How many days do you need in Medellín & Cartagena?
- Most travelers spend 7-8 days in Medellín and Cartagena combined
- Visiting Medellín and Cartagena in 5 or 6 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 9 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Bogotá and the Zona Cafetera
How Many Days to Spend in Medellín
How Many Days to Spend in Cartagena
Recommended Itineraries for Medellín & Cartagena
Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Medellín | Medellín |
| Day 2 | Explore Medellín | Medellín |
| Day 3 | Villages of Antioquia | Medellín |
| Day 4 | Medellín to Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 5 | Explore Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 6 | Totumo Volcano and Dance Lessons | Cartagena |
| Day 7 | Flavors of Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 8 | Islands of Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | Depart Cartagena |
Discover the hidden wonders of Colombia on this excursion through two of its historic cities. Travel to Medellín, the capital of the Antioquia province, and see with your own eyes how the once-controversial city has transformed through its rich Paisa culture. You'll then explore Cartagena—the jewel of the Caribbean Sea—for the second half of the trip and experience the nearby beaches and islands first-hand. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
1-Week Itinerary Including the Zona Cafetera
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 2 | Medellín City Tour | Medellín |
| Day 3 | Drive to Pereira, Overnight at a Coffee Finca | Pereira |
| Day 4 | Hiking in Valle de Cocora, Explore Salento | Pereira |
| Day 5 | Fly to Cartagena, Explore | Cartagena |
| Day 6 | Rosario Islands Day Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 7 | Depart Cartagena |
This classic itinerary covers Colombia's Zona Cafetera (coffee zone), bookended by two of Latin America's most exciting cities. The adventure starts in striking Medellín, where you'll explore the city with a local guide. You'll then drive to the heart of the coffee region and stay overnight at a working farm before flying north to Cartagena, where you'll have time to hit the narrow streets of this colonial, inner-walled city. Conclude your week with a free day on the coast—perhaps a speedboat ride to the Rosario Islands for white-sand beaches. Read more
9-Day Itinerary Including Bogotá
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Explore | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Bogotá City & Food Tour | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral | Bogotá |
| Day 4 | Fly to Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to a Coffee Farm | Medellín |
| Day 6 | Guatapé Day Trip, Fly to Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 7 | Cartagena Guided Walking Tour | Cartagena |
| Day 8 | Day Trip to Rosario Islands | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | Depart Cartegena |
Explore three of Colombia's most exciting cities on this nine-day adventure. Start in Bogotá, the sprawling cosmopolitan capital. Tour the colonial streets of the historic center, taste local cuisine, and visit museums. Then, transfer to Medellín to see street art and communal projects and learn about Colombian coffee culture. The adventure ends in tropical Cartagena, where you'll appreciate Spanish forts and architecture, enjoy fresh seafood, and swim in the Caribbean. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Bogotá & Zona Cafetera
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Explore | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Bogotá City Tour | 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, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 7 | Guatapé Day-Trip | Medellín |
| Day 8 | Fly to Cartagena, Explore | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | La Boquilla Fishing Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 10 | Depart Cartagena |
Check off three unforgettable cities on this whirlwind 10-day tour, starting with Bogotá's Spanish colonial sites and buzzing nightlife. You'll then fly to the heart of Colombia's Zona Cafetera for an overnight at a coffee farm, where you'll hike the green mountains of Cocora Valley, dotted with towering palm trees. From here, head to Medellín—a city with outdoor art and spring-like weather—before ending on the Caribbean coast, where you'll explore the colorful streets of Cartagena's Old Town. Read more
How to travel between Medellín & 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 per 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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