How many days do you need in Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena & Tayrona National Park?
- Most travelers spend 9-12 days in Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and Tayrona National Park combined
- Visiting Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and Tayrona National Park in 8 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 13 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Zona Cafetera, Salento, and Santa Marta
How Many Days to Spend in Bogotá
How Many Days to Spend in Cartagena
How Many Days to Spend in Medellín
Recommended Itineraries for Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena & Tayrona National Park
Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Explore | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Bogotá City Tour | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Fly to Medellín, Explore | 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 awesome 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
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
2-Week Itinerary Including 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, Stay in a Coffee Finca | Pereira |
| Day 4 | Hiking, Explore Salento | Pereira |
| Day 5 | Driving Tour of Zona Cafetera | Pereira |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Medellín | 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 | 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 in Tayrona National Park. Read more
2-Week Itinerary Including Barichara & Villa de Leyva
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Explore | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Bogotá City Tour | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Visit the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, Transfer to Villa de Leyva | Villa de Leyva |
| Day 4 | Driving Tour of Villa de Leyva, Transfer to Barichara | Barichara |
| Day 5 | Hike from Barichara to Guane | Barichara |
| Day 6 | Fly to Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 7 | Medellín City Tour | Medellín |
| Day 8 | Coffee Finca 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 in Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 13 | Rosario Islands Day Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 14 | Depart Cartagena |
Perfect for first-timers, this smart, action-packed itinerary begins in the cosmopolitan capital of Bogotá and then makes its way to the Caribbean coast. Along the route, you'll drive through the Andean highlands, visit preserved colonial towns, fly to the up-and-coming city of Medellín, and then hike through Tayrona Park to get to white-sand beaches and turquoise sea. Spend your last three nights in the romantic UNESCO-listed Old Town of Cartagena, founded in 1533. Read more
How to travel between Bogotá, 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 Bogotá to Medellín
The distance between two of Colombia's largest cities, Bogotá and Medellín, is 260 miles (419 km). The easiest way to make the trip is to fly, which takes about an hour. Going by car is also an option—the route takes significantly longer (over 10 hours), but this is a great way to see the hilly, scenic countryside, and there are a few noteworthy stops you can make along the way. Private transfers are recommended over self-driving, though it can be an expensive option at this distance. 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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