Hi everyone, it’s been a while since I last posted!

First time in South America for me, my wife, and our 7-year-old son. I’ve put together this itinerary and would love to hear your thoughts:

Bogotá 28/07 – 30/07: Arrival. Which neighborhood and outings would you recommend? Flight to

2 Filandia 30/07 – 03/08: (255 €). Waterfalls and horseback riding, Cocora Valley, Hiking, Nearby villages. Flight to 3 Tayrona 03/08 – 07/08: Hotel La Casablanca

Hike with Tierra Nevada and the Kogui village (any feedback?). Return by inner tube for the little one. Short night hike. Second hike to La Piscina, etc., return by 🐎.

4 Cartagena 07/08 – 10/08: Air-conditioned bus. Staying in Getsemaní? Mangroves & the Castle, exploring the city.

5 Bogotá 10/08 – 12/08

Feel free to share your feedback! Have a great day!

Seb

Bonsoir,

Bientôt sur les routes colombiennes, j'envisage d'aller quelques jours dans le Guajira, à Puntas Gallinas etc. J'ai lu qu'il était compliqué d'y aller par ses propres moyens et qu'il fallait passer par une agence à Riohacha.

Quelqu'un peut il me faire un retour d'expérience ? Avez-vous des agences à recommander ? J'imagine qu'elles font toutes le même tour dans tous les cas ...

Aussi faut-il absolument réserver son tour à l'avance ou est-ce que je peux simplement me pointer à Riohacha la veille et trouver une place dans un tour qui part le lendemain ? (je voyage seule).

D'autres conseils ?

Merci !!

Bonjour à tous,

Voilà je suis entrain d'organiser notre voyage de 12 jours en Colombie pour janvier 2020 La Colombie est un grand pays 😉 et nous ne voulons pas courir mais profiter visites et plages mes questions seraient de savoir quelles seraient vos choix pour 12 jours Nous arriverons à Bogota et en regardant sur le net nous irions plutôt côté Caraïbes , Combien de temps faut il passer à Bogota ? A priori Cartagena est à faire absolument ( x jours ? ) , y a t il de belles plages et des choses à faire aux alentours? Faut il faire Le parc national Tayrona ? si oui pouvons nous trouver un logement ou faut il dormir à Santa Marta ? le trajet est long de Cartagena En résumé beaucoup de questions 😊 Je vous remercie d'avance pour votre aide, idées , trajets etc ... Sylvain

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a 16-night solo trip to Colombia (July 27 → August 13, 2026) and would love feedback from those who’ve been before I book everything. I’ve mapped out the day-by-day schedule so you can point out anything that doesn’t add up.

My profile: 36 years old, lucky enough to have traveled quite a bit already. I’m looking for a balance of discovery and chill time, fun evenings to meet people, nature, and a little scuba diving (tank). Departing from Bordeaux.

— THE ITINERARY —

* D1 (07/27) – Arrival in Bogotá at 1:40 PM, domestic flight to the coffee region right after, arriving in Salento in the evening

* D2 (07/28) – Salento: Cocora Valley (big loop), coffee farm, horseback ride...

* D3 (07/29) – Salento: Carbonera Valley (seems less touristy than Cocora) or Filandia, village

* D4 (07/30) – Flight Pereira→Medellín. Settle in El Poblado, evening out

* D5 (07/31) – Medellín: Day trip to Guatapé (Peñol Rock + village + lake)

* D6 (08/01) – Medellín: Guided tour of Comuna 3, metro cable...

* D7 (08/02) – Medellín: Botanical Garden, Botero Plaza, Memory Museum. Last night out

* D8 (08/03) – Flight Medellín→Santa Marta, drive to Finca La Selvita (Sierra Nevada, km 52). Eco-lodge, natural pools

* D9 (08/04) – Finca La Selvita: Cocoa experience, jungle, chill

* D10 (08/05) – Shuttle Santa Marta→Cartagena. Getsemaní, old town, city walls

* D11 (08/06) – Cartagena: Rosario Islands excursion (snorkeling, beach)

* D12 (08/07) – Cartagena: Castillo San Felipe, Getsemaní, food scene

* D13 (08/08) – Boat to Isla Múcura (San Bernardo archipelago). Settle in, snorkeling

* D14 (08/09) – Isla Múcura: Diving in the morning, archipelago tour (Tintipán + Santa Cruz del Islote), bioluminescent plankton in the evening

* D15 (08/10) – Isla Múcura: Second dive, relaxation

* D16 (08/11) – Return boat, buffer night in Cartagena before the flight

* D17 (08/12) – Chill morning in Cartagena, then flight Cartagena→Bogotá and Bogotá→Europe in the evening

— MY QUESTIONS —

1. Does the logistics seem realistic, or are there any routes I’m underestimating? (Especially Salento→Pereira→Medellín and Santa Marta→Cartagena)

2. Isla Múcura for a solo traveler looking for calm + diving: good choice, or would another island in the archipelago be better (Tintipán, Rincón del Mar)?

