28 days in Colombia Itinerary

The site of the continent's first Spanish colony, Cartagena retains much of its colonial flavor thanks to a World Heritage-listed old town, encircled by old walls and protected by imposing fortresses.

Visit Centro Cultural Leandro Diaz and Miramar Beach Club for some beach relaxation. Do some cultural sightseeing at Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas and Walled City of Cartagena. There's lots more to do: get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver, get impressive views of Volcan de Lodo El Totumo (Mud Volcano), and explore the world behind art at La Presentacion Casa Museo Arte y Cultura.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Cartagena trip planner.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Cartagena is an approximately 13-hour flight. Traveling from Amsterdam to Cartagena, you'll gain 6 hours due to the time zone difference. Prepare for warmer weather when traveling from Amsterdam in March: high temperatures in Cartagena hover around 37°C and lows are around 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Fri) early enough to travel to Isla Baru.

Lying south of Cartagena, Isla Baru was connected to the mainland until the construction of the Canal del Dique.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Sat): identify plant and animal life at Aviario Nacional de Colombia and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Blanca.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Isla Baru online attractions planner.

You can ride a ferry from Cartagena to Isla Baru in 3.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to San Andres Island.

The coral San Andres Island boasts a rich colonial history, exotic beaches, and a laidback, tropical lifestyle.

Relax by the water at Playa de San Luis and Playa Charquitos. Get some cultural insight at Parque Tematico El Pueblito Isleno San Andres and Plaza Canon de Morgan. Next up on the itinerary: tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa de Spratt Bight, take in the dramatic natural features at Hoyo Soplador, kick back and relax at Cocoplum Bay, and look for all kinds of wild species at West View.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our San Andres Island online travel planner.

Getting from Isla Baru to San Andres Island by flight takes about 5 hours. In March, daytime highs in San Andres Island are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 29°C. On the 11th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Providencia Island.

Although part of Colombia, the small, isolated Providencia Island retains its Caribbean culture and English-Creole language.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Fri): take in the dramatic natural features at Morgan's Head and then head off the coast to Crab Cay-Cayo Cangrejo.

To see maps, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Providencia Island trip planner.

Traveling by combination of flight and taxi from San Andres Island to Providencia Island takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. In March, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Fri) to allow time to travel to Bogota.

Colombia's heart and soul, Bogota has earned the nickname "Athens of South America" thanks to its abundance of universities, libraries, and lower-level schools.

Get some cultural insight at Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) and Museo Botero del Banco de la Republica. Change things up with these side-trips from Bogota: Bioparque La Reserva (in Cota), Laguna de Guatavita (in Tierra Negra) and Museo Aeroespacial Colombiano (in Tocancipa). And it doesn't end there: take in the awesome beauty at Monserrate, don't miss a visit to Parque de Santander, take in the exciting artwork at Casa Gomez Campuzano, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at La Catedral Primada.

For maps, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Bogota itinerary builder website.

Do a combination of ferry and flight from Providencia Island to Bogota in 9 hours. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Providencia Island in March: highs in Bogota hover around 23°C, while lows dip to 10°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) early enough to travel to Medellin.

Nestled between rising hills in a narrow valley, Medellin serves as an energetic melting pot of people from all socio-economic classes.

Get a sense of the local culture at Museo de Antioquia and Parroquia Sta Ana Santuario de Maria Auxiliadora .Sabaneta. The adventure continues: take in the local highlights with Walking tours, see Off-Road Tours, pause for some serene contemplation at Templo Parroquial Jesus Nazareno, and walk around Parques del Rio.

To see ratings, reviews, and tourist information, use the Medellin itinerary builder website.

Fly from Bogota to Medellin in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Bogota in March; daily highs in Medellin reach 32°C and lows reach 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) to allow time to travel to Salento.

Founded in 1842, the town of Salento represents the oldest established settlement in Quindio.

Get out of town with these interesting Salento side-trips: Filandia (Maderitas Jugueteria & El Palacio del Barbas). And it doesn't end there: identify plant and animal life at Kasaguadua Natural Reserve, relax in the rural setting at Las Acacias Coffee Farm, explore the galleries of Region Paisaje / Landscape Region, and appreciate the views at Valle del Cocora.

To find out how to plan a trip to Salento, use our trip itinerary maker.

You can fly from Medellin to Salento in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. March in Salento sees daily highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Mon) early enough to travel to Tayrona National Park.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Tue): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa de las 7 Olas.

To find maps, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Tayrona National Park trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by flight from Salento to Tayrona National Park takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from Salento in March, things will get somewhat warmer in Tayrona National Park: highs are around 39°C and lows about 29°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue) early enough to go by car to Palomino.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Wed): enjoy the sand and surf at Playas de Palomino.

To see maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Palomino trip itinerary maker tool.

Drive from Tayrona National Park to Palomino in 2 hours. In March, daytime highs in Palomino are 38°C, while nighttime lows are 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Minca.

A Minca vacation takes you to a small mountain village nestled above Santa Marta in the Sierra Nevada.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Thu): identify plant and animal life at El Dorado Bird Reserve, then get engrossed in the history at Museo del Cacao de Minca, and then see the interesting displays at Museo Minca - Memorial Museum of the Sierra Nevada.

To see ratings, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Minca vacation planner.

Traveling by car from Palomino to Minca takes 2 hours. In March, daily temperatures in Minca can reach 39°C, while at night they dip to 29°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Santa Marta.

Many visitors begin their Santa Marta holiday, surrounded by urban clutter and heavy traffic, expecting little from the city in terms of historical importance.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Fri): kick back and relax at Playa Blanca and then discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the world behind art at Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, enjoy the sand and surf at Cristal Beach, and then observe the fascinating underwater world at Marine World Aquarium.

For photos, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Santa Marta trip planner.

Traveling by car from Minca to Santa Marta takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 39°C in March, and nighttime lows around 29°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) so you can travel back home.