7 Day Colombia Itinerary
Experience Colombia's three essential cities in one week. From Bogotá's world-class museums to Cartagena's Caribbean coast and Medellín's innovative neighborhoods.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Gentle arrival day exploring historic La Candelaria district
Pro tip: Bogotá's altitude can cause headaches - avoid alcohol today and drink coca tea if available.
Route Map
Budget Breakdown
Estimated cost per person for 7 days. Includes accommodation, all meals, local transport, activities, and miscellaneous expenses. Does not include international flights or travel insurance.
| Category | Daily | Total |
|---|---|---|
| accommodation | $80 | $560 |
| food | $60 | $420 |
| transport | $60 | $420 |
| activities | $25 | $175 |
| misc | $15 | $105 |
| Total | $240 | $1680 |
* Budget tier: mid-range. Prices in USD per person.
Money-saving tips:
- Use metro system in Medellín and Bogotá instead of taxis - clean, safe, and cheap
- Eat lunch at local restaurants for 15,000-25,000 COP versus 50,000+ at tourist spots
- Street food is delicious and safe - try arepas and empanadas for 5,000-8,000 COP
- Download Uber for transparent pricing, or use metered taxis and avoid unmarked cars
- Book domestic flights 2-3 weeks ahead - last-minute prices can double
When to Go
Dry season with less rainfall and clearer skies for mountain views and outdoor activities
Rainy season with frequent afternoon downpours that can disrupt sightseeing and transportation
Neighborhood Guide
Get oriented before you arrive — what each area feels like and how to get around.
La Candelaria
good walkabilityCobblestones echo with history as colonial facades lean inward, creating intimate corridors filled with the scent of fresh coffee and street art spray paint. Every corner reveals another mural or busker, making you feel like you're walking through Colombia's living memory.
Known for: Historic colonial architecture, street art, and government buildings
Local tip: Visit the small galleries inside old mansions on Calle 11 - many are free and showcase emerging Colombian artists that locals follow
Transit: Las Aguas TransMilenio station, Line H
Best time: morning
Not stroller-friendly
Zona Rosa
excellent walkabilityGlass towers reflect perfectly manicured park spaces while the hum of upscale restaurants mingles with designer shopping bags rustling past. It feels like Bogotá showing off its cosmopolitan side - polished, safe, and decidedly modern.
Known for: Upscale dining, nightlife, and shopping
Local tip: Bogotanos actually hang out in Parque 93's outdoor cafés on Sunday mornings for extended brunches and people-watching
Transit: Zona Rosa station, Line B TransMilenio
Best time: anytime
Ciudad Amurallada
excellent walkabilityBougainvillea spills over colonial balconies while horse-drawn carriages clip-clop past walls that have witnessed centuries of Caribbean storms. The air is thick with sea salt and the distant sound of vallenato music drifting from hidden courtyards.
Known for: UNESCO World Heritage colonial architecture and historic walls
Local tip: Walk the walls at sunset starting from Baluarte Santa Catalina - locals know this section is less crowded and has the best harbor views
Transit: Walking distance from Centro station
Best time: morning
Not stroller-friendly
Getsemaní
excellent walkabilitySalsa spills from doorways while locals play dominoes under string lights that twinkle against weathered Caribbean facades. It pulses with authentic energy - rough around the edges but genuinely alive with neighborhood spirit.
Known for: Street art, nightlife, and local culture
Local tip: Join the locals at Plaza Trinidad after 7pm for impromptu salsa dancing and cheap beer from corner shops
Transit: 15-minute walk from Centro
Best time: evening
Not stroller-friendly
El Poblado
good walkabilityPalm-lined streets wind uphill past chic restaurants where young professionals sip craft cocktails against a backdrop of verdant mountains. The air is perpetually spring-like, carrying conversations in multiple languages from the international crowd.
Known for: Upscale dining, expat community, and nightlife
Local tip: Paisas actually prefer the smaller bars on Carrera 35 over touristy Parque Lleras - better drinks, half the price
Transit: Poblado Metro station, Line A
Best time: anytime
Comuna 13
moderate walkabilityVibrant murals cascade down steep hillsides while reggaeton beats echo from the famous outdoor escalators. There's a palpable sense of transformation and pride - residents share their neighborhood's redemption story with genuine enthusiasm.
