Getting Around Colombia

Colombia is the fourth largest South American country, and its vast size includes a variety of landscapes: Caribbean islands, snow-capped mountains, Amazonian rainforest, and the lush Zona Cafetera coffee-growing region. 

Domestic flights, car transfers, and boat transfers are all popular ways to get around Colombia. While Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is the most common arrival point for international travelers, there are several cities with good, reasonably-priced flight options including Cartagena's Rafael Nuñez (CTG) and José María Córdova (MDE) near Medellín.

While public transport is an option, the country's mountainous terrain (and less than ideal road conditions) make connections between the most popular destinations very long. 

In addition to the major cities of Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena, destinations worth visiting include Tayrona National Park and La Guajira Dessert on the northern Caribbean coast, the Coffee Triangle in the Western Andes, and the up-and-coming city of Cali near the southern Pacific coast.
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Map of How to Get to the Rosario Islands
How to Get to the Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands consist of over 20 small coral islands, including some tiny unspoiled islets. The archipelago lies about 60 miles (100 km) southwest of Cartagena. Day tours... read more

Map of How to Get to San Andrés Island
How to Get to San Andrés Island

San Andrés Island and the Colombian archipelago is about 125 miles (200 km) from the Nicaraguan coast but is 445 miles (715 km) from the Colombian mainland. Due to this... read more

Map of How to Get from Cartagena to Minca
How to Get from Cartagena to Minca

The distance between colonial Cartagena and the coffee town of Minca is only 154 miles (247 km), so most travelers make the journey by car. Taking a private transfer is the most... read more

Map of How to Get from Medellín to Nuqui
How to Get from Medellín to Nuqui

Nuquí is 121 miles (196 km) away from Medellín, which sounds like a short distance and relatively easy to get to. However, there are limited ways to get to this area. Nuquí is... read more

How to Get to La Guajira Desert

Colombia’s La Guajira Desert is a unique coastal desert that is covered in sand dunes, arid landscapes, and exquisite beaches. Getting here can be somewhat of a challenge,... read more

Map of How to Get to El Chocó
How to Get to El Chocó

El Chocó is a beautiful, and rather isolated, region on the west coast of Colombia. Here you’ll find unspoiled beaches and coastal areas that haven’t been touched by development... read more

How to Get to Tierradentro

The National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro is one of the most important and fascinating archaeological sites in Colombia and South America at large. The ruins and tombs... read more

Map of How to Get from Medellín to Cali
How to Get from Medellín to Cali

The vibrant city of Medellín and the modern city of Cali are 260 miles (420 km) apart. The easiest and most common way to get to make the journey is by plane. You can also... read more

Map of How to Get from Popayán to Cali
How to Get from Popayán to Cali

The white city of Popayán and Cali are 86 miles (139 km) apart, and there are two good transit options available.  The most convenient way to get to Cali is by arranging a... read more

Map of How to Get from Popayán to Pasto
How to Get from Popayán to Pasto

The scenery between the "White City," as Popayán is known, and Pasto is one of the most beautiful and dramatic in Colombia.  Both towns are perched high up in the mountains, so... read more

Map of How to Get from Cali to Bogotá
How to Get from Cali to Bogotá

Cali, the salsa capital of the world, and Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, are around 288 miles (463 km) apart.  The best way to travel between the two is by plane. There are... read more

Map of How to Get from Bogotá to Minca
How to Get from Bogotá to Minca

The distance between Bogotá to Minca, a small town in Colombia's Coffee Country, is 601 miles (968 km). To get to Minca, the first thing you have to do is get to Santa Marta,... read more

Map of How to Get from Leticia to Bogotá
How to Get from Leticia to Bogotá

The only way to make the 678-mile (1,092 km) journey from Leticia to Bogotá is by plane.  The direct flight will take about two hours, and there are at least two flights leaving... read more