Medellin and Cartagena Colombia trip
Travel ExpertStarting from:
1825 USD
per Adult
Transform your travel vision into a Medellín and Cartagena journey designed as one of the most personal and immersive Colombia trips. Choose a custom plan shaped by trusted local guides, featuring signature adventures, intimate culinary moments, and accommodations that reflect the character of each neighborhood.
Secure early reservations for active experiences, allow flexibility for unexpected discoveries, and work with a specialist who tailors routes, local connections, and meaningful encounters to your pace. Start planning now and turn Colombia’s colors, rhythms, and flavors into a handcrafted journey you will remember long after you return home.
Medellin and Cartagena trip highlights
- Private Street-Art & Comuna 13 experience: Explore Comuna 13's vibrant murals with a local guide, uncovering inspiring stories behind Medellín's urban revival.
- Authentic coffee farm visit: Savor farm-to-cup coffee in a boutique plantation near Medellín.
- Historic Cartagena Old Town stroll: Wander the walled city's colorful streets with a private guide, uncovering colonial treasures and hidden courtyards.
- Rosario Islands private boat and beaches: Set sail to coral-fringed isles for bespoke beach time, snorkeling, and a freshly prepared seafood lunch.
- Afro-Caribbean Palenque cultural visit: Connect with San Basilio de Palenque's living traditions through music, dance, and personalized encounters.
| Day | Location | Activity | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medellín | • Arrival at José María Córdova International Airport • Private transfer to the hotel • Introduction to Medellín • Guided paragliding experience over the city and Andean mountains | Medellín |
| 2 | Medellín | • Cable car ride to Arví Park • Short guided walk introducing Andean ecosystems • Visit to Santa Elena • Meet traditional flower farmers • Learn the history of silletas • Tour an ecological flower farm • Free afternoon for personal exploration • Optional visit to the Botanical Garden or Plaza Botero | Medellín |
| 3 | Medellín / Guatapé / Cartagena | • Drive through the Antioquia highlands • Climb El Peñol Rock with panoramic views of the reservoir • Visit Guatapé village and painted zócalos • Traditional lunch by the water • Boat ride on the Guatapé Reservoir • Transfer to the airport east of Medellín • Flight to Cartagena • Private transfer to the hotel | Cartagena |
| 4 | Cartagena | • Visit Convento de la Popa • Explore Fort of San Felipe de Barajas • Walk coral stone walls and historic tunnels • Two-hour guided walking tour of the historic center | Cartagena |
| 5 | Cartagena | • Private transfer to Rafael Núñez International Airport • Departure assistance | — |
Arrival in Medellín
A private transfer from José María Córdova International Airport takes you to your hotel in Medellín. The drive winds through lush highlands at 1,538 meters, with views of the Medellín River and the city’s vibrant public spaces, offering a relaxed introduction to your Colombia travel.
Later, enjoy a guided paragliding experience, complete with a full safety briefing, as you soar above the city and surrounding Andean mountains.
Arvi Park, Santa Elena, and Medellin
Ride the cable car from Medellín to Arví Park, enjoying fresh Andean air, sweeping views, and a short guided walk introducing local ecosystems. Continue to Santa Elena to meet traditional flower farmers, learn the history of the iconic silletas, and visit an ecological flower farm.
The afternoon is free to shape your Colombia itinerary at your own pace. Optional experiences include strolling the tranquil paths of the Botanical Garden or visiting Plaza Botero to admire Fernando Botero’s celebrated oversized sculptures.
El Peñol and Guatape to Cartagena
Climb the 740 steps of El Peñol Rock for sweeping views over the Guatapé Reservoir, emerald hills, and shimmering waterways, one of the best places to visit in Colombia for dramatic scenery.
Continue to the colorful village of Guatapé to admire its painted zócalos, enjoy a traditional Colombian lunch by the water, and take a relaxing boat ride on the reservoir.
After a scenic drive from Medellín through the Antioquia highlands, transfer to the airport east of the city for your flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival in the coastal city, a private driver meets you and transfers you to your hotel, smoothly continuing your Colombia trip.
Cartagena, La Popa and San Felipe
Begin your day at the Convento de la Popa, the highest point in the city, where sweeping views open across Cartagena. Continue to the imposing Fort of San Felipe de Barajas, spending time exploring its coral stone walls and ingenious seventeenth and eighteenth century defensive systems.
Conclude with a two-hour walking tour of the historic center, discovering lively plazas, colorful colonial streets, and the flavors of local cuisine.
Farewell Cartagena
A private transfer meets you for the ride to Rafael Núñez International Airport, ensuring a smooth conclusion to your Medellín and Cartagena journey. If time allows, enjoy a final stroll through the Walled City or a coffee in Plaza Santo Domingo before departure.
Your tailor-made Colombia trip comes to a close with personalized support and lasting memories of colorful streets, local flavors, and thoughtfully curated moments created just for you.