Known for: Street art, urban innovation, and transformation story
Local tip: Take the graffiti tour with local guides from the community - they know which families run the best empanada stands along the route
Transit: San Javier Metro station, then cable car
Best time: afternoon
Not stroller-friendly
What to Eat inColombia
Bogotá
Eating etiquette
- •10% tip is standard in restaurants
- •Don't add salt before tasting - chefs take it personally
- •Share arepas - they're meant to be communal
Breakfast
Bogotanos eat light - changua (milk soup with eggs) or fresh fruit with yogurt. Most hotels serve terrible coffee, so hit street vendors for proper tinto
Lunch
Look for 'corrientazos' - set lunch menus for $3-5 that include soup, main, rice, beans, and juice. Best deals are away from Zona Rosa
Dinner
Dinner starts late (8pm) and runs long. Reservations essential for upscale places. Many restaurants close Sundays
Dishes you can't miss
300-year-old restaurant serving the definitive version with proper guascas herb
La Puerta Falsa · $8-12
Massive platter done right - locals say this Antioquia-style version is better than most you'll find in Medellín
Hacienda Real · $15-18
Street food highlights
Cartagena
Eating etiquette
- •Eating with hands is normal for street food
- •Always ask for 'ají' (hot sauce) - it's not automatically spicy
- •Don't waste plantains - locals consider it disrespectful
Breakfast
Light and sweet - arepa de huevo, fresh fruit, and strong coffee. Many places don't serve breakfast past 10am
Lunch
Seek out 'mercados' (markets) for authentic Caribbean flavors at local prices - avoid tourist zone restaurants
Dinner
Late dining (9pm) with emphasis on seafood. Many locals eat their big meal at lunch due to heat
Dishes you can't miss
Anthony Bourdain's favorite spot - whole fried fish with twice-fried plantains done perfectly
La Cevichería · $18-25
Crispy arepa with whole egg fried inside - this plaza has the city's best vendors
Portal de los Dulces · $2-3
Street food highlights
Medellín
Eating etiquette
- •Paisas eat beans daily - embrace it
- •Coffee is served tiny and strong - don't ask for large sizes
- •Sharing food is common - order family-style
Breakfast
Hearty mountain breakfast - calentao (reheated rice and beans), arepa, and coffee. Starts early (6am)
Lunch
El Poblado has great variety but head to Envigado for better prices and authentic paisa food
Dinner
Earlier than other Colombian cities (7pm). Focus on grilled meats and innovative takes on traditional dishes
Dishes you can't miss
The original - this local chain does the massive traditional platter exactly how paisas expect it
Hatoviejo · $12-15
Saturday special soup with every imaginable meat and vegetable - hangover cure and social ritual
Mondongo's · $10-14
Street food highlights
Getting Between Cities
How to book: Book online at least 2 weeks ahead for best prices - avoid Friday/Sunday flights which cost double
Platform: El Dorado Terminal 1 for domestic flights - arrive 90 minutes early, security is thorough
Luggage: 23kg checked bag included on most fares - pack beach clothes in carry-on in case of delays
Pro tip: Right side window for Magdalena River views on approach to Cartagena
How to book: Rafael Núñez airport is small - book directly with airlines for best service
Platform: Only one terminal, arrive 90 minutes early despite size - immigration checks are slow
Luggage: Weight limits strictly enforced - tropical souvenirs add up quickly
Pro tip: Left side for Andes mountain views approaching Medellín
How to book: José María Córdova airport is 45 minutes from city - factor in transport time and cost ($15-25)
Platform: Airport is in mountains - flights often delayed by weather, book earliest flight possible
Luggage: Coffee purchases at airport are overpriced - buy in El Poblado before leaving
Pro tip: Either side offers spectacular Andes views
Daily Walking Distances
Packing List
Bogotá gets sudden downpours year-round, Medellín has afternoon showers
La Candelaria's cobblestones are slippery when wet, Comuna 13 has steep inclines
Bogotá mornings are cold (50°F), afternoons warm (70°F) - daily 20-degree swings
High altitude in Bogotá/Medellín intensifies UV, Caribbean sun in Cartagena is brutal
Cartagena mosquitoes carry dengue - especially active dawn/dusk in Getsemaní
Altitude change from sea level to 8,600ft in Bogotá causes dehydration headaches
Long days walking, using maps, and taking photos drain batteries fast
Pickpocketing happens in all three cities - need secure storage for valuables
Cartagena beaches and hostel showers, plus feet need to breathe in humidity
Cartagena humidity makes jeans unbearable, needed for mosque/church visits
Bogotá evenings drop to 45°F, Medellín cable cars get windy and cold
Sudden rain common, beach time in Cartagena
ATMs scarce in La Candelaria and Comuna 13, need to carry cash securely
Cartagena humidity and potential beach time
Pharmacies close early on Sundays, altitude sickness medication helpful
Skip These
Save your time and money — here's what to skip and what to do instead.
