6 Days in Colombia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Discover Bogotá & Medellín 

Covering two of Colombia's major cities, this classic, six-day city trip takes you from Bogotá–the capital city–to Medellín–infamous for its past but boasting plenty of modern-day charm. Stroll historic monuments in Bogotá, along with the lively La Candelaria neighborhood, then fly to Medellín, known for its Plaza Botero statues and trendy El Poblado district.

Once you touch down in the capital city, there will be ample time to explore the sites on foot. Begin in the La Candelaria neighborhood, which is a mix of colonial-era landmarks, graffiti art, and trendy restaurants. Day two encompasses a guided tour that covers Plaza Bolivar, the city's main square, and the Capitolio Nacional, which is Colombia's congress building. Other stops to bookmark include the Gold Museum and the Botero Museum. Early risers can take advantage of the Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao, which is stocked with fresh, local produce.

Next, fly to Medellín, where a private driver will pick you up at the airport. Begin by exploring the El Poblado district, a trendy area where most of the tourists go. You can also make a stop at the lively Parque Lleras, though it is more well-known for its nightlife. Continue the journey up the Metrocable–the city's gondola system–and gain access to the best 360° views. Day four includes a guided walking tour with a mix of sightseeing on foot and riding the Metrocable. Highlights include the Plaza Botero and its famous Fernando Botero sculptures and the Botanical Garden, with more than 4,500 floral species.  

The final leg of the itinerary concludes with a day trip to Guatapé, which is settled in Colombia's Antioquia region. Embark on a private, guided walking tour through the village, complete with a history lesson about the town’s conflict surrounding Guatapé Lake and the current efforts to address pressing issues. Next on the agenda is El Peñol, a natural granite landmark encompassing 740 steps with a midway view of a Virgin Mary shrine. Once back in Guatapé, enjoy lunch and peruse local artwork before heading back to Medellín for a final hurrah before you depart home in the morning. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Island Hopping San Andrés and Providencia

Go on a Colombian island-hopping tour for six days on this beachy trip. Begin in San Andrés and experience Raizal culture, and then head to Providencia where you can hike, dive, and swim your way into the slow island life. The journey concludes back in San Andrés with a grand finale treat–a Caribbean sunset and a reggae show.

Upon arrival in San Andrés, check in to your hotel and begin exploring the shorefront. You can venture to the north part of the shore to hang among the locals or rent a golf cart or moped to take a tour of the 19-mile island. Head to the beach and take a swim in the crystal-clear waters before sundown. For dinner on your first night, taste the local creole food and go dancing to live music.

After breakfast on day two, you'll hop on a quick, 20-minute flight to Providencia. Find your hotel along Southwest Bay, which will be home for the next three nights. Take the afternoon to explore the beaches, lakes, wildlife, and vegetation. If you’re up for a hike, head to Fort Warwick, and if you arrive on Saturday afternoon, you can watch the horseback racing locals by the bay. For prime relaxation, visit the local beaches of Bahía Suroeste, Bahía Aguadulce, and Bahía Manzanillo. Then, sign up for a diving excursion within 10 minutes of the bay–a highlight is El Planchón, where you can explore a German shipwreck. For snorkelers, there is Parque Nacional Natural Old Providence & McBean Lagoon, which protects part of the third-largest barrier reef in the world.

Continue exploring Providencia on day four. Go for a swim to start the morning, and then hike to Pico Natural Regional Park with stunning Caribbean views. Then, pay a visit to the Casa Museo Isleña, a museum dedicated to the Raizal heritage that is prominent on the island. You’ll return to San Andrés at the end of the trip to take in one last sunset and some island music before flying out tomorrow. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Colombian Coffee & Colonial Towns - Bogotá & Zona Cafetera

From the capital city to the coffee fields, this six-day Colombian adventure takes you to two sides of the country–city life in Bogotá and farm life in Zona Cafetera. A day trip to the small town of Salento gives you a view of village life, along with the chance to hike the beautiful Cocora Valley dotted with iconic palm trees.

Once you arrive in Bogotá, a driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. Then, it’s time to explore Colombia’s biggest city on foot. Walk to La Candelaria, where you’ll find both trendy restaurants and colonial-style landmarks to visit. There’s also plenty of shopping, museums, and street food to enjoy. The next day includes a walking tour–this time with a guide–to popular areas like Plaza Bolivar, the Gold Museum, and the Botero Museum, which is famous for the work of renowned Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero.