3. I preferred Finca La Selvita over Tayrona (less tiring, more original): am I missing out on Tayrona for no good reason?

4. Four nights in Medellín—too much or justified with the Guatapé day trip?

5. Any must-see I’ve overlooked?

Thanks in advance—your feedback will help a ton! 😊 François

I visited Colombia in January 2016 and I’m heading back from August 6th to 17th with the same airline to see how things have changed. Starting August 18th, I’ll continue with independent exploration. I prefer slow travel and enjoying places at my own pace. Any tips—especially for getting around or must-see spots—are welcome!

Thu Aug 06. Fly Montreal to Bogotá 20:55-04:05+1 Air Canada Fri Aug 07. Bogotá Sat Aug 08. Bogotá Sun Aug 09. Bogotá Mon Aug 10. Fly Bogotá to Medellín Tue Aug 11. Medellín - Explore Guatapé Wed Aug 12. Comuna 8 & Hill of Values - PM Fly to Pereira Thu Aug 13. Montenegro Fri Aug 14. Salento - Cocora Valley Sat Aug 15. Fly to Cartagena Sun Aug 16. Explore Cartagena Mon Aug 17. Explore Cartagena Tue Aug 18. Fly Cartagena to Cali 12:20-14:55 Latam Wed Aug 19. Cali Thu Aug 20. Cali Fri Aug 21. Cali Sat Aug 22. Bus Cali to Popayán 09:00-13:00 Sun Aug 23. Popayán Mon Aug 24. Popayán Tue Aug 25. Popayán - Day trip to Silvia (Market Day) Wed Aug 26. Overland Popayán to Tierradentro by public transportation 4h, 100km Thu Aug 27. Tierradentro Fri Aug 28. Tierradentro Sat Aug 29. Overland Tierradentro to Garzón via La Plata Sun Aug 30. Bus Garzón to San Agustín 10:30-13:00 Mon Aug 31. San Agustín Tue Sep 01. San Agustín Wed Sep 02. San Agustín Thu Sep 03. San Agustín Fri Sep 04. Overland San Agustín to Tatacoa Desert via Neiva Sat Sep 05. Tatacoa Desert Sun Sep 06. Fly to Bogotá via Neiva 16:00-17:00 Latam Mon Sep 07. Bogotá Tue Sep 08. Fly Bogotá to Montreal 09:00-16:30 Air Canada

A wonderful journey through Colombia

Our 3-week itinerary: Bogotá, the Coffee Region, Medellín, then heading north to finish in Cartagena de Indias and the Caribbean coast.

A rich history from the Pre-Columbian era and, of course, from the 1980s onward, with drug cartels and guerrilla movements.

Today, the country is peaceful and developing.

Agriculture is thriving, and there are abundant underground resources…

Colombians are incredibly welcoming and always smiling, despite a low minimum wage.

We had some amazing encounters.

We organized this trip with a local agency, specifically with Cinderella, who was very attentive to our wishes. Thanks so much, Cinderella!

Don’t hesitate to visit this beautiful country

Hi everyone, Back on the forum after a long absence.

For those who’ve had their large suitcases shrink-wrapped at Bogota Airport: - Is it useful and secure? - If so, do you know the cost per trolley bag (122 L)? - After checking in luggage, if customs or others want to inspect it, what happens?

We’ve been waiting to hear stories on this confusing topic!

Thanks for your feedback. Best, Rapp

Hi everyone! So happy to be back on this forum—it’s packed with such useful info! 🙂 My husband and I are planning a 2.5-week self-drive trip to Colombia at the end of the year, including some domestic flights. My first question is: is it possible, easy, and safe to do a road trip in Colombia?

