A Colombia Itinerary in Pictures

Let’s start with a map to help you orient yourself.

Day 1

Another fun way to discover La Candelaria is by taking a street art tour (bottom left). Colombia is brimming with talented artists who use the city’s walls to showcase the country’s cultural and natural diversity or to criticize government actions.

You can either join a free walking tour or go for a private tour with Bogotá Graffiti Tour—which I recommend, as free tours are often crowded.

Bogotá is perched on a plateau at 2,600 meters above sea level, and I find the view from Monserrate to be stunning, whether during the day or at night. As you can see in the photo (top left), it can get chilly in Bogotá, so don’t forget your coat.

At Monserrate, you’ll find two restaurants where you can grab a bite (and warm up a bit). One of them, Santa Clara, specializes in Colombian dishes. It’s the perfect chance to try the famous hot chocolate with cheese (yes, it’s a real specialty here!). Tempted? The taste is better than you might expect!

I don’t consider the Gold Museum a must-see in Colombia, but if you’re nearby, it’s definitely worth a visit. The explanations are really well done, and the gold artifacts on display are simply stunning (bottom right). Just be aware: the museum is closed on Mondays.

Day 2

I’m a huge fan of the Páramo de Sumapaz because it gives you the feeling of being on another planet. Frailejones as far as the eye can see, the weather changing in an instant, the outlines of the mountains—it’s pure magic.

The advantage of doing this activity in Bogotá is that you can easily fit it into a day (though it’s still a 4-hour round trip). Visiting other páramos often requires multi-day hikes.

Day 3

The houses in the colonial villages of the Coffee Region are always painted in bright colors, making it a delight to wander around. Salento is charming, but I believe there are better spots if you’re seeking an authentic village atmosphere. And be sure to avoid the weekends—it gets packed.

Filandia is a great alternative because you can still take a day trip to visit the Cocora Valley. The tourism there is more local, and I find it more enjoyable.

If you really want to steer clear of tourists, I recommend staying in the villages south of Armenia. There, you’ll find Buenavista and Pijao, where you’ll hardly see any tourists. It’s ideal for an authentic experience.

Day 4

Ah, the famous palm trees of the Cocora Valley! Some of them reach over 60 meters high, and I have to admit, they’re truly impressive. No wonder they’re so popular on social media.

But did you know that you can also see them in other, much less crowded places? You can arrange a trip to La Carbonera (about 1 hour from Salento), or head to the Samaria Valley and take the opportunity to visit the village of Salamina.

I love hiking in the Cocora Valley, but it’s best to come prepared. Avoid flip-flops, bring water and snacks. And be careful on the trail: there are paths that lead deeper into the Los Nevados National Park. Don’t take them unless you’re setting out for several days with a local guide.

Day 5

Filandia and its coffee tours.

Day 6

There’s nothing better than a Chiva to take in the scenery. These large and colorful buses have no windows, so you’re out in the open air—which can be a bit annoying in the dry season, as you might end up covered in dust. Chivas are used to connect small villages along dirt roads that wind through the mountains. I won’t lie, it’s not the most comfortable ride. But I’ve always found these journeys fun, and even my parents loved it.

You’ll meet people from the countryside, students on their way to visit their grandparents, see all kinds of unexpected goods being loaded and unloaded from the roof, listen to music blasting, and hear the horn announcing the Chiva’s arrival. It’s a direct dive into the real life of rural Colombia.

Day 7

In a colonial village in Colombia, most of the action happens around the large central square, next to an impressive, colorful church. Jardín is no exception (see photo at the top left). You’ll see locals in cowboy hats, relaxing on benches with a coffee in hand. On Sundays, it’s usually a beer and a game of billiards, as they’ve already sold their goods.

The photo at the bottom left was taken on the trail I suggest you hike in the morning. It’s an easy walk with a gentle incline, and the path is straightforward to follow. You’ll see many trees with colorful flowers—by the way, the name Jardín comes from this, as “Jardín” means Garden in Spanish.

After your hike, you’ll have earned a delicious break at Café Jardín (top right). Yes, that’s the village you see down below!

And the strange bird in the photo? That’s the famous Cock-of-the-Rock! Isn’t it stunning?

Day 8

It takes about 3.5 hours on horseback to go to and from Chorro Blanco, and we sometimes had to navigate through some pretty narrow sections. Eduardo, the guy in red in the photo, wasn’t too comfortable at first, but he quickly got the hang of it.

In the photo on the right, you can see Aleja under the waterfall, and just behind her is the entrance to the cave that leads there. The photo doesn’t really do the place justice—we didn’t have the drone yet! We’ll have to go back to capture it properly 😀

Day 9

I love the rooftops in Medellín. They’re perfect for ending a great day of adventure. In the photo on the left, you can see me with my family at the Masaya rooftop. They regularly host evening events, which are perfect if you want to meet other travelers.