Next, you’ll head to either Pereira or Armenia, two cities located in Zona Cafetera, the Colombian coffee region. Make your way to an organic coffee finca (farm) in the countryside, where you’ll learn everything there is to know about coffee production–and taste plenty of roasts. Continue learning about the crop and the region on your overnight stay.

A field trip to Cocora Valley is scheduled for day five, where you’ll hike among the distinctive wax palm trees in a cloud forest. After you take in the sweeping views, it will be time to head to the small town of Salento to tour the village. Expect old-world charm, street musicians, and local crafts–if you’re interested in doing some shopping. Head back to Zona Cafetera and visit the villages of Montenegro, Cordoba, and Circassia and their close-knit communities. Your guide will ensure you stop at notable viewpoints, as well as local fruit stands. Enjoy your last night out by the coffee fields. Take in the fresh air and enjoy a final tasting or two–you’ll head back to Bogotá, and then fly home in the morning. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Explore Bogotá and Cartagena

On this six-day Colombian vacation, you’ll explore the capital city of Bogotá, as well as the old port town of Cartagena. Both cities have plenty of historical landmarks to discover, along with trendy areas where you can shop, dine, and stroll on foot. A day trip to the Rosario Islands will show you the beachy side of Colombia, where you can kick back, relax, and boat around the sea.

When you land in Bogotá, your private driver will be waiting to take you directly to your hotel. Once you are settled, do some solo exploration on foot. Stroll the cobblestone in La Candelaria, grab some local street food, and take in the graffiti art. On day two, you’ll meet your guide for more town touring. Stop by the city’s biggest square, Plaza Bolivar, and stop at two museums–the Gold Museum of Pre-Columbian artifacts, and the Botero Museum, famous for the Colombian sculptor’s works.

Next, head to Cartagena, known as a colonial fortress city sitting on the Caribbean Sea. Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your hotel. Take a walk through Old Town and then visit the San Diego and Santo Domingo neighborhoods for a taste of the local culture. If you’d like, a trip to Getsemani will also show you another side of the area–a bohemian area dressed in street art, boutique hotels, and street food vendors.

On day four, take a guided walking tour of the town, and visit areas you did not have a chance to see yesterday. The afternoon invites you to a cooking class in Old Town, where you’ll learn how to cook local, Caribbean-infused cuisine. Following the course, enjoy the fruits of your labor at dinner. Then, it’s off to the Rosario Islands for a day trip to close out your Colombian tour. Take a speedboat to the Baru Peninsula, and head to Playa Azul, where you can enjoy a lunch buffet. Then, you can relax, swim, and boat around the sea, until its time to return to Cartagena for your final evening. In the morning, enjoy breakfast and any last sightseeing prior to catching your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Birding Tour of Coastal Colombia

Ornithophiles, this birding trip was designed just for you. The six-day itinerary covers the gamete of Colombia’s best outdoor birdwatching sites–the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, from Minca to the San Lorenzo Ridge, and all the way to the Caribbean Sea.

Upon arrival to the Santa Marta, you’ll make the trip to Minca, which is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Known for its growth of coffee, expect lower temperatures and Caribbean mountain scenery here. Your hotel is a treehouse bungalow in the jungle to set the tone for the trip. On day two, your expert birding guide will take you under his/her wing to begin the exploration through the native dry forest, as well as the middle-elevation premontane wet forest.

Exotic birds you may spot include the shining-green hummingbird, scarlet-fronted parakeet, black-chested jay, and the elusive royal flycatcher with its colorful headdress. Next, take the trip to El Dorado Nature Reserve for panoramic mountain views and watch birds congregate around the feeders around the property.

Next, you’ll focus on the endemic birds around Santa Marta. An early-morning start to San Lorenzo Ridge, which is an isolated, biodiverse mountain range, provides prime viewing. Here, you can expect to find the various hummingbirds, the Santa Marta bush-tyrant, white-lorded warbler, and more. You may also spot Andean mountain birds like hawks, condors, and raptors. This leg of the trip ends with a free day to explore more of the El Dorado Nature Reserve and surrounding areas, as well as a nighttime activity to scout the Santa Marta screech owl.

Indulge in a bit more birding in El Dorado before heading back to Minca (birding all the while). Stroll the colonial plazas and enjoy the evening to yourself. Indulge in the coastal cuisine on your final evening in Colombia. In the morning, enjoy breakfast and a leisurely walk along the sea. Take in the sights before it is time to leave for the airport for your departure. Learn more

More Great 6-Day Colombia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Colombia trip? Check out these other 6-day Colombia itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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