How many days do you need in Cartagena, Minca & Tayrona National Park?
- Most travelers spend 7-8 days in Cartagena, Minca, and Tayrona National Park combined
- Visiting Cartagena, Minca, and Tayrona National Park in 5 or 6 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 9 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Medellín and Santa Marta
How Many Days to Spend in Cartagena
Recommended Itineraries for Cartagena, Minca & Tayrona National Park
Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 3 | Tour of Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Minca, Coffee Farm & Village Tour | Minca |
| Day 5 | Sunrise Birdwatching Tour, Transfer to Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 6 | Rosario Islands Day Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 7 | Depart Cartagena |
This weeklong land and sea adventure covers all the highlights along Colombia's northern coast. You'll experience the culture and fairy-tale romance of Cartagena's Old Town, explore the beautiful Tayrona National Park, hike through mountainous jungles, go bird-watching, visit a coffee farm, and finish your trip with a relaxing trip to the Rosario Islands by private speedboat. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
10-Day Itinerary Including Medellín
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Medellín, Explore | Medellín |
| Day 2 | Medellín City Tour | Medellín |
| Day 3 | Guatapé Day-Trip | Medellín |
| Day 4 | Fly to Santa Marta, Transfer to Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 5 | Tour of Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 6 | Drive to Minca, Coffee Farm & Village Tour | Minca |
| Day 7 | Sunrise Birdwatching Tour, Transfer to Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 8 | Free Day, Salsa Dancing Lesson | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | La Boquilla Fishing Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 10 | Depart Cartagena |
This cultural yet outdoorsy Colombian adventure starts off in one of Latin America's most striking and up-and-coming cities, Medellín, which is safe for travelers after a turbulent past. Enjoy the constant spring-like weather while exploring vibrant neighborhoods by foot and gondola before flying north to the Caribbean coast. From Santa Marta, relax on the beaches and trails of Tayrona Park and then head for the cobblestoned streets of Cartagena's inner-walled city, oozing with Spanish colonial romance and history. Read more
11-Day Itinerary Including Santa Marta
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santa Marta | Santa Marta |
| Day 2 | Tour of Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 3 | Free Day Near Tayrona National Park | Tayrona National Park |
| Day 4 | Sailing Day Trip, Return to Santa Marta | Santa Marta |
| Day 5 | Drive to Minca, Coffee Farm & Village Tour | Minca |
| Day 6 | Sunrise Birdwatching Tour, Transfer to Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 7-8 | Free Day in Cartagena | Cartagena |
| Day 9 | Kayaking Around Barú Island | Cartagena |
| Day 10 | Rosario Islands Day Trip | Cartagena |
| Day 11 | Depart Cartagena |
On this 10-day itinerary, you'll start off in Santa Marta with two days of hiking around Tayrona Park. Make an overnight stop in Minca to visit a coffee farm before continuing on to Cartagena, where you'll explore the city's quaint narrow streets with historic palaces, churches, and mansions painted in pastel colors. Then speedboat to the Rosario Islands for swimming and snorkeling before finishing the trip with one more night in Cartagena's romantic Old Town. Read more
How to travel between Cartagena, Minca & Tayrona National Park
How to get to Tayrona National Park
Found in Northern Colombia, Tayrona National Park is most often accessed via nearby Santa Marta. From the entrance, you can catch the shuttle bus to venture farther into the park or walk to your accommodation. If you are headed from Riohacha or Palomino, you'll want to get a bus headed in the direction of Santa Marta and depart near the park entrance. Read more
How to get from Cartagena to Minca
The distance between colonial Cartagena and the coffee town of Minca is only 154 miles (247 km), so most travelers make the journey by car. Taking a private transfer is the most convenient option, and it will take about four hours. Read more
Map
