Colombia

From the cartel-run country of the ’90s, today Colombia is transformed. A nation of rebirth. A surprising destination where you can have it all. Mountains, Caribbean oceans, lovely cobblestoned towns, & modern metropolis. They even lay claim to some of the least explored corners of the Amazon Rainforest.

I could spend a decade in Colombia & still not see it all.

Colombia Travel Guide

Recommended Cities: Bogota, Cartagena, Medellín, Salento, Guatapé, Minca, Parque Tayrona, Leticia, Jardin, Cali.

Recommended Minimum Trip Length: 4 weeks minimum to see all cities listed above. 3 weeks without adding the Amazon Rainforest. But getting to know Colombia in 3-weeks would be a whirlwind. I recommend 1-2 months for this full itinerary.

One Bucketlist Item You Cannot Miss: The Amazon rainforest. If you can make it happen– do it. For the rest of the country, Tayrona National Park. It truly is as beautiful as they say.

Things to Consider Before You Go: Colombia is massive. Give yourself ample time if you plan to see it all. If you plan to visit the Amazon (Leticia) you will need your Yellow Fever Vaccine. You can get it for free at the Bogota Airport. Tayrona National Park is closed all of February for environmental reasons.

Expected Backpacker Budget

On a Shoestring: $35/day

Flashpacker: $50/day

Backpacker Luxury: $60/day

Keep in mind these are backpacker budgets. On a shoestring expect to be eating street food, sleeping in hostel beds, & skipping the more expensive tourist attractions. Backpacker Luxury opts for private rooms, eats mostly in restaurants, and splurges on activities. Flashpackers are the middle ground & often do a mixture of both.

Transport is one of the most expensive overall costs in Colombia. And in 2022, they raised their bus prices yet again. You’ll save significantly more money & cut down on the daily costs above if you can book flights within the country ahead of time. You can score prices from Bogota to Cartagena for as low as $13 sometimes.