Caribbean coast and Andes in Colombia

Who it is for

For anyone who wants the Colombia of the Caribbean and of the Andes in ten days.

Not for anyone who wants only a beach, since Medellín and Bogotá sit in the mountains.

The strategy

Cartagena comes first, with the wall at dawn, before the heat. Medellin and Bogota come next, in the mountains, short flights apart.

What you will see

• Walls and bastions, Cartagena. The walls total about 11 km, built between 1586 and the end of the 18th century, with sections up to 15 m thick at the base.
• Plaza Botero, Medellín. A square with 23 bronze sculptures donated by Fernando Botero (Medellín, 1932–2023), voluminous and made to be touched.
• Museo del Oro, Bogotá. The Museo del Oro brings together archaeological objects in metal, ceramics, stone and wood.

Day by day

Cartagena

1. 1
   Day 1: The city walls at 6:30am, before the heat

   1. 9Las BóvedasUp to half an hourIf there is time
   2. 6Palacio de la InquisiciónWorth a visit
2. 2
   Day 2: Forts, the hill and the neighborhoods outside the wall

   1. 2Castillo San Felipe de BarajasEssential
3. 3
   Day 3: Water: the bay and the archipelago · if you have more time

Medellín

1. 4
   Day 4: Downtown, art, and memory

   1. 1Plaza Botero and Museo de AntioquiaEssential
   2. 5Plaza Cisneros (Parque de las Luces)Worth a visit
   3. 2Museo Casa de la MemoriaEssential
2. 5
   Day 5: Hillsides, cable car, and Comuna 13

   1. 4Metrocable K and Santo Domingo SavioEssential
   2. 6Parque ArvíWorth a visit
   3. 3Comuna 13 – Las IndependenciasEssential
3. 6
   Day 6: Botanical Garden, modern art and the view of the valley

   1. Parque Explora and PlanetarioHalf a day or moreIf there is time
   2. 8Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito PaisaWorth a visit
4. 7
   Day 7: Guatapé and El Peñón (day trip) · if you have more time

   

Bogotá

1. 8
   Day 8: Central museums, with lunch and rest

   1. 1Museo del OroEssential
   2. 5Museo BoteroWorth a visit
2. 9
   Day 9: Monserrate or museums, with a break

   1. 2MonserrateEssential
   2. 9Quinta de BolívarIf there is time
   3. 6Museo Nacional de ColombiaWorth a visit
3. 10
   Day 10: One market, Ciclovía or rest · if you have more time