Idea

Cartagena serves as the Caribbean coast’s transportation hub. Base yourself here and divide your trip into three parts—"Old Town," "Island-Hopping," and "Rainforest Beach"—with a pace that can be as relaxed or active as you like. Stay in a boutique hotel inside the old city walls or a trendy hostel in the Getsemaní district for distinctly different vibes.

Day 1: Stroll Through the Old Town

Arrive in the morning and check into a hotel within the old city walls → In the afternoon, walk along the city walls from the Clock Tower to the Santa Catalina Balcony, then watch the Caribbean sunset at the square in the evening → Head to the street food stalls in the Getsemaní district for dinner and try caramel lemon pie and chilled coconut lime balls.

Day 2: Island-Hopping in the Rosario Islands

Take an early speedboat, about 45 minutes to reach the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Park → Snorkel to see coral reefs and fish, relax on the white-sand beaches, and if conditions allow, spend a night in an overwater bungalow → Return to the city in the evening and have dinner with either seafood paella or coconut fish stew.

Day 3: Tayrona National Park

Set off early in the morning toward Santa Marta, about a 1.5-hour drive → Hike into the park through the El Zaino entrance (approximately 2.5 hours), passing through rainforest and indigenous villages to reach Cabo San Juan Bay → Head back in the afternoon, stay overnight in Santa Marta or return to Cartagena. Those with enough budget and energy can camp in the park and stargaze.

Day 4: Santa Marta and Departure

If staying in Santa Marta: Take a boat in the morning to Playa Cristal for snorkeling → Enjoy a big seafood lunch → In the evening, depart from either Santa Marta or Cartagena airport. Both have domestic connecting flights to Bogotá.

Tips

• One-day tours for island-hopping and Tayrona can be easily booked at travel agencies in the old town. Choose packages that include snorkeling gear and guided tours.
• Entry to Tayrona National Park is limited, so it’s recommended to buy tickets a day in advance and arrive early to queue during peak season.
• The park is humid with many mosquitoes, so bring quick-dry clothing and insect repellent. Store valuables in your hotel.

Suggestion for Adding a Day

If you can spare an extra day, consider a dusk tour of the La Popa Monastery or explore the tunnels of Castillo San Felipe. Nature lovers might add a day hike to the Minca coffee village near Santa Marta, where waterfalls and bird songs offer a slower pace. If island-hopping is canceled due to rough seas, use the day to relax in the old town’s museums and cafés—the unpredictability of Caribbean travel is part of the adventure. Minca Village sits at about 1,200 meters altitude with a cool climate, and it’s just a half-day trip from Santa Marta. Be sure to try lunch at the organic coffee farm there.