Below is our draft itinerary (with questions at each stop):

29/11: France → Colombia. Overnight in Bogotá. 30/11: Exploring Bogotá: La Candelaria and Montserrate. 01/12: Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). Drive to Zipaquirá (1.5 hrs) to visit the Salt Cathedral. Then drive to Villa de Leyva (3 hrs). Explore the town. Overnight in Villa de Leyva. 02/12: Return to Bogotá via Laguna de Guatavita (5 hrs). Is it worth the detour? Overnight in Bogotá. 03/12: Flight to Pereira. Drive to Salento. Overnight in Salento. 04/12: Cocora Valley (hike among the wax palms) followed by a drive around the area. Are there any waterfalls or other sights nearby? 05/12: Visit a coffee finca—any recommendations? Then explore the surroundings: Filandia, Manizales, waterfalls? Hot springs? Which ones? 06/12: Flight to Medellín. 07/12: Exploring Medellín: Centro, Plaza Botero, Comuna 13. How do you visit Comuna 13? Is it easy to get around Medellín? Metro? Buses? 08/12: Drive to Guatapé (2 hrs). Visit the town, stroll around the lake, then El Peñol. Overnight in Guatapé. 09/12: Return to Medellín. 10/12: Flight to Santa Marta. Drive to a hotel near Tayrona Park. 11/12: Tayrona—El Zaino entrance. 12/12: Tayrona—Palangana entrance, then Bahia Concha and Santa Marta. What do you think? 13/12: Drive to Minca (45 mins). Can we reach the village by car? Pozo Azul and Marinka waterfalls. Overnight in Minca (or back in Tayrona?). 14/12: Drive to Puerto Nao (5 hrs). Stop in Ciénaga on the way + boat tour in Nueva Venecia and/or Buena Vista? Not enough time? Overnight in Puerto Nao. 15/12: Exploring Cartagena: Centro, Getsemaní, the walls + La Boquilla if we have time. 16/12: La Boquilla (is it really worth it?) if we didn’t have time yesterday, then back to the beach. 17/12: Return to France.

So, what do you think? Is this doable, or should we tweak it? Thanks in advance for your invaluable feedback and tips! 🙂

Hi there, Do you have any recommendations for comfortable accommodation in Leyva and Barichara? We're also looking for a guide to explore the areas around these two towns (parks, waterfalls, etc.). Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone, here’s a little trip report from San José del Guaviare, in the Guaviare department of Colombia.

First, the journey: an overnight bus from Bogotá. The bus terminal is a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport (30,000 COP). The bus company that goes down to San José is Flota Macarena, located in sector 2 of the terminal. The bus terminal is big, with plenty of places to eat and lots of little shops. The bus seats are pretty small but manageable—comfortable enough. We left at 10:30 PM and arrived around 7:00 AM the next morning.

First thing to note: the center of San José, right by the river, is really dirty, noisy, and not very pleasant. We stayed at Hotel Malecon, by the river, where the Malecon promenade is supposed to be the nice spot to walk along the river. Well, no—it’s completely abandoned, with trash everywhere. The hotel itself is in what we nicknamed the "scrap metal district," since that’s pretty much all you see—scrap yards and garages. Not exactly pleasant and kind of sketchy at first glance. A room with AC and a balcony at Hotel Malecon costs 120,000 COP per night. For one night, it was fine since we hadn’t booked anything in advance. After that, we moved to an Airbnb in the neighborhood with the soccer stadium—a really nice and quiet area. The little tip here is that there’s a pool behind the stadium—8,000 COP to swim, and there’s a bar right across the street. Honestly, it’s great to have a place to cool off because it was *really* hot in San José.

Now, let’s talk about the main attraction here: the natural sites. We visited Puerta de Orión (free entry, but the guide—mandatory—costs 10,000 COP per person), the natural pools (15,000 COP entry), Balneario La Lindosa (5,000 COP to swim), and Las Delicias waterfall (10,000 COP)—that last one was our favorite. The sites are really cool, and I’d definitely recommend visiting them. It’s pure nature out there.

For accommodations, a lot of places are located outside San José, near the tourist sites. At first, we wanted to stay out there, but without a car, it’s a real hassle. So if you’re not driving, stick to San José.

Getting to all these sites by taxi costs around 30,000 COP one way, except for Las Delicias waterfall, which is farther away—70,000 COP one way. Taxis within the urban area of San José cost 6,000 COP. The bus from San José to Villavicencio with Flota Macarena costs 78,000 COP and takes between 5 and 6 hours.

