Colombia rewards curiosity. From colonial Cartagena’s coral-stone walls to Medellín’s cable cars gliding over red-brick barrios, the country fuses Andean ingenuity with Caribbean ease. Its biodiversity is staggering: páramo moorlands and cloud forests yield to golden beaches and coral reefs, with ancient Tayrona trails threading between.

History runs deep. Indigenous Tayrona heritage lives on in the Sierra Nevada; Cartagena’s fortifications guarded the Spanish Main; and modern cities celebrate artists like Fernando Botero and the rhythms of cumbia and champeta. Coffee, emeralds, and a culinary scene powered by tropical fruit and fresh seafood offer a feast for the senses.

Practical notes: Distances can be long—budget for a few domestic flights and shuttles. Tap water is safe in Medellín and Cartagena’s core but use bottled in smaller towns. Tayrona National Park occasionally closes for ecological “rest” periods—check dates before you go. Pack a light rain jacket, reef-safe sunscreen, and a sense of adventure.

Medellín

Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring,” Medellín pairs ideal weather with innovation: a metro-and-cable car network links neighborhoods to hilltop forests. Street art blooms in Comuna 13, while nearby Guatapé and coffee fincas deliver classic Colombia scenery and hiking.

Getting there: Fly into Medellín (MDE). Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport taxis and app rides take ~45–60 minutes to El Poblado or Laureles (~$15–25 USD).

Days 1–2: City Highlights, Cable Cars, Comuna 13

• Ride the Metrocable from Santo Domingo to Parque Arví for cool-air forest walks and views. Stroll Botero Plaza and the Museo de Antioquia to meet Medellín’s most famous rotund sculptures and canvases.
• Join the Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Street Food for history, murals, and escalators rising through once-inaccessible hillsides. Book on Viator

  

Days 3–4: Guatapé and Coffee Country

• Guatapé day trip: Climb 740 steps up Piedra del Peñol for lake-dotted vistas, wander zócalo-painted streets, and cruise the reservoir. Guatapé Tour: Piedra del Peñol with Boat Tour.

  

• Learn how beans become brews on a Coffee tour near Medellín—pick cherries, see hand-processing, and taste single-origin cups with mountain views. Coffee tour in Medellín with tastings and transportation.

  

Days 5–6: Hikes, Markets, and Local Flavor

• Morning hike options: Parque Arví trails, Cerro Las Tres Cruces (short, steep, great city views), or El Salado Eco Park in Envigado. Afternoon graze at Mercado del Río, a lively food hall for arepas, ceviches, and Colombian craft beer.
• Thrill-seekers: tandem paragliding over the Aburrá Valley from San Félix (weather dependent; ~20 minutes in the air, ~$45–70 USD, transport and video extra).

Where to stay (mid-range focus):

• Hotels in Medellín: browse Hotels.com Medellín or VRBO Medellín.
• Specific options with instant links: The Charlee Hotel (design-forward, rooftop pool on Parque Lleras), Hotel 47 Medellin Street (value near Downtown sights), Hotel Estelar Milla de Oro (quiet, good for longer stays), Hotel San Fernando Plaza (classic, spacious rooms).

Eat & drink like a local:

• Breakfast/coffee: Pergamino (flagship on Via Primavera; try the cold brew and almond croissant), Urbania Café (single-origin pours), Al Alma (arepa de choclo with queso).
• Lunch: Mondongo’s (hearty Antioquian stews; arrive early), Hacienda Junín (bandeja paisa and lulada), Criminal Taquería (casual, great salsas) for a lighter day.
• Dinner: Oci.Mde (smoked meats and seasonal veg), Alambique (creative Colombian plates, jungle-chic décor), Carmen Medellín (splurge tasting menu highlighting native ingredients).
• After-dark: 20Mission Cerveza (craft brewery), Salon Málaga (vintage tango vibes), La Octava (fun spot with a slide and good cocktails).

Next leg—Medellín to Santa Marta: Morning flight MDE→SMR ~1h15; typical fares ~$40–120 USD. Search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Santa Marta (Gateway to the Lost City & Tayrona)

Santa Marta is the Caribbean’s understated hub—colonial streets, palm-lined bays, and quick access to the Sierra Nevada. It’s your launchpad for the legendary Lost City trek and the rainforest-meets-sea trails of Tayrona National Park.

Days 7–11: Arrival and the 4-Day Lost City Trek

• Day 7: Settle into the Historic Center, grab sunset on the Malecón, fuel up at Lulo Café Bar (arepas and tropical juices) or Ouzo (seafood, wood-fired octopus).
• Days 8–11: Tackle the Hike for 4 days to the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida): jungle paths, river crossings, Kogi and Wiwa territory, and 1,200 stone steps to reach a pre-Hispanic terrace city older than Machu Picchu. Expect 7–9 hours of hiking daily, rustic jungle camps, and unforgettable views. Book on Viator

  

Days 12–13: Tayrona National Park Hiking + Beach Recovery

• Spend a full day in Tayrona: enter via El Zaino, hike the Arrecifes–La Piscina–Cabo San Juan trail (coastal jungle, howler monkeys, swim at La Piscina), and lunch on grilled fish with coconut rice. Carry cash, water, and ID; park closures may occur seasonally—verify dates.
• Recovery beach day: boat to Playa Blanca from Santa Marta’s marina or relax in Rodadero’s calmer waters; time sunset at Burukuka (clifftop views, seafood cazuela).

