Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Medellín
You'll land in Medellín and get transferred to your hotel to settle in. After dropping your bags, head out for a walk around the city and grab a Colombian coffee at a local spot. The mix of modern buildings, sky bars, and street art gives you a quick sense of why this place has transformed so much over the years.
Landmarks Medellín - Day 2
Medellín
Make your way to Comuna 13 where murals cover practically every surface you see. The cable car ride up to Santo Domingo gives you views across the whole city, then you'll head down into Parque Arví through the green forests. Stop and chat with some of the local street artists working in the neighborhood to understand the creative movement that's happening here.
Included Activities
- Visit Comuna 13 with iconic escalators and street murals
- Cable car ride to Santo Domingo
- Parque Arví forest exploration
Landmarks Comuna 13 Santo Domingo Parque Arví - Day 3
Medellín
Spend the day in El Poblado, the trendiest part of the city with palm-lined streets and modern cafés scattered throughout. Walk into concept stores, try some really good coffee, and just take your time wandering around. The locals here are open and friendly, so it's a good place to practice your Spanish while you relax under the palms.
Included Activities
- El Poblado neighbourhood exploration
Landmarks El Poblado - Day 4
Medellín to Guatapé
Take a bus out to Guatapé early in the morning to see the colorful house facades and artistic details everywhere. From there, you'll go by boat across the lake with green islands dotting the water around you. If you're up for it, climb the 650 steps of Piedra del Peñol to get a 360-degree view, then head back to town for the night.
Optional Activities
- Bus transfer to Guatapé (payable locally)
- Boat cruise through the lake landscape including views of green islands and Escobar's villa ruins (payable locally)
- Climb 650 steps up Piedra del Peñol with 360-degree views over the lagoons (payable on site)
Landmarks Guatapé Piedra del Peñol - Day 5
Guatapé to Salento
Bus back to Medellín and head straight to the airport for your flight to Pereira. Once you land, drive up into the mountains toward Salento, the main town in the coffee region. After checking in, walk down Calle Real to see the colorful houses, then grab a coffee to learn about the farms that produce it.
Included Activities
- Walking exploration of Calle Real in Salento
Landmarks Salento Calle Real - Day 6
Salento
Get in a jeep with a guide and head to Cocora Valley to see the world's tallest palm trees reaching up to 60 meters high. You'll drive through jungle trails surrounded by giant ferns and wax palms while looking for wildlife. Lunch includes traditional Colombian dishes, and you'll return to Salento with plenty of energy from the natural scenery around you.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Colombian dishes)
Included Activities
- Jeep tour to Cocora Valley with guide
- Trekking through jungle trails to see world's tallest palm trees
- Lunch with traditional Colombian dishes
Landmarks Cocora Valley - Day 7
Salento
Start early at El Mirador viewpoint along Calle Real where the colorful town spreads out below you like a patchwork. Head down to Plaza Bolívar and explore the small alleyways leading to cafés and local shops. If coffee interests you, there are optional jeep rides available where locals take you to nearby farms for tastings and production tours.
Included Activities
- El Mirador viewpoint from Calle Real
- Plaza Bolívar exploration
Optional Activities
- Jeep rides to surrounding coffee farms with tastings and production process learning (payable on site)
Landmarks El Mirador Plaza Bolívar - Day 8
Salento to Cartagena
Fly to Cartagena on the Caribbean coast and feel the heat as soon as you step out. Transfer to your accommodation and then walk through the old town with its historic palaces and pastel-colored houses. You can ride in a horse-drawn carriage while street musicians play, and try Caribbean dishes like fresh fish, patacones, and ceviche.
Included Activities
- Old town Cartagena exploration with historic palaces and colonial architecture
Landmarks Cartagena Old Town - Day 9
Cartagena
Visit Castillo San Felipe, a fortress with views looking out over Cartagena and the coast. Back in the old town, walk through colonial buildings and the colorful plazas where you really feel the Caribbean atmosphere. End the day with a swim at one of the beaches like La Boquila, Bocagrande, or Playa Marbella where the turquoise water and sand are perfect.
Included Activities
- Castillo San Felipe fortress visit with views over Cartagena
- Old town exploration with colonial buildings and plazas
- Beach time in the Caribbean Sea
Landmarks Castillo San Felipe La Boquila Bocagrande Playa Marbella - Day 10
Cartagena
Head to Getsemaní, the creative district with walls covered in street art and colorful designs perfect for photos. Check out Calle de Las Sombrillas with its floating umbrellas and Calle de la Sierpe for flag decorations. As the sun goes down, the neighborhood fills with street artists, live music, and Caribbean beats, so grab a smoothie and join the energy.
