So, you’re planning to visit Colombia? First of all, excellent choice. This country has it all—lush jungles, colonial charm, bustling cities, and beaches so beautiful they’ll make you question your entire existence. But let’s get real: Colombia is HUGE, and trying to see it all in three weeks without a plan is like attempting to salsa dance after three aguardientes—pure chaos.
Luckily, I’ve done the research (which involved getting lost, eating too much, and making questionable transportation decisions) and created the scientifically best Colombia itinerary for 2025. Follow this, and you’ll hit all the highlights while still having time to soak it all in.
Days 1-4: Bogotá – Altitude, Culture, and Ajiaco
Day 1: Land in Bogotá, the high-altitude, high-energy capital. Give yourself time to adjust—Bogotá sits at 2,640m (8,660ft), and you don’t want to spend your first night gasping for air like a fish out of water (been there). Ease in with a stroll through La Candelaria, the city’s colorful historic center, and visit Plaza Bolívar for that classic “I’m in Colombia!” selfie.
Day 2: Time to get artsy. Hit up the Gold Museum to marvel at thousands of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts, then swing by the Botero Museum to admire (and giggle at) some very plump paintings and sculptures. Finish with a cable car ride up Monserrate for epic city views (and a reminder that, yes, altitude still exists).
Day 3: Take a day trip to Zipaquirá to visit the incredible Salt Cathedral, a church built inside a salt mine. It’s cooler than it sounds, I promise. Wrap up the day in Usaquén, a charming neighborhood with great restaurants and an amazing Sunday flea market.
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Day 4: Before heading out, grab a bowl of ajiaco (a soul-warming potato and chicken soup). Trust me, it’s comfort food at its finest.
Days 5-7: Medellín – From Notorious to Glorious
Day 5: Fly to Medellín, aka “The City of Eternal Spring.” Start with the Comuna 13 tour, where you’ll learn about the city’s incredible transformation while admiring some of the best street art in South America. Take the cable cars up to Parque Arví for some fresh air and nature time.
Day 6: Get your adrenaline fix by paragliding over the city (absolutely worth it), then spend the afternoon at Plaza Botero and the Antioquia Museum. Wrap up the day in El Poblado, where the nightlife is so good you might forget your early morning plans.
Day 7: Day trip to Guatapé to climb the famous El Peñol Rock—a ridiculous 740-step monolith that rewards you with insane views. Bonus points if you power through the climb without stopping for breath (I did not). Spend the rest of the day exploring Guatapé’s insanely colorful streets before heading back to Medellín.
Days 8-11: Coffee Region – The Land of Caffeine and Cocora
Day 8: Take a scenic (and slightly nauseating) bus ride to Salento, the heart of Colombia’s Coffee Triangle.
Day 9: Lace up your boots and hike the Valle de Cocora, home to the world’s tallest palm trees. It’s a breathtaking (and occasionally muddy) trek, but totally worth it. Finish the day with a visit to a coffee farm, where you’ll learn how Colombia produces some of the best coffee in the world (and finally understand why you’ve been functioning on bad coffee your whole life).
Day 10: Take a day trip to Filandia, a less touristy but equally beautiful town. It has epic miradors (viewpoints) and some of the best food in the region. Order the trucha (trout)—it’s a specialty here!
Day 11: Spend your last morning in Salento soaking up the chill vibes before catching a flight to the Caribbean coast.
Days 12-16: Cartagena & Isla Barú – History and Beach Bliss
Day 12: Welcome to Cartagena, the Caribbean jewel of Colombia. Wander through the Walled City, getting lost in its colorful streets and cooling off with fresh coconut water. Sunset at Café del Mar is a must (get there early to snag a good spot).
Day 13: Explore Castillo San Felipe, a badass fortress built to keep pirates out (or at least slow them down). In the afternoon, take a boat to Playa Blanca on Isla Barú, where the water is so blue it looks photoshopped.
Day 14: Head to the Rosario Islands for a full day of snorkeling, island hopping, and pretending you’re in a postcard.
Day 15: Spend the morning soaking in the Mud Volcano of Totumo (yes, it’s as weird as it sounds). Your skin will feel amazing, but good luck getting the mud out of your ears.
Day 16: Enjoy one last Cartagena morning before flying to your final stop: the magical north.
Days 17-21: Santa Marta & Tayrona – The Grand Finale
Day 17: Arrive in Santa Marta and head straight to Minca, a jungle paradise with waterfalls, organic coffee farms, and the best sunset views from Casa Elemento’s giant hammocks.
Day 18: Hike to Los Pinos for breathtaking views, then cool off at Pozo Azul (bring a swimsuit).
Day 19-20: Head to Tayrona National Park, one of Colombia’s most stunning destinations. Hike through the jungle to reach beaches like Cabo San Juan, where you can camp overnight if you’re feeling adventurous. Just watch out for mischievous monkeys trying to steal your snacks (speaking from experience).
Day 21: Wrap up your trip with some last-minute relaxation in Taganga, a small fishing village turned backpacker haven, before catching your flight home.
Final Thoughts – Is This the Best Colombia Itinerary Ever? Yes.
With this itinerary, you’ll experience Colombia’s best cities, jungles, beaches, and coffee farms—without feeling like you’ve been on a non-stop marathon. You’ll dance in Bogotá, fly over Medellín, caffeinate in Salento, sunbathe in Cartagena, and get lost in the jungle in Tayrona. It’s scientifically perfect (or at least, as perfect as a trip involving overnight buses, altitude adjustments, and mosquito spray can be).
Now go book that flight—Colombia is waiting! 🇨🇴✈️
Have you been to Colombia? Drop your favorite spots in the comments!
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