Day 14: Minca Cloud Forest

• Cool off in Minca: coffee and cacao at La Victoria farm, waterfalls at Marinka or Pozo Azul, and birdwatching at dawn. Lunch at Lazy Cat (big portions, valley views). Return to Santa Marta and prep for tomorrow’s transfer.

Where to stay: Choose the Historic Center for walkability; Rodadero for resort-style beaches. Compare Hotels.com Santa Marta and VRBO Santa Marta.

Where to eat:

• Breakfast/coffee: Ikaro Café (farm-to-cup espressos, vegan baked goods), La Brisa Loca Rooftop (views, fruit bowls).
• Lunch: Lulo Café Bar (arepas, patacón pisao with shrimp), Radio Burger (casual), El Santo Parrilla (grilled fish).
• Dinner: Ouzo (Mediterranean seafood), LamArt (creative Caribbean plates), Mañe Ca (traditional costeño flavors, coconut rice that sings).

Next leg—Santa Marta to Cartagena: Best by morning shuttle or private car along the coast: ~4–5 hours, ~$15–30 USD per seat in a shared shuttle. A flight is possible via Bogotá (often 3–4+ hours total), which you can price on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, but overland is usually faster and cheaper.

Cartagena

Cartagena dazzles with bougainvillea-draped balconies, cannon-lined walls, and plazas where Afro-Caribbean beats drift into the night. Beyond the Walled City, island-dotted seas and mangrove-lined shores set up perfect boat days and adventure outings.

Days 15–17: Walled City, Getsemaní, Sunsets

• Kick off with a Private Walking Tour in Cartagena Walled City & Getsemaní—clock tower, plazas, convents, and street art, paced to your interests. Book on Viator

  

• Time sunset on the ramparts. For a memorable evening on the bay, sail on the Cartagena Sunset Skyline Tour on a Pirate Boat (drinks included). Reserve here.

  

Days 18–19: Rosario Islands—Snorkel, Swim, and Beach Clubs

• Choose a full-day Rosario Islands experience with snorkeling and multiple stops: 5 Stop Boat Tour Rosario Islands with Lunch, Forts, & Snorkeling.

  

  Prefer chilling in style? Swap for a Bora Bora Cartagena Beach Club Day.

  

Days 20–21: Culture, Street Food, and a Bit of Mud

• Half-day out to the quirky Totumo Mud Volcano—float in volcanic mud, rinse in the lagoon, and laugh a lot. Book here.

  

• Deepen your understanding of Afro-Colombian heritage on the Tour de Palenque, visiting the first free Black town in the Americas. Drumming, language, and local sweets tell a powerful story. See details.

  

• Prefer a flavor-first finale? The Street Food Tour in Cartagena serves arepas de huevo, carimañolas, and lulo juice while unpacking the city’s melting-pot cuisine. Reserve your spot.

  

• Adrenaline add-on: Cartagena ATV Tour on beaches and dunes by La Boquilla. Check availability.

  

Where to stay: Centro Histórico for history, Getsemaní for creative energy, Bocagrande for a beachfront skyline. Compare options on Hotels.com Cartagena or VRBO Cartagena.

Where to eat:

• Breakfast/coffee: Época Espresso Bar (top-tier cappuccinos, shakshuka), Café San Alberto (single-estate brews in a historic house).
• Lunch: La Mulata (Caribbean plates, daily specials), Di Silvio Trattoria (pizza/pasta in Getsemaní’s plaza), El Boliche Cebichería (intimate ceviche bar).
• Dinner: Carmen Cartagena (refined Colombian tasting menus), La Cevichería (Anthony Bourdain favorite; go early), Demente (tapas in a repurposed church nave).
• Sweet stops: Gelateria Paradiso (local-fruit gelato), La Palettería (paletas in passionfruit and lulo).

Departing Cartagena: Fly out of CTG. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. App rides to the airport are fast (15–25 minutes from the Walled City).

Budget & pacing tips

• With a mid-range budget (~50/100), mix boutique hotels with a few splurge dinners or private tours. Street food and menú del día lunches keep costs balanced.
• Domestic flights often beat overnight buses on time and comfort. Book early for the best MDE↔SMR prices.
• For Tayrona and islands, bring small bills for vendors, beach chairs, and park shuttles. Pack a dry bag for boat days.

Summary: In 21 days you’ll ride Medellín’s cable cars, climb Guatapé’s rock, trek deep to the Lost City, and unwind on Tayrona and Rosario Island beaches—while tasting the best of coastal and Andean Colombia. It’s an adventurous, balanced loop that hits culture, hiking, and sea in equal measure. Expect to leave with sand in your shoes and stories for years.