58 days in Colombia Itinerary

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

Head to Esmeraldas Colombianas and Banco de la Republicafor plenty of shopping. You'll get in some beach time at Playa de Spratt Bight and Bahia del Cove. There's lots more to do: explore the gorgeous colors at West View, Head underground at Morgan's Cave, look for all kinds of wild species at Cayo El Acuario, and enjoy the sand and surf at Cocoplum Bay.

For photos, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our San Andres Island visit planning website .

Sydney, Australia to San Andres Island is an approximately 28-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 15 hours traveling from Sydney to San Andres Island. Expect warmer temperatures when traveling from Sydney in August; daily highs in San Andres Island reach 36°C and lows reach 30°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) to allow time to ride a ferry to Providencia Island.

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

Step off the beaten path and head to Crab Cay and The Peak Forestry Reserve. Escape the urban bustle at Scuba & Snorkeling and Almond Bay. Spend the 26th (Mon) exploring nature at McBean Lagoon National Natural Park. There's more to do: enjoy the sea views from Lighthouse Providencia.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Providencia Island trip planner.

Ride a ferry from San Andres Island to Providencia Island in 3 hours. In August in Providencia Island, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 30°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) so you can travel 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.

Shop till you drop at Centro Comercial Zazue Plaza and Yo Amo Santa Marta. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Cristal Beach and Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Santa Marta: Minca (El Dorado Bird Reserve, Memorial Center of the Sierra Nevada, & more) and Gabriel Garcia Marquez Museum (in Aracataca). There's lots more to do: explore the striking landscape of Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, steep yourself in history at Paseo El Camellon, get a sense of history and politics at Alcaldia de Santa Marta, and walk around Parque de Los Novios.

To see reviews, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, read Santa Marta trip planner .

Traveling by combination of ferry and flight from Providencia Island to Santa Marta takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, flight, and bus. August in Santa Marta sees daily highs of 39°C and lows of 30°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sat) so you can travel to Barranquilla.

An industrial port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast, Barranquilla represents the fourth-most populous city in the country.

Castillo de Salgar and Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepcion will appeal to history buffs. You'll explore and learn at Bojanini Art Gallery and Museo del Caribe. Change things up with these side-trips from Barranquilla: Usiacuri (Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzman & Casa Museo Poeta Julio Florez) and Megua Parque Biotematico (in Galapa). Next up on the itinerary: buy something for everyone on your list at Centro Comercial Carnaval, stop by Todomono, and take a stroll around Centro de Convenciones Puerta de Oro.

For more things to do, maps, photos, and other tourist information, use the Barranquilla travel tool .

Traveling by bus from Santa Marta to Barranquilla takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. August in Barranquilla sees daily highs of 39°C and lows of 29°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Cartagena.

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.

Take a break from the city and head to Aviario Nacional de Colombia and Miramar Beach Club. Discover out-of-the-way places like NH Galeria and Iglesia de la Trinidad. Change things up with a short trip to Playa Blanca in Isla Baru (about 1h 05 min away). And it doesn't end there: step into the grandiose world of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, steep yourself in history at Plaza Santo Domingo, don't miss a visit to Plaza de la Aduana, and get outside with Outdoor Activities.

To find where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Cartagena trip planner .

Drive from Barranquilla to Cartagena in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In September, daytime highs in Cartagena are 38°C, while nighttime lows are 30°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can travel to Cali.

Learning how to salsa may be the most popular thing to do in Cali, but this giant city in southwestern Colombia represents more than just the "Salsa Capital of the World." Home to over 2 million people, thriving Cali serves as a major commercial and industrial center in South America, boasting the fastest-growing economy in Colombia.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Iglesia de San Antonio and Museo Aereo Fenix. Appreciate the collections at Caliwood Museo de la Cinematografia and MUSA Museo Arqueologico. When in Cali, make a side trip to see Reserva Natural Nirvana in Palmira, approximately 1h 10 min away. There's still lots to do: look for gifts at Centro Comercial UNICENTRO, browse the different shops at Pacific Mall, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia La Ermita, and take a stroll through Barrio San Antonio.

Before you visit Cali, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

You can fly from Cartagena to Cali in 4.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Cali when traveling from Cartagena in September, with lows around 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) early enough to travel to Leticia.

