Cartagena, ColombiaCaribbean essentials
The route almost every first-time visitor takes, in the order that wastes the least time.
Where you go, in order
- 1Cartagena de IndiasBolívar
- 2Santa Marta y MincaMagdalena
- 3Parque TayronaMagdalena
- 4PalominoLa Guajira
Good to know: Tayrona National Park closes February 1–15, June 1–15 and October 19–November 2. Check the official status before booking.
The trip, in order.
Use it as a base. Road times, flights and weather can change any day.
- DAY 1 – 301
Cartagena
The walled city, Getsemaní and a day on the Rosario Islands.
- DAY 402
Transfer to Santa Marta
A 4-hour bus along the Caribbean highway.
- DAY 5 – 603
Minca
Waterfalls, a coffee farm and a night in the mountains to escape the heat.
- DAY 7 – 804
Tayrona National Park
Enter through El Zaino and spend the night at Cabo San Juan.
- DAY 905
Palomino
Tubing down the river and one last beach.
- DAY 1006
Return
Departure flight from Santa Marta or Barranquilla.
How to move between stops
| From | To | How | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartagena | Santa Marta | Bus or door-to-door van | 4–5 h |
| Santa Marta | Minca | Shared taxi or moto-taxi | 45 min |
| Minca | Tayrona Park (El Zaino) | Bus via Santa Marta | 1.5–2 h |
| Tayrona | Palomino | Bus along the Caribbean highway | 1 h |
| Palomino | Santa Marta airport | Bus | 2 h |
December to April
The recommended season is a general guide. Before buying, check weather, closures, capacity limits and access conditions at each destination.
Destinations on this route.
Cartagena, ColombiaCartagena de Indias
A 16th-century walled city on the Caribbean. It is the entry point for most travelers and the best-known…
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Wikimedia CommonsSanta Marta y Minca
Colombia's oldest city and, half an hour uphill, Minca: mountains, waterfalls and coffee farms at 600 meters…
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Giulian Frisoni / Wikimedia CommonsParque Tayrona
Jungle that drops straight onto white-sand and rock beaches. You explore it on foot, with no cars or big…
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Jonathan DalrymplePalomino
A one-street town where a river comes down from the Sierra Nevada into the sea. Floating down the river on an…
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How much does Caribbean essentials cost?
As a guide, between $280.000 and $520.000 per person per day, which is $2.800.000 to $5.200.000 for the 10 days, excluding international flights. Lodging and the number of domestic flights make the biggest difference.
What is the best time for this route?
December to April. Tayrona National Park closes February 1–15, June 1–15 and October 19–November 2. Check the official status before booking.
How do you get between the stops?
From Cartagena to Santa Marta: bus or door-to-door van, 4–5 h. From Santa Marta to Minca: shared taxi or moto-taxi, 45 min. From Minca to Tayrona Park (El Zaino): bus via Santa Marta, 1.5–2 h. From Tayrona to Palomino: bus along the Caribbean highway, 1 h. From Palomino to Santa Marta airport: bus, 2 h.