To wrap up, our 5 days in San José were really great. We were pleasantly surprised by how friendly the people there are—it really stands out.

So if you’re looking for a spot that’s still off the mass-tourism radar, come here! It’s nice, and there are plenty of other sites we didn’t get to see.

Hi there, I’m looking for an easy way to get to Mompox from Barichara. 🙂

Hello, We’re a retired couple planning a trip to Colombia in January 2026. We’ve been reading the current travel advisories for the country, and they’re quite alarming. Do you have any recommendations for trustworthy local tour agencies we could contact to help organize visits to safe areas? Thanks so much.

Hi everyone, I just got back from a trip to Colombia and wanted to share my experience with you—maybe it’ll help some of you out. I met a French guy living in Bogota who offers airport transfer services, so you can arrive with total peace of mind and confidence. He’s really friendly, punctual, and can even drive you around for your sightseeing trips in Bogota. He’s just starting out, and I promised I’d mention him, so here it is! Have a great day.

Hi there, I’m reposting this because the two replies to my question were really nice, but one was from someone who traveled to Colombia five years ago, and the other from someone who’s never been. Plus, my question got buried in a completely off-topic discussion. To clarify, I’d love **RECENT** info on safety in Colombia right now. So, here it is again.

I’m planning a trip to Colombia this summer. I’ve read a lot about safety there—everything and its opposite. You, Colombia experts, after your recent return from Colombia, would you say it’s a country where you can travel safely today? We don’t plan to visit narco or paramilitary zones. What about the current political situation? We’re traveling as a couple, without a tour. Thanks for your replies.

Hey there!

I only found two really old discussions on this topic, and the links are dead, so here’s a new thread.

I’m getting back from Bahía Solano this Saturday and haven’t planned anything from the 25th (I’ll be in Medellín). I’m traveling with my 9-year-old son… and I figure, if we’re gonna get caught in the rain here, we might as well do it somewhere nice… I’m thinking about spending a week or so in the archipelago, but I can’t really tell what the weather’s like this time of year—is it just a few showers here and there, with life going on as usual, and we can still swim, snorkel between rain, read quietly… or is it really non-stop downpours?

Any cool alternatives you’d recommend?

Hi everyone! I’m heading to Colombia in January 2026 and have a few questions. In Salento, which is better to do—Cocora Valley or Carbonera Valley? After that, I want to fly from Medellín to Rincón del Mar. Is there an airport in Tolú? I can’t find any info. Thanks in advance, and *buen viajé* to all! Kristian

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Colombia this summer. I’ve been reading a lot about safety in Colombia—everything and its opposite. For those of you who know Colombia, currently, would you say it’s a country where you can travel safely? I don’t plan on going to narco or paramilitary zones. What about the political situation? I’m traveling as a couple, without any tour organization. I just signed up and I’m still figuring out how this forum works—I didn’t know where to look for answers. Thanks.

Hi everyone, I know arachnophobes will get why I’m asking this: is it reasonable to hope to travel for a month in this country without running into a tarantula? And a follow-up question—since I’m traveling with a friend who’s terrified of seeing a snake—do you often come across reptiles? Thanks in advance for your answers!

Hi there, We’re planning a month-long (or longer) trip to Colombia next February. We’re thinking of getting around by bus or taxi. For part of the trip, we’ve decided to start in Bogotá, then head to Villa de Leyva, then Barichara and the Chicamocha Canyon, and finally arrive in Bucaramanga to catch a flight to Medellín. If bus routes aren’t available, is it easy to find taxis in the villages or at hotels? Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone, I’d love to explore Colombia next winter and, of course, I’m really keen to discover the country’s natural wonders. However, I know that despite impressive progress, there are still security issues in Colombia, and that remote mountainous forest areas were once favored by guerrillas and drug traffickers as hideouts. I assume things are different now. I’m well aware that big cities like Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena require extra vigilance, but that seems pretty normal in itself.

But I’d like to know if it’s possible—and safe enough—to rent a car and explore the national parks and nature reserves on my own, without a guide (such as Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza, Parque Nacional Natural Páramo de Iguaque, Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de los Yariguíes, Pico Cristóbal Colón, etc.).

Of course, I’m also aware of the dangerous wildlife (pumas, jaguars, snakes, spiders, crocs, etc.), but that’s another story.

