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 Bogota's surroundings by going to Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira (in Zipaquira) and Vivero Crisalide (in Chia). And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at Gold Museum (Museo del Oro), contemplate the long history of Bolivar plaza, take in the awesome beauty at Monserrate, and catch some excitement at Whee Institute.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Bogota road trip app .

Bucharest, Romania to Bogota is an approximately 19.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Bucharest to Bogota is minus 7 hours. When traveling from Bucharest in December, plan for warmer days and a bit warmer nights in Bogota: temperatures range from 22°C by day to 9°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) to allow enough time 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, zoos & aquariums, historic sites, and wildlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get the lay of the land with Walking tours, glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour, contemplate the waterfront views at Laguna de Guatape, and make a trip to Plaza Botero.

To see maps, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Medellin trip itinerary planning website .

Fly from Bogota to Medellin in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and shuttle; or drive. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Bogota in December; daily highs in Medellin reach 32°C and lows reach 20°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Mon) so you can travel to Salento.

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

Start off your visit on the 24th (Tue): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Bosques de Cocora and then appreciate the views at Valle del Cocora. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, look for all kinds of wild species at Kasaguadua Natural Reserve, and then savor a delicious cup with a coffee and tea tour.

For where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Salento vacation planner .

You can do a combination of flight and bus from Medellin to Salento in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In December, daytime highs in Salento are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Thu) to allow time for 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.

Step out of Cartagena to go to Isla Baru and see Playa Blanca, which is approximately 1h 05 min away. The adventure continues: step into the grandiose world of Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, make a trip to Torre del Reloj, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa, and pause for some serene contemplation at Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver.

For photos, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Cartagena day trip planner.

You can do a combination of bus and flight from Salento to Cartagena in 8.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi and bus; or drive. Traveling from Salento in December, expect Cartagena to be a bit warmer, temps between 37°C and 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) early enough to drive 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.

Santa Marta is known for nature, beaches, wildlife, historic sites, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, kick back and relax at Cristal Beach, explore the world behind art at Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, and see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

To find maps, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Santa Marta trip itinerary maker website .

Traveling by car from Aracataca to Santa Marta takes 1.5 hours. In December in Santa Marta, expect temperatures between 39°C during the day and 28°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) early enough to travel to Islas de Rosario.

On the 3rd (Fri), kick back and relax at Playas de Palomino and then see the interesting displays at Taironaka Turismo Ecologico. On the 4th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral Nuestra Senora de los Remedios and then don't miss a visit to Camellon de Riohacha.

For where to stay, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Palomino online trip planner .

You can drive from Santa Marta to Palomino in 2 hours. In January, daytime highs in Palomino are 38°C, while nighttime lows are 27°C. You'll set off for Islas de Rosario on the 5th (Sun).

Start off your visit on the 6th (Mon): get outside with Bora Bora Cartagena Beach Club.

To see reviews, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Islas de Rosario trip itinerary planning site .

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Palomino to Islas de Rosario. January in Islas de Rosario sees daily highs of 36°C and lows of 28°C at night. You'll set off for Barranquilla on the 7th (Tue).

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

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Wed): admire nature's wide array of creatures at Zoologico de Barranquilla, see the interesting displays at Museo del Caribe, and then take in the waterfront at Gran Malecon Puerta de Oro.

For more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Barranquilla trip website .

Explore your travel options from Islas de Rosario to Barranquilla with the Route module. In January in Barranquilla, expect temperatures between 37°C during the day and 28°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can travel 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, then see the interesting displays at Casa del Telegrafista, then pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia San Jose, and finally examine the collection at Casa Museo Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

To find photos, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Aracataca travel planner.

Traveling by car from Barranquilla to Aracataca takes 3 hours. In January, daily temperatures in Aracataca can reach 39°C, while at night they dip to 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. Start off your visit on the 10th (Fri): make a trip to Centro Historico de Cienaga and then make a trip to Plaza Centenario.

To find more things to do, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, read our Cienaga tour itinerary planner .

Traveling by car from Aracataca to Cienaga takes 1.5 hours. January in Cienaga sees daily highs of 39°C and lows of 27°C at night. You'll set off for Bogota on the 11th (Sat).

To find where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, use the Bogota online travel route builder .

You can do a combination of bus and flight from Cali to Bogota in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or drive. Traveling from Cali in January, expect nights in Bogota to be cooler, around 7°C, while days are slightly colder, around 23°C. You'll set off for home on the 10th (Fri).