Colombia
If you happen to’re on a good price range in Colombia, you may simply eat on $10-15 per day if you happen to follow native family-owned eating places and road distributors. You could find scrumptious road meals like grilled meats and rice and bean dishes for generally only a few {dollars}. Go the place the locals go!
With a much bigger price range, anticipate to pay $20-40 per day for meals. With this price range, you may just about eat wherever you need.
What to Pack for two Weeks in Colombia
Colombia is definitely fairly a various nation by way of climate. You will want to pack for each very heat and sunny climate, in addition to cooler and probably wet climate.
It’s also a rustic that has a number of mosquitoes, and a few of them can carry illness. So that you wish to be ready for that, as effectively, earlier than delivery out in your Colombia itinerary.
Right here’s what we advocate you pack.
Swimming Gear
In Tayrona and Cartagena, one can find a few of the most spectacular seashores in Colombia. So be sure you convey your swimwear, even when it’s just for a fast dip.
Kenny Flowers has a few of the finest swimwear choices for each women and men, with quite a lot of wild colours and patterns (like cheetah print and tropical florals). If you happen to’ve received a wild aspect and wish to present it off, look no additional.
Whether or not it’s to dry off after a fast dip or since you don’t just like the look of that resort towel, a microfiber towel will come in useful.
They’re fast-drying, SUPER tender, and extremely light-weight. Microfiber towels pack up into compact pouches in order that they take up nearly no area in your backpack. They’re constructed for journey vacationers, so that you’ll have this factor for years to return.
You may be out and about each day, whether or not it’s in a metropolis or climbing. So a snug journey daypack is an absolute should.
Our high decide for a daypack is the REI Co-op Flash 18 Pack. This daypack is one of the best all-around backpack for ANY sort of journey, whether or not you’re climbing, commuting, or simply exploring a brand new metropolis!
It’s sensible, it’s unisex, and it comes at a terrific worth, too.
The solar is all the time excessive overhead. So maintain your self protected always, particularly when on the seaside or climbing. A traditional ball cap just like the Patagonia Fitz Roy Bear Trucker Hat will do exactly advantageous. (It is available in girls’s sizes too.)
However women, in order for you one thing extra beachy and fewer sporty, go along with a packable shade goddess hat. The huge brim provides the last word solar safety, and it packs properly in any baggage.
The Colombian solar can fry an egg at noon. So take numerous solar safety with you and apply it liberally, particularly in the midst of the day.
If you happen to’re going to be swimming or usually having fun with Colombia’s pure magnificence, we propose TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen. It’s biodegradable and eco-friendly, and water resistant besides. Defend your self AND the setting!
One thing that can positively come in useful in Bogota and Salento is a rain jacket. Maintain this on the backside of your bag.
The REI Drypoint GTX is our favourite all-around rain jacket. Why? It’s extraordinarily breathable but nonetheless waterproof, it has a really customizable and comfy hood, and it’s improbable for climbing because of its stretchiness.
It’s a bit boxy in form, however it packs properly and is mild as effectively. And naturally, there’s a model for ladies!
Most of the locations you may be strolling are scorching. So, usually, climbing boots aren’t enjoyable to put on. Seize some climbing sandals as an alternative.
Eager is a good model for ethereal, light-weight climbing sandals just like the Newport H2 (accessible in girls’s too). These sandals have wonderful toe safety they usually’re waterproof, so you may ford all of the rivers and streams you want! Admittedly, they’re not probably the most enticing sandals going, however they’re greater than value your weight in gold while you’re climbing in tropical locations.
DEET is among the finest methods to discourage mosquitoes. And, given the potential hazard in areas within the north, it’s value taking a bottle or two. Malaria is a really actual risk right here, in addition to the zika virus that hit the nation arduous in 2016.
In case you are not a fan of chemical compounds, this mozzie repellent will maintain these critters at bay.
Relying on the place you’re staying, lots of the higher-end locations can have mosquito nets. However you may by no means be 100% positive, and generally they’ve holes. So all the time convey your individual.
Not solely will this assist shield towards ailments and viruses, however you’ll have a way more peaceable sleep if you happen to’re not slapping away these annoying little buggers on a regular basis.
A internet will pack properly, however maintain it separate from smaller objects which will get snarled while you’re packing in a rush.
I by no means go wherever on this planet with out protection from one of many finest journey insurance coverage firms, and Colombia is actually someplace you want it. Whether or not it’s simply to cowl frequent chilly drugs or to exchange any stolen objects, you may by no means be too protected. That’s not to say you will have these items occur to you. However dangerous issues can occur to anybody wherever — even probably the most ready particular person.
The most effective choices for journey insurance coverage in Colombia is World Nomads as a result of they specialise in journey insurance coverage and are conscious of the numerous and various points we now have when touring abroad. Be sure you examine them out in our full World Nomads journey insurance coverage assessment.
Summing up Your 2 Weeks in Colombia
Colombia has a lot to supply that it’s arduous to select precisely the place to go. However, with the above Colombia itinerary, you’ll get to see a few of the finest this nation has to supply. And that’s with out lacking out on any of the highest sights.
With simply 2 weeks in Colombia, you may go in every single place from historic cities to beautiful seashores and low plantations to fields of towering wax palm timber. Colombia is an up-and-coming vacation spot for a motive!
READ MORE:
Colombia Itinerary FAQs
What number of days are sufficient for Colombia?
I like to recommend taking not less than 1-2 weeks to go to Colombia.
What’s the most stunning a part of Colombia?
The Rosario Islands are probably the most stunning locations in Colombia.
What’s the #1 vacationer attraction in Colombia?
The Caño Cristales is the highest vacationer attraction in Colombia.
The place ought to I am going for the primary time in Colombia?
Cartagena is a improbable metropolis to go to in your first time in Colombia.
What’s the most secure a part of Colombia to go to?
Cartagena is among the most secure locations to go to in Colombia.
Anna was born to journey the world having studied languages all her life. Though she has traveled the world, she now calls Switzerland dwelling and spends her time writing about her experiences on her journey weblog along with her husband.
