Recommended Travel Itineraries for Colombia



Getting around Colombia is quite easy since it is very well connected by a good bus system and a host of intra-national flights that are fairly good value as long as you book well in advance.  I have built these recommended itineraries based on the use of bus as the mai source of transportation, but flights, of course, are also an option.  Obviously, these itineraries are meant as guides to help you with your planning and are not in any way shape or form the only way to travel Colombia. If you have any questions about travel in Colombia please don’t hesitate to contact me as I am always glad to help.

Itinerary 1: Coastal Colombia

Costal Colombia
Costal Colombia
  • Day 1: Arrive in Bogota
  • Day 2: Bogota – Museo de Oro, Monserrate, La Calendaria
  • Day 3: Bogota in the AM – Museo Botero.  PM – Catch the night bus to Cartagena (20hrs)
  • Day 4: Cartagena – Relax after long bus, maybe hit Playa Grande
  • Day 5: Cartagena – Explore the Old City + Castillo de San Felipe
  • Day 6: Cartagena – Tour to nearby islands
  • Day 7: Santa Marta – Catch bus to Santa Marta (4hrs)
  • Day 8: Santa Marta – Explore the City
  • Day 9: Tayrona – Head into Tayrona National Park for the night
  • Day 10: Tayrona – Explore Tayrona, evening return to Santa Marta
  • Day 11: Night bus – Catch the night bus to Medellin (14-16hrs)
  • Day 12: Medellin – Relax, enjoy Parque Lleras
  • Day 13: Medellin – Visit Plaza Botero, Parque Arvi, Jardin Botanico
  • Day 14:  Bus back to Bogota either night or day (10hrs)
  • Day 15: End in Bogota

Itinerary 2: The Loop

Colombian Loop
Colombian Loop
  • Day 1: Arrive in Bogota
  • Day 2: Bogota – Museo de Oro, Monserrate, La Calendaria
  • Day 3: Bogota in the AM – Museo Botero.  PM – Catch the night bus to Bucaramanga (10hrs)
  • Day 4: Bucaramanga: Explore the city
  • Day 5: To Santa Marta: Take the day bus to Santa Marta (9hrs)
  • Day 6: Santa Marta – Explore the City
  • Day 7: Tayrona – Head into Tayrona National Park for the night
  • Day 8: Tayrona – Explore Tayrona, evening return to Santa Marta
  • Day 9: Morning in Santa Marta, afternoon bus to Cartagena (4hrs)
  • Day 10: Cartagena – Explore the Old City + Castillo de San Felipe
  • Day 11: Cartagena – Tour to nearby islands
  • Day 12: AM Cartagena and PM night bus to Medellin (12hrs)
  • Day 13: Medellin – Relax, enjoy Parque Lleras
  • Day 14: Medellin – Visit Plaza Botero, Parque Arvi, Jardin Botanico
  • Day 15: AM Medellin -PM Night bus to Cali
  • Day 16: Cali – Visit the Churches and Museums
  • Day 17: Visit the Zoo, Salsa lessons in the PM
  • Day 18: Bus to Popayan (3hrs)
  • Day 19: Explore Colonial Popayan
  • Day 20: Explore Popayan in the AM, PM night bus to Bogota (11hrs)
  • Day 21: End in Bogota

Intinerary 3: The Half Loop

Half loop of Colombia
Half loop of Colombia
  • Day 1: Arrive in Bogota
  • Day 2: Bogota – Museo de Oro, Monserrate, La Calendaria
  • Day 3: Bogota in the AM – Museo Botero.  PM – Catch the night bus to Bucaramanga (10hrs)
  • Day 4: Bucaramanga: Explore the city
  • Day 5: To Santa Marta: Take the day bus to Santa Marta (9hrs)
  • Day 6: Santa Marta – Explore the City
  • Day 7: Tayrona – Head into Tayrona National Park for the night
  • Day 8: Tayrona – Explore Tayrona, evening return to Santa Marta
  • Day 9: Morning in Santa Marta, afternoon bus to Cartagena (4hrs)
  • Day 10: Cartagena – Explore the Old City + Castillo de San Felipe
  • Day 11: Cartagena – Tour to nearby islands
  • Day 12: AM Cartagena and PM night bus to Medellin (12hrs)
  • Day 13: Medellin – Relax, enjoy Parque Lleras
  • Day 14: Medellin – Visit Plaza Botero, Parque Arvi, Jardin Botanico
  • Day 15: AM Medellin -PM Night bus to Bogota (10hrs)
  • Day 16: End in Bogota

