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 can be hard-pressed to search out some place else on the planet fairly prefer it. That’s why making a complete Colombia itinerary is not any simple feat—particularly when you solely have 2 weeks!
Positive, 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 largely behind this nation. It’s shortly modernizing and opening its arms to the world.
So, in case you are in search of a culturally wealthy vacation spot with a spread of jaw-dropping surroundings and sprawling cities, then look no additional. Right here’s methods to spend 2 weeks in Colombia the proper method.
The right way to Get Round Colombia
Colombia is a reasonably large nation, which signifies that getting round it may possibly take a while. That is very true as a result of there are such a lot of locations to go to which might be unfold aside from each other.
That mentioned, there are two simple methods of getting between main locations in Colombia: bus and aircraft. And the excellent news is that aircraft 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 virtually all over the place we needed to go.
However if in case you have extra time, the buses are even cheaper. You should utilize websites like Busbud to search out buses to take you from Level A to Level B. Or you’ll be able to go to any of the close by bus stations and ask to see the schedules and costs — that is often probably the most dependable method.
2 Weeks in Colombia Itinerary
Colombia is definitely an enormous and numerous nation, and there’s completely no method you’ll be able to see the whole lot right here in simply 2 weeks. The next itinerary is designed to absorb among the finest that the nation has to supply and to point out you the highlights.
Though you’ll be able to definitely cram extra right into a 2-week journey, I’d 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 mentioned 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 right place to reach in Colombia as a result of it’s simple to get round and has lots of close by points of interest. You’ll be able to mix relaxation and rest on a seaside with slightly nightlife and exploring on the town. It’s the right introduction to Colombian tradition.
Discover Downtown Cartagena
Among the best methods to get an outline of the town is to go to Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, which is strategically positioned on a hill exterior of city. After all, the Spanish constructed it right here for that very cause, 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’ll be able to at all times do that your self, ticking off the gadgets as you go, however I choose to take the free strolling excursions in Colombia. They aren’t truly “free” as it is best to give a tip on the finish.
Nevertheless, they’re run by locals, and it offers them with a job. Plus, you get actual, native insider information 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 positioned up north, so Cartagena is nicely positioned to get you slightly seaside time. One of the vital picturesque and in addition handy seashores is Playa Blanca, simply exterior of Cartagena.
You’ll be able to 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’ll be able to take native transport, however it may possibly take a minimum of two hours.
Celebration With the Locals
If there’s 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 stay it up right here.
The primary is the Chiva Bus, which is sort of a neighborhood factor. It features a tour across the totally 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 type of factor, the opposite in style choice is the Media Luna Hostel celebration, which takes place each Wednesday night time.
The one solution to get to Tayrona from Cartagena is by highway. You’ll have to get on a few buses and make your method slowly there through Santa Marta.
Santa Marta is round 4 hours by bus from Cartagena, and it’s an additional hour to Tayrona. Should you select, you’ll be able to spend an evening in Santa Marta. It’s not probably the most beautiful metropolis to go to, nevertheless 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 preferred park in Colombia, and for good cause. It combines beautiful seashores, with untouched magnificence—and all only a day away from Cartagena.
Tayrona is beautiful and there’s tons to see there, however don’t count on action-packed events. It’s a Nationwide Park, in spite of everything.
Hike to the Varied Seashores
Tayrona is without doubt one of the finest locations to come back if you wish to do some mountaineering in Colombia. And even in case you are not usually into mountaineering, it is a great spot to only go for a stroll.
Take a while to hike to the assorted seashores, beginning with the preferred, Cabo San Juan. But additionally you should definitely spend a while on the less-visited ones, too. Some aren’t solely simply as picturesque, however they’re typically 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 truly is. After all, additionally, you will come throughout among the folks when you’re making your method across the park, however this is a bit more particular on your Colombia itinerary.
Chill out a Little
Among the best issues to do whereas in Tayrona is to only spend slightly 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 would generally appear to be nothing to do. So, get pleasure from it, and catch your self slightly R&R.
There are many flights every time out of Santa Marta airport, and given the gap to Medellin, it’s the most suitable choice. After all, attending to the airport can be completed a wide range of methods. Some lodges and hostels provide shuttles, however the least expensive choice is a colectivo bus to Santa Marta, then a taxi from downtown.
Should you completely need to torture your self and go by bus, it should take the most effective a part of a day (15 to twenty hours) and won’t even prevent any cash.
Day 6-9: Medellin & Guatapé
View over Guatapé, ColombiaGetting to Medellin may be completed simply by inside flight from Santa Marta, and it takes simply over an hour. As you land, you will notice 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 way in which of hazard right here, so long as you are taking the same old precautions of staying away from iffy areas at night time and never flaunting your valuables.
Take a Free Strolling Tour
There are some things it is best to completely do right here to take advantage of your time in Medellin and, finally, to take advantage of your Colombia itinerary. The primary, like in Cartagena, is to take a Free Strolling Tour and get to know the town as a complete, together with its sordid historical past.