Leticia represents a large urban area and one of the best places from which to commence exploring areas along the Amazon.

Take a break from the city and head to Parque Ecologico Mundo Amazonico and Reserva Natural Tanimboca. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Isla de Los Micos and Santander Park. And it doesn't end there: get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral de Nuestra Senora de La Paz, meet the residents at Bioparque Etuena, and admire the natural beauty at El Jardin de la Victoria Regia.

Plan trip to Leticia with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

You can fly from Cali to Leticia in 6 hours. Traveling from Cali in September, expect a bit warmer with lows of 26°C in Leticia. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can 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.

For shopping fun, head to Vivoral Ceramica or El Tesoro Parque Comercial. Appreciate the collections at Museo de Antioquia and H by HDC. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Medellin: Parque Tematico Replica del Viejo Penol (in Penol) and Mall Indiana (in Envigado). And it doesn't end there: look for all kinds of wild species at Parque Arvi, glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour, explore the activities along Laguna de Guatape, and admire the landmark architecture of Centro Cultural Moravia.

For ratings, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Medellin trip itinerary maker site .

Getting from Leticia to Medellin by flight takes about 4 hours. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Leticia in September: high temperatures in Medellin hover around 32°C and lows are around 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Sat) early enough to travel to San Gil.

Providing some of the region's best opportunities for paragliding, rappelling, white-water rafting, kayaking, hiking, and caving, San Gil appeals to adventure seekers and nature lovers wishing to escape overcrowded Bogota, located several hours' drive to the south.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Fundacion San Lorenzo De Barichara and Tierrarte. Your inner history buff will appreciate Iglesia Nuestra Senora de Chiquinquira El Socorro and Capilla Inmaculada Concepcion, El Socorro. Venture out of the city with trips to Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion (in Barichara), Parque Nacional de Chicamocha (in Bucaramanga) and Catedral Nuestra Senora del Socorro (in Socorro). Next up on the itinerary: let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, admire the sheer force of Cascada de Juan Curi, head outdoors with Bungee Extremo San Gil, and see the interesting displays at Museo del Algodon y el Lienzo de la Tierra.

To see traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the San Gil route maker website .

Getting from Medellin to San Gil by combination of flight and bus takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 31°C in September, and nighttime lows around 21°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Wed) so you can go by car to Villa de Leyva.

Positioned away from major trade routes and exploitable resources, the colonial town of Villa de Leyva has been largely left alone--leaving a window into the 16th century that has become one of Colombia's most popular attractions.

Shop till you drop at Morphilia Joyeria and Guadalupe Arte & Diseno. Centro de Investigaciones Paleontologicas - CIP and Museo El Fosil will appeal to museum buffs. Explore Villa de Leyva's surroundings by going to Paso del Angel (in Boyaca) and Convento Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá (in Chiquinquira). The adventure continues: see the interesting displays at Casa Museo Antonio Narino, learn about winemaking at Vinedo Umana Dajud, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia del Carmen, and make a trip to Hotel Plaza Mayor Villa de Leyva.

For traveler tips, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, read our Villa de Leyva trip maker site .

You can drive from San Gil to Villa de Leyva in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 30th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Ipiales.

Situated on a plateau 2,950 m (9,678 ft) above sea level, the city of Ipiales enjoys a subtropical highland climate and the title of highest major city in Colombia.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Tue): browse the different shops at Centro Comercial Gran Plaza and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Las Lajas Sanctuary.

To see photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Ipiales travel planner.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Villa de Leyva to Ipiales. In September, daytime highs in Ipiales are 18°C, while nighttime lows are 5°C. On the 2nd (Wed), you'll 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.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) and Catedral de Sal. Discover out-of-the-way places like Laguna de Guatavita and Centro Comercial Cento Chia. Explore Bogota's surroundings by going to Bioparque La Reserva (in Cota), Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de los Dolores (in Zipaquira) and Vinos Express (in Chia). There's still lots to do: admire the masterpieces at Museo Botero del Banco de la Republica, identify plant and animal life at Parque Natural Chicaque, make a trip to Mount Monserrate, and take a stroll through 93 Park.

To find reviews, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Bogota trip itinerary maker .

Explore your travel options from Ipiales to Bogota with the Route module. While traveling from Ipiales, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Bogota, ranging from highs of 22°C to lows of 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 12th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.