Overpriced replicas that look cheap once you get home - the museum is great but skip the shopping
→ Instead:Buy handicrafts directly from artisans in La Candelaria's small galleries for better prices and authentic pieces
Tourist trap with inflated prices and pushy vendors selling mass-produced 'local' goods made in China
→ Instead:Shop at Portal de los Dulces for real local sweets or Getsemaní street markets for authentic crafts
$15 cocktails, aggressive promoters, and more gringos than locals - you're paying premium for a fake experience
→ Instead:Hit the smaller bars on Carrera 35 or venture to Laureles neighborhood for authentic paisa nightlife
Overpriced at $20 roundtrip, long lines, and the funicular offers the same views for less money
→ Instead:Take the funicular for $8 or hike up free on Sunday mornings with locals - better photos, no crowds
Overcrowded boats, polluted water near the docks, and rushed schedule that barely lets you enjoy anything
→ Instead:Take the public ferry to Playa Blanca on Barú Peninsula - same crystal waters, fraction of the cost and crowds
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 7 days enough for Colombia?
Seven days allows you to experience Colombia's three main destinations: Bogotá's culture and museums, Cartagena's Caribbean colonial charm, and Medellín's urban transformation story. While you'll only scratch the surface, it's enough time to get a solid feel for the country's diversity and decide which regions to explore more deeply on a future trip.
How much does 7 days in Colombia cost?
Budget travelers can expect $80-120 per day including mid-range accommodation, local restaurants, public transport, and major attractions. This totals roughly $600-900 for the week, plus flights. Costs are significantly lower than other South American destinations like Chile or Brazil, making Colombia excellent value for money.
What is the best month to visit Colombia?
December through February and June through August are ideal, offering dry weather with minimal rainfall. Avoid April-May and September-November when afternoon downpours are frequent. Colombia's location near the equator means temperatures stay consistent year-round, so rainfall patterns matter more than temperature.
Do I need a visa for Colombia?
US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days with just a valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date. No vaccinations are required unless arriving from yellow fever risk countries, though hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are recommended.
Is Colombia safe for tourists?
Major tourist areas in Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellín are generally safe during daylight hours with standard precautions. Avoid displaying expensive items, use registered taxis or Uber, and stay in well-lit areas after dark. The security situation has improved dramatically over the past decade, though some rural areas should still be avoided.
What should I know about Colombian food?
Colombian cuisine varies by region: Bogotá specializes in hearty mountain food like ajiaco soup, Cartagena offers fresh seafood with coconut rice, and Medellín serves massive bandeja paisa platters. Street food like arepas and empanadas is delicious and safe. Colombian coffee is world-class - try single-origin varieties from different regions.
Travel Tips forColombia
Cash vs Cards in Colombia
Colombia is still largely cash-based outside major hotels and upscale restaurants. ATMs are widely available and offer better exchange rates than airport currency exchanges. Notify your bank before travel and carry backup cards. Small vendors and street food require cash.
Domestic Flight Strategy
Book domestic flights 2-3 weeks ahead for best prices with Avianca or LATAM. Viva Air is budget but less reliable. Distances are vast - flying saves hours versus bus travel. Pack light as baggage fees can be expensive on budget carriers.
Colombian Hospitality
Colombians are exceptionally friendly and helpful to tourists. Learn basic Spanish greetings - effort is appreciated even if your Spanish is poor. Lunch is the main meal (12-2pm), dinner is often light. Tipping 10% at restaurants is standard but not mandatory for street food.
Smart Safety Practices
Use official taxis or Uber rather than unmarked cars. Don't walk alone after dark, especially in Bogotá's La Candelaria. Keep passport copies and leave originals in hotel safes. Tourist police (green uniforms) are helpful and often speak English.
Altitude Awareness
Bogotá sits at 2,640 meters - drink lots of water, avoid alcohol first day, and take activities slowly until acclimatized. Coca tea helps with symptoms. Cartagena and Medellín are at sea level and comfortable. Pack layers for Bogotá's cool evenings.
Essential Info
Colombian peso (COP) - use ATMs for best rates, carry cash for small vendors and street food
10% at restaurants if service charge not included, round up taxi fares, tip tour guides 10,000-20,000 COP per person
Buy Claro or Movistar SIM at airport for 20,000 COP with data plan, or use international roaming
More Options inColombia
Places that didn't make the main itinerary but are worth knowing about.
More Restaurants
More Activities
Cafes & Coffee
Bars & Nightlife
Shopping
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