Colombia is the gateway to South America, and it offers a wonderful mixture of culture, history, arts, and nature to cater to all travelers. 10 days isn’t enough time to see everything in Colombia - in fact, it means missing out on quite a bit of the vast nation. Highlights that are missing from this itinerary include the coastal city of Cartagena, the salsa capital of Cali, and the beauty of Tayrona National Park, near Santa Marta.
Follow this 10-day itinerary for an epic experience in Colombia; visitors will definitely want to go back to see the Caribbean Coast of the country. Here is the perfect way to see the areas around Medellín and Bogotá in just 10 days.
10 Day One: Arrival In Medellín
Most travelers will be arriving from international destinations, meaning they will land in Medellín at the José María Córdova International Airport. From there, it takes approximately 25 minutes to get into the city center by taxi.
In Medellín, the ideal place to stay is El Poblado, a tourist hub with plenty of hostels, Airbnb options, and vibrant nightlife. This city is nicknamed The City Of Eternal Spring, offering pleasant weather year-round.
9 Day Two: City Walking Tour And Dance Class
On the first full day in Medellín, travelers can join a city walking tour to learn about the history of the area, or they can look for tours that specifically discuss graffiti and street art in Medellín.
For those staying in hostels, many of these facilities offer tours that can be booked through the front desk. Then, after lunch, consider taking a Salsa lesson to learn the traditional dance style of Colombia.
8 Day Three: Tour Of Comuna 13 And Football Game
On the second full day in Medellín, book a guided tour of Comuna 13, which is approximately 10 km northwest of El Poblado.
While in the '80s and '90s Comuna 13 was considered one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world, it is now on the up and up, with beautiful street art, escalators replacing lofty staircases, and performers dancing in the streets. The area has really turned around in recent decades, and it’s now safe to visit during daylight hours.
A word to the wise: do not mention Pablo Escobar while in Medellín. His mark on the city is a dark one and has affected many people who lived there for decades in negative ways. It’s best not to feed into the interest of this part of the city’s history and instead, look towards its bright future.
In the evening, get tickets to a football game (a soccer game, to most North Americans) for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
There's no better way to learn about a country's culture than to attend a sporting match.
7 Day Four: Day Trip To Guatapé
In the morning, hop on a bus to Guatapé from Medellín at Medellín's Terminal Norte. The ride takes approximately 2 hours and leads to a charming, colorful town with a massive rock that visitors climb to the top of for 360º views.
The rock, El Peñón de Guatapé, was named a National Monument in the 1940s and has 649 steps to the top. Spend the day exploring Guatapé, grab lunch at a local restaurant, and in the afternoon catch a bus back to Medellín.
6 Day Five: Arrival In Salento
On the morning of day five, travelers can depart Medellín for Salento in one of two ways. They can book a domestic flight, which takes only 45 minutes to reach Salento, or they can hop on a bus.
For the cheapest option, take the 6-hour bus ride from Medellín to Salento with an average ticket price of around $24.
By early evening, travelers will arrive in Salento where they can check into their accommodation and explore the town.
5 Day Six: Cocora Valley
The next morning, start early to reach the Cocora Valley before the crowds. This is where travelers can find the tallest palm trees in the world.
It’s a spectacular sight and there are also hiking trails in the area, so plan to spend the entire here immersed in nature.
4 Day Seven: Tour A Coffee Farm
Don’t leave Salento without spending a day at a coffee farm. Salento is known as the “coffee cradle” of Colombia, so it’s the perfect place to learn about the process of coffee brewing from growing the plants to harvesting the fruit, selecting the beans, and roasting them.
3 Day Eight: Arrival In Bogotá
On day eight of this itinerary, travelers will leave Salento and head to the Colombian capital, Bogotá. Keep in mind that Bogotá is at a higher altitude, so temperatures tend to be cooler and weather can change suddenly — pack accordingly.
To reach Bogotá, travelers can fly, or they can take a bus. There is no direct bus, so the trip is broken into two legs: Salento to Armenia and Armenia to Bogotá.
2 Day Nine: Monserrate Cable Car And Food Tour
For their only full day in Bogotá, travelers should hop in the cable car (around ~$4.92) or hike to Cerro de Monserrate. This offers scenic views of the city below and there are markets and restaurants to enjoy at the top.
Spend the afternoon on a Colombian food tour and don’t miss the historic restaurant La Puerto Falsa. This restaurant has been operating in the La Candelaria neighborhood for over a century.
1 Day Ten: Departure Day
Grab a final Colombian breakfast before departing for home from El Dorado Bogotá International Airport (BOG) to go home or discover the next destination.
Bogotá is a great jumping-off point for exploring Peru, Ecuador, or various parts of Central America.