Wikimedia CommonsColombia in 7 days
One week for a first trip: Medellín, the coffee landscape and the Caribbean, with two domestic flights that save you almost two days on the road.
Where you go, in order
- 1MedellínAntioquia
- 2Guatapé y El PeñolAntioquia
- 3Salento y Valle de CocoraQuindío
- 4Cartagena de IndiasBolívar
Good to know: If you arrive in Bogotá, swap days 1 and 2 for the capital and fly to Medellín on the third morning.
The trip, in order.
Use it as a base. Road times, flights and weather can change any day.
- DAY 1 – 201
Medellín
Comuna 13 with a local guide, the Metrocable to Santo Domingo and Botero Plaza.
- DAY 302
Guatapé
El Peñol Rock before 9 a.m., lunch in the town of painted zócalos and back to Medellín.
- DAY 4 – 503
Salento
Short flight to Pereira and bus to Salento. Cocora Valley at sunrise and a coffee farm tour.
- DAY 6 – 704
Cartagena
Flight to Cartagena, the walled city and Getsemaní at sunset; on the last day, the islands or San Felipe Castle before leaving.
How to move between stops
| From | To | How | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medellín | Guatapé | Bus from the North Terminal | 2 h |
| Medellín | Salento | Flight to Pereira + bus, or direct bus | 2.5 h / 6–7 h |
| Pereira or Armenia | Cartagena | Flight (sometimes with a connection) | 1.5–3 h |
December to March, July and August
The recommended season is a general guide. Before buying, check weather, closures, capacity limits and access conditions at each destination.
Destinations on this route.
Wikimedia CommonsMedellín
A mountain city with 22 °C weather year-round. Its urban transformation, with cable cars to the hillside…
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Jmanupo3008 / Wikimedia CommonsGuatapé y El Peñol
A 220-meter monolith with 740 steps and, next to it, the town with the most colorful facades in Colombia, on…
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Jacirbadillo / Wikimedia CommonsSalento y Valle de Cocora
The valley where the wax palm, Colombia's national tree, grows up to 60 meters tall. Heart of the Coffee…
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Cartagena, ColombiaCartagena de Indias
A 16th-century walled city on the Caribbean. It is the entry point for most travelers and the best-known…
Read the guide →Quick answers
How much does Colombia in 7 days cost?
As a guide, between $250.000 and $520.000 per person per day, which is $1.750.000 to $3.640.000 for the 7 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 March, July and August. If you arrive in Bogotá, swap days 1 and 2 for the capital and fly to Medellín on the third morning.
How do you get between the stops?
From Medellín to Guatapé: bus from the North Terminal, 2 h. From Medellín to Salento: flight to Pereira + bus, or direct bus, 2.5 h / 6–7 h. From Pereira or Armenia to Cartagena: flight (sometimes with a connection), 1.5–3 h.