Thanks for your replies! :-)

Hi everyone, we’re planning to spend 2 months in Colombia (February–March), and the current events have us wondering about safety. Do you have any updates, or have you just come back that might reassure us? Thanks!

Hi, I read on a blog that for long overnight trips, there’s a "cama" category and even "cama VIP". I’m planning a Santa Marta/Bucaramanga route, but I can’t find this option on the bus company websites. Has anyone already done this route, and under what conditions? Thanks for your feedback!

Hi there, I just wanted to warn those who want to reach the beaches of Tayrona Park by lancha. If you're not a fan of thrills or prone to seasickness, opt for the car instead. We did this 40-minute lancha trip to Playa Cristal, with rough seas and huge waves that nearly capsized the boat several times. And we arrived at Playa Cristal completely soaked—though that wasn’t too bad, really...

Anyway, the beaches and the park are amazing.

Hi, I’d love to spend a night in the park to enjoy it without rushing, but I’m shocked by the prices and the poor quality of the accommodations I’ve found on Booking. Are there any other more reasonable options on-site (aside from tents and hammocks, which aren’t for us...)? Also, is it risky not to book ahead for a trip in March? Thanks for your feedback!

Hi there, we’re heading to Colombia from mid-January to mid-February 2025 and we’d love to visit the Tierradentro and San Agustín sites in February. We’ve heard these sites are closed on Tuesdays during the low season—but when exactly *is* the low season? We need to plan our bus routes. Thanks in advance! Anne

Bonjour, Vous qui avez visité beaucoup de pays. Pourriez-vous m'aider à choisir ma prochaine destination SVP ? Je voyage avec mon mari (la soixantaine tous les 2) sacs non pas à dos mais à roulettes, hotels à budget moyen. J'organise tout moi même. Nous partons 3 mois de Noel à mi mars chaque année. Nous avons fait toute l'Asie du sud est, que nous avons beaucoup aimé. En Amérique nous avons fait et aimé : le Nicaragua, l'Equateur avec la Galapagos, Cuba et le Yucatan au Mexique. A force, nous ne savons plus où aller, sachant que nous souhaitons du soleil et un peu de plage ou des îles au moins de temps en temps dans le voyage. Cette hiver, nous avons tenté l'Inde du sud et les Andamans, mais cela ne restera pas notre voyage préféré. L'hiver prochain, je tenterais bien la Colombie. Qu'en pensez-vous ? L'Argentine est aussi faisable à cette époque au point de vue climat. Quels pays me conseilleriez vous ? La Bolivie aussi a l'air chouet. Merci de vos suggestions averties !

Bonjour à tous,

J'ai une question pour un futur voyage....Au vue de la situation actuelle ce n'est pas pour tout de suite mais ça me laisse du temps pour préparer.

Voici une partie de mon étape mais je n'arrive pas à savoir (mis à part les distances) combien de temps rester dans chaque endroit.

Tous les conseils sont les bienvenus.

merci

Une pensée pour tous ceux et celles qui ont eu leurs vacances gâchée par cette épidémie. Quelques nouvelles de Colombie afin de ne rien regretter. Ici la maladie en est à ses débuts mais grâce au sens aigu du "buz" les journalistes ont réussi à paniquer toute la population. Les supermarchés sont pris d'assaut on observe même des scènes de pillage, la peur de manquer! Les maires de dizaines de villes ont interdit l'accès à ceux qui n'y habite pas ou n'y sont pas nés. Les administrations sont fermées et la semaine sainte approche. Tout se paralyse, ajouter à cela le fameux "pico y placa" qui maintenant est suivant le dernier chiffre de l'immatriculation, pour 1 jour entier tous les deux jours, mêmes les Week-end. Le président Duque à décrété l'état d'urgence, dès vendredi, les anciens auront interdiction de sortir et très certainement l'armée sera dans les rues, ce qui rappellera à certains de bien sombres journées. Ne regrettez-rien, la Colombie est et sera toujours aussi belle elle saura attendre ses visiteurs

Plus aucun etranger ne peut entrer ni en Colombie ni en Équateur, sauf les résidents. Ceci s'applique aussi aux frontières terrestres et maritimes.

Bonjour à tous, sauriez-vous s'il est aisé de se procurer une puce téléphonique en Colombie. Histoire d'avoir une connexion internet pendant un mois. Est-ce qu'on en propose à l'aéroport et quel budget prévoir. Auriez-vous des recommandations?

Excellente journée à tous! 😊