Colombia is one of those countries that surprises you in different ways. I planned to stay for a few weeks, but I ended up spending almost three months traveling across its diverse landscapes, from big cities to remote villages. This Colombia travel itinerary for 3 weeks is based on my experiences and everything I learned while exploring this incredible country.
During my time in Colombia, I visited big cities like Medellín, with its lively streets, and towns like San Agostin and Salento, where history, culture, and nature are well mixed.
But what truly stood out were the smaller towns, like Jerico and Jardin, where authentic Colombian vibes are present.
This 3-week Colombia travel itinerary is designed to give you a mix of everything—urban vibes, nature, history, and beaches. If you’re a backpacker or someone looking for a more relaxed trip, this guide will help you make the most of your time in Colombia.
Table of Contents
Where to go first?
The best starting point for your trip to Colombia depends on your plans and priorities. Colombia is a vast country with diverse landscapes and regions, so choosing the right entry point is crucial for a good experience.
Flight connections also play an important role when choosing the first place to enter Colombia. The main international airports are located in Medellin, Bogota, Santa Marta, Cartagena, Pereira, and Leticia.
Some travelers prefer to start in Bogotá, the capital, for its central location and easy connections to other parts of the country. I felt the same about Medellin; from there, it’s easy to find bus and flight connections to the rest of the country.
I decided to start my journey in Cartagena, on the northern coast. My plan was to head south toward Ecuador after Colombia, making Cartagena the perfect starting point.
If you’re looking for a beachy start, the Caribbean coast is a great choice. Bogotá offers museums and a deep dive into Colombia’s past for those interested in history and culture. If adventure and outdoor activities are your priority, starting in the Andean mountains might be the best fit.
The itinerary
This Colombia travel itinerary for 3 weeks is built from my firsthand experiences and the lessons I learned while exploring the country.
I added a range of days for each place to help those who want to rush or prefer a more relaxed pace.
Throughout my journey, many people asked me how much time they should spend in Colombia and what they could realistically see in three weeks.
This guide is my answer to those questions, so I hope you will find it helpful. This itinerary would be my guide if I could go back in time and talk to my younger self before stepping into Colombia.
It balances adventure, culture, and relaxation, ensuring you don’t rush through the country but still make the most of your time.
The goal here isn’t just to list places but to suggest how long you should stay in each destination to experience it truly. I want to give you a taste of the many things Colombia offers, so history, nature, food, and city life are part of the itinerary.
Cartagena(2-5 Days)
Cartagena is one of Colombia’s most iconic cities, known for its colorful streets, charm, and Caribbean vibes. The walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its port, fortress, and group of monuments.
It’s the perfect place to start a trip from the north, it will give you a very laid-back intro to the country. There are many things to do.
Some of the top highlights include walking through the historic center, exploring the fortress Castillo San Felipe, and enjoying the nightlife of Getsemaní.
The nearby Rosario Islands are beautiful and you can join a tour for a visit, adding a nice snorkeling experience to the adventure.
Food lovers will appreciate the city’s fresh seafood and traditional Caribbean flavors.
I recommend spending 2 to 5 days in Cartagena to get into the atmosphere without feeling rushed. Three days are enough to explore the main sights, while five days give you time for beach sessions and a more relaxed pace. If you want to rush, two days can do the job to see the main attractions.
Tayrona(1-3 Days)
Tayrona National Park is by far my favorite place in Colombia!! Of course, it is part of this 3-week Colombia travel itinerary. It’s one of those places that makes you wonder how beautiful our planet is and the importance of preserving its nature. The mix of jungle, mountains, and beaches is unreal.
If you’re short on time, one full day is enough to hit the main highlight—Cabo San Juan Beach. This beach is the most famous in the park, and for good reason. The water is calm, the scenery is next-level, and there’s a little hut on a rock where you can chill on a hammock.
Now, if you’ve got time and love hiking, stay three days there. The park has two entrances, and you can spend a hike visiting the main spots. My favorite place is the Playa Brava, which is located at the end of the first day. That place was amazing!! I was sleeping on a hammock right in front of the sea, eating fresh food while listening to the sound of the waves.
If you want more details about Tayrona, you can check its section in my guide about hiking in Colombia.
You will hike through multiple trails leading to lesser-known beaches and even ancient indigenous ruins. Spending the night in the park in a hammock was incredible. A memory that I will never forget.
Transportation Day
This day is reserved for moving to the next destination. There are many ways to get to Medellin from Tayrona. Initially, I planned to go there by bus, but then I realized that a plane ticket was only 10 US$ more expensive, so it was an easy decision.
