5 tips for the charming coastal town of Palomino in Colombia
March 13, 2023
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Touring Colombia guarantees an insane adventure. But where does this adventure begin and which places should not be missed? Get ready for a diverse trip in which you will visit colonial cities, challenge yourself with hikes through the jungle and relax on beautiful white sandy beaches. This is the ultimate itinerary through Colombia!
How many weeks do you need to travel through Colombia?
Is our itinerary through Colombia is ideal for a travel period of 3 weeks, but you can also do the itinerary in 2 weeks by omitting some destinations, for example. Or by staying less time in one destination, for example in MedellÃn. But we don't recommend this, by the way! Of course there are many more interesting places to visit in Colombia and when you are bound to a travel period you will have to make choices. Do you have longer time? Great, then you can easily enjoy yourself in Colombia for several weeks if not months!
Where does your tour of Colombia begin and end?
A trip through Colombia can begin in the capital Bogota, or it can start in the city of Cartagena. It just depends on which flight is the cheapest and where you are traveling from. By the way, a round trip starts more often in Bogota than in Cartagena, because from the Netherlands the airline KLM flies directly to the capital.Â
Therefore, our itinerary starts in Bogota and ends in Cartagena. You don't have to go back to Bogota especially to fly to the Netherlands. In fact, KLM flies to Bogota and before the plane returns to Schiphol Airport, it makes a stopover in Cartagena. Do you board here? Then you have more time to discover the beautiful places of Colombia and your return trip is somewhat shorter.Â
Of course, this is just a tip and it's always good to find out what suits you and your needs best. Something we are happy to help you with, by the way, should you be interested in this.
The ideal 3-week itinerary through Colombia
The trip we took through Colombia for 3 weeks is definitely an itinerary we can recommend. This itinerary takes you through beautiful landscapes and vibrant cities. Each time you will be amazed by the diversity, beautiful nature and interesting local culture.
Bogota - 2 nights
Salento - 2 nights
MedellÃn - 5 nights
Santa Marta - 1 night
Ciudad Perdida (hike) - 3 nights
Palomino - 3 nights
Cartagena - 4 nights
1. Bogota
As we wrote, our trip started in the capital Bogota, Colombia's largest city. Bogota is the ideal destination to get acquainted, for the first time, with Colombian culture. It is cozy and atmospheric, and we can definitely recommend spending two nights here. Not only to get used to the time difference, but also because Bogota offers a number of interesting neighborhoods and beautiful sights to discover. Are you curious? Then quickly discover our tips for visiting the city of Bogota.
The La Candaleria neighborhood is a nice place to stay in Bogota, and in particular the accommodation Selina La Candelaria Bogota is a nice place to remember. You can book private rooms there, but there are also dorms available.
2. Salento
We leave the capital Bogota behind and travel on to the mountain village of Salento. To get here, we first fly to Pereira from where we take a cab to get to Salento. This mountain village is a well-known destination in the coffee region of Colombia, but is also wildly popular as a base to visit the impressive Cocora Valley. In the Valle de Cocora you will find the tallest palm trees in the world, as well as beautiful hikes through the mountains. We are actually already naming two things you can do in Salento, but there is more. These are 10 great tips for Salento!
3. MedellÃn
Several buses depart daily from Salento's bus station to the metropolis of MedellÃn. A destination that should definitely not be missed in your itinerary through Colombia. The bus trip from Salento to MedellÃn takes about 7 to 8 hours. Tickets can be booked locally at the bus station, but you can also already book online via 12Go buy your bus ticket.Â
So the next destination is MedellÃn! A city that less than 25 years ago was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world. A city where locals had to deal with a lot of violence and crime on a daily basis. Since Pablo Escobar's drug cartel no longer has a grip on the city, the government has been able to reach a compromise with the other cartels present. This compromise has transformed the city of MedellÃn into a vibrant and safe city. An interesting activity to sign up for is the Free Walking Tour. During a walk through the city and/or through Comuna 13, you will learn more about the city's sinister history. But don't forget to take a trip to the nearby village of Guatapé. These are just a few of the fun things to do in MedellÃn.
4. Santa Marta
After spending almost a week in MedellÃn, it is time for the next destination on the itinerary: Santa Marta. Located on the west coast, the Caribbean coast, this port city is the ideal base for exploring the surrounding coastal towns and mountainous areas of the Sierra Nevada.Â
You can choose to travel directly to Palomino, Tayrona or Minca, for example, but spending a night in the port city is nice. The Caribbean atmospheres in town make it an atmospheric place, especially around Parque de Los Novios, with nice stores and restaurants.Â
5. Ciudad Perdida
A destination not in every itinerary through Colombia is Ciudad Perdida, also translated the lost city. You can hike through the mountains of the Sierra Nevada to this special archaeological destination via a multi-day hike. It is an insane adventure where you stay overnight in the open air and meet local indigenous tribes. You can compare Ciudad Perdida somewhat with Machu Picchu in Peru, but much less known and more remote. A hike to this place will undoubtedly be the highlight of your tour of Colombia!
Alternative: Minca
Going into the jungle is an absolute must-do. And whether you do so by hiking to Ciudad Perdida or traveling to the village of Minca, that choice is entirely up to you. Minca is located in the middle of the tropical rainforest and is surrounded by nothing but mountains. A beautiful destinations where you can become one with nature. Go in search of a waterfall, relax in a hammock and make friends for life.Â
Alternative: Tayrona National Park
One of the most popular national parks in Colombia is Tayrona National Park, which is idyllically located on the Caribbean Sea. The park contains miles of beaches, lush jungle and wildlife. Spending the night in Tayrona National Park can be as adventurous as you like. Will you opt for a hammock, tent or bungalow?
6. Palomino
A relaxing place on the Caribbean coast where you can enjoy wonderful beach days is the village of Palomino. Taking some time to unwind during a tour is very important. Because as fun as it is to explore a lot on vacation, taking your time to let everything sink in is very valuable. That way you can enjoy more of what you have already seen and what is yet to come.Â
Palomino is absolutely the place for this. The laid-back atmosphere here makes you do everything at your leisure as well. Enjoy Caribbean atmospheres, the palm trees, the sun and the coziness of the village. Visit Palomino definitely not over!
7. Cartagena
The last destination on the Colombia itinerary is Cartagena, the most famous city on the Caribbean coast. It is a colorful and atmospheric city where you can easily linger longer than you planned beforehand. The beautiful colonial buildings and brightly colored bougainvillea dominate the streets of the historic center. It is truly a picture to behold. Take a walk along the historic city wall for beautiful views and admire the exuberant street art and other creative artwork in the Getsemani neighborhood. Cartagena is without a doubt a city you can lose your heart to. You will find many good and cozy restaurants, as well as many fun activities to do and sights to discover. These are our tips for Cartagena!
Helpful tips for traveling through Colombia
Have we inspired you to travel through Colombia? Super! But maybe you still have some questions. Like what is the best travel period? And what are nice accommodations to stay in? The answer to these questions can be found in our article full tips for traveling through Colombia.Â
Take a tour of Colombia
Do you want to travel around Colombia, but don't quite know how to go about it? And are you in doubt about the itinerary and destinations? We are happy to help you on your way. During a 1-on-1 video interview we will map out your wishes and advise you on the most beautiful places that suit you. Would you rather leave it all up to us? No problem! We organize your trip completely customized. Ask for a travel proposal for your round trip through Colombia.Â
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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