Colombia itinerary, day by day

The Caribbean port Spain walled in against pirates, now UNESCO-listed. Painted houses, wooden balconies heavy with bougainvillea, and the sea on the far side of the ramparts.

• The walled city, guidedHalf day · from €25

  Colonial squares, flowered balconies, and the stories of the pirate raids that made the walls necessary.

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• Rosario Islands day tripFull day · from €45

  A boat out to the coral islands off Cartagena, for clear water, snorkelling and a beach lunch.

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Known as the city of eternal spring for its mild climate. Once a byword for violence, it rebuilt itself around cable cars that link the hillside districts, Comuna 13 among them, to the valley floor.

• Comuna 13 graffiti tour, guidedHalf day · from €25

  The district that became the symbol of Medellín's turnaround, with its outdoor escalators and murals, explained by a local guide.

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• Guatapé and El Peñol day tripFull day · from €45

  Around 700 steps up the granite dome of El Peñol for the view over the reservoir lakes, then lunch in the painted village of Guatapé.

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A capital at 2,640 metres, which you feel on the first flight of stairs. The colonial lanes of La Candelaria sit at the foot of Monserrate, the peak the whole city looks up to.

• Monserrate and the old town, guidedHalf day · from €30

  Up by cable car or funicular to the sanctuary at 3,152 metres, then back down into the colonial centre with a guide.

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• The Gold Museum and street artHalf day · from €25

  Tens of thousands of pre-Columbian gold pieces in one museum, then the murals that cover the walls of the centre.

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The Caribbean port Spain walled in against pirates, now UNESCO-listed. Painted houses, wooden balconies heavy with bougainvillea, and the sea on the far side of the ramparts.

• The walled city, guidedHalf day · from €25

  Colonial squares, flowered balconies, and the stories of the pirate raids that made the walls necessary.

  Book on GetYourGuide →
• Rosario Islands day tripFull day · from €45

  A boat out to the coral islands off Cartagena, for clear water, snorkelling and a beach lunch.

  Book on GetYourGuide →

Known as the city of eternal spring for its mild climate. Once a byword for violence, it rebuilt itself around cable cars that link the hillside districts, Comuna 13 among them, to the valley floor.

• Comuna 13 graffiti tour, guidedHalf day · from €25

  The district that became the symbol of Medellín's turnaround, with its outdoor escalators and murals, explained by a local guide.

  Book on GetYourGuide →
• Guatapé and El Peñol day tripFull day · from €45

  Around 700 steps up the granite dome of El Peñol for the view over the reservoir lakes, then lunch in the painted village of Guatapé.

  Book on GetYourGuide →

The valley of the Quindío wax palm, the national tree and the tallest palm in the world, which can pass 50 metres. Salento is the painted village at its mouth, in the heart of coffee country.

• Cocora Valley hikeFull day · from €20

  A loop through cloud forest and pasture to the stands of giant wax palms, with river crossings on wooden bridges.

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• Coffee farm visit and tastingHalf day · from €25

  From the bush to the cup on a working finca, with a tasting at the end.

  Book on GetYourGuide →