Included Activities
- Getsemaní neighbourhood exploration
- Calle de Las Sombrillas with floating umbrellas
- Calle de la Sierpe street art viewing
Optional Activities
- Fruity smoothie (costs extra)
- Evening nightlife and Caribbean music in Getsemaní plazas
Landmarks Getsemaní Calle de Las Sombrillas Calle de la Sierpe - Day 11
Cartagena to San Andrés
Your plane touches down on San Andrés where turquoise water, white sand, and palm trees greet you. Transfer to your hotel, change into swim clothes, and head to Spratt Bight Beach to jump in the crystal-clear water with the locals. By evening, you'll be sitting with a coconut in hand, feet in the sand, and feeling the island welcome you.
Included Activities
- Spratt Bight Beach relaxation and swimming
Optional Activities
- Taxi transfer to accommodation (payable locally)
Landmarks San Andrés Spratt Bight Beach - Day 12
San Andrés
Today's all about relaxation, though you can add adventure if you want. Consider taking an optional boat to Johnny Cay, a small island in turquoise water where you can snorkel with colorful fish or have ceviche with an ocean view. Back on the main island, ride a golf cart along the coast to Playa San Luis where you'll find fine sand and laid-back locals, then catch the sunset with reggae playing.
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Johnny Cay mini island (payable locally)
- Snorkeling with colourful fish at Johnny Cay (payable locally)
- Fresh ceviche meal at Johnny Cay (payable locally)
- Golf cart ride to Playa San Luis (payable locally)
Landmarks Johnny Cay Playa San Luis - Day 13
San Andrés
Check out the best snorkeling spots like La Piscinita or West View where corals and colorful fish fill the underwater world. If you want more action, go to El Hoyo Soplador where waves splash dramatically through rocks. In the afternoon, relax at San Luis Beach in a hammock with a fresh coconut cocktail, just taking in the Caribbean vibe.
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling at La Piscinita or West View with corals and tropical fish (payable on site)
- Visit to El Hoyo Soplador (payable on site)
Landmarks La Piscinita West View El Hoyo Soplador San Luis Beach - Day 14
San Andrés
Get away from the tourist areas and visit La Loma to see the real side of San Andrés with colorful wooden houses and warm locals. Spend time in a hammock under the palms or jump into the clear water while the sun shines. Find a local beach restaurant for freshly caught fish and Caribbean specialties with a sea view.
Included Activities
- La Loma neighbourhood exploration
Optional Activities
- Freshly caught fish and Caribbean delicacies meal at local beach restaurants (payable locally)
Landmarks La Loma - Day 15
San Andrés
If you're feeling adventurous, try kitesurfing at Playa Spratt Bight where the gentle waves and warm water work well for beginners. Otherwise, relax with a smoothie and watch others. Later, head to Playa Cocoplum where you can walk across turquoise water to Rocky Cay at low tide. Finish with a sunset at West View where the sun sinks into the ocean in spectacular colors.
Optional Activities
- Kitesurfing at Playa Spratt Bight for beginners (payable on site)
Landmarks Playa Spratt Bight Playa Cocoplum Rocky Cay West View - Day 16
San Andrés to Panama City
Your Colombia chapter ends today as you head to the airport for a short flight to Panama City. Transfer to your hotel and then explore this vibrant capital on foot. Walk through Casco Viejo with its colorful streets or look at the impressive skyscrapers catching the light across the city skyline.
Included Activities
- Casco Viejo old town exploration
Landmarks Panama City Casco Viejo - Day 17
Panama City
Head to the Miraflores locks visitor center to watch the Panama Canal, the 82-kilometer waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific. From there, walk to the Pacific Lookout for views of the Panama City skyline gleaming in the sun. Spend time in Casco Viejo exploring colonial buildings, the presidential palace, and the cathedral, then grab coffee in a café and pick up a Panama hat.
Included Activities
- Casco Viejo exploration with colonial buildings, presidential palace, and cathedral
Optional Activities
- Miraflores locks visitor center visit at Panama Canal (payable on site)
Landmarks Panama Canal Miraflores Locks Pacific Lookout Casco Viejo - Day 18
Panama City
Start your morning on the Cinta Costera, a coastal path with parks and constant views of the city. Walk from Casco Viejo toward the new city where 22 skyscrapers over 200 meters high tower above you. Later, head into Parque Natural Metropolitano, a rainforest in the city's middle, to hike trails and look for toucans, coatis, or sloths. Climb to Cerro Cedro for another skyline view from the highest point.
Included Activities
- Cinta Costera coastal path walk
- Parque Natural Metropolitano rainforest exploration
Landmarks Cinta Costera Parque Natural Metropolitano Cerro Cedro - Day 19
Panama City to Home
Take one last stroll along the city's promenade and soak in the sparkling skyline view. Then it's time to head to the airport and fly home, carrying memories of the countless things you've seen across Colombia and Panama. You'll definitely be back someday.
- Day 20
Arrival at Home
You land back home and deplane, ready to stretch your legs and settle back in. Now comes the fun part of telling family and friends about all the adventures across Colombia and Panama. The only real question is where to even start with all the stories you have.
