Welcoming, colourful and very varied, Colombia is easy to discover in two weeks: a city that has reinvented itself, the green mountains of the coffee region, then the Caribbean. An ideal itinerary to do with others, to share tours and journeys.
Days 1 to 4: Medellín
- Day 1: arrive in Medellín and settle in El Poblado or Laureles.
- Day 2: guided tour of Comuna 13 and its graffiti, then the Metrocable to Arví Park.
- Day 3: day trip to Guatapé: a colourful village and the climb up the El Peñol rock.
- Day 4: downtown, Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia.
To share: the Guatapé trip, by car with a driver or with a local guide.
Days 5 to 8: the coffee region and the Cocora Valley
- Day 5: bus or flight to Pereira or Armenia, then on to Salento.
- Day 6: hike in the Cocora Valley among its giant wax palms.
- Day 7: visit a coffee farm, from picking to cup.
- Day 8: Filandia, then back to the airport.
To share: a “Willys” jeep to the trailhead and a farm tour with a guide.
Days 9 to 13: Cartagena
- Day 9: fly to Cartagena, sunset on the city walls.
- Day 10: the old town, Getsemaní and San Felipe Castle with a guide.
- Day 11: boat day to the Rosario Islands.
- Days 12 and 13: beach, a salsa night, or a trip to the El Totumo mud volcano.
To share: a private boat to the Rosario Islands, much nicer than crowded boats.
Day 14: departure
Fly home from Cartagena or via Bogotá. With more time, add Santa Marta, Minca and Tayrona Park.
Getting around: leave some margin
In Colombia, distances look short on the map, but mountain roads are slow and winding: a bus ride advertised at 6 hours can take 8 or 9. During the rainy seasons (roughly April to May and October to November), landslides sometimes block roads, and domestic flights can be delayed by the weather.
- Plan at least one buffer day, especially before heading to Cartagena or Bogotá for your flight home.
- Don’t book an international flight on the same day as a long bus ride or a domestic flight on a separate ticket.
- Fly for long distances (Medellín–Cartagena, for example), but still allow extra time.
- Travel by day on mountain roads and check road conditions before you leave.
- Travel insurance that covers delays and cancellations is strongly recommended.
Practical tips
- Use official taxis or ride-hailing apps, especially at night.
- Keep your phone and valuables out of sight: Colombians say “no dar papaya”.
- Pack warm clothes for the coffee region and light clothes for the coast.
- Book domestic flights in advance: they are often faster than the bus.
Find your companions and guides
On Globamigo, add your dates to see the travelers who are in Colombia at the same time as you, and contact local guides in Medellín and Cartagena, as well as places to stay in the coffee region, directly. Messages are translated automatically.