Now, it is even better to make this decision; as I write this article, flights from Barranquilla to Medellin are cheaper than the 15-hour bus ride from Santa Marta. I found a one-way ticket that cost around 28 EUR.
Medellin(3-6 Days)
Medellín is the kind of place where you plan to stay for a few days and somehow end up staying for a few weeks. I like that city so much that I plan to return and live there for a few months. It’s got the energy of a big city but still feels laid-back.
The weather? Perfect. It’s called the City of Eternal Spring for a reason. Medellín is a mix of modern life, history, and easy access to nature, making it one of the best stops in Colombia. The city is a central hub, and it is easy to hop on a flight or take a bus to explore other parts of Colombia.
The highlight of this Colombia travel itinerary for 3 weeks is Medellin. I’d recommend spending at least three days if you are in a rush, but if you have time, stay for up to six —there’s plenty to do.
A day trip to Guatape, which is two hours away from the city. A visit to Comuna 13, once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Colombia and now a symbol of transformation, and a food walking tour to eat like a local are among my recommendations.
If you’re into nature, Medellín won’t disappoint. Parque Arví, just a cable car ride away, is perfect for hiking and escaping the city noise. There’s also El Salto del Buey, a waterfall about two hours away, where you can hike before reaching the waterfall.
If you like paragliding, San Félix is a great spot to experience the views of the green valleys surrounding Medellín. Coffee tours are also a good experience, and many tours are offered.
Jardin(2-4 Days)
After experiencing a big city like Medellin, I recommend visiting Jardin to feel the classic Colombian countryside. It’s a town with colorful houses and great nature located three hours south of Medellin; click here to check bus tickets.
I’d recommend spending 2 to 4 days in Jardín, depending on what you choose to do there. It’s the perfect spot to relax, drink coffee in the central plaza, and check the options for the next adventure.
My highlight in Jardin was joining a coffee tour. After learning about all six steps in coffee production, I started seeing coffee with different eyes. It’s a lot of work to bring coffee to our table, so we must be more grateful to have it.
Jardín is a paradise for bird lovers, with over 450 bird species in the area. The biggest attraction? The Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, is a bird with a unique shape on its head. Just walk around the central plaza, and you will find many tour operators offering birdwatching tours.
For those who love hiking, the Seven Waterfalls Hike is a must. This moderate-hard hike takes you through coffee plantations, forests, and seven waterfalls hidden in the mountains. It’s a full-day adventure, so bring good hiking shoes and snacks, and prepare to get wet.
Another short hike option is the Cristo del Rey hike, which is a good way to warm up before heading to the Seven Waterfalls the next day.
Transportation Day
When I first checked the map to see the distance from Jardin to Salento, I thought it would be a simple half-day ride. I was dead wrong about that. It is a full-day trip, and you must change buses since there’s no direct line between these destinations.
Based on that, you must take an entire day off for transportation. There are two options available: The first is to take a small bus from Jardin to Manizales, a minivan to Pereira, and another bus to Salento.
The second option is to take a bus from Jardin to Riosucio and another bus to Salento.
I chose the first option because locals told me the route between Jardin and Riosucio is very shaky since it is a dirty road. I like to play video games while traveling, so I prefer to travel on a more stable road :D.
Salento(2 Days)
Salento is such a charming town in Colombia’s coffee region—colorful colonial houses, cool mountain air, and some of the best coffee in the country. But the real reason people go there? The Cocora Valley.
If you’ve ever seen photos of Colombia with giant palm trees standing in green valleys, that’s Cocora Valley. These wax palms—Colombia’s national tree—can grow up to 60 meters (200 feet) tall, making you feel like an ant as you hike through them.
I’d recommend spending two days in Salento to enjoy the scenery, hike through the famous wax palms, and feel the laid-back vibes. The hike to the Cocora valley can be done in one day. You can use the extra day to check the Mirador and the central plaza in the town.
I found a fantastic restaurant that serves Patacon con todo; it was one of the best Patacon I have eaten in Colombia. Make sure to check Donde Laurita restaurant while visiting Salento.
BONUS: If you can extend this Colombia travel itinerary for 3 weeks a bit more and want to explore another amazing place in the region, there is a trekking tour in the Los Nevados National Park that lasts four days. On this trek, you will reach the peak of Nevado del Tolima, a stratovolcano. My recommendation is to do this tour with a guide due to the equipment and guidance necessary for this demanding adventure.
