Hi, everybody! Have you ever wanted to visit Colombia, one of the world's most diverse and vibrant nations, but haven't come around to it?! Join me on this trip through some of its most stunning and action-packed cultural sites, from the world-renowned museums of cosmopolitan Bogotá and Medellín to the centuries-old walls of Cartagena de Indias and Santa Marta to the straight-out-of-a-García Márquez-novel cobbled streets of Mompóx! Having left its more dangerous past behind, Colombia has become one of the world's most sought-after destinations, and rightly so! Its breathtaking diversity, from snow-capped Andean mountains and volcanoes to the pristine, turquoise waters of the Caribbean, from the unspoilt Pacific shoreline to the rolling savannahs that lead into the Amazon, has something for every traveller! Whether you enjoy sipping some of the best coffee there is in a "finca de café" in the "Eje Cafetero" or spotting endemic birds on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, dancing the night away to the tunes of Salsa or Vallenato, or gasping in awe at the marvellous gold-crafted Indigenous art of the Tayrona or the Zenú, Colombia has you covered! In order to enjoy the most out of your stay in the country, I have designed this trip around the country for you to relish some of its most amazing cultural sites. Our journey will take us from Bogotá to Santa Marta, and from there to Cartagena de Indias. After that, we will go to Mompóx, finishing our trip in the eternal spring weather of Medellín. ✈️ Flights (Bogotá-Santa Marta) and 🚌 buses (Santa Marta-Cartagena, Cartagena-Mompóx, Mompóx-Medellín), and 🛏️ Accommodation at all destinations are included in the price.
About Me! Hi there! My name is Pedro, a Portuguese archaeologist and fellow passionate traveller! I am 31 years old and have lived in Latin America for the great part of the last 4 years. I love travelling slowly, mostly by land, to get to know the places I visit and the peoples with whom I share them. I am currently living in Bogotá, after falling in love with the endless magic of Colombia and its people.
Accommodation will vary according to the current availability and any special requests the group might have (couples, people preferring their own room just for themselves, etc.). Most of our stays will consist of hostels and (air)B&Bs, with the prices included being for a single bed in a shared room. Any necessary changes can be arranged. Any questions about the trip? You can let me know in the Q&A section!
What's included?
Flight from Bogotá to Santa Marta
Bus from Santa Marta to Cartagena
Bus from Cartagena to Mompóx
Bus from Mompóx to Medellín
Accommodation at all stops
Your Booking includes free protection from Trip cancellations. Learn More
You can chat with Pedro once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
1
Bogotá
Day 1-3
Colombia's capital might not be for the fainthearted, but it surely rewards those brave enough to let its energetic ways carry them to a cultural avalanche that rivals any city in the world! We will enjoy some of its most iconic places, such as the view from the Monserrate sanctuary, with its 3000 metre above sea level views, its old colonial centre and the cobbled and narrow streets of La Candelaria, its fabled museums, such as the world-renowned Gold Museum and its contemporary art counterpart, the Botero Museum. We will stay in the city for a couple of days and visit these and some other sites, according to what the group finds suitable, before flying north to Santa Marta.
2
Santa Marta
Day 3-6
We will then fly into Santa Marta, one of Colombia's Caribbean colonial gems. We will stay for 3 nights in the area, visiting the stunning Tayrona National Park, with the opportunity of overnighting there, if the group so decides. Additional highlights include the city's historical centre and boardwalk overlooking the bay, as well as the "Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino", the estate where Simón Bolivar spent his last days and eventually passed away. Get ready for some Salsa-infused nights at La Puerta! 💃🏾
3
Cartagena
Day 6-9
We will take the bus from Santa Marta to our next stop, Cartagena de Indias, a place that more than lives up to its mythical billing! From its well-preserved colonial walls and the ramparts of San Felipe Castle overlooking the crystal blue waters to the "champeta" and salsa beats echoing across the Getsemaní neighbourhood, the "pearl of the Caribbean" will be the highlight of any trip through Colombia. We will visit the historic centre, including some of its most brilliant museums, including the Inquisition and the Zenú Gold Museums, dedicated to the impact of the Spanish Inquisition during the colonial era, and to the gold crafts of the Indigenous Zenú People, respectively. Additional highlights include the Maritime Museum, recounting the city's piracy history, and a possible trip to the nearby Islas del Rosario or Playa Blanca, if the group chooses to do so. Playa Blanca is famous for its bioluminescent plankton night trips, which can be seen every night, a detour well worth taking.
4
Santa Cruz de Mompox
Day 9-11
After soaking in the warmth winds of Cartagena, we will take the bus down to Mompóx, another Colombian UNESCO World Heritage Site, a postcard of a town perched timelessly alongside the Magdalena River, with its late colonial/early republican architecture perfectly preserved. The city played a key role in the country's formation, having been the first to declare independence from Spain, and its historical centre is a testament to its steep and rich past. We will stay in town for a couple of days before taking the overnight bus down to Medellín, our final stop. Additional activities around Mompóx include a sunset boat tour along the Magdalena river to the nearby lagoons, where the local fauna and flora can be easily spotted.
5
Medellín
Day 11-14
After a long bus ride into town, the city of eternal spring awaits us! Medellín is known for its vibrant art scene, with sculptures, graffiti, and architecture worth many a glance popping up everywhere! Home to Fernando Botero, his out-of-proportion works are scattered across the city and decorate the square named after him, home to the Museum of Antioquia and the unfinished yet stunning Rafael Uribe Culture Palace. While in town, we will visit the aforementioned sights, as well as the fabled Comuna 13, a living tale of social revitalisation, from the grim and violent years at the height of the drug cartels to its current burgeoning tourism and crafts industry. The museum "Casa de la memoria", dedicated to the so-called "Colombia conflict", the decades-long internal strife which spearhead much violence and internal displacement, is also a highly recommended stop. If the group so wishes, day visits to nearby towns such as Guatapé or Jardín are a possibility, to enjoy some hiking and some much needed nature break.
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hostel & Apartments & Bed & Breakfast & Other
14 days trip
Bogotá, Santa Marta & 3 more
Transportation
Plane, Car, Train
What's excluded?
International flights to Bogotá
Meals and snacks
Extra fees, such as museums, parks, etc.
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Colombia
Gold Museum in Bogotá 
Flight from Bogotá to Santa Marta 
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