How many days do you need in Bogotá, Medellín & Cartagena?
- Most travelers spend 8-10 days in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena combined
- Visiting Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena in 6-7 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 11 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Zona Cafetera and Tayrona National Park
How Many Days to Spend in Bogotá
How Many Days to Spend in Cartagena
How Many Days to Spend in Medellín
Recommended Itineraries for Bogotá, Medellín & Cartagena
Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Explore | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Bogotá City & Food Tour | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Fly to Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 4 | Day Trip to a Coffee Farm | Medellín |
| Day 5 | Guatapé Day Trip, Fly to Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 6 | Cartagena Guided Walking Tour | Cartagena |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to the Rosario Islands | Cartagena |
| Day 8 | Depart Cartagena |
On this eight-day excursion, you'll visit Bogotá, the largest city in Colombia and a melting pot of people from around the country. Then travel to Medellín and see with your own eyes how it's transformed from one of the most dangerous cities to a fascinating destination. Finish in Cartagena, the jewel of the Caribbean Sea, and go on a trip to the beautiful beaches and islands nearby. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Bogotá City & Food Tour | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral | Bogotá |
| Day 4 | Fly to Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to a Coffee Farm | Medellín |
| Day 6 | Guatapé Day Trip, Fly to Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 7 | Cartagena Guided Walking Tour | Cartagena |
| Day 8 | Day Trip to the Rosario Islands | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | Depart Cartagena |
Explore three of Colombia's most exciting cities on this 9-day adventure. Start in Bogotá, the sprawling cosmopolitan capital. Tour the colonial streets of the historic center, taste local cuisine, and visit museums. Then, transfer to Medellín to see street art and communal projects and learn about Colombian coffee culture. The adventure ends in tropical Cartagena, where you'll appreciate Spanish forts and architecture, enjoy fresh seafood, and swim in the Caribbean. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
10-Day Itinerary Including Zona Cafetera
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Explore | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Bogotá City Tour | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Zona Cafetera, Visit a Coffee Finca | Pereira |
| Day 4 | Hiking, Explore Salento | Pereira |
| Day 5 | Driving Tour of Zona Cafetera | Pereira |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 7 | Guatapé Day-Trip | Medellín |
| Day 8 | Fly to Cartagena, Explore | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | La Boquilla Fishing Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 10 | Depart Cartagena |
Check off three unforgettable cities on this whirlwind 10-day tour, starting with Bogotá's Spanish colonial sites and buzzing nightlife. You'll then fly to the heart of Colombia's Zona Cafetera (Coffee Region) for an overnight at a coffee farm, where you'll hike the green mountains of Cocora Valley, dotted with towering palm trees. From here, head to Medellín—a city with outdoor art and spring-like weather—before ending on the Caribbean coast, where you'll explore the romantic streets of Cartagena's Old Town. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Tayrona National Park
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Explore | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Bogotá City Tour | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Fly to Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 4 | Medellín City Tour | Medellín |
| Day 5 | Coffee Finca Day-Trip | Medellín |
| Day 6 | Fly to Santa Marta, Transfer to Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 7 | Tour of Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Cartagena, Explore | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | Rosario Islands Day Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 10 | Depart Cartagena |
Perfect for travelers who love urban energy and culture, this fast-paced itinerary highlights four awesome Colombian cities: Bogotá, Medellín, Santa Marta, and Cartagena—each with its own special qualities and vibes. Too much city? You'll visit a coffee farm in the Andes and hike through a rainforest for a dose of beach and the Caribbean Sea to round out this fun adventure. Read more
2-Week Itinerary Including Zona Cafetera & Tayrona National Park
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Explore | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Ajiaco Cooking Lesson in Bogotá | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Zona Cafetera, Coffee Finca | Pereira |
| Day 4 | Hiking, Explore Salento | Pereira |
| Day 5 | Driving Tour of Zona Cafetera | Pereira |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 7 | Medellín City Tour | Medellín |
| Day 8 | Guatapé Day-Trip | Medellín |
| Day 9 | Fly to Santa Marta, Transfer to Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 10 | Tour of Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 11 | Visit Tayrona National Park, Transfer to Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 12 | Free Day, Salsa Dancing Lesson | Cartagena |
| Day 13 | Rosario Islands Day Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 14 | Depart Cartagena |
From the buzzing nightlife of Bogotá to the up-and-coming neighborhoods of Medellín and the romance of Cartagena's Old Town, this well-rounded journey covers Colombia's best urban highlights and yet breaks it up with outdoorsy adventures along the way. Starting in the capital, the two-week adventure is ideal for travelers who want to experience culture and historic sights but who are also enticed by hiking in coffee fields, exploring a rainforest on the Caribbean Coast, and relaxing on white-sand beaches. Read more
How to travel between Bogotá, Medellín & Cartagena
How to get from Bogotá to Medellín
The distance between two of Colombia's largest cities, Bogotá and Medellín, is 260 miles (419 km). The easiest way to make the trip is to fly, which takes about an hour. Going by car is also an option—the route takes significantly longer (over 10 hours), but this is a great way to see the hilly, scenic countryside, and there are a few noteworthy stops you can make along the way. Private transfers are recommended over self-driving, though it can be an expensive option at this distance. Read more
How to get from Medellín to Cartagena
The distance between Medellín and Cartagena is 389 miles (636 km). The easiest way to make the trip is to fly, which takes about an hour. Buses run from Medellín to Cartagena numerous times every day and are an economical way to go; you can expect at least thirteen hours on the road. Private transfers are recommended over self-driving, though it can be an expensive option at this distance. Read more
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