The last stop
Well, the trip is ending, but I’m pretty sure that Colombia has already left a good impression on you so far. For the last part of this itinerary, I will leave you to make a choice: to finish your trip in Bogota or in Cali, the world’s capital of Salsa.
Bogota is a good option for those who want to learn more about the country’s history, visit museums, and experience the vibe of a big city after spending days in small Colombian towns. Depending on your destination, you will find better flight connections to leave the country.
Cali is an excellent option for those who want to dive into the incredible salsa culture and close this trip by dancing and going on one last hike before leaving. From Cali, finding flights to return home might be more complicated, but if you don’t mind longer flights, this is your option.
Cali(3-4 Days)
Cali is the kind of place where music is part of daily life. Walk around, and you’ll hear Salsa from many places. If you want to experience Colombia’s dance culture at its finest, this is the place to be. But beyond the nightlife, Cali has some solid outdoor activities and a different vibe from the rest of the country.
I’d recommend 3 to 4 days in Cali, which is enough time to get a taste of the salsa scene and explore the surrounding nature.
Even if you have two left feet, you must try a salsa class in Cali. The city is known for its unique salsa style, which is very fast, just a note. There are plenty of dance schools where you can learn the basics in a fun, casual way.
At night, you can head to one of the city’s salsa clubs to put your knowledge into practice. Of course, chances are you won’t be good if you try Salsa for the first time, but the fun experience counts. This may motivate you to continue learning back home.
You don’t need to be a great dancer to have fun—just grab a drink, watch the locals, and enjoy the vibe.
If you want a panoramic view of the city, hike to Cristo Rey, a 26-meter statue of Christ that looks over Cali. Head to the Parque Nacional Natural Farallones for more nature. This park is outside the city and full of waterfalls, forests, and mountain views.
The most popular hikes in the park are the Pico de Loro peak, a challenging hike with more than 1.000 mts of elevation gain, and the Pance River hike, an easier option with a great view of this river that comes from the Farallones mountains.
If you’re following this Colombia travel itinerary for 3 weeks, Cali is the perfect stop to experience Colombia’s lively spirit before heading to your next destination.
Bogota(2-4 Days)
Bogotá is a city that gets mixed reactions from travelers. Some love it, others leave as soon as they arrive. But if you give it a chance, you’ll find a city full of history, culture, and surprisingly good food. It’s chaotic, yes, but that’s part of the experience.
I’d recommend spending 2 to 4 days here for the last stop of your trip. That gives you enough time to explore the main sights without feeling like you’re stuck in traffic all day.
If you only have time for one neighborhood, make it La Candelaria. This is the historic center, packed with colorful colonial buildings, graffiti, cool cafés, and museums.
You’ll want to visit the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro), which has over 55,000 gold artifacts from pre-Colombian civilizations. Another cool museum is the Botero Museum, where you’ll find the famous chubby paintings and sculptures of Fernando Botero.
And for physical activities, did you think I wouldn’t add that? A short hike with moderate difficulty will bring you to Monserrate. This mountain will give you an overview of the entire city. There is an option to take a cable car if you don’t want to hike.
Lastly, take a day to visit the Chingaza National Park. It is just a few hours from the city, and you’ll see mountains, lakes, and maybe even a bear if you’re lucky.
Conclusion
Three weeks in Colombia might sound like a lot, but once you’re there, you’ll realize it’s barely enough. I spent more than two months there, and it felt like two weeks!! This country has a way of pulling you in—the landscapes, the culture, the people—everything feels so alive that leaving becomes the hardest part.
This Colombia travel itinerary for 3 weeks gives you a taste of everything—from historic Cartagena to the natural beauty of Tayrona, Medellín’s urban energy, Bogotá’s cultural depth, the coffee landscapes of Jardin and Salento, and finally, the dancing scene of Cali.
Each place has its own vibe, but together, they will give you a nice perspective of Colombia so you can prepare yourself better for your next visit. Trust me, you will revisit Colombia.
If there’s one thing I learned traveling through Colombia, it’s that no matter how much time you have, it won’t feel like enough. The country is full of surprises, and no matter where you go, there’s always another waterfall, another viewpoint, another story waiting around the corner.
I really hope you enjoyed reading about this itinerary. It would be amazing to hear about your travel plans. Don’t forget to share this article with a friend who might be thinking about visiting Colombia.
And who knows? Maybe, like me, you’ll come for a few weeks and end up staying for months.
Safe travels!