This is not going to solely offer you an awesome overview of the downtown space, however it should additionally give you some insider ideas and data, too. You additionally get to see among the highlights like Botero Plaza, the place you’ll be able to see the enjoyable “fats” paintings of Botero, who hails from right here.
Journey 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 provides you an attention-grabbing perspective into the less-well-off inhabitants of the town, in addition to a spectacular view of the realm.
And, the ultimate stretch is thru the center of a fairly wild park, the place you’ll be able to spend the entire day mountaineering if you want. Or you’ll be able to 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’d by no means head as a vacationer. Now, it is stuffed with them.
You’ll be able to take a tour with a neighborhood and be taught all about their lives right here, or just trip the escalators to the highest of this hillside neighborhood and discover the graffiti-adorned roads. You may 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 cause. The city is positioned 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 achieve there from Medellin, so go away early and are available again late if attainable. It’s also possible to spend an evening, nevertheless it’s not obligatory.
The 2 foremost issues it would be best to see if you are listed below are the enormous monolith, El Peñol (also referred to as the Guatape Rock), in addition to the gorgeous 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 in case you are pressed for time, I like to recommend flying, which solely takes 50 minutes. Nevertheless, you don’t land in Salento itself, however moderately the closest massive metropolis, Pereira. From right here it’s important to both take a taxi immediately 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 would take you two or extra, relying on connections.
Should you select to take a bus to Salento immediately from Medellin, simply remember that it’s a minimum of six hours over lengthy, winding roads, which, though scenic, are tremendous time-consuming. Should you don’t wish to eat that point up out of your Colombia itinerary, we don’t advocate the bus journey. That mentioned, it would prevent a couple of {dollars}.
Day 9-12: Salento Espresso Area
Should you’re a espresso lover, Salento is the place to be!Salento is without doubt one of the premier espresso areas in Colombia, so in case you are a espresso lover, you’ll by no means wish to go away. It’s a lush, hilly space coated with espresso plantations, in addition to well-kept colonial villages like Salento and lots of others.
Take a Espresso Plantation Tour
Among the best 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’ll be able to, 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 by way of the Valle de Cocora, which is peppered with the world’s tallest palm timber. There are a selection of choices relying in your health degree—this Colombia itinerary is for everybody!
There’s a full loop down the valley, alongside the river after which again through the wax palms, which is definitely what folks come to see. This takes round 4 hours. Or, you’ll be able to 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 truly fairly small, it’s price spending a couple of hours strolling round Salento and seeing it from all sides. There’s one thing for everybody, from the yummy recent juice bought on the city sq. to the point of view (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 aircraft, which is barely 50 minutes from Periera. Remember that you have to to get to the airport once more. This could add a minimum of a couple of hours.
There’s a day-long bus choice, as nicely, if you wish to save slightly cash. The journey is cut up in two elements. The primary is a 45-minute trip to Armenia, the place you then catch the Bogota bus. This could take anyplace 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 will not be the jewel of the Carribean like Cartagena, however there are nonetheless a couple of issues it is best 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 simplest ways to see Bogota is by bike. The excursions run out of La Candelaria are the most effective, they usually additionally offer you an opportunity to discover this barrio, as nicely. The excursions run twice a day, they usually don’t require reserving. They take you to all an important landmarks, in addition to the native fruit market and some different native highlights.
Climb Montserrat
To get the most effective views of Bogota, you completely have to go to Montserrat throughout your Colombia itinerary. You’ll be able to take the simple method up through cable automobile or you’ll be able to hike. Simply remember that there have been some stories of issues of safety when mountaineering early or late within the day. Locals warn of robberies and assaults, however rumors abound as common. 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 type of “borrowed” all of the gold, the continent was flush with the stuff. And, fortunate for us, they’ve collected lots of what was left within the fabulous Museo del Oro. It’s proper within the coronary heart of Bogota. If in case you have some spare time, this place is unquestionably price 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 value so much lower than 2 weeks at house for a few of us. The next are some tough prices for several types of vacationers:
The Value of Transportation in Colombia
Buses sometimes value round $30 to $40 for journeys between Bogota and Salento, Salento and Medellin, Cartagena and Santa Marta.
Flights sometimes value between $50 and $100 relying on the airline, how far forward you e-book, and so on. Simply remember that the most cost effective airways like VivaAir typically don’t have baggage included. So, though they appear low cost, they arrive with extra prices and infrequently extra delays than Avianca.
The Value 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 respectable, starting from the naked fundamentals to extra “luxurious” hostels in sure cities.
Not about that hostel life? You’ll find non-public double rooms for 2 folks starting from between $25-50 per night time in price range lodges. These gained’t be five-star luxurious lodges, however you’ll be snug and also you’ll have your privateness!
The Value of Meals and Drinks in Colombia
Should you’re on a decent price range in Colombia, you’ll be able to simply eat on $10-15 per day when you stick with native family-owned eating places and avenue distributors. You’ll find scrumptious avenue 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, count on to pay $20-40 per day for meals. With this price range, you’ll be able to just about eat wherever you need.