Itinerary 4: Essential Colombia

Essential Colombia
Essential Colombia
  • Day 1: Arrive in Bogota
  • Day 2: Bogota – Museo de Oro, Monserrate, La Calendaria
  • Day 3: Bogota in the AM – Museo Botero.  PM – Catch the night bus to Cartagena (20hrs)
  • Day 4: Cartagena – Relax after long bus, maybe hit Playa Grande
  • Day 5: Cartagena – Explore the Old City + Castillo de San Felipe
  • Day 6: Cartagena – Tour to nearby islands
  • Day 7: Night bus – Catch the night bus to Medellin (12hrs)
  • Day 8: Medellin – Relax, enjoy Parque Lleras
  • Day 9: Medellin – Visit Plaza Botero, Parque Arvi, Jardin Botanico
  • Day 10: AM Medellin -PM Night bus to Cali
  • Day 11: Cali – Visit the Churches and Museums
  • Day 12: Visit the Zoo, Salsa lessons in the PM
  • Day 13:  Bus back to Bogota either night or day (8-10hrs)
  • Day 14: End in Bogota

Itinerary 4: The Interior

Colombian Interior
Colombian Interior
  • Day 1: Arrive in Bogota
  • Day 2: Bogota – Museo de Oro, Monserrate, La Calendaria
  • Day 3: Bogota in the AM – Museo Botero.  PM – Catch the night bus to Medellin (10hrs)
  • Day 4: Medellin – Relax, enjoy Parque Lleras
  • Day 5: Medellin – Visit Plaza Botero, Parque Arvi, Jardin Botanico
  • Day 6: AM Medellin -PM Night bus to Cali
  • Day 7: Cali – Visit the Churches and Museums
  • Day 8: Cali – AM Zoo, PM Salsa classes
  • Day 9: Bus to Popayan (3hrs)
  • Day 10: Explore Colonial Popayan
  • Day 11: Explore Popayan in the AM, PM night bus to Bogota (11hrs)
  • Day 12: End in Bogota

Itinerary 5: Cross Colombia

Cross Colombia
Cross Colombia

**Note: If you’re coming from/going to Venezuela via the Merida, you will need to add Bucaramanga to the start of this journey with a bus journey to Santa Marta

  • Day 1: Santa Marta – Explore the City
  • Day 2: Tayrona – Head into Tayrona National Park for the night
  • Day 3: Tayrona – Explore Tayrona, evening return to Santa Marta
  • Day 4: Morning in Santa Marta, afternoon bus to Cartagena (4hrs)
  • Day 5: Cartagena – Explore the Old City + Castillo de San Felipe
  • Day 6: Cartagena – Tour to nearby islands
  • Day 7: AM Cartagena and PM night bus to Medellin (12hrs)
  • Day 8: Medellin – Relax, enjoy Parque Lleras
  • Day 9: Medellin – Visit Plaza Botero, Parque Arvi, Jardin Botanico
  • Day 10: AM Medellin -PM Night bus to Bogota (10hrs)
  • Day 11: Bogota – Take a day to relax
  • Day 12: Bogota – Museo de Oro, Monserrate, La Calendaria
  • Day 13: Bogota in the AM – Museo Botero.  PM – Catch the night bus to Cali (8-10hrs)
  • Day 14: Cali – Visit the Churches and Museums
  • Day 15: Cali – AM Zoo, PM Salsa classes
  • Day 16 – Bus to Popayan (3hrs)
  • Day 17: Explore Colonial Popayan
  • Day 18: Bus to Pasto (***Note: do not take this bus at night)
  • Day 19: Paso to Ecuador


47 Responses

  2. Hey Brendan,

    These are really helpful itineraries. Do you have any suggestions or advice about going to the jungle in Leticia? Would that be worth it on a 10 day trip? Let me know if you have any ideas.

    Thanks,
    Alex

    Reply

    1. Hi Alex,
      I’ve never been… however, give my buddy Dave a check at Medellinliving.com and he can give you advice for sure!

