Five days in Colombia is enough to visit one major city and explore the surrounding area. Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Cali have international airports, making them great options for a quick trip.
Travelers who don't mind a fast-paced itinerary can fly open jaw into Cartagena and out of Santa Marta for a mixture of city exploring and nature in Cartagena and Tayrona National Park. For an active trip, fly into Medellín and head either to Antioqueña to trek the Camino Verde, or to Bahia Solano on Colombia's remote Pacific coast.
For more great trip ideas, see 5 Days in Colombia: 5 Unique Itineraries.
Explore Cartagena’s colonial architecture by foot, partake in its rich culinary scene, and meet the local characters for an authentic glimpse into Colombia’s Caribbean culture. Cartagena’s old town is like an outdoor museum, whose stories will be told by an experienced local guide.
This fun 5-day adventure hits two major highlights along Colombia's northern coast. First, you'll experience the culture and fairy-tale romance of Cartagena's Old Town, an inner-walled city oozing with colonial architecture and history, not to mention hip hotels and rooftop bars. Then drive east towards Santa Marta to spend a few days at Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (Tayrona Park) for a slice of South America's prettiest coastline. Explore on your own or take a guided tour of the park's hiking trails and exotic beaches.
One of the best aspects of visiting Cartagena on Colombia's northern coast is having close proximity to nearby Caribbean Islands for the ultimate culture/beach adventure. On this 5-day trip, you'll start off experiencing the city's narrow streets with palaces, churches, and mansions painted in pastel colors (not to mention hip hotels and galleries that are popping up). Then, boat over to San Bernardo's beautiful coral islands for white-sand beaches and watersports. Finish the adventure back in Cartagena for one more night of colonial romance.
Kids love Cartagena. And why wouldn’t they? As a former playground for pirates, the city has plenty to offer for active families that love to explore around. Here’s an idea for the perfect family break in Cartagena for you and your little ones.
Experience a taste of Colombian culture on this 5-day trip to the Coffee Triangle. You'll go to the heart of the country's coffee region in charming Salento for an overnight at a working farm and hike through the picturesque green mountains of the Cocora Valley (and the famous wax palms). Then, head to Manizales, the most adventurous of the three cities that make up Colombia's coffee triangle, where you'll visit the Rio Blanco Nature reserve. Like the coffee this region is known for, this trip is designed to awaken all of your senses.
This outdoorsy adventure highlights some of Colombia's most fascinating and unique landscapes in the Amazon region. Start off by exploring Bogotá's arts and culture scene before flying south to Leticia; from here, you'll head out on two unforgettable days via foot, canoe and other small boats in Colombia, and across the border in Peru and Brazil. At night, you'll sleep in hammocks with mosquito nets in order to fully experience the rainforest.
The undiscovered region of Chocó on Colombia's Pacific coast takes center stage in this 5-day trip, where you'll have time to explore the massive Utría National Park. This lush rainforest has some of the highest rainfall in the world, so expect to see amazing flora and fauna. The park also protects the coastal marine environment and is known for humpback whales and nesting sea turtles (and these empty beaches are great for surfing). Start and end the trip exploring scenic Medellín—one of Latin America's most exciting cities—on this awesome Colombian adventure.
Grab your hiking boots — this 5-day adventure highlights an epic trek in central Colombia's rainforests. But first, the trip starts (and ends) in the progressive city of Medellín, a place with a rising culinary and art gallery scene, as well as perpetual spring-like weather. Explore the city by foot and gondola, and check out a wave of construction projects happening in every neighborhood. Then set out on a 3-day trek through Colombia’s last untouched tropical humid rainforests staying in local farmhouses, before returning to Medellín's great bars and restaurants.
Discover the magic of the Colombian Amazon on this immersive 5-day family adventure. Starting from the historic capital of Bogotá, you'll fly south to spend three nights at a rustic eco-lodge deep in the jungle. In this haven for nature lovers and curious minds, the whole family will embark on a series of unforgettable activities. Sculpt pottery from the Amazon mud, learn how to listen to the forest on jungle treks, and make new friends on a visit to a nearby indigenous community.
