What to do in Colombia in two weeks: itinerary and useful tips

There are countries that remain in the memory more than others. Countries that are not reduced to a list of places to see, but that express themselves in a mix of encounters, landscapes and experiences to breathe, listen to and savor. Among these countries is Colombia, which in recent years has rewritten its history, going from a land associated with violence to a destination coveted - and loved - by travelers from all over the world.

From the Andes to the coffee plantations, through the Amazon rainforest and the Caribbean Sea, among the ruins of ancient lost civilizations and the pulsating energy of colonial cities, every day in Colombia offers a journey into the soul of the country that, thanks to the contagious hospitality of its people, will become an indelible memory.

Two Weeks in Colombia: The Icebreaker Itinerary

Let's see together what to do in Colombia in two weeks with an itinerary specifically designed for those visiting the country for the first time. With one warning: the only risk you run in Colombia is wanting to stay there!

Bogotá, the Andean heart of Colombia

Situated at 2,640 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Andes, Bogotá welcomes visitors with its effervescent air and soul poised between past and present, urban chaos and silent glimpses. Three days is the minimum to discover the city and get a taste of the Andean culture that permeates the entire region.

The beating heart of the capital is La Candelaria with its cobbled streets, colonial houses and walls adorned with colorful murals that tell stories of resistance, culture and identity. Here are some of the must-see attractions of Bogotá, including:

• Plaza Bolivar and the Catedral Primada , which houses the tomb of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, founder of the city;
• the Botero Museum , where art becomes iconic and monumental;
• the Gold Museum , home to over 55,000 relics from pre-Columbian civilizations.

For a panoramic view of Bogotá that takes in the surrounding Andes, we recommend climbing Cerro Monserrate , which can be reached on foot, by funicular or by cable car, while for a burst of colour and an immersion in daily life in Colombia, we suggest visiting the Mercado de Paloquemao where you will be impressed by the variety of fruit on display on the stalls.

Among the things to do in Colombia we also point out two places steeped in myth and spirituality : the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral , dug into the heart of a mountain, and the Guatavita Lagoon , surrounded by the legendary aura of Eldorado. Both can be visited on the same day, with a guided tour from Bogotá.

Salento and the Eje Cafetero

After your first taste of Colombia at the altitudes of Bogotá, take a domestic flight to the Eje Cafetero area . You can choose to land in Pereira, or Armenia, and from there reach the most iconic village in the Quindío department: Salento .

Welcoming, colorful, surrounded by mountains and extremely pleasant, Salento is the privileged starting point to explore the Cocora Valley and admire the Ceroxylon quindiunse , also known as wax palm, an endangered species declared a national tree and symbol of the country. Do not miss a visit to a coffee farm to learn the production process that starts from the bean and leads to the cup,

Three days in the Eje Cafetero area will allow you to savor the slow pace of the region and discover a Colombia that smells of earth, silence and patience. A land that teaches you to slow down without asking too many questions.

Medellín, the city of eternal spring

To reach Medellín from the Eje Cafetero, plan on six hours (approximately) by land that will not be wasted because they will give you some brush strokes of rural life; if instead you have a city soul and want to optimize the time, a flight from Pereira lasts less than 45 minutes. Whatever means of transport you choose, arriving in the city will mark a clear cut between the typical slowness of Quindío and the vibrant energy of Medellín.

Nestled in the Aburrá Valley , with the surrounding mountains that seem to want to embrace it, Medellín is nicknamed the city of eternal spring for the mild climate it enjoys all year round, but also because it is at the center of an urban rebirth made of culture, creativity and collective pride. The symbol of this change is Comuna 13 , until a few years ago marked by violence and today one of the most lively neighborhoods in the city.

Among the things to see in Medellín , in addition to Comuna 13, we recommend:

• Plaza Botero , a public area that houses 23 sculptures by the famous Colombian artist;
• the Museum of Antioquia , which, alongside collections of pre-Columbian and contemporary art, houses a good part of Fernando Botero's pictorial work;
• Parque Arví , a protected natural area located in the city, in the hilly area, where you can breathe some good air without leaving Medellín;
• the Jardín Botánico , a small urban paradise that hosts a great variety of tropical plants and butterflies, as well as a splendid orchidarium.

Three days in Medellín are enough to capture its constantly changing soul and include a day visit to Guatapé , a small colonial jewel, and the iconic Piedra del Peñol which dominates a large artificial basin dotted with islets that invite rest and contemplation.

Santa Marta between jungle, sea and mountains

Leave the frenzy of Medellín behind and prepare to slow down once again, abandoning yourself to the calm breath of the north: with a direct flight you can reach Santa Marta , the beating heart of the Magdalena department, which we recommend you explore at a slow pace, dedicating at least three days to the city and its immediate surroundings.

Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea , under the protective wing of the Sierra Nevada which is home to the two highest peaks in the country (over 5,700 meters high), Santa Marta is one of the oldest cities in all of South America and opens the doors to a different Colombia, where the balance between man and nature becomes part of the experience.

Scruffy and decadent at times, far from the perfection of nearby Cartagena, Santa Marta is a lively, authentic city that does not wear veils or masks and that shows itself in all its contradictions.

Among the things to do in Colombia starting from Santa Marta we suggest:

• Tayrona National Park , a must-see for beach lovers, offers picture-postcard beaches, jungle trails and the chance to come into contact with the natives who live in harmony with nature;
• Minca , a small hilltop village popular with ecotourism enthusiasts, will offer you beautiful walks amidst greenery among waterfalls, trails and cocoa plantations.

Cartagena de Indias, the pearl of the Colombian Caribbean

Last but not least, Cartagena de Indias, about which any word would be superfluous.

With its perfectly preserved colonial walls, sunny squares, balconies overflowing with bougainvillea and the Caribbean light that transforms every glimpse into pure poetry, Cartagena is the perfect place to end your stay in Colombia : between the colors of Getsemani and a walk along the ramparts at sunset, Cupid will shoot his arrow and the pearl of the Caribbean will conquer you.

What to do in Colombia: the experiences not to be missed

A trip to Colombia cannot be considered complete if it does not become an experience, that moment that passes through the senses, the people and the stories and that tells more than any photograph. Among the many, we have selected 5:

• learn to move to the rhythm of salsa which in Colombia is a real art;
• eating a mango seasoned with salt and lemon bought from a street vendor is a daily ritual that recalls the street, the sun and conviviality;
• sleeping in a hammock in Parque Tayrona , letting yourself be pampered by the sound of the sea and the wind whispering together as you wait for dawn to filter through the palm trees;
• stopping to watch a game of dominoes in any square in the country, letting yourself be hypnotized by the moving hands and the laughter that fills the air around you;
• Getting on a crowded colectivo , paying by passing coins from hand to hand while your bodies sway to the sound of cumbia blaring from the radio is the best way to immerse yourself in Colombian everyday life and have an authentic, well-rounded experience.

Useful tips for organizing a trip to Colombia

To travel to Colombia you need a passport with at least six months of residual validity , but an entry visa is not required for tourist stays of 90 days or less.

There are no mandatory vaccinations , but yellow fever vaccination is highly recommended if visiting Amazonian or rural areas.

Colombia is no longer considered a dangerous country, but it is still good practice to adopt prudent behaviors such as avoiding the suburbs, not displaying valuables and using official taxis, especially if you travel in the evening in large cities.