      Reply

      1. Thanks Brendan! One other question: If you had to extend Itinerary 2: The Loop for a few days, where would you do it? I am going on a trip to Colombia at the end of the month, flying into Bogota, and will be spending 27 days in the country. I like the Loop itinerary but I’m wondering where I could spend the extra days. I’m thinking that around Cartagena would be a good idea, but let me know what you would suggest. Thanks!

        Reply

        2. Or you could spend 2-3 days in San Gil, hiking, biking and getting fit before heading up to Cartagena, it looks a great spot for outdoor adventure

          Reply

  3. Hi Brendan,
    great webpage, I just found it, so I am first time here, I really like it. Good job, thanks.
    Question – I would like to go to Colombia, but I am different kind of traveler, I stay at country for while, really live there, and when I fell like local it s time to move again.. So I am wondering about jobs, should be easy to find some at tourist country like Colombia. What do you think? In some little town..
    thanks a lot.
    take care.
    Sam

    Reply

    1. Hi Sam,
      Not too sure about jobs to be honest. Colombia has tourists, but it’s not as touristy as you think. Especially not outside the centers. Your best bet would be to try in the hostels in places like Medellin and Cartagena, I would assume. It’s an amazing country though, so I highly recommend you spend time there!

      Reply

  4. Hi,
    thanks for answer, I was thinking about bars, restaurants and hotels to look for job, I did hostel for half year and kind of have enough of that.
    St. Marta area is where I would like to try it and hope I ll be lucky, that is many times all you need..
    And what about exploring country, some remotes places, is it safe? Can you just go anywhere?
    thanks again. where are you right now? home?
    sam

    Reply

    1. Most places are safe now Sam, although you have to be careful on some stretches of the country. Also, the west side of coastline after the Darien is still quite rough as is the Darien. As for remote places, there are lots of really cool places on the east side of the Darien like Capurgana, and Sapzurro. Also, loads of little pueblitos around Medellin. Get in touch with Dave from MedellinLiving.com he’s a good resource and lives there right now.

      Reply

  5. Hey Brendan, thanks for the itinerary ideas, cant wait to land in mid january!

    quick question for you: why should you not take the bus to pasto at night?

    Reply

    1. My pleasure Sean,
      That night bus to Pasto was victim to some hijackings a couple times. It’s possible to take it, but just ask the current situation before you go. If you go during the day, the views are amazing though, so it’s worth it anyways.

      Reply

    1. Kevin, I’m not really a fan, to be honest. Outside of maybe Carnival time, it doesn’t offer the average tourist on a schedule much, in my opinion.

      Reply

  7. Hi Brendan!

    Great itineraries by the way! I’m planning an one month trip to Colombia in july and I’m thinking of hiking to “la ciudad perdida”, do you have any experience of that trek? I also would like to see the river “caño cristales”, but I’v read that it can be quite unsafe to travel in that area? What would you recommend?

    cheers,

    Mimi

    Reply

    1. I have don’t the lost city, it’s awesome. It’s hot, and humid, but amazing.
      As for the river, I haven’t done it but have had friends that have gone. It’s a serious mission to get there. It shouldn’t be dangerous, but do ask for local advice before making the journey, things can change.

      Reply

  8. Hi Brendan,
    We are planning to do Itinerary 3 for 21 days in Colombia in Feb. and would like to stop off in San Basilio de Palenque and Mompos, so looking for any information on that. Also is anywhere to stop off to break up the trip between Bucaramanga and Medellin OR Santa Marta and Bucaramanga.

    Reply

    1. Hi Mary, there are places to stop off between them. However, I’m not very versed in those regions. Personally, I think the better places to stay are right around Santa Marta and Medellin, so you might be better off just sucking it up for a long journey and spending more time around Santa Marta and Medellin.

      Reply

  9. hello brenden

    very helpful indeed, i did not see 2 destinations? such san gil for adventure and also armenia where the coffee plantaton

    can you advise on that

    tks a lot for sharing

    Reply

    1. Hi Jay,
      I haven’t actually been to either. Give Dave a shout at “Medellin Living” as I think he has. I’m hoping to get to San Gil and Armenia this year, though!

