Colombia's Caribbean treasures: Cartagena to Punta Gallinas
from US$3,960 per person
See a different side to Colombia on a trip built just for you, by someone who lives there.
Colombia is the only South American country with coasts on both the Caribbean and the Pacific. Bogotá's La Candelaria and the old town of Cartagena show centuries of history, while Medellín has turned hillside neighborhoods such as Comuna 13 into open-air galleries. In the coffee region, wax palms tower over the Cocora Valley, and in Tayrona National Park the rainforest meets the sea. Colombia also has more bird species than any other country.
Our local experts live in Colombia and know its quieter corners, such as the colonial village of Barichara, linked to Guane by the Camino Real footpath. They can plan whale watching on the Pacific coast at Nuquí or a hike to the ancient rock paintings of the Serranía de la Lindosa. Village families around Barichara, small lodges and community guides earn more when you deal directly with our experts.
Dry season: December to March, and July to August
Whales on the Pacific coast: July to October
In the south, explore the Tatacoa Desert near Neiva, with its red and gray rock formations and dark night skies, then see the carved stone figures of San Agustín Archaeological Park. Popayán, the white colonial city, is known for its Holy Week processions. Elsewhere, walk among the wax palms of the Cocora Valley, sail to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena or hike to the Lost City in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
US $2,000 - $2,500+
All of our tailor-made trips can be 100% customized to your style—from budget stays to higher-end escapes. Prices are per person, based on a 7-day trip.
How it works
Build a trip from scratch with a local Colombia expert, or pick a curated itinerary as your starting point and customize it until it's yours.
Free to plan. No commitment until you book
Trip ideas
from US$3,960 per person
from US$2,600 per person
from US$3,300 per person
from US$3,200 per person
from US$4,620 per person
from US$5,280 per person
from US$6,580 per person
from US$3,980 per person
Meet your local experts
Our local experts aren’t travel agents working from a brochure. They’re people who live locally and know the destination like the back of their hand. Alongside them, you’ll craft an authentic and immersive trip, filled with intimate knowledge and passion for the place they call home.
Start planning your trip
I love sharing experiences where travelers can connect with local farmers and artists in their own environments, visiting villages and soaking up their authentic vibe.
Working with TravelLocal has helped us grow our business and support our local community.
The southern region of Colombia is often overlooked, but it’s a gem where Andean sculpture art meets indigenous traditions!
Traveler stories

We loved our kind guides, Diego, Luis, Yasmine, and Ingrid and kudos to the other Diego, our tour Director! We're ready to try another amazing trip with TravelLocal, you proved to be reliable and trustworthy.

Our trip was well planned with tours that truly interested us. Our guides were all personable, engaging, knowledgeable, and by the end of our day, we parted as friends.

Professional organization during the preparation phase, with flexibility to accommodate personal requests. The program was implemented with local companies to European standards. Professional guides and companies made the stay exciting and safe.

The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the places we went. The pickups were always on time, and we had lots of fun.It was a cultural experience.


+78k78,000+ travelers have had a more authentic, tailor-made vacation
Places & highlights
Featured storyHere’s our pick of unmissable historical sites in Colombia, a South American gem bursting with indigenous, political and modern draws.

Get to know Colombia's capital with this Bogotá travel guide. Discover fresh cuisine, brightly colored architecture, and world-class museums.

Travel Colombia through the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez, visiting key destinations that inspired his novels.

We caught up with our local experts in Colombia to talk all about their favorite memories, foodie experiences, and why they love Colombia.

From salsa in Colombia to classical sounds in India, explore the top music destinations around the world for the best live music experiences.

Looking for inspiration for where to go in South America? From Bolivia to Peru, we run through a selection of 13 bucket list-toppers.
Good to know

Colombia can be visited year round, as temperatures depend on altitude rather than season. The drier months, December to March and July to August, are best for the Caribbean coast, Tayrona and hiking. The wetter months bring fewer visitors and green landscapes, and humpback whales visit the Pacific coast from July to October.
Spanish is the official language, and Colombian Spanish is known for being clear and easy to follow. English is spoken in hotels and by guides in Cartagena, Medellín and Bogotá, less so elsewhere. Around 65 Indigenous languages are also spoken, and on San Andrés you'll hear an English-based creole.
No. US citizens can visit Colombia for up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid for your whole stay, and you may be asked to show an onward or return ticket. Completing the online Check-Mig form before you arrive can speed up immigration. Check current entry requirements before you travel.
Colombia uses the Colombian peso (COP). Cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels and larger restaurants, but you'll need cash for markets, small towns, taxis and tips. Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centers rather than on the street.
Colombia is in the northwest of South America, bordered by Panama, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. It has coastlines on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and the Andes split into three ranges as they cross the country. Bogotá, the capital, sits at about 2,600m and has the main international airport.
Most visits to Colombia's main destinations go smoothly. Colombians have a saying, no dar papaya, meaning don't make yourself an easy target: keep phones and jewelry out of sight, use registered taxis or ride apps, and don't accept drinks from strangers. Read the latest US travel advisory before you travel.
Next steps
Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll match you with a local expert who knows the destination inside and out. It’s free to get a quote.