Couple walking in front of a colorful building in Salteno, Colombia

The ULTIMATE Two Week Colombia itinerary

The country of Colombia is known for its warm people, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture—and with over 440,000 square miles of the country to explore, there’s a LOT of adventures you can get up to. So, if you’ve only got a short period of time to explore Colombia, it can be hard to figure out exactly where to spend your time—and what to do—in this incredible country.  My husband, Justin, and I recently spent a month exploring every corner of the Gateway to South America and have put together the perfect Colombia itinerary if you have two weeks (and recommendations if you have even less time!) here.

Red SUV in the jungle of Minca. Colombia

Getting from Minca to Santa Marta, Colombia: Everything You Need to Know

Minca, Colombia is a lush paradise high in the Sierra Nevada mountains, complete with stunning waterfalls, dense jungles, and jaw-dropping views. Most travelers visit this remote town for a few days vis a vis the bustling coastal city of Santa Marta, to relax amongst its natural beauty and soak up its laid back vibes. But once your time in Minca is done, how do you make your way out of this hidden mountain town? Here’s everything you need to know to get from Minca to Santa Marta once you’re ready to get back on the road and continue exploring the rest of Colombia.

Woman laying on Playa Libre on Isla Grande in Colombia

Isla Grande in Colombia: Everything You Need to Know About This Island Paradise

Colombia is known for many things, from salsa dancing and killer coffee to ancient Tayrona ruins and beautiful beaches. Some of its most stunning beaches are actually not located on its mainland and, instead, are found on Isla Grande, an island located about 12 miles off the Caribbean coast of Colombia, with powdery white sand, electric blue water, and some very laid back vibes. If you want to visit Isla Grande for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful paradise in Colombia. 

Aerial view of La Veranda Hotel in Minca, Colombia

How to Get From Santa Marta to Minca, Colombia

Minca, a sleepy town high in the jungles of the Sierra Nevada mountains, is a popular stop for travelers in Colombia. But it’s not exactly the most straight forward spot to get to—it’s about 45 minutes away from the nearest airport or bus station in the city of Santa Marta, along windy mountain roads and through chaotic traffic. So if you’re planning a visit to this chill area for yourself, here’s everything you need to know to get from Santa Marta to Minca, Colombia. 

Colorful zocolas along a cobblestone street in Guatape, Colombia

6 Incredible Tours from Medellin to Guatapé, Colombia

One of the most popular things for travelers to do while visiting Medellin, Colombia is to explore the nearby colorful Andean village of Guatapé. This resort town is known for its vibrant historical buildings and Piedra el Peñol, a 656 foot granite monolith towering over the landscape below. While you can certainly visit Guatapé on your own, joining a tour here makes it so much less logistically challenging—and can actually be a steal! So if you want to skip the headache of getting here on your own, here are the 6 best tours to get from Medellin to Guatapé. 

Couple holding hands in front of zocolas in Guatape, Colombia

Getting from Medellin to Guatapé: Everything You Need to Know

One of the most popular things for travelers to do in Medellin, Colombia isn’t actually in the city itself—but rather, is to take a day or weekend trip to the small Andean resort town of Guatapé. Known for its colorful architecture and jaw-dropping scenery, this tiny village offers the perfect mix of adventurous activities and relaxation. So, if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Colombia’s second largest city, here’s exactly how to get from Medellin to Guatapé, Colombia.

Stores at the base of Piedra el Penol in Guatape, Colombia

The Rock of Guatapé, Colombia: Everything You Need to Know

The Rock—also called Piedra el Peñol—is definitely the highlight of Guatapé, Colombia. Towering 656 feet over the ground below, this granite monolith has become something of an icon of the colorful town—and for good reason!  Beyond its own striking appearance, you’ll get jaw-dropping views of the surrounding landscape as you climb up to its summit. So if you want to experience one of the quirkiest features in all of Colombia, here’s everything you need to know about visiting The Rock of Guatapé. 

Couple sitting in front of colorful buildings with zócalos in Guatape, Colombia

10 Incredible Things to Do in Guatapé, Colombia

Guatapé, Colombia is a colorful village in Central Colombia that’s become a popular side trip to the sprawling city of Medellin. Guatapé is largely known for its zócalos, the colorful artwork along the baseboards of the town’s buildings, and Piedra del Peñol, an enormous granite monolith that towers above the surrounding landscape—but it has so much more to offer than that! Here’s 10 incredible things to do in Guatapé, the most colorful town in Colombia. 

Woman hiking up the Cerro Morrogacho trail with wax palms and mountains in the background in the Cocora Valley near Salento, Colombia

Cerro Morrogacho Hike in the Cocora Valley, Colombia

The Cocora Valley and its famed wax palms are one of the most popular places in Colombia—it is, after all, one of the best places to see the tallest palm trees in the world! The Cocora Valley has a number of hikes, including Cerro Morrogacho, a challenging trail that heads through a lush cloud forest to the highest mountain summit in the area. If you want to hike this unique trail for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about the Cerro Morrogacho hike. 

Horses grazing in pastures under wax palms in the Cocora Valley in Salento, Colombia

Cocora Valley Hike in Salento, Colombia: Everything You Need to Know

The Cocora Valley is one of the most popular stops in Colombia—and for good reason! The Valley is known for its lush green hills, low-hanging clouds, and wax palm trees, which are actually the tallest palm trees on the planet. And one of the coolest things about the Cocora Valley is that you can actually explore it on your own two feet, wandering under palm trees towering up to 200 feet overhead. So if you want to experience this magical corner of the planet for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about the Cocora Valley hike.

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