Our Love Affair with Colombia’s Caribbean Coast

This post may contain affiliate links. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. I don’t endorse any services I don’t personally use or recommend.

Colombia often evokes thoughts of rainy mountain cities and vast jungles. But no trip to Colombia would be complete without experiencing the Colombian coast. The Colombian Caribbean.

Cartagena; known as the jewel of the Caribbean to Colombians. Heavily on the touristed track but not without its charms. Santa Marta, Minca, Palomino, Tayrona National Park, and La Guajira desert. That’s not to mention any of the breathtaking islands just off the Colombian coast.

Once you dive in, you’ll find it difficult to spend less than a few weeks exploring the warmer side of Colombia.

Cartagena

---

Cartagena is the soul of Colombia. A city so beautiful + full of life other Colombians often vacation here.

---

A warm, vibrant city of yellows. It can’t be missed. Most travelers flock to the Walled City. A piece of Colombian history preserved as a UNESCO world heritage site. The crumbling walls contain much of the tourist infrastructure for the city. Entertainers walk the cobblestone streets, churches from 200-years ago stand with doors wide open, palenquera’s pose for iconic photos with tourists.

Your Travel Guide to Cartagena

Logistics

• Cartagena is a great place to start your tour of the Colombian coast. The international airport has cheap flights to and from the United States.
• Taxi’s within the city are very cheap and the easiest way to cover the few distances that are un-walkable.

Activities Inside the Wall

• Wander Plaza Bolivar. And the massive churches.
• Check out the old-school outdoor market. Sweets + other traditional snacks waiting just inside the walls.
• Climb atop Las Murallas. The walls are accessible at many points + it’s a great vantage point of the city.
• Photograph the Crayola-colored streets. This part of Cartagena is best compared to Havana, Cuba. You can easily spend the better part of a day window-shopping the town.

The Walled City is a historical goldmine. But it is not a very good representation of modern Colombian culture. For that, you’ll have to venture outside the Walled City.

Activities Outside the Wall

• Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty at Mercado De Bazurto. This local market is a sensory-overloading authentic alternative to the tourist markets.
• Explore Parque del Centenario. Just outside the Walled City, this park is home to a family of three-toed sloths.
• Delve into Cartagena’s Salsa Music scene at Club Havana or Donde Fidel.

Read my blog post on 8 experiences to have outside the tourist mecca of the Walled City for my full list of recommendations.

Eating + Sleeping

• There are a million hostels to choose from. Just pick one in Getsemani and you won’t be disappointed. 10/10 in safety + atmosphere. We also stayed in the more local neighborhood of San Francisco & paid the 10,000 COP taxi each way to spend out days in Getsemani/the Walled City. Because it was cheaper.
• Eat at La Mulata + La Cevicheria outside the wall. Both famous for their ceviche.
• Cafe Beiyu has the best locally sourced coffee and fresh fruit smoothie bowls around. The fruit scene in Colombia is unreal. Fresh Acai, Passionfruit, Guava, and Lulo are just a few of the favorites.
• Rooftop drinking in Getsmani is popular. Malagana sits on the main street overlooking the colorful pennants flapping in the wind.
• Cafe Del Mar is the most popular bar in the Walled City. Outdoor seating overlooking the waves, it is a perfect place to watch the sunset.
• Visit the Mezcal Cafe just inside the walls. Pricey and westernized but a phenomenal craft cocktail menu that would impress in any city around the world.
• Grab a local brew at The Beer Lovers. A/C and many local Colombian beers make this a welcome mid-afternoon stop to escape the heat.
• Budget-Friendly!! Sit down for a traditional lunch. Food in the walled city is expensive + often foreign. Grab yourself a cheap menu del dia and try a Limonada de Coco.

---

Colombian Islands

---

Idyllic blue waters paired with a quite rowdy party-scene plopped onto a sandy house on the water.

---

The Rosario and San Bernadine Islands off the Colombian coast are both easily accessible from Cartagena. I recommend the San Bernardo islands if you are looking for relaxation. The water is blue-er, the sands are cleaner, and the people are fewer than the much closer Rosario Islands.

It is possible to stay on the islands themselves but it is a much more fun and unique option to stay on the floating hostel. Casa un el Aqua is an island itself. A floating house on the water.

Another Island to Visit

• Isolte is the most densely populated island in the world. It is also really really small. A quick hour-long trip can be arranged from most of the hostels in the area.

Your Travel Guide to the Colombian Islands

Logistics

• Transport to the Islands is arranged at the pier near the walled city. Many of the island hostels have their own boat companies and will help you arrange transport.
• There are no ATMs on the Islands. And if you’re staying at hostels it’s cash only. So make sure in calculate enough for your alcohol consumption.
• For the San Bernardo Islands, it takes around 2.5-hours by boat from the Colombian coast. Give yourself at least two nights on the island because boats only leave in the morning + you’ll want at least one full day on the island.

Activities

• Aside from your basic swimming, sunbathing, drinking, and snorkeling (hopefully not all at the same time) hostels have plenty of activities to offer you.
• Kayaking through the mangroves was a much-needed escape from our little house on the water. It felt great to explore and try to spot some wildlife.
• A day-trip to Isolte, Tinitipan or Mucura will give you a little time on land and a great beach day.

Eating + Sleeping

• Hostel choice matters for this one. Considering they are each basically (some literally) little islands themselves. Casa un el Agua is the most popular among the party-hopping backpacker crowd + a whole load of fun. Mistica Island Hostel also comes highly recommended. The binge-drinking party crowd isn’t really my thing anymore but…. when in Rome.
• Food is easy with the islands. You have to eat at your hostel! Normally they have a choice of a few different dinner options; seafood, regular dinner, and vegetarian dinner. (Always go for the seafood)

---

Santa Marta

---

Somewhere between touristy and grungy….A city sitting comfortably between Minca, Palomino, Tayrona National Park, and the famous Lost City Trek

---

Santa Marta has beaches, street food, colorful streets, and plenty of rowdy nightlife. The main reason to visit, however…Tayrona National Park. (More on that below)

So we skimmed through Santa Marta. We grabbed a local bus at the market after breakfast. Arepas from the street stalls and a steaming hot cup of tinto passed through the bus window.

Budget Friendly!! Local buses are the cheapest, most reliable, and the most convenient option for getting around the coast. The tourist buses or “Marazol” shuttles are expensive and won’t get you there faster. Not when you factor in the many stops for snacks, gas, and whenever the driver feels like chatting with locals.

For us, this city was a stopover. A city sitting comfortably between Minca, Palomino, Tayrona National Park, and the famous Lost City Trek. All of which are experiences to add to your itinerary. But Santa Marta itself doesn’t have the same charm as the others. Sitting somewhere between touristy and grungy, I wasn’t sure what to make of the town. Perhaps, I needed more time. Perhaps, Santa Marta is transitioning. Either way, it’s a great home-base for the adventure surrounding the city.

---

Tayrona National Park

---

The Sierra Nevadas meet the sea. Truly worth the effort to reach and well-deserving of it’s title as- Colombia’s Most Popular National Park. Known for its crystal coves and rich diverse eco-systems.

---

Tayrona is the most popular destination on the Colombian coast for locals and foreigners alike. Idyllic beaches, stunning coastlines, and plenty of hiking through indigenous villages. Unfortunately, because of its popularity, it is overcrowded. And this causes damage to the very sensitive ecosystem. So the park is CLOSED during February every year. To give the land a chance to recover after the peak tourist season.

Our first time in Colombia- was in February. So we had to skip it. But in 2022, we spent a glorious 2-days camping in the park and now have an entire blog post to help guide you.

