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.
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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 Monserratemountain and city views
- Museo del OroGold Museum, must-see
- Barrio La Candelariahistoric center
- Museos del Banco de la Repúblicaincluding Museo Botero
- Catedral de Sal (Zipaquirá)salt cathedral, day trip from Bogotá
Where to eat
- El Chatochef-driven Chapinero; book ahead
- OMMAsian / Nikkei, often tops Tripadvisor in Bogotá
- Amor Perfectospecialty coffee
- Tropicália Coffeespecialty café often ranked globally
- Parmessanobrunch;Crepes & Waffles - reliable chain
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Transfer
Bogotá → Medellín
Flight ~1 h (mornings are easier). In Medellín get a Cívica card at a metro ticket window. More: transport.
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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 13graffiti tours, escalators
- Plaza Boterosculptures by Museo de Antioquia
- Museum of Antioquiamuseum by Botero Plaza
- Parque Explorascience, aquarium
- Jardín Botánicoby Universidad metro
- Parque Arvínature + cable car Linea L
- Pueblito Paisavalley view from Cerro Nutibara
Where to eat
- Pergamino Caféspecialty coffee and brunch
- Carmenmodern Colombian cuisine
- Hatoviejoclassic paisa, bandeja and views
- Crepes & Wafflesmall-friendly safe bet
- Ritual Mesa Mística/Rebelión dinner with valley views
- Gabococktails, book ahead;Milkshake La 70 - Laureles sweet stop
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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 Peñolrock and reservoir views
- Laguna de Guatapélake / dam, boats
- Colorful Guatapé townzócalos, 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
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Transfer
Medellín → Cartagena
Flight ~1 h (mornings are easier). Down to the Caribbean: heat and humidity. More: transport.
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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 Citywalls, plazas, colonial postcard
- Castillo de San Felipe de Barajasfortress overlooking the city
- Barrio Getsemanístreet art, cafés, nightlife
- Plaza Santo Domingoheart of the walled city
- Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claverchurch and museum
- Volcán de Lodo El Totumomud volcano (day trip)
- Islas del Rosario / beachesislands and snorkeling
Where to eat
- La Cevicheríaceviche inside the walls (small; queues possible)
- Carmen Cartagenafine dining; reserve
- Café del Marsunset on the walls, cocktails and views
- Época Café Barcoffee / brunch in Getsemaní
- Cartagena restaurants on Tripadvisor
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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 Caypostcard island
- Playa Spratt Bightmain city beach
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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 Antoniohill, cafés, colonial vibe
- Iglesia de San Antoniohilltop church with views
- Gato de Tejada (El Gato del Río)cats by the Cauca river
- Zoológico de Calione of the region’s best zoos
- Caliwood Museocinema museum
Where to eat
- Cali restaurants on Tripadvisor
- San Antonio hillside cafés - combine a walk with dinner and views
- Crepes & Wafflespredictable lunch without hunting
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If you have more time
More top places
- Ciudad Perdida(Santa Marta) - multi-day trek to the Lost City
- Things to Do: Colombiacountry-wide ranking
Travellers' Choice awards are based on Tripadvisor reviews, not an editorial pick. Overview: Colombia · Travelers' Choice hub.