How many days do you need in Cartagena & Tayrona National Park?
- Most travelers spend 5-7 days in Cartagena and Tayrona National Park combined
- With 8 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Bogotá, Medellín, Minca, and Zona Cafetera
How Many Days to Spend in Cartagena
Recommended Itineraries for Cartagena & Tayrona National Park
Recommended Itinerary for 5 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 2 | Explore Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 4 | Tour of Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 5 | Depart Colombia |
This fun 5-day adventure hits two major highlights along Colombia's northern coast. First, you'll experience the culture and fairy-tale romance of Cartagena's Old Town, an inner-walled city oozing with colonial architecture and history, not to mention hip hotels and rooftop bars. Then drive east toward Santa Marta to spend a few days at Tayrona National Park for a slice of South America's prettiest coastline. Explore on your own or take a guided tour of the park's hiking trails and exotic beaches. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
1-Week Itinerary Including Minca
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cartagena, Explore | Cartagena |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 3 | Tour of Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 4 | Drive to Minca, Coffee Farm & Village Tour | Minca |
| Day 5 | Sunrise Birdwatching Tour, Transfer to Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 6 | Rosario Islands Day Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 7 | Depart Cartagena |
This weeklong land and sea adventure covers all the highlights along Colombia's northern coast. You'll experience the culture and fairy-tale romance of Cartagena's Old Town, explore the beautiful Tayrona National Park, hike through mountainous jungles, go bird-watching, visit a coffee farm, and finish your trip with a relaxing trip to the Rosario Islands by private speedboat. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Bogotá & Medellín
| 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 | Tayrona National Park, Transfer to Cartagena | 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
2-Week Itinerary Including Bogotá, Medellín & 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 at 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 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 Cartagena & 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
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