On the right, you’ll see the famous El Alambique restaurant. They have live concerts on Tuesday nights (check their Instagram page to confirm). The dishes they serve are huge, so I recommend sharing one between two people. And it’s best to reserve in advance—this place is very popular. 😉

Day 10

Comuna 13 has changed a lot since my first visit in 2015. Now, it’s become a bit like a “Disneyland”—lots of people, lots of noise. It’s fun, but it has lost some of its authenticity. Taking a guided tour allows you to get off the beaten path a bit and uncover the real story of the Comuna, beyond the breakdance shows and souvenir vendors.

I loved having lunch with a local family (photo at the bottom right). It gave us a chance to sit down and have a long chat with people who have directly experienced these changes.

Medellin: Comuna 13 and old town guided tour 1 day

Discover the exciting story of Medellin, a resilient and innovative city that intrigues and fascinates.

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At the top, you see photos of Botero Plaza in downtown Medellín. Botero is a famous Colombian artist known for giving generous and disproportionate shapes to his works. The little man on his horse is one of my favorites. Next to the plaza, you can visit the Museum of Antioquia to see more of his paintings.

Day 11

The agency that organizes these rafting trips was founded by professional kayakers who navigated an impressive number of rivers around the world before falling in love with Antioquia. They fiercely fight against big companies to protect their little piece of paradise. It’s a passionate team that knows the region inside and out and is dedicated to preserving this unique environment while offering unforgettable rafting experiences.

Medellin: Adrenalin rush rafting on the rio calderas 1d

Feel the thrill as you approach a rapid and share those emotions with your crew.

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Day 12

At the top left, you can see the staircase that leads to the summit of Piedra del Peñol. Don’t worry, it’s sturdy. Plus, the view from the top is totally worth it (photo at the top right), right? Guatapé is surrounded by an artificial lake dotted with small islands. This entire area was intentionally flooded to create a hydroelectric dam. Several villages had to be evacuated, including El Peñol. You can still see the church’s cross emerging above the water.

There are many nice hotels and luxury homes on these islands, and that’s where I like to stay when I decide to spend time in Guatapé. However, it’s also a destination that can easily be visited in a day—as I suggest to you in this Colombia itinerary.

Medellin: Guatapé colourful village and the piedra del peñol 1d

Stroll through the colorful streets of the colonial village and marvel at the view from the Belvedere.

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Day 13

Aleja could spend days wandering the streets of Cartagena. Its historic center is stunning, but it can sometimes disappoint travelers due to the number of tourists and street vendors. My advice: come here with a vacation mindset, taking a full day to appreciate what the city has to offer truly.

El Centro (photo at the top left) is the neighborhood where the wealthiest families once lived, and it’s where you’ll find the most impressive buildings. Personally, I prefer San Diego, a neighborhood often overlooked by tourists—even though it’s just a few streets away.

The rooftop at Movich (bottom right) is an excellent spot to admire the historic center from a different angle, with the much more modern Bocagrande neighborhood in the background.

Cartagena: Historic center and Getsemani guided tour 0,5d

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Cartagena, its battles, influence, and luminous architecture.

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Day 14

Once you enter the mangroves of La Boquilla and reach the Ciénaga, you completely forget that you’re in Cartagena.

Here, crab fishing is done in several steps. First, you need to catch fish by casting a net. Adrien did pretty well, but as for me… it was a disaster. Next, you put pieces of fish in traps that you place at the bottom of the water, and the crabs that come to feast end up getting caught.

We then took our catch back to our host’s place to cook them over a wood fire, along with some delicious coconut rice. It was a real treat!

Cartagena: Discover La Boquilla, its mangroves and its people 0.5d

Enjoy the tranquility of the mangroves and immerse yourself in the ambiance of La Boquilla's residents.

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Day 15 & 16

There are several ways to explore the paradise islands of Rosario. You can rent a boat, and if you have 4-5 people, the price becomes as reasonable as a shared tour. It’s a plan I love to make when I’m with a group of friends in Cartagena.

Cartagena: Rent a boat to explore the Rosario Islands 1d

A tailor-made boat trip to enjoy the Rosario Islands: Find the most stunning islands and either dodge the tourists or party with them.

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If you prefer the beach over a boat, you can also go for a day pass offered by some hotels on Isla Grande. At the bottom left, you can see me sipping a cocktail on the beach at Islabela Hotel.

Alternatively, as I suggest in this Colombia itinerary, you can choose to spend a few nights there. It’s not a cheap destination, but if you want to wake up in a postcard-perfect setting, that’s the price you pay.

Day 17 & 18

There are some fun excursions around Santa Marta, but if you’re only planning to explore the area near Tayrona and Palomino, staying in Santa Marta isn’t necessary.

I’d recommend opting for a hotel between Tayrona and Buritaca (1h away). These hotels offer excellent value in a stunning environment. You can easily organize all kinds of excursions from there without having to switch accommodations—like tubing, for instance (photo on the right).

Day 19 & 21

On the left, you see the iconic Cabo San Juan beach at dawn, one of the few beaches in Tayrona Park where swimming is allowed. You can spend the night in a hammock in the small hut on the rock. The view is breathtaking, but keep in mind, it’s cold and windy at night!

On the right, you see the trail just before reaching the beach. There’s Adrien, as always, with his trusty walking sticks.