Backpacking Colombia Itinerary
Are you thinking of backpacking Colombia?
Colombia is a very popular destination for tourists who want to visit South America. Why? Because it’s one of the most diverse countries in the world.
Backpacking Colombia
There’s a range of climates, access to two oceans, incredible wildlife, many opportunities for adventure, energetic cities, and super interesting culture.
Is Colombia worth visiting?
The sizzling heat and passion of this country make it one of the most sought-after destinations in all of Latin America.
With stunning palm-fringed beaches, a unique variety of cultures and some epic landscapes, Colombia is no doubt one of the most sees on any itinerary to South America.
Colombia itinerary Map
Medellin → Cartagena → Bogota → Cocora Valley → Ciudad Perdida → San Agustin → Then cross the border into Ecuador.
Is Colombia Safe?
Colombia’s drug cartel history has given the country a violent image, but they’ve been working hard over the past few decades to show the world that it can be a safe place.
Now, it isn’t perfect, but it’s generally safe for tourists to visit. Violent crimes used to be very common, but the country has improved a lot.
Our basic tips for safety in Colombia include:
- Don’t walk or travel alone at night.
- Make sure the hotel or hostel you choose has 24-hour security in case you need assistance. It will also make you feel safer.
- Leave your expensive belongings at home.
- If you need to use your mobile device, find a café or go into a store.
- Don’t flaunt your belongings while you’re out and don’t wear jewelry.
There’s still a risk of falling victim to petty crime, especially if you’re a tourist, but that can be avoided and we’ll show you how later on.
Safety Facts about Colombia
- The best way to evaluate safety is by looking at the 2020 Global Peace Index. This measures the state of peace of each country in comparison with the rest of the World, by evaluating both tangible and qualitative indicators.
- Colombia ranked as 140th out of the 163 nations measured, which is similar to that of India. For comparison, The United States ranked as 121st.
- Colombia used to have an awful reputation when it came to safety due to the drug trade here and Pablo Escobar’s empire. The situation has definitely improved in the last few decades, making it a lot safer to visit.
- Be aware that there is still FARC presence here, especially in the north near Cartagena towards the Panamanian border.
- As well as this, take care in cities such as Cali, and avoid traveling near the borders of Ecuador and Venezuela during the night-time, where corruption and robbery are a lot more likely.
See this guide on safety in Colombia for more detailed tips on staying safe.
Colombia Backpacking Itinerary
Though there are many more places that are worth a visit, today we’ll focus on only 6 of the most popular ones so you can get a taste of what this fun country has to offer.
Medellin
Medellin is easily the best city to visit in Colombia. It’s large, full of culture, and its home to some of the best highlights the country has to offer. By reading our Medellin itinerary you’ll see there are plenty of opportunities for adventure.
You will be able to explore the fresh food markets and taste the local cuisine, visit Plaza Botero, explore Comuna 13 with a guided Graffiti tour where you’ll find stunning street art reflecting the history of Medellin and even go to museums or more.
Cartagena
Cartagena is a beautiful port city full of colorful architecture that you won’t want to miss. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has a vibrant culture.
It’s located on the Caribbean coast, so you’ll have access not only to beaches but also to islands and the jungle to enjoy some trekking. You can visit Las Bovedas market, the Plaza Santo Domingo, and more.
Places such as Isla Barú are becoming more popular with backpackers and are home to some of Cartagena’s best beach hotels if you decide to treat yourself.
Bogota
Bogota is located at the foot of the green mountains and it’s a very exciting city.
You’ll be able to discover historic buildings in old town, visit Plaza Bolivar, go to the Botanical Gardens, climb Monserrate, visit museums such as the Gold Museum, explore markets, and much more.
Take a look at the picturesque views of Bogotá with a guided tour around the El Paraiso neighborhood – a convenient activity if you’re looking to tour Bogotá at a comfortable pace.
Cocora Valley
Cocora Valley is one of the most popular attractions in the country and it’s where you’ll find Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm tree.
They stand super stall against the Los Nevados mountains and it’s truly a wonderful sight to see. There’s also a small river and a few waterfalls you’ll be able to visit.
If you want an authentic Colombian experience, we suggest you take a horse ride and visit the coffee farms as well!
If you want an authentic Colombian experience, we suggest heading on this tour where you will explore the very best of the Nevados National Park, which includes seeing the tall palm trees as well as exploring the coffee farms too!
Ciudad Perdida
A trip to Ciudad Perdida from Santa Marta is one of the gems South America has to offer and is one of the most popular places to visit in Colombia.
This is an ancient archeological that was discovered only 50 years ago and it was built by the Tayrona people. You’ll be able to explore it on foot on an expedition that will take a few days.
This 4-Day Hiking Tour is the best way to reach the Ciudad Perdida, which includes an expert guide along with all meals and accommodation provided for you along the jungle route
It’s not difficult to see why the Lost City is one of the best places to visit in South America and why it made it onto our bucket list.
