This is our 6 week itinerary to travel Colombia. Showing how we explored this incredible country and we have to say it was an absolute blast. Taking you through the major cities, coastline hotspots, National parks, Caribbean islands and the Amazon rainforest, this itinerary covers the lot. You will feel completely satisfied after these 6 weeks and will probably want to stay for even longer.
Why 6 weeks?
We think 6 weeks is a solid amount of time to travel Colombia, we actually didn’t mean to travel it for as long as we did but because of the rules at the time we had to book our flight out of Colombia to show at the check-in desk. Being late for our flight, of course, meant it was a bit of a rush buy of a plane ticket. But that flight gave us 6 weeks in the country and we ended up using it after all.
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Day 1-3 = Bogota
We landed in Bogota from Madrid and heard that Bogota wasn’t the best place and that we should leave quickly. But we wanted to check it out for ourselves and we believe it’s an underrated city.
Check out our Bogota post ‘Is Bogota Worth a Visit’ to find out more.
Day 4 = Fly to Barranquilla and take a shuttle bus from the Barranquilla airport to Santa Marta
The trip will take up most of the day but there is plenty going on in the Santa Marta nightlife to make up for it. La Brisa Loca Hostel hosts rooftop parties most nights.
Day 5 = Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is a popular beach in Santa Marta, lots of locals use this as their holiday hotspot so it was busier than we would’ve liked. However there are plenty of cheap and fun activities to do here.
Day 6 = Exploring Santa Marta
It’s important to have some more relaxing days so take some time to chill. Enjoy the cities cafe’s and restaurants as well as the colourful streets and Colombian architecture.
Day 7 = Taganga Beach
This was one of our favourite beaches in Colombia. It is hidden away in a small cove and has stunning views. The restaurants and bars right up on the beach are a bonus too. We also moved hostels out of the city of Santa Marta on this day to Dreamer Santa Marta hostel as it provided an easier location to take day trips to other places.
Day 8 = Minca
Quite a few people stay in Minca for a night but we found it easier to just head there early for a full day there. If you do stay there is a hostel we only heard great things about was Finca Carpe Diem Ecolodge.
Waterfalls and jungle hikes is what this place is known for. make sure to bring your raincoat here. Check out our Best Travel Clothes so you’re completely covered, which includes North Face Coats.
Day 9 = Tayrona National Park
One of the all time great National Parks. This park has everything you can imagine, the 3 hour trek through the jungle, rivers, beaches and boulders makes this place a must do! The trek eventually leads you to paradise so it’s 100% worth it but if trekking isn’t for you, you can choose to ride a horse. The main picture for this blog was taken here!
Day 10-11 = Palomino
Take the coastal public bus all the way down to Palomino. This surfing town is nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Caribbean Sea, offering pristine beaches, lush jungles, and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for relaxation and adventure. With opportunities to hike, surf, party and the infamous tubbing. We liked the Dreamer hostel so much we stayed in its chain here. Dreamer Palomino.
For more information about Santa Marta and these insane day trips take a look at our Why Visit Santa Marta, Colombia blog post.
Day 12-15 = Costeño Beach
This could be our favourite hostel of ALL TIME. We are not joking when we tell you we love this place. Unbelievable parties and there is no better way to spend your hungover days than drink Club Colombia on a paradise beach. Do not miss out on this place as it will be packed most nights, so book early! Click here to check it out. Getting there is as simple as catching the public bus until the Guachaca stop and there will be a group of bike taxis that can take you to the hostel.
Day 16 = Travel to Cartagena
This will take up most of the day, bike taxi can be ordered by the hostel for you, take the public bus all the way back to Santa Marta where you can pick up a bus service to Cartagena. We pitched up at Casa Del Pozo Boutique Hostel. One of the more budget friendly hostels in Cartagena but still extremely nice and comfortable.
Day 17-18 = Cartagena
Cartagena is a mesmerising coastal city steeped in history, featuring beautifully preserved colonial architecture, vibrant plazas, and a lively cultural scene. From exploring the historic walled city to enjoying the stunning beaches and delicious Caribbean cuisine, Cartagena offers a perfect blend of experiences for any traveler. Oh and the nightlife here is insane as well.
Day 19 – 23 = San Andres
Take a one way flight from Cartagena to San Andres. A tropical Caribbean island with pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters that are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. It has a vibrant local Spanish culture infused with English speaking Caribbean accents. Whether you seek relaxation on the beach or thrilling water activities, San Andres promises an unforgettable island experience.
Day 24-30 = Medellin
From San Andres take a direct flight to the magnificent city of Medellin. We know this is a long time to spend in one place, we were supposed to stay for half this time but there was so much to do and to see that we couldn’t leave. Another factor into us staying overtime was our hostel. Black Sheep Hostel has one of the most friendliest atmospheres we have experienced. You must try to stay here when visiting this city.
During these 7 days we did all sorts of activities including:
- Communa 13 tour
- Escobars Prison hike
- Guatape
- Watch a football match (twice)
- Visit Pablos old Communa
- Shop in the centre
- Party too much
Day 31 = Travel to Bucamaranga and onto San Gil
Take a night bus if possible to Bucamaranga to save some money and then take a smaller shuttle bus to San Gil.
Day 32-35 = San Gil
San Gil is a city located perfectly for extreme sports. It has it all. Here you can bungee jump from 140m, paraglide with “acrobatics” and raft the second hardest rapids in South America plus more. Here is a change of pace from the Caribbean coast and it gets the heart pumping for sure.
Day 36 = Travel back to Bogota
Now I know what you’re thinking, why go back to Bogota but there were two reasons for it. R10 Hostal were hosting their infamous rooftop party that night but the second and main reason was that we had a flight to the Amazon rainforest the following day!
Day 37-42 = Leticia and the Amazon Rainforest
Leticia is a peculiar place as it lies on the border of 3 countries; Colombia, Brazil and Peru. As well as being able to tick off 2 more countries, this town also offers great Amazon rainforest tours. For this we say to you always book in person and negotiate a far better price than online. So we took a 5 day tour and it really was awesome! Tours include:
- Hikes
- Night walk
- Boat trips
- Piranha fishing
- Camen spotting
- Spend a night in the forest on a hammock
- Swimming
Wellies were provided for us to wade through the Amazon but hiking boots were still needed for the other parts of the tour. Check out our Best Hiking Boots page for some recommendations.
If you do need to stay in Leticia for a night like we did then Casa De Las Palmas is a good place to stay and can offer tours as well.
So once finished in Leticia, we took our return flight back to Bogota where we then took that rushed booking of a flight to Quito for our next adventure!
For more information about each location and more details into where, how and why then check out all our Colombia Blog Posts.
Hope you found this helpful and don’t be afraid to leave a comment or email us with any questions!