      Reply

  10. Hello, Brendan,

    We just bought a 14 days trip to Colombia in late Nov-early Dec with KLM and find your info most useful.
    My question to you is as follows: Is Leticia area safe enough for Romanian tourists? We’d like to get a taste of Amazonia and that would be the nearest spot. Thanks in advance !
    Ada from Romania

    Reply

    1. Hi Ada,
      I wish I could help you more. I’ve not been to Leticia and don’t know what the situation is like on the ground. My advice is to go over to Medellinliving.com and ask dave (the webmaster there) if he has any updated info.
      Cheers!

      Reply

  11. Hi, a group of my friends and I want to visit Colombia and we have 8 days. Is this feasible ? Land in Bogota, spend 2 days, fly to Cartagena spend 4 days and then fly to Medellin spend 2 days and back to Bogota for a night and fly out to USA the following day. How do you advise we move from one city to the next ? Fly or drive or bus ? Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Dina,
      It is possible, for sure. And, to be honest, you really only need 1 day in Bogota.
      It’s a bit of a race around though, you might be better off picking just one place, like going to Cartagena and then visiting places like Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park as well.
      But, yeah, it’s possible to do it the way you want, just very busy.

      Reply

  12. Hi Brendan,

    Really helpful site, thank you!
    My wife & I are looking to travel from Peru to Colombia. Would you recommend any route overland for this – or should we take a flight? We have about 4 weeks to travel Colombia so hoping to follow your ‘Itinerary 2 – The Loop’ thereafter. Thank you!
    Chris

    Reply

    1. If you have time, the overland journey through Ecuador is quite interesting, although time consuming. There’s plenty to see in Ecuador.
      Otherwise, if you’re short on time then I’d just take the flight and save the 100 or so hours in various buses!

      Reply

  13. Hi Brendan,
    Really like your itineraries!
    Trying to figure one out for 12 days, that includes Bogota, Villa de Leyva, the coffee zone (Salento), Medellin, and Cartagena. Ideally also Cali and/or Barichara, but realize we’re kind of short on time. We’d really like to fit in Mompox, but I’m having a hard time finding time and a logical spot in the itinerary for that one.
    We have no problem taking buses, but would rather take a plane on trips over 4 or 5 hours.
    My question is how accessible and easy is it to buy bus tickets? Do buses run often to these places? What bus companies are best?
    We’re leaving August 15th (from Chile), and although we’re getting very close to the ideal itinerary, we keep altering it!
    Any help would be great.
    Thank you!
    Malina

    Reply

    1. Hi Malina,
      Glad the itineraries are helping. Colombia is awesome, you’ll love it! I think that to save time, you might want to look at flights. However, you can also do overnight bus journeys to save time. I think you can do it all. Maybe just look at a round trip flight to the coast as that’s the real long journey! Have a nice time!

      Reply

  14. Hi Brendan, glad you loved Colombia! I am Colombian, currently living in the US. Some of my friends are coming for my wedding and staying a few more days afterwards. We have only 4 days to travel (Wednesday-Sat, flying back to US on Sunday), departing from Bucaramanga. I have been thinking about going to Medellin and Santa Marta or Cartagena. I just want to get your perspective, what would you do if you only had 4 days in Colombia? Keep in mind that even flying the trips are long because most flights connect in Bogota. I’d appreciate your advice, I want to make sure everybody has an awesome time in Colombia! 🙂

    Reply

    1. I think a bunch of girls would much prefer being in either Santa Marta or Cartagena. Maybe Santa Marta as you could go into Tayrona!

      Reply

  15. Hi sir! Im planning to visit my friends in colombia on the last week of october. Do you have any suggestions on where can i find cheap flights? Thank you!

    Reply

  16. Hi Brendan,

    Here is a plan for my honeymoon for a month with my wife to be!

    We would like to fly into Bogota for 2 nights(will be staying with a friend- . Then we would like to go Villa de Leyva for 1 night. Then to the coffee region in Salento and perhaps do a horse riding trek one afternoon . Then perhaps to Barichara to visit Juan Curi waterfalls again is this worth visiting?(Rafting walk) then onto Medellin 2-3 nights(El Penol/Guatape), then onto Santa Marta( would like to camp for 1 night on beach)and 2 nights at the at a decent hotel. Then onto La Guajira for a week of kite surfing.Next onto Cartanega again how long for 3 days/4? Playa Blanca trip[(?)or a boat to Panama to the Sans Blas Islands. Then onto Provendicia for four nights.

