Terra Nova Collective
Tayrona National Park
A unique stretch of coast where jungle meets sea: beach hammocks to sleep in overnight for a powerful sunrise, waterfalls and hikes along one of South America’s most biodiverse shores, featuring monkeys, birds, and crocodiles.
Colombia
Rolling Hills, Music & Caribbean Light
- Duration
- 28 days
- Trip style
- Adventure
- Effort
- Moderate effort
- Region
- Americas
Four weeks tracing Colombia from highlands to coast and back: a route that connects cities, beaches and mountains
From Andean peaks to Caribbean beaches, Colombia’s contrasts unfold slowly: Bogotá’s colonial heart, the wild coast of Tayrona, river hostels, Cartagena’s walled city, Medellín’s rebirth and Salento’s coffee hills
Colombia offers it all. This route begins in Bogotá, where street art and mountain views set the scene, before heading north to the Sierra Nevada for the cloud forests of Minca and the beaches of Tayrona National Park. Along the Caribbean coast, El Río and Costeño Beach balance hammocks with nightlife, and Cartagena adds colonial colour. Further inland, Medellín shows Colombia’s modern vibrancy, while Guatapé and Salento reveal quiet countryside with lakes, rocks and the world’s tallest palm trees.
Four-week loop through Colombia: Bogotá to the North Caribbean Coast (Minca, Tayrona, El Río, Costeño Beach, Palomino, Cartagena), down to Medellín and Guatapé, ending in Salento and the coffee region
Highlights
Salento coffee region
A beautiful hike (1 day or multiday) amongst the world's tallest palm trees coupled with coffee plantations sprinkled across the rolling hills for you to hop into.
Medellín
A re-invented city: wander through the gentrified Comuna 13 that maintains its bohemian spirit and attend a local football match (take photos discretely) to experience the strong Paisa atmosphere.
The route
Day 1: Arrival in Bogotá
Day 2: Explore Bogotá
Day 3: Bogotá → Minca
Day 4: Waterfalls & trails in Minca
Day 5: Minca → Tayrona National Park
Day 6: Tayrona jungle-to-sea day
Day 7: Tayrona → El Río Hostel
Day 8: River day at El Río
Day 9: Costeño Beach / north coast day
Day 10: North coast → Cartagena
Day 11: Explore Cartagena
Day 12: Cartagena old town & Getsemaní
Day 13: Extra Cartagena / Rosario Islands option
Day 14: Cartagena → Medellín
Day 15: Explore Medellín
Day 16: Comuna 13 & city day
Day 17: Medellín culture, food & nightlife
Day 18: Extra Medellín day
Day 19: Medellín → Guatapé
Day 20: Explore Guatapé
Day 21: Medellín → Salento
Day 22: Coffee finca day
Day 23: Cocora Valley hike
Day 24: Explore Salento
Day 25: Final Salento day
Day 26: Salento → Bogotá
Day 27: Final Bogotá day
Day 28: Departure
Start the journey
The first part of the day-by-day route, free to read.
Days 1–2: Bogotá, High-Altitude Beginnings
Land in Bogotaá (2,640m) and give yourself a day to adjust to the altitude. Stay at Cranky Croc hostel for social energy or Botánico Hostel for something quieter but more local and unique (great views across the city).
Start with a free walking tour through the La Candelaria district, where pastel colonial houses now double as cafés and galleries. Don’t miss the Botero Museum (the largest collection of Botero art), and try Puerta Falsa, the city’s oldest café, where you must have their ajiaco, a hearty chicken-potato soup with capers and cream (it recieves mixed reviews).
Hike up Monserrate (do not do so at night time as it is not safe) for a panoramic view of the Andean plateau, then descend by cable car. Evenings centre on Zona Rosa, where bars, live music and Bogotá’s creative youth fill the streets.
Get the full Colombia itinerary
- The rest of the day-by-day route, 8 more detailed entries
- Where to stay, by budget
- Where to eat and drink
- Practical reminders and cautions
- Ways to shorten or extend the trip
- 17 photos from the trip
- A direct line to the traveller who led it
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Open the full itineraryFrom travellers on this trip
“Colombia surprised me. It’s not just the scenery which, while stunning, is similar to neighbouring countries. It’s how alive everything feels. Every bus, every meal, every town felt electric, with so much going on that you feel energised everywhere - you really get involved into random local events very naturally.”
“Tayrona was worth the hassle. Watching the sunset on the beach and then watching it rise again on the other side the following morning from my hammock made the fight against the mosquitos acceptable.”
“The energy in Cartagena blew me away: the streets are vibrant with creativity, colours and movement of both locals and tourists. What I loved was the cultural mesh of the Caribbean with Spanish colonialism, coupled with amazing sea food!”
