How many days do you need in Medellín, Cartagena & Tayrona National Park?
- Most travelers spend 8-11 days in Medellín, Cartagena, and Tayrona National Park combined
- Visiting Medellín, Cartagena, and Tayrona National Park in 6 or 7 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 12 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Bogotá, Minca, and Zona Cafetera
How Many Days to Spend in Medellín
How Many Days to Spend in Cartagena
Recommended Itineraries for Medellín, Cartagena & Tayrona National Park
Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 2 | Bicycle Experience in Medellín, Discover Comuna 13 | Medellín |
| Day 3 | Colorful Colombia: Visit Guatapé & Peñol-Guatape Reservoir | Medellín |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Tayrona National Park, River Tubing at Don Diego River | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 5 | Hiking in the Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 6 | Explore Minca | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Cartagena, Street Food Tour | Cartagena |
| Day 8 | Discover Cartagena by Kayak | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | Fishing Experience in La Boquilla, Drum Safari | Cartagena |
| Day 10 | Depart Cartagena |
Treat the whole family to a taste of Colombia on this fun-filled 10-day itinerary. Enjoy a mix of city and nature as you make your way from vibrant Medellín to Cartagena and the Caribbean coast, taking your time and exploring at a leisurely pace perfect for kids. While there's plenty of adventure to be had on kayaking trips, drumming workshops, and street food tours, you'll also have ample downtime for quieter pursuits like gentle river tubing and wildlife spotting in Tayrona National Park. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
10-Day Itinerary Including Bogotá
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Explore | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Bogotá City Tour | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Fly to Medellín | Medellín |
| Day 4 | Medellín City Tour | Medellín |
| Day 5 | Coffee Finca Day-Trip | Medellín |
| Day 6 | Fly to Santa Marta, Transfer to Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 7 | Tour of Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Cartagena, Explore | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | Rosario Islands Day Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 10 | Depart Cartagena |
Perfect for travelers who love urban energy and culture, this fast-paced itinerary highlights four distinct Colombian cities: Bogotá, Medellín, Santa Marta, and Cartagena—each with its own special qualities and vibes. Too much city? You'll visit a coffee farm in the Andes and hike through a rainforest for a dose of beach and the Caribbean Sea to round out this fun adventure. Read more
2-Week Itinerary Including Bogotá & Zona Cafetera
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Explore | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Ajiaco Cooking Lesson in Bogotá | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Zona Cafetera, Visit a Coffee Finca | Pereira |
| Day 4 | Hiking, Explore Salento | Pereira |
| Day 5 | Driving Tour of Zona Cafetera | Pereira |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 7 | Medellín City Tour | Medellín |
| Day 8 | Guatapé Day-Trip | Medellín |
| Day 9 | Fly to Santa Marta, Transfer to Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 10 | Tour of Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Cartagena, Explore | Cartagena |
| Day 12 | Free Day, Salsa Dancing Lesson | Cartagena |
| Day 13 | Rosario Islands Day Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 14 | Depart Cartagena |
From the buzzing nightlife of Bogotá to the up-and-coming neighborhoods of Medellín and the romance of Cartagena's Old Town, this well-rounded journey covers Colombia's best urban highlights and yet breaks it up with outdoorsy adventures along the way. Starting in the capital, the two-week adventure is ideal for travelers who want to experience culture and historic sights but who are also enticed by hiking in coffee fields, exploring a rainforest on the Caribbean Coast, and relaxing on white-sand beaches. Read more
How to travel between Medellín, Cartagena & Tayrona National Park
How to get to Tayrona National Park
Found in Northern Colombia, Tayrona National Park is most often accessed via nearby Santa Marta. From the entrance, you can catch the shuttle bus to venture farther into the park or walk to your accommodation. If you are headed from Riohacha or Palomino, you'll want to get a bus headed in the direction of Santa Marta and depart near the park entrance. Read more
How to get from Medellín to Cartagena
The distance between Medellín and Cartagena is 389 miles (636 km). The easiest way to make the trip is to fly, which takes about an hour. Buses run from Medellín to Cartagena numerous times every day and are an economical way to go; you can expect at least thirteen hours on the road. Private transfers are recommended over self-driving, though it can be an expensive option at this distance. Read more
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