San Agustin
Lastly, we have San Agustin, another archaeological site that’s worth a visit because it’s home to ancient statues and you’ll enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery Colombia has to offer.
There are lots to see in San Agustin so it’s best to take a multi-day guided trip – a trip that will leave you astounded with the beauty and history of San Agustin’s archaeological sites.
You’ll need at least three days, where you’ll go to El Tablon, El Purutal La Pelota, La Chaquira, and the journey will end at the main Archaeological Park.
You’ll have a lot of fun on this adventure and you’ll find the statues very interesting, especially because not much is known about them or the people who made them.
Colombia Itinerary (2 Weeks)
Here we’ll now cover our very best itinerary of Colombia. As well as keeping an eye on time, it’s also been designed to keep things fresh and exciting too for you.
Bogotá (Days 1-3)
Kicking off our Colombian adventure, we first head to the capital of Bogotá. We mostly find that Bogotá is under-appreciated, many simply flying here before scattering elsewhere in the country.
Whilst certainly less beautiful than the other destinations on this list, it’s a great introduction into real Colombian culture, and to land on your feet before navigating this iconic South American nation.
Some of the best things to do in the city include walking up (or taking the gondola) to Monserrate, which is a 3150m+ high mountain in Bogotá’s centre.
It’s home to some stunning views of the city, great nature trails and a beautiful church to explore at the top. You can also visit Museo Botero and the Gold Museum, which is one of the most comprehensive in Latin America.
We strongly recommend using one of your days to visit nearby Zipaquirá, which is around 3 hours north. Nestled between valleys, this small city is home to the incredible Salt Cathedral, which is built underground, into a mountain.
With this day tour to Zipaquirá you can explore the cathedral, as well as visiting the picturesque Lake Guatavitá.
Manizales (Days 4-6)
Next we head to Terminal Salitre in Bogotá, to take the 10 hour bus to Manizales (we recommend traveling at night to save daytime).
Located within the incredible Eje Cafetero Zone, this area is known to have one of the best coffee-growing climates in the world.
Manizales is one of a few towns and cities dotted throughout, however, is our recommended option due to its friendly, small-town nature. It’s also great due to its proximity to some of the best highlights of the region. Regardless when you’ll be heading, you’re going to need a good waterproof Poncho since it rains a lot in this region.
First, we’ll head into Cocora Valley and to the Bosque de Palma de Cera. An incredible region with its own micro-climate, it’s home to the tallest palm trees in the world, growing up to a staggering 200ft.
Also close by is Los Nevados National Park, home to many likable snow-capped volcanoes (its high altitude here so we recommend proper preparation before attempting any hikes).
Other cool things to do include visiting a nearby Hacienda to sample coffee, heading to Rio Blanco for bird-watching as well as watching some truly incredible sunsets from the Chipre mirador.
Medellin (Days 7-10)
Following on, we now travel to the ever-popular Colombian staple of Medellin. From the terminal in Manizales, you can take a bus to Medellin which takes around 5 hours.
Forever painted with its history of drug cartels and Pablo Escobar, Medellin for a long time scared off most tourists.
In the last few decades though, things have improved considerably, and Medellin is now proudly one of the most popular spots to visit in Colombia.
First off you’ll want to take a walking tour to learn the real history of Medellin and Escobar’s empire (no, not the Narcos version we’re afraid). Then you can head to the MetroCable system and take a gondola up to Parque Arvi, which sits above the city.
Along the route you’ll soar above many infamous neighborhoods, and also appreciate how important the cable system is for connecting these communities.
Be sure to spend a day heading into the Antioquia region, and to the colourful town of Guatapé.
Famous for its murals, you can stroll around here before taking a bus to the nearby Piedra de Peñol – a 721ft rock that has seriously impressive views of the region and lakes that surround it. This highly-rated day tour is a must when in Medellin, where you’ll climb El Peñol, have an included boat tour around the lake as well as have a guided tour around Guatapé
Santa Marta (Days 11-15)
Last but not least, we finally head to the tropical coast of Colombia. We recommend taking a one-hour domestic flight from Medellin, which can be as cheap as $35. If not, you’ll need to take the bus which takes around 17 hours.
In our opinion, Santa Marta is the best coastal hub to base yourself in for many reasons. Firstly it’s very close to Tayrona National Park, a jungle area famed for its world-class beaches and canopy walks.
We recommend heading on this day tour to Tayrona, which includes hiking through the jungle, snorkelling along San Juan Cape as well as having a Caribbean-style lunch made fresh for you
You can also visit nearby Taganga for its relaxed beaches and more laid back vibes, or Minca, a town which is perched on top of a mountain in the Sierra Nevada.
You can also take a two-day trip into the remote Guajira, a desert region home to picture-perfect towns and the mysterious Wayuu indigenous group.
Another unforgettable experience is the hike to The Lost City deep within the jungle, however as we’re short on time here, it’s beyond the scope of this itinerary.
Finishing up our itinerary, from Santa Marta you have two options. Firstly you can take a flight back to Bogotá to connect to your international flight out.
The other option is to continue along the Colombian coast towards Cartagena and then into Panama to begin your adventures through Central America.
And there we have our 2 week Colombia itinerary. Now let’s move on to our most important tips, so you can have the best experience possible here.
Colombia: Travel + Safety Tips
As noted earlier, Colombia is generally safe to visit and it has successfully shaken off that violent image it used to be known for decades ago.
Tourists are not targets of violent crimes, but they still need to take precautions, so make sure to follow these tips.
⬇️ Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Colombia:
- We suggest learning some Latin American Spanish before you arrive in Colombia as it can help you out in many different situations.
- Colombian food certainly divides opinion, however keep an open mind and you’ll be intrigued with the different flavours and combinations. We recommend trying Aborrajado, Arepas and the wide variety of exotic fruits such as Maracuya and Pitaya.
- Look out for the top rated hostels in Colombia for the most comfortable rooms and meeting like minded people etc.
- Download an offline map so you can use it as a reference whenever you need to.
- Do your research so you can avoid rough areas and stay safe. You can also ask locals or the staff at the hotel.
- If you can extend you stay in Colombia you many want to consider visiting San Andres to do some scuba diving or snorkeling.
- Don’t accept drugs from strangers and don’t purchase them either because it’s disrespectful given the history of the country.
- The Lost City (Santa Marta), Medellin, Tayrona National Park, Cartagena. See this list of top rated tours in Colombia.
- Although not the biggest country in South America, distances are still pretty huge. We recommend looking at flights for different legs, which can sometimes be the same price if not cheaper than some buses.
- Don’t be a hero. If you find yourself getting robbed, don’t resist it and give them your stuff.
- Candelaria in Bogotá is a great area, with lots of hostels and busy bars. Cali is one of the best places in South America for Salsa music! Head to La Topa Tolondra and Zapereco to get involved or watch the city’s finest shine on the floor.
- Make copies of your ID and passport so you can carry that while keeping the originals in a safe place.
Follow these tips, keep a low profile, and trust your instincts. It’s also smart to purchase travel insurance, which is something you should do every time you travel because it’s nice to have support in case you need it.
Traveling Around Colombia
If you want to explore Colombia by bus, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First of all, always do research beforehand so you can understand the system.
Choose the right bus class for your needs, be cautious and keep your passport, cash, and credit cards concealed and on your person, book your tickets online, and only use reputable bus companies every time.
Some of our favourite hostels in Colombia include:
Masaya (Medellin), Hostal R10 (Bogotá), Musa Paradisiaca Hostal (Santa Marta).
Best Time to Visit Colombia
We’ve spoken a lot about the best time to visit South America on this blog (George is absolutely obsessed with checking the weather when we travel).
Due to Colombia’s geographical location, the country experiences extreme seasonal weather, especially when it comes to rainfall. However, there are micro-climates more inland that will be a lot cooler than the coastal areas.
The Caribbean coast is hot year-round, and can sometimes be overbearing. Temperatures range from 81-84°F, with the highest highs of 90°F occurring around springtime.
Rainfall is pretty much non-existent from December until April, with the rainy season running through summer and autumn, where it peaks in October (around 5.3 inches falling throughout the month). The capital of Bogotá on the other hand is very cool and consistent.
Daily averages throughout the year are between 55-56°F, and heavy rainfall comes in waves with the most falling in April and October (8.3 and 7.2 inches respectively).
What to pack for Colombia
Now comes the fun part of packing for your backpacking trip to Colombia!
Located close to the Equator, Colombia is pretty hot year-round in most destinations.
As a result, we recommend bringing lots of light clothing as walking around during the day can get overbearing at times.
Some parts such as Bogotá and The Coffee Zone are chilly in comparison, so if you’re thinking of heading here then be sure to add some extra layers in.
In terms of packing, we recommend packing lots of light clothing such as vests, shorts and dresses. Lots of sun-cream and mosquito repellent are musts, although you can also buy these here once you arrive.
As well as these, pack the other necessities such as toiletries, document holders, hiking boots, towels, a water bottle as well as a day-pack for any excursions you’ll be taking part in.
Got travel insurance for Colombia?
Backpacking Colombia: Final Words
You’ll find lots to do in Colombia and you’ll enjoy every minute of your trip.
Be sure to use this guide as a reference before and during your visit so you can get the most out of it!
Read our backpacking South America guide for more ideas. Most importantly, have fun, be safe, and enjoy the many wonders Colombia has to offer.
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