3-week roadtrip to discover the Spanish culture of Colombia

You’d love to learn more about Spanish history and culture ? You are in the right place ! 😉
Go explore, whith this road trip, Colombia and get to know more about what shaped the country.

Itinerary of this three weeks road trip in Colombia

Bogota > Girardot > Tatacoa > San Agustin > Neiva > Tierradentro National archeological park > Silvia > Cali > Medellín > Cartagena

🚗 We recommend for this itinerary to rent a car from Hertz. , It’s possible to rent it in one city and return it in another without exorbitant prices and limiting hidden costs.

📗 You want to buy a paper travel guide ? We recommend this one ! In our opinion, it is the most complete, the most visual and the most up to date !

🗺 Need a road map to prepare your itinerary ? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read !

The itinerary : step by step

What to do in Bogota ?

A city 2800 m / 9186 ft up on a mountain, at the heart of the Andes, Bogota is the capital of Colombia. You have to stop by the biggest cities in the country.

• You have to do to the Gold Museum, a must-see. Discover the unique gold artworks, highlighting the country’s history and myths !
• Art lover ? Botero Museum is made for you ! Botero, a colombian painter and sculptor left many beautiful artworks for Colombians to be proud of. You will also find other artists’ art.
• Nature, sports and food lovers, this one is for you. Get on the Cerro de Monserrate funicular, Bogota’s symbol, and get a stunning view over the city. Don’t forget your sunscreen if you don’t want to burn, you’ll be close to sun up there !
• Roam through the city’s neighbourhoods, like Candelaria, you will be amazed by the many colorful graffitis.
• Have diner at Andres Carne de Res where the atmosphere is lively and colorful and where the typical dishes will fill you up !
• Go shopping the Zona-T.
• 45min away from Bogota, head to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, an underground cathedral ! It’s in a mine !

What to do in Girardot ?

Seaside city, Girardot is about 130km / 80 miles South-west of Bogota. 

• Stroll around the small city of Girardot while enjoying an ice-cream.
• Explore the Parque Locomotora (Locomotive Park), enjoy the view of Magdalena river while discovering the railway station.
• Go do some nautical sports on the Magdalena.

What to do in Tatacoa ?

Tatacao Desert is one of the most – if not the most, beautiful places in the country. 

• Tatacao Desert has different types of trails : the red ones are for hiking and the grey ones are for motorbiking (with a guide).
• Admire the sunset and the stars at the observatory, in the desert.
• Observe the different bird species that live in the desert.
• Taste the sweet cactus fruit, you can pick one directly from the tree when exploring.

What to do in San Agustin ?

San Agustin is the city where you can find a UNESCO-listed archeological park, discover the many megalithic sculptures and religious monuments.

• Explore this archeological park in one of the many ways you can : by feet, on a horse, in a Jeep … Everyone will find the perfect fit. You will get to know more about the 20th century Colombian civilization.
• Go for a road trip in the surroundings of the park and don’t forget your camera !

What to do in Neiva ?

You love authenticity ? Welcome in Neiva ! Here you will find coffee, cotton, rice, corn, cocoa, banana and tobacco plantations. This abundant agriculture draws more and more travelers to this city. 

• Discover the Colonial Temple built in the 17th century.
• Have fun at the Huilafrica Salvaje, a lovely theme park.
• Have some more fun at Playa Juncal, another theme park with wave pools, slides and calm rivers to relax.
• Go hiking around the volcano of Nevado del Huila National Park and observe spectacled bears or mountain tapirs.
• You love nature ? You need to move around ? Parque nacional natural Cordillera de los Picachos is made for you ! Get a bice breath of fresh air while enjoying the calm and the hiking trails of the park. Be sure not to make too much noise or you could scare shy creatures off …

What to do in Tierradentro National archeological park ?

Archeologist at soul, get in your car and off we go to Tierradentro Park, an unique UNESCO-listed archeological site.  n site archéologique unique classé au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO. This remnant tells the story of complex social traditions and funerary habits and customs of an ancient civilization. 

• Admire the many uniquely decorated graves.
• Walk through the mountains and discover underground tombs.

What to do in Silvia ?

A village located 2500 m / 8202 ft up the mountain. 

• Have some local hot chocolate in he streets of the village.
• Walk through the lovely and authentic market where all the Indigenous head to for fruits and veggies but mainly all kinds of potatoes.
• Taste pitaya, a kind of dragon fruit but don’t eat to much or you could spend the rest of you’re vacation in the bathroom !
• An hour and a half away, visit Popayan where the best architects built their artworks.

What to do in Cali ?

You love dancing ? You’ve always dreamed of learning how to dance salsa ? Cali is the city of party and salsa, so it’s perfect isn’t it ? 

• Learn how to dance sals in the streets of Cali.
• Enjoy the local produce from the market in the gallery of Alameda.
• Stroll along the riverside of Cali and stop to admire the « El Gato del Río » sculpture and take a picture with this bronze cat.

What to do in Medellín ?

A city made famous tans to Netflix‘s Narcos, Medellín is considered to be a safe city where life is good. 

• Party in El Poblado neighbourhood, a modern and relaxed neighbourhood where the the youth meets up.
• Walk around the Botanical Garden, unwind for a moment, discover unique vegetation. Have a pic-nic with your friends and/or family while listening to the birds singing.
• Take part in a tumultuous night on Hendrick trucs tour, a moving gin bar where you have to pedal to get the bus moving, but don’t worry you’ll be drinking gin at the same time !
• Less than 2 hours away, discover the colorful and soothing town of Guatapé. Climb the 740 stairs to Piedra del Peñol and you’ll get blown away by the view ! Stroll around the streets of the village and admire its lively colors, soak the culture in, go for a motocarros (the Colombian tuk-tuk) ride and eat fresh trout with patacon (kind of like a mashed banana).

What to do in Cartagena ?

Legendary city, Cartagena will let you discover a lot about the culture.

• Walk through the many graffitis, meet the locals and live their way.
• Taste the local specialities from the street vendors.
• Learn about the indigenous customs at the Gold Museum in the old part of Cartagena.
• Visit the Palace of Inquisition near Bolivar Park, admire tis baroque architecture.
• Go for a day-trip to the San Felipe de Barajas Castle and learn about Spanish settlement.
• Take a dip at La Boquilla.
• Experience the Carnaval de Barranquilla in the beginning of March, the most colorful carnaval of Latin America.
• 50 km / 31 miles away, take a mud bath at Lodo el Totumo volcano.
• Go to the Archipelago of San Andrés, about an hour and 25min away. Head to San Andrés in Providencia by cruising on an catamaran and you will make amazing memories on some of the most beautiful Caribbean Islands.

Learn more…

• Check out all the practical informations you need to know about the country, by clicking here.
• Book a car rental at the best price, by  this website, we recommend.
• To book a flight at the best price, we recommend you this website.

If you have more information, good deals, or any advice to share about this itinerary, leave a comment bellow ! Our team will be happy to hear about your experiences !