Colombia 360°: Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and the Wonders of Tayrona Park
The trip in a nutshell
A single trip to Colombia may not be enough to uncover the countless wonders of this vibrant South American country, which boasts four distinct climate zones and a rich tapestry of cultural and territorial diversity. This journey will aim to delve into the true soul of Colombia, exploring its many facets—from the bustling big cities like Bogotá and Medellín, to the charming Andean pueblos, and the colonial enchantment of Cartagena de Indias.
The adventure begins in Bogotá, the capital, before diving into Colombia’s breathtaking natural landscapes in Salento, where we’ll learn about the art of coffee production and walk among the majestic tallest palm trees in the world in the Cocora Valley. From there, we return to the city and head to Medellín, discovering how Comuna 13 transformed itself into a powerful symbol of rebirth after years of hardship. Next, we venture to the sea, starting with the stunning Tayrona National Park, a spectacular natural haven, before reaching the Caribbean coast in Cartagena and the Islas del Rosario. Here, we’ll immerse ourselves fully in Colombian culture, embraced by the music, vivid colors, and warm smiles that define this extraordinary country.
Trip type
360º - it's our great classic that allows you to discover the destination in all its aspects. We recommend packing a backpack rather than a suitcase as there will be lots of moving around.
Physical rating
MODERATE - this itinerary may involve hiking or other activities that require a moderate amount of physical effort. Be prepared for some potential long transfers and early wake up calls!
Entry requirements
Please visit your country's official government website to find out the necessary requirements for entering the country of destination.
Arrival and departure
This trip will begin in Bogotá and end in Cartagena. Aim to arrive on the first day by 5pm - on the last day you are free to leave whenever!
What's included
9 nights: accommodation in shared rooms for the entire duration of the trip with exclusive bathroom for Weroad participants
2 nights: in a tent with shared bathrooms inside Tayrona Park
All breakfasts
"Local Experience" : learn all about Colombian coffee, from processing to harvesting, during a fun tasting tour at a local Finca (with private transportation included)
Tour in the wonderful natural landscape of the Cocora Valley in Salento, located in the central mountain range of the Colombian Andes (with private transportation included). Walking tour in Salento with a private local guide.
"Must see" : Take a walking tour with a private local guide to uncover the fascinating history and stories of Comuna 13, once known as the most dangerous neighborhood in the world. (Spoiler: it’s now incredibly safe—and absolutely amazing!)
Enjoy a boat tour for a full day of relaxation and exploration at the stunning Rosario Islands, complete with a delicious lunch included
All internal flights
Land and sea transfers are fully included in the travel program for your convenience
Travel coordinator services
Free cancellation with 100% refund up to 31 days before departure
Itinerary
Welcome to Colombia
Check in
Round trip flights are not included in the package, so you can choose from where and when you want to fly. This is to give you maximum freedom of choice!
Let's dive into the lively Latin beat of Bogotá to kickstart our adventure! These first hours in Colombia are perfect for bonding and discovering this captivating country that's bound to win us over by the trip's end!
Included: overnight stay with breakfast at GHL San Lázaro Art Hotel or similar
Not included: airport transfers, meals and drinks
Bogota, between colonial buildings and murals
Exploring the city
We're geared up and ready to explore Bogotá! What better way to start than by ascending to the heights of Cerro de Monserrate via the cable car? Despite the altitude challenge, the breathtaking view of the sprawling city nestled in the valley makes it all worthwhile – the perfect beginning to our Bogotá discovery!
On the streets of Bogota
In the afternoon, we venture into La Candelaria, the heart of Bogotá's history, centred around Bolivar Square. Meandering through its narrow streets, we marvel at the grand colonial architecture and the vibrant murals by renowned South American street artists, now a major draw. Here, we encounter the renowned Gold Museum, offering insights into pre-Columbian Colombian history, and the Botero Museum, celebrating the works of Colombia's most illustrious artist.
Included: overnight stay with breakfast at GHL San Lázaro Art Hotel or similar
Money pot: transport and excursions
Not included: meals and drinks
Salento: Among the coffee plantations of Eje Cafetero
We are arriving in Salento!
We wake up early in the morning because our adventure doesn't wait: we reach the airport and take the first internal flight of this trip, heading to Salento , one of the oldest towns in Quindio , one of the 32 departments into which the Colombian territory is divided. We drop off our backpacks at the facility and are ready to explore the surroundings: Salento is immersed in splendid green mountains where coffee plantations grow luxuriantly. We find a small restaurant where we can have something to eat for lunch and then we are ready to discover all the secrets of the most famous drink in these parts: coffee!
Coffee aroma
Salