A day-by-day guide: where to go and what to see. Cities from Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice (Best of the Best). In South America’s top 10 you’ll find Cartagena, Medellín and Bogotá; Guatapé and San Andrés beaches also show up in Things to Do / Beaches rankings.
12–14 day route
Most people fly into Bogotá (~2,600 m): two easy days in the capital first (water, light food, no marathon), then Medellín + a day in Guatapé, then Cartagena (sea, walls). Flights between cities are ~1 hour. Altitude-free alternative: start in Cartagena and leave Bogotá for the end.
-
Days 1–3 · ~#7 in South America
Bogotá
Typical arrival in the capital. At ~2,600 m, keep day one light. La Candelaria, Museo del Oro, Monserrate (morning). Optional Zipaquirá (Catedral de Sal). Get a TuLlave card for TransMilenio.
- Day 1: acclimatize + Candelaria / gold museum
- Day 2: Monserrate + Banco de la República museums
- Day 3: Zipaquirá or food neighborhoods / fly to Medellín
Where to go
- Mount Monserrate - mountain and city views
- Museo del Oro - Gold Museum, must-see
- Barrio La Candelaria - historic center
- Museos del Banco de la República - including Museo Botero
- Catedral de Sal (Zipaquirá) - salt cathedral, day trip from Bogotá
Where to eat
- El Chato - chef-driven Chapinero; book ahead
- OMM - Asian / Nikkei, often tops Tripadvisor in Bogotá
- Amor Perfecto - specialty coffee
- Tropicália Coffee - specialty café often ranked globally
- Parmessano - brunch; Crepes & Waffles - reliable chain
-
Transfer
Bogotá → Medellín
Flight ~1 h (mornings are easier). In Medellín get a Cívica card at a metro ticket window. More: transport.
-
Days 4–6 and 8 · Trending Destinations
Medellín
“City of eternal spring”, metro and cable cars. Comuna 13, Plaza Botero, botanical garden or Parque Arví. Day 8 after Guatapé is a buffer: Pueblito Paisa, coffee, flight to Cartagena.
- Day 4: arrival, El Poblado / Laureles
- Day 5: Comuna 13 (better with a guide)
- Day 6: center - Botero, Explora / botanical garden
- Day 8: buffer / fly to Cartagena
Where to go
- Comuna 13 - graffiti tours, escalators
- Plaza Botero - sculptures by Museo de Antioquia
- Museum of Antioquia - museum by Botero Plaza
- Parque Explora - science, aquarium
- Jardín Botánico - by Universidad metro
- Parque Arví - nature + cable car Linea L
- Pueblito Paisa - valley view from Cerro Nutibara
Where to eat
- Pergamino Café - specialty coffee and brunch
- Carmen - modern Colombian cuisine
- Hatoviejo - classic paisa, bandeja and views
- Crepes & Waffles - mall-friendly safe bet
- Ritual Mesa Mística / Rebelión - dinner with valley views
- Gabo - cocktails, book ahead; Milkshake La 70 - Laureles sweet stop
-
Day 7 · day trip from Medellín
Guatapé
Early start: Piedra del Peñol (~740 steps), colorful town, lake. Back to Medellín in the evening.
Where to go
- Piedra del Peñol - rock and reservoir views
- Laguna de Guatapé - lake / dam, boats
- Colorful Guatapé town - zócalos, waterfront
Where to eat
- Town waterfront - trout (trucha), arepas, juices; skip the bus-trap stalls at the rock if you can
- Guatapé restaurants on Tripadvisor
-
Transfer
Medellín → Cartagena
Flight ~1 h (mornings are easier). Down to the Caribbean: heat and humidity. More: transport.
-
Days 9–12 · ~#5 in South America
Cartagena
Caribbean finish: Centro Histórico and walls, evening in Getsemaní. Separate day for Islas del Rosario or Totumo. Heat is intense - walk mornings and evenings.
- Day 9: walls, Plaza Santo Domingo, sunset on the bastions
- Day 10: Getsemaní + San Felipe
- Day 11: islands or mud volcano
- Day 12: buffer / fly home or to an island
Where to go
- Walled City - walls, plazas, colonial postcard
- Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas - fortress overlooking the city
- Barrio Getsemaní - street art, cafés, nightlife
- Plaza Santo Domingo - heart of the walled city
- Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver - church and museum
- Volcán de Lodo El Totumo - mud volcano (day trip)
- Islas del Rosario / beaches - islands and snorkeling
Where to eat
- La Cevichería - ceviche inside the walls (small; queues possible)
- Carmen Cartagena - fine dining; reserve
- Café del Mar - sunset on the walls, cocktails and views
- Época Café Bar - coffee / brunch in Getsemaní
- Cartagena restaurants on Tripadvisor
-
Days 13–14 · option A
San Andrés
Caribbean archipelago: flights from Bogotá, Medellín or Cartagena. On a 10-day trip you can end in Cartagena.
Where to go
- Johnny Cay - postcard island
- Playa Spratt Bight - main city beach
-
Days 13–14 · option B
Cali
Salsa capital - if you want one more city without an island. San Antonio, the river, dancing.
Where to go
- Barrio San Antonio - hill, cafés, colonial vibe
- Iglesia de San Antonio - hilltop church with views
- Gato de Tejada (El Gato del Río) - cats by the Cauca river
- Zoológico de Cali - one of the region’s best zoos
- Caliwood Museo - cinema museum
Where to eat
- Cali restaurants on Tripadvisor
- San Antonio hillside cafés - combine a walk with dinner and views
- Crepes & Waffles - predictable lunch without hunting
-
If you have more time
More top places
- Ciudad Perdida (Santa Marta) - multi-day trek to the Lost City
- Things to Do: Colombia - country-wide ranking
Travellers' Choice awards are based on Tripadvisor reviews, not an editorial pick. Overview: Colombia · Travelers' Choice hub.