If we only had 2 weeks: Colombia itinerary

I’ve been lucky enough that a location independent business meant that I could travel extra slow. If this is an option to you, I strongly recommend that you take your time; really getting to know and appreciate each country you’re in rather than try to cram as many passport stamps as you can into a few months. I would advise at least one month in each country in Latin America, perhaps with the exception of Belize, Panama and Paraguay, which have less going on.

However, that’s not always possible, as I’m often asked by people who only have a 2 week vacation from their jobs where I would prioritise going in the given time. So behold! Here is my 2 weeks in Colombia itinerary for anyone who is tight on time but still wants to soak up the best that this incredible country has to offer.

After this 2 weeks in Colombia itinerary, don’t miss out on these posts:

• Colombia’s 11 most epic hikes
• 29 breathtaking places to go in Colombia
• What’s the cost of life and travel in Colombia in 2021?

This itinerary is fairly tight, but quite a normal pace for short-term backpacking, and it’s very similar to several itineraries we came up with for various family members and friends that came out to visit us.

Don’t forget also to check out the Ultimate Colombia Bucketlist if you want to create your own route around the 29 top things to do in Colombia.

2 weeks in Colombia itinerary:

Here’s a quick run-down of my suggested 2 weeks in Colombia itinerary with recommended places to stay; below I’ll tell you more about what to do in each of these destinations.

What not to miss in your 2 weeks in Colombia itinerary

Days 1-2: Bogotá

• Kick off your 2 weeks in Colombia itinerary with the Bogotá walking tour or the graffiti tour from La Candelaria
• Take a tram to the top of Monserrate on the morning of a clear day or at sunset
• Play tejo in the evening at one of the clubs in Barrios Unidos (take a taxi there and back!)
• Get a chiva bus to Andrés Carne de Res in Chía on a Friday or Saturday night
• Stroll around Usaquén market on a Sunday or reserve a space at Click Clack Hotel brunch

See the full Bogotá guide here.

Days 3-5: Salento

• Climb to the mirador at the end of Carrera 4
• Play a game with the locals at the pool bar on Carrera 4
• The next day, get a willy jeep from the main plaza at 8am to hike the Cocora Valley to see the world’s tallest wax palm trees (here are the hike route options without getting lost!)
• Take a tour of a working Colombian coffee farm (see my review of the top Salento fincas)

See the full Salento guide here.

Days 6-9: Medellín

• Grab coffee or drinks in Parque Lleras (in El Poblado) – checking out the ballpit bar at El Octavo and Envy rooftop will be a highlight of your 2 weeks in Colombia!
• Take the Comuna 13 walking tour
• Then cable car ride to La Aurora station
• Dance the night away on Calle 70 (‘La Setenta’)
• On day 7 or 8, day-trip to the nearby town of Guatapé, where you can climb the steps of La Piedra to see the incredible Guatapé Lake

See the 25 top things to do in Medellín here.

Days 10-11 & 13: Cartagena

• The hottest part of your 2 weeks in Colombia itinerary! Spend the first day wandering the walled city and Getsemaní
• Eat at one of the best restaurants in Cartagena
• Head to Plaza de la Santísima Trinidad to watch the buskers during the evening
• Sip cocktails in one of Cartagena’s best rooftops & bars and check out a salsa bar on a weekend
• Souvenir shopping
• Explore the fort
• Sit on the city walls to watch a Colombian sunset

See the full guide to Cartagena here.

Day 12: Isla Barú

• Take the 40,000 COP (+16,000 tax) boat tour, do the snorkelling at the first stop; you’ll get to Barú at lunchtime (lunch included)
• Find a spot on the beach and wait for the day trip boats to leave!
• Relax in the bath-warm turquoise sea as the sun comes down
• Wake up in paradise, spend the morning chilling before heading back to Cartagena at around midday

See the full guide to Isla Baru here.

Got more than 2 weeks in Colombia?

If you have a couple of days more than this 2 weeks in Colombia, I would suggest getting a minibus from Cartagena up to Santa Marta, and then either staying in the small town of El Zaino or waking up super early the next day to get from Santa Marta to the entrance of Parque Tayrona for 8am. After an easy, flat hike through the forest, you’ll come to some of Colombia’s most beautiful beaches.

Santa Marta itself is also a pretty fun place to be; Masaya Hostel is famed amongst backpackers and locals for its Sunday rooftop pool parties.

If you have more than say 4 days to tack onto this 2 weeks in Colombia itinerary, consider adding another destination like Cali, the hot-hot city of salsa, or Villa de Leyva, a charming colonial town a few hours’ bus away from Bogotá.

Don’t wanna go it alone?

If you want to see all the best during your 2 weeks in Colombia but don’t feel comfortable doing it alone, G Adventures offers a Colombia itinerary that is very similar to this (so it must be good!).

Not convinced on 2 weeks in Colombia?

If 2 weeks in Colombia doesn’t sound like it’s for you and you’re back to the drawing board on where in Latin America to spend your 14-day holiday, you might also want to check some of these itineraries out:

• • 2 weeks: Peru itinerary
  • 2 weeks: Ecuador itinerary
  • 2 weeks: North Brazil itinerary
  • 2 weeks: South Brazil itinerary
  • 2 weeks: Uruguay itinerary
  • 2 weeks: Belize itinerary
  • 2 weeks: Guatemala itinerary
  • 2 weeks: Nicaragua itinerary
  • Which country to visit in Latin America?

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Last Updated on 5 April 2021 by Cuppa to Copa Travels