2 Weeks in Colombia - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Nature & Culture: Bogotá, the Amazon, Medellín & Cartagena

This nature and culture tour offers a taste of Colombia, combining the popular cities of Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena with an eco-retreat in the Amazon and a beach day in the Rosario Islands. It's ideal for families visiting Colombia for the first time and can be adjusted to kids of all ages and abilities. 

Start with a Bogotá city tour, introducing the kids to tropical fruits in Paloquemao Fruit Market and street art in Candelaria, before taking the cable car to Monserrate viewpoint for a family photo. Visit Isabela Equestrian Property for a horseback ride, then fly to Leticia to catch a boat to your Amazon eco-retreat. A guided night walk in the jungle is a great bonding activity as you search for nocturnal wildlife. Visit an Indigenous community to learn about their way of life, then walk to Matamata Gorge, where you can capture the joy on your children's faces with the beautiful backdrop of Amacayacu Natural Park.

Your budding naturalists will love looking for the mouse lemur on a Mocagua Island hike before searching for pink dolphins on a boat tour. Fly to Medellín, then visit a coffee farm where the kids can frolic in the lush landscape and parents can sample coffee. Head to El Peñol, and if the kids are up for it, climb the steps for panoramic views. Go rafting on the Río Claro, a family-friendly float suitable for beginners. Fly to Cartagena, where you'll feast on Caribbean food, paddle through mangroves, and sample chocolates. Enjoy a family beach day and take the kids snorkeling in the Rosario Islands. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Colombia's Cities, Mountains & Coast

Families interested in the arts—in addition to hitting the highlights of Colombia's cities and natural environment—will enjoy participating in a music workshop in Cartagena and seeing sculptures in the unique underground Catedral de Sal on this itinerary. Bird watchers will also be thrilled to spend time at the National Colombian Aviary in Isla Barú.  

Fuel up on empanadas at Paloquemao Market, then head up Cerro Monserrate for a view of Bogotá from above. Your adventurous kids and art enthusiasts will enjoy exploring Catedral de Sal, an underground Catholic church, and its sculptures in Zipaquirá. Fly to Armenia, where your family can marvel at the world's tallest palm trees in Valle de Cocora, taste Colombian coffee, and learn how chocolate is made (yes, there are samples!). Fly to Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast. If the kids are up for it, take a tour to get acquainted with the city. Or, if your family prefers to relax, you can head to the beach.  

Hike near Playa Cañaveral, then spend time at Cabo San Juan bay, surrounded by volcanic rocks. Your guide will help the kids find monkeys and iguanas. Tour Cartagena, passing through the Walled City and the Old City, then treat the whole family to Colombian sweets. An Afro-Colombian drumming workshop offers the chance for your kids to engage with local children through music, then you can all refuel and create more memories in a cooking class. Spend your final days on Isla Barú, where you'll meet toucans at the National Colombian Aviary, snorkel, and celebrate your Colombia adventure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Modern Cities & Ancient Archaeology

Families keen on astronomy and archaeology will appreciate the opportunities to stargaze in the Tatacoa Desert, explore ancient sites in San Agustín, and visit museums in Bogotá on this itinerary. There are horseback excursions, hiking trips, and a Jeep ride, so it may be better suited to older children (or those comfortable with these activities).  

Take a tasting tour of Paloquemao Market, a hit with kids who enjoy trying tropical fruits. Then, take the cable car up Cerro Monserrante for a family photo with a Bogotá backdrop. Catch a flight to Neiva for your Tatacoa Desert adventures. Budding astronomers will be delighted by guided stargazing at the observatory. In the morning, ride horseback to a natural pool (yes, the kids can cool off here!), then cruise Río Magdalena by boat and finish the day with a sunset walk. Continue your journey to San Agustín in the Colombian Andes, where kids can try picking coffee fruit on a farm while parents sample a cup. 

Explore the ancient sites of San Agustín on horseback, with horses selected to suit the ages of your crew. On Day 8, kids will have a blast bumping along rugged landscapes on a Jeep tour to a waterfall and historic sites, including ancient tombs in Obando. Make your way to Medellín and get acquainted with its history and culture on a tour (content can be adjusted for little ones). Then, visit a silletera farm where kids can gather flowers and create their own arrangements. Climb the steps up Guatapé Rock, an excellent spot for family photos, and end your trip on a high with a family hike in Cerro Bravo Nature Reserve. Learn more

Itinerary #4: "Encanto" Tour: The Amazon Rainforest Route

With opportunities to spot wildlife in the Amazon, make arepas in Barichara, and take a street food tour in Cartagena, fans of the film "Encanto" can see it come to life on this "Encanto" tour. This is also a great option for foodie families as well as animal lovers of all ages.

Start your "Encanto" experience with ajiaco (a soup made with chicken, vegetables, and herbs) that the kids may recall from Isabela and Mariano's engagement celebration. Tour downtown Bogotá with stops at San Carlos Palace and Bolívar Square. Transfer to Leticia for a night hike in the Amazon, which may remind you of the rainforest scene in Antonio's room. Cruise the Matamata Ravine, where little ones can spot wildlife seen in "Encanto" and interact with monkeys at Maikuchiga Foundation. Search for pink dolphins, then head to Ráquira—the kids may notice this ceramics town's buildings look like Casita Madrigal.  

Make amasijos (baked corn flour snacks) at a farmhouse, then sample hot cocoa at a chocolate market—a sweet treat for all ages. Become Julieta as you prepare arepas, the dish believed to bring healing in "Encanto." Hike the Camino Real (duration can be adjusted to your children's needs) before traveling to Medellín for a city tour. Visit the towering palm trees in Valle de Cocora, and let the kids create souvenirs in a basket-making workshop in Salento. Take a food tour in Cartagena and task the kids with finding foods seen in "Encanto." Spend your final full day on the beaches of Barú and Isla Grande. Learn more

Itinerary #5: "Encanto" Tour: The Caño Cristales Route

This colorful itinerary offers another option for fans of "Encanto" to experience the food, culture, and sites seen in the film. This route is best suited to outdoorsy families eager to spend a few days exploring the area around the colorful Caño Cristales "Liquid Rainbow" river—in addition to engaging activities for the whole family that include an amasijos workshop in Villa de Leyva, a coffee tour in Zona Cafetera, a street food tour in Cartagena, and snorkeling in the Rosario Islands.

Your "Encanto" adventure begins in Bogotá with a stroll through the colorfully-painted downtown, followed by a bowl of ajiaco that fans of the film may recognize from Isabela and Mariano's engagement celebration. Fly to La Macarena and take a boat tour on Río Guayabero, where the kids can spot some wildlife seen in "Encanto." Spend the next couple of days exploring around the "Liquid Rainbow" Caño Cristales: go hiking, search for wildlife, and watch the sunset while a musician plays live llanera music onboard your boat (a beautiful setting for family photos!). 

Learn how to make amasijos in a farmhouse fit to appear in "Encanto," then visit a ruana clothing workshop in Villa de Leyva—little ones will recognize the poncho-style garment from the film. Prepare arepas, the dish believed to bring healing in "Encanto," in Barichara, before setting out on the Camino Real to Guane; archeologists-in-training will enjoy the exhibits at the Museum of Paleontology & Archaeology here. Head to Medellín for a city tour, then it's off to Zona Cafetera to visit a coffee farm. Wrap up your adventure with a family beach escape in Barú and the Rosario Islands. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Colombia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Colombia? Check out these other two-week Colombia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, family-friendly trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.