How many days do you need in Cartagena, Santa Marta, Minca & Tayrona National Park?
- Most travelers spend 8-11 days in Cartagena, Santa Marta, Minca, and Tayrona National Park combined
- Visiting Cartagena, Santa Marta, Minca, and Tayrona National Park in 7 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 12 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
How Many Days to Spend in Cartagena
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Recommended Itineraries for Cartagena, Santa Marta, Minca & Tayrona National Park
Recommended Itinerary for 11 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santa Marta | Santa Marta |
| Day 2 | Tour of Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 3 | Free Day Near Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 4 | Sailing Trip, Return to Santa Marta | Santa Marta |
| Day 5 | Drive to Minca, Coffee Farm & Village Tour | Minca |
| Day 6 | Sunrise Birdwatching, Transfer to Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 7 | Arrive in Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 8 | Explore Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | Kayaking Around Barú Island | Cartagena |
| Day 10 | Rosario Islands Day Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 11 | Depart Cartagena |
An enticing draw of visiting Colombia's northern coast is its close proximity to culture, mountains, beaches, and islands for the ultimate tropical adventure. On this 10-day itinerary, you'll start by hiking around Tayrona Park. Make an overnight stop in Minca to visit a coffee finca before continuing to Cartagena, where you'll explore the city's quaint narrow streets with historic palaces, churches, and mansions painted in pastel colors. Then speedboat to the Rosario Islands for swimming and snorkeling before finishing with one more night in romantic Cartagena. Read more
How to travel between Cartagena, Santa Marta, Minca & Tayrona National Park
How to get from Santa Marta to Minca
There are only 13 miles (21 km) between the beaches of Santa Marta and the coffee fields of Minca. Read more
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 a couple of miles (3 km) 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 Cartagena to Santa Marta
Only 137 miles (220 km) separate the two main cities of the Colombian Caribbean coast. The path from Cartagena to Santa Marta is well-traveled, and there are several ways to get from one to the other. Private transfer is the most comfortable option, a 3-4 hour journey (more with stops). Another possibility is taking a semi-private shuttle. These offer door-to-door service and take about 5-6 hours to make the trip. Read more
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