What to Pack for two Weeks in Colombia
Colombia is definitely fairly a various nation when it comes to climate. You have to to pack for each very heat and sunny climate, in addition to cooler and probably wet climate.
It is usually a rustic that has a couple of mosquitoes, and a few of them can carry illness. So that you wish to be ready for that, as nicely, earlier than transport out in your Colombia itinerary.
Right here’s what we advocate you pack.
Swimming Gear
In Tayrona and Cartagena, you will see among the most spectacular seashores in Colombia. So you should definitely carry your swimwear, even when it’s just for a fast dip.
Kenny Flowers has among the finest swimwear choices for each women and men, with a wide range of wild colours and patterns (like cheetah print and tropical florals). Should you’ve obtained 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 lodge towel, a microfiber towel will turn out to be useful.
They’re fast-drying, SUPER tender, and extremely light-weight. Microfiber towels pack up into compact pouches in order that they take up just about no house in your backpack. They’re constructed for journey vacationers, so that you’ll have this factor for years to come back.
You may be out and about on daily basis, whether or not it’s in a metropolis or mountaineering. 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 the most effective all-around backpack for ANY kind of journey, whether or not you’re mountaineering, commuting, or simply exploring a brand new metropolis!
It’s sensible, it’s unisex, and it comes at an awesome value, too.
The solar is at all times excessive overhead. So hold your self protected always, particularly when on the seaside or mountaineering. A basic ball cap just like the Patagonia Fitz Roy Bear Trucker Hat will do exactly high-quality. (It is available in ladies’s sizes too.)
However women, if you would like one thing extra beachy and fewer sporty, go along with a packable shade goddess hat. The extensive 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 lots of solar safety with you and apply it liberally, particularly in the midst of the day.
Should you’re going to be swimming or typically having fun with Colombia’s pure magnificence, we advise TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen. It’s biodegradable and eco-friendly, and water resistant in addition. Defend your self AND the surroundings!
One thing that may positively turn out to be useful in Bogota and Salento is a rain jacket. Hold 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 mountaineering due to its stretchiness.
It’s a bit boxy in form, nevertheless it packs properly and is mild as nicely. And naturally, there’s a model for girls!
Lots of the locations you can be strolling are scorching. So, typically, mountaineering boots aren’t enjoyable to put on. Seize some mountaineering sandals as an alternative.
Eager is a superb model for ethereal, light-weight mountaineering sandals just like the Newport H2 (obtainable in ladies’s too). These sandals have glorious toe safety they usually’re waterproof, so you’ll be able to ford all of the rivers and streams you want! Admittedly, they’re not probably the most engaging sandals going, however they’re greater than price your weight in gold once you’re mountaineering in tropical locations.
DEET is without doubt one of the finest methods to discourage mosquitoes. And, given the potential hazard in areas within the north, it’s price taking a bottle or two. Malaria is a really actual risk right here, in addition to the zika virus that hit the nation exhausting in 2016.
If you’re not a fan of chemical compounds, this mozzie repellent will hold these critters at bay.
Relying on the place you’re staying, most of the higher-end locations could have mosquito nets. However you’ll be able to by no means be 100% positive, and generally they’ve holes. So at all times carry your individual.
Not solely will this assist defend in opposition to illnesses and viruses, however you’ll have a way more peaceable sleep when you’re not slapping away these annoying little buggers on a regular basis.
A internet will pack properly, however hold it separate from smaller gadgets which will get twisted up once you’re packing in a rush.
I by no means go anyplace on the planet with out protection from one of many finest journey insurance coverage firms, and Colombia is definitely someplace you will have it. Whether or not it’s simply to cowl widespread chilly drugs or to exchange any stolen gadgets, you’ll be able to by no means be too protected. That’s not to say you will have this stuff occur to you. However unhealthy issues can occur to anybody anyplace — even probably the most ready particular person.
Among the best 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 various and assorted points we now have when touring abroad. Make sure you examine them out in our full World Nomads journey insurance coverage overview.
Summing up Your 2 Weeks in Colombia
Colombia has a lot to supply that it’s exhausting to select precisely the place to go. However, with the above Colombia itinerary, you’ll get to see among the finest this nation has to supply. And that’s with out lacking out on any of the highest points of interest.
With simply 2 weeks in Colombia, you’ll be able to go all over the place from historic cities to beautiful seashores and occasional plantations to fields of towering wax palm timber. Colombia is an up-and-coming vacation spot for a cause!
READ MORE:
Colombia Itinerary FAQs
What number of days are sufficient for Colombia?
I like to recommend taking a minimum of 1-2 weeks to go to Colombia.
What’s the most stunning a part of Colombia?
The Rosario Islands are one of the vital 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 on your first time in Colombia.
What’s the most secure a part of Colombia to go to?
Cartagena is without doubt one of 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 house and spends her time writing about her experiences on her journey weblog along with her husband.
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