    Does this all sound reasonable? Are there any areas you would include/ take out?

    Thanks

    Ed

    Reply

    1. Sounds like you’ve got it sorted Ed. That’s a great itinerary for Colombia and gets you all the best!
      Happy honeymoon, and enjoy Colombia!!

      Reply

  17. Hubby just surprised me with a 7-day trip to Colombia. We will be flying into and out of Bogota but would like to spend limited time there and instead focus on some of the other areas. I know it’s a short trip relative to the itineraries you posted above, so I’m hoping you can help us choose how to maximize our time. We are early 50’s, love the outdoors, love good food, love local culture, not so big on museums or zoos, not so big on nightlife either though we could be convinced to go to a great local salsa club! Thanks for any advice you can share!

    Reply

    1. 7 days… hmmm. I’d spend it on the coast, I think. Cartagena, Santa Marta, Tayrona National Park. Maybe some times in the towns outside of Medellin. 7 days is really not a lot to do more than a couple places. I’d vote the coast.

      Reply

  18. Hi Brendan! Really awesome work and very useful information! I’m planning on doing the itinerary 2 but my question is about the budget. Not including the flight coming in to Colombia and hotels, what kind of budget are we talking about for these 3 weeks?

    Reply

  19. Hi Brendan,

    This is really helpful. I am planning a 3 week trip round Colombia in October. We will be flying into Bogota and then leaving overland into Ecuador. Would you recommend following ‘the Loop’ but continuing from Popoyan on to Paso (and on into Ecuador) instead of back to Bogota. If we end up with a couple of extra days, what would you recommend? We are two girls on a backpacker budget! Thank you!

    Reply

  20. Hi Brendan,
    I’m taking a two week trip in July to Colombia. I will be traveling alone and speak Spanish. I’m flying into Cartagena and planned on staying there 6 nights. I was then going to go to the park. Do you recommend spending one night in taganga and two in he park? Is it safe for me in the park traveling alone? Also, do you know if people bring their luggage into he park ?
    Lately, I plan on returning to Cartagena. I’m debating flying to Medellin for my last weekend or just staying in Cartagena again any suggestions? thanks for your help.

    Jodi

    Reply

    1. Hey Jodi,
      I’ve got a bunch of info for you here: https://brendansadventures.com/guide-tayrona-national-park/
      Some quick thoughts: I wouldn’t bother with Taganga… It’s OK, but if you’re just using it as a night to crash spend that in Santa Marta, it’s more convenient. And, you can just store all your luggage at the hostel when you go into the park.
      Here’s the guide for Santa Marta if you need it: https://brendansadventures.com/travel-guides/colombia-travel-guides/santa-marta/
      I highly recommend the Dreamer Hostel. They are a block from the bus stop for Tayrona, and it’s an awesome hostel to boot.

      Reply

  21. Hi Brendan,

    I think I’m interested in doing itinerary 4, but starting off in Cartagena and ending up in Bogota. I’m only there for 11/12 days though, so is there anything you would recommend cutting out if you had to?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    1. I think you can do that trip in 11-12 days since you’re starting in Cartagena. That cuts out a day of travel, and a rest day.
      However, I think if I only had 11 days, I’d do: Cartagena, Tayrona NP, Medellin, Bogota. I’d skip Cali and try to get to Tayrona instead.

      Reply

  23. This is great. Although You could add Barichara, Villa de Leyva, La Guajira, Caño Cristales, San Agustin, and the Coffee Triangle (Salento)

    Reply

  24. Hi Brendan,
    These all look terrific. We will only be in Colombia for 6 nights. Should we try to get to the interior? Bogata or Medellin? Not interested in art museums.
    Def want to do Cartagena and Bocagrande beach time, then it looks like Santa Marta and Tayrona are awesome too. Just stay on the coast?
    Thanks for any help!
    ~Darien

    Reply

  25. Hi Brendan
    Thank you for your helpful itineraries. I just wondered which bus companies you use for the night travel and average cost per journey? Thank you.

    Reply

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