Colombia is such a vast and varied country that you could spend a lifetime here and still leave massive areas unexplored. There are, however, a few key places that you need to visit on a Colombia tour. Here at Travel and Living we understand that some people don’t have the time to organize everything themselves and still get the best out their journey, so we’ve come up with a week’s itinerary for traveling through Colombia in a week, dedicated to those of you that have jobs to get back to.
Having flown into Bogotá, we suggest you…
Day 1 – Bogotá
Take a city tour that will show you all the most important sites, such as La Candelaria, Plaza Bolivar, Monserrate and the many museums and galleries.
Day 2 – Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and El Dorado’s Sacred Lake
The Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira is an incredible feat of human endeavour and should be seen by all visiting Bogotá (it’s only an hour away). It’s a huge cathedral excavated entirely from the natural salt mines in the area. On your way back to Bogotá, visit El Dorado’s Sacred Lake, a beautiful lake with a fascinating, colorful history.
Day 3 – Medellín
Medellín is a surprising city full of contemporary culture and gastronomy. In Medellín you can visit the Plaza de Las Esculturas, where over 20 of Fernando Botero’s sculptures stand. You can also visit the comunas via Medellín’s fantastic MetroCable system, and experience an authentic slice of life in the heart of Colombia.
Day 4 – Santa Fe de Antioquia
We’ve written before about Santa Fe de Antioquia. It’s a beautiful, charming colonial town that’s perfect for a bit of relaxation. A great day trip from Medellín.
Day 5 – Cartagena
Almost the end of the tour! You can transfer from Medellín to Cartagena, one of South America’s most important and most beautiful cities. We’d suggest a bit of R&R on your first day here, you’ve had quite a trip so far. Phew!
Day 6 – Cartagena
Take this day to really explore Cartagena. Take a Cartagena City Tour to get to grips with the city’s fascinating history and to see sights such as San Pedro Claver, Plaza Bolivar and the modern Bocagrande neighbourhood. Once you’re done, take the afternoon and evening to wander the cobblestone streets of the Old City.
Day 7 – Cartagena and home
Sad as it may be, all good things must come to an end. If you have more days there’s plenty you can add to this itinerary, from Tayrona National Park to the islands near Cartagena itself – not to mention the beautiful Coffee Region. Still, you could use Day 7’s flight home to plan your next trip to Colombia…
This One week in Colombia itinerary and many more are available with See Colombia Travel, who’ll sort out every last detail for you. Their tours are fully customizable, so if there’s anything you think we’ve missed out, just tell them!
And if you’ve got any suggestions, get in touch with us via Twitter or Facebook, or comment right here.
Ryan