Make sure to have your yellow fever vaccination + paperwork to prove it. You may be denied entrance to the park without it. You can get the shot for FREE in the Bogota Airport.

---

Minca

---

A town for my fellow adventurous spirits out there. Vast jungles, wildlife, questionable motorbike routes, and swimmable waterfalls.

---

Ascending monkey-filled mountains clinging to the back of a motorbike. Vast jungle landscapes whizzing by around every corner. Minca is a youthful town. A town for my fellow adventurous spirits out there. Numerous waterfalls, hiking trails, treacherous high-hanging hammocks, and opportunities to stumble upon the local wildlife.

Two streets lined on both sides with hippy cafe/restaurants, a billiards hall (a favorite Colombian pass-time), and swarming with adolescent Colombians all eager to cart you up the mountainside.

There’s pretty much no way you’re going to get around without hopping on the back of that motorbike.

Miles of jungle separate the waterfalls and most other attractions from the town. Even the hostels are tucked away high in the canopy. Casa Elemento is virtually unreachable without the expert switch-back navigating of the motorcyclists. But be warned they don’t waste any time. I spent my 40- minute ride to the hostel gripping the back handles and praying we didn’t head on collide with a cyclist returning from this same trip at every corner.

The vibe in Minca can only be described as eco-hippy. Lots of restaurants sold vegan food (a rarity in Colombia), you’re constantly immersed in nature, and it seemed most who lived there had very little to do.

Your Travel Guide to Minca

Logistics

• Minca is easily (and cheaply) reachable via taxi from Santa Marta.
• ATM’s are basically non-existent in the village. Bring enough cash with you from Santa Marta.
• As for your return trip, the taxi collectivo jeeps are your best bet. Very cheap and leave regularly back to Santa Marta.

Activities

• Visit Pozo Azul and Cascada de Marinka falls. Swimming in the icy waters in the jungle is a perfect way to escape the mid-day sweltering heat.
• Take a hike. We took the hike home from Pozo Azul instead of opting for the motorbike journey again. The scenery was superb and the walk was peaceful. It is also introduced us to visit our favorite cafe in Minca.
• Motor on up to Casa Elemento. A hostel with a lot of well-deserved hype. They boast the world’s largest hammocks and they have several of them. Some hanging over the vista allowing panoramic views of the jungle below. And my personal favorite tucked away in the jungle itself. Strung up over the river, with a canopy of trees above your head. It’s difficult to climb into and the hammock strings a little worse for wear (watch out for gaping holes), but the risk is worth the reward. Complete serenity.
• Take a coffee tour at a Finca. This is one of the most prominent coffee-growing regions in Colombia. Most of the single-source coffee you’ll find in Cartagena is from these mountains. If you don’t check it out here, definitely do in Salento.
• Hike the Cerro Kennedy summit. This is a tough one with the elevation. And a two-day trek. But I hear the sunrise views are worth it.
• Bird-Watching anyone? Until Colombia, this was not a pass-time I had ever considered. But with so many native interesting birds, it’s hard not to get excited about it. Hotel Minca has a balcony worth checking out brimming with hummingbirds.

Eating + Sleeping

• The Lazy Cat bar + restaurant. Outdoor patio with jungle views. Sleepy cats lounging on rooftops nearby. Great food and a lively nighttime atmosphere this is the spot for dinner. Try the passionfruit mojito.
• Smoothies Coffee Bar + Restaurant. The best breakfast smoothies. Colombia has the most diverse native fruit species in the entire world. They also have pretty decent pizza after a long day of hiking.
• My favorite place to eat in Minca; La Jugueria. On your way home from Pozo Azul you have to make this stop. A seemingly endless array of fresh juices, brownies made from fresh Cacao, stunning views of Santa Marta, and also a second-and clothes shop. They have this great outdoor balcony where you can lounge on floor pillows and watch the Toucans soar from tree to tree.
• While there are many great hostels (Casa Elemento, Casa Lomo) and hotels (Hotel Minca) here I would suggest trying an Airbnb. There are tons tucked into the hills and the isolation gives you the opportunity to see more wildlife. We woke early to wander around our area and spotted monkeys, toucans, macaws, and unfortunately huge tarantulas.

---

Palomino

---

A hippy haven on the Colombian coast. Just a sandy slice of paradise.

---

Update for 2022: It appears Palomino’s moment in the sun is ending. The beach has been taken over by resorts and heavily developed. It’s no longer a slice of unknown paradise. But is still worth a visit if you have the time. I can also recommend Costeno Beach nearby for a more laid-back feel.

Many call Minca a hippy town. But this is the true hippy haven of the coastline. Nothing to do but wander the dusty streets, eat some local favorites and lay on the beach.

We haggled bracelets and gemstones from a 10-year-old girl tending her parent’s shop. We tried some Colombian staples like the creamy sweet corn pudding- Morocho. And ate some phenomenal food. And fell into what life in Palomino would be like very comfortably.

I loved the pace of Palomino. But it may not be that way for much longer. The tell-tale signs of coming tourism were there. Countless hostels and restaurants were being constructed. And Palomino’s streets may not be so sleepy a few years from now.

Your Travel Guide to Palomino

Logistics

• Two to three hours on the local buses will get you well acquainted with the scenic coastline and I highly recommend it. Just head to the bus stop in Santa Marta’s main market.
• Everything in Palomino is walking distance. So hop off that bus and hoof it to a nearby hostel.

Activities

• Tube the river. Many hostels and the only tour company on the street will be able to get you squared away with tubes. It’s a slow ride and most people pair it with a beer.. or a case of beer.
• Check out a beach bar. Unnamed beach bars line the sand by the end of the river. You’ll see some locals swimming and get a nice sunset view in the sand.

Eating + Sleeping

• Bikini Hostel. Cheap dorm rooms, a pool, and a well-stocked outdoor bar. The owner is French and a wonderful host.
• Eat dinner at the very popular Juntes (90% sure that’s the name). Phenomenal burgers. Colombians raise a lot of cattle and even being an American..this was one of the better burgers I have ever had.
• Eat Morocho. It can be found in a giant silver pot being wheeled down the beach around sunset.
• Find the vegan Acai bowl shop! It’s on the main street + they make fresh coconut yogurt, gluten-free homemade granola, fresh jungle fruit, and top with chia seeds. All organic + SO GOOD.

---

La Guajira Desert Region

---

For the truly Intrepid travelers…Empty orange sand dunes dropping into turquoise blue waters.

---

A completely different landscape from the rest of the coastline and you will have to work to get there. Empty orange sand dunes dropping into the blue water. Not another soul in sight.

AlongDustyRoads first inspired me to see it for myself. They had a very off-the-beaten-path experience hiring a driver to take them hours off-road into the unknown.

We had a very limited amount of time on the coast and couldn’t swing it this trip. (So it looks like we will be returning for the desert and Tayrona National Park one day.) But read Andrew and Emily’s account of the desert that I linked above and you’ll be enthusiastic to go.

---

The Lost City Trek

---

A lost civilization discovered in 1972, estimated to be 600 years older than Machu Picchu. A stunning trek + archeological adventure.

---

Yet another place that we will have to visit when we return to Colombia. The timing just wasn’t in our favor. These ruins are much like the ruins of Machu Picchu but more than 600 years older. It makes you wonder what other lost civilizations are out there hidden away in the dense swathes of unexplored jungle all over South America.

Logistics

• The trek itself takes 4-5 days. Lodging in villages along the way as well as food is included in the 220$ package deal.

Before you go

After exploring the Caribbean Colombian coast you’ll be anxious to see everything else Colombia has to offer. Check out this guide for a killer 3-week Colombian itinerary! Be sure to check out all my blog posts on Colombia while planning your trip!

Save This Post For Later!!