28 days in Colombia Itinerary

Colombia's heart and soul, Bogota has earned the nickname "Athens of South America" thanks to its abundance of universities, libraries, and lower-level schools.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Bogota: Vivero Crisalide (in Chia) and Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira (in Zipaquira). And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at Gold Museum (Museo del Oro), browse for treasures at El Cuchitril Second Hand Shop, don't miss a visit to Monserrate, and explore the world behind art at Museo Botero del Banco de la Republica.

To find where to stay and other tourist information, refer to the Bogota trip itinerary planner.

Bucharest, Romania to Bogota is an approximately 19-hour flight. You'll gain 7 hours traveling from Bucharest to Bogota due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Bucharest in December, plan for much warmer days in Bogota, with highs around 22°C, while nights are a bit warmer with lows around 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to travel to Medellin.

Nestled between rising hills in a narrow valley, Medellin serves as an energetic melting pot of people from all socio-economic classes.

Medellin is known for parks, museums, and zoos & aquariums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get the lay of the land with Walking tours, stroll around Parque San Antonio, stop by Duna Store, and let little ones run wild at Parque Lleras.

To see photos, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Medellin vacation planner.

Fly from Bogota to Medellin in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In December, Medellin is somewhat warmer than Bogota - with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Mon) so you can go by car to Salento.

Founded in 1842, the town of Salento represents the oldest established settlement in Quindio.

On the 24th (Tue), explore the striking landscape of Bosques de Cocora and then appreciate the views at Valle del Cocora. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: push the limits with an extreme tour, thenidentify plant and animal life at Kasaguadua Natural Reserve, and then indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink.

To see maps, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Salento driving holiday planning site.

Traveling by car from Medellin to Salento takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in December, and nighttime lows around 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Cartagena.

The site of the continent's first Spanish colony, Cartagena retains much of its colonial flavor thanks to a World Heritage-listed old town, encircled by old walls and protected by imposing fortresses.

Take a break from Cartagena with a short trip to Playa Blanca in Isla Baru, about 1h 5 min away. And it doesn't end there: don't miss a visit to Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, admire the striking features of Las Bovedas, pause for some serene contemplation at Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver, and steep yourself in history at Walled City of Cartagena.

To find traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Cartagena online road trip planner.

Fly from Salento to Cartagena in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or drive. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Salento in December: high temperatures in Cartagena hover around 37°C and lows are around 28°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Santa Marta.

Many visitors begin their Santa Marta holiday, surrounded by urban clutter and heavy traffic, expecting little from the city in terms of historical importance.

Go for a jaunt from Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park to see Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona about 1h 10 min away. And it doesn't end there: see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, explore the world behind art at Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, make a trip to Parque de Los Novios, and stop by Yo Amo Santa Marta.

To see where to stay, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Santa Marta travel planner.

Getting from Cartagena to Santa Marta by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. In December in Santa Marta, expect temperatures between 39°C during the day and 28°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can drive to Palomino.

On the 3rd (Fri), enjoy the sand and surf at Playas de Palomino and then examine the collection at Taironaka Turismo Ecologico. On your second day here, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral Nuestra Senora de los Remedios and then make a trip to Camellon de Riohacha.

For where to stay, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Palomino online travel planner.

Drive from Santa Marta to Palomino in 2 hours. In January, daily temperatures in Palomino can reach 38°C, while at night they dip to 27°C. You will leave for Islas de Rosario on the 5th (Sun).

On the 6th (Mon), head outdoors with Bora Bora Cartagena Beach Club.

To find ratings, maps, and other tourist information, read our Islas de Rosario trip planning app.

Explore your travel options from Palomino to Islas de Rosario with the Route module. January in Islas de Rosario sees daily highs of 36°C and lows of 28°C at night. On the 7th (Tue), you'll travel to Barranquilla.

An industrial port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast, Barranquilla represents the fourth-most populous city in the country.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Wed): admire nature's wide array of creatures at Zoologico de Barranquilla, examine the collection at Museo del Caribe, and then take a leisurely stroll along Gran Malecon Puerta de Oro.

For more things to do, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Barranquilla vacation planner.

Take a bus from Islas de Rosario to Barranquilla in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus; or drive. In January, daytime highs in Barranquilla are 37°C, while nighttime lows are 28°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can go by car to Aracataca.

Aracataca is a municipality located in the Department of Magdalena, in Colombia's Caribbean Region. On the 9th (Thu), contemplate the waterfront views at Rio Aracataca, thenbrowse the exhibits of Casa del Telegrafista, thentake in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia San Jose, and finally examine the collection at Casa Museo Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

For more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Aracataca online travel route builder.

You can drive from Barranquilla to Aracataca in 2.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 39°C in January, and nighttime lows around 27°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) early enough to travel to Cienaga.

Ciénaga is a municipality and a town in the Magdalena Department, Colombia, the second largest population center in this department, after the city of Santa Marta. Kick off your visit on the 10th (Fri): don't miss a visit to Centro Historico de Cienaga and then make a trip to Plaza Centenario.

To find ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Cienaga online vacation planner.

Drive from Aracataca to Cienaga in 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 39°C in January, and nighttime lows around 27°C. On the 11th (Sat), you'll travel to Bogota.

To find other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Bogota online itinerary planner.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Cienaga to Bogota. In January, Bogota is colder than Cienaga - with highs of 23°C and lows of 7°C. You'll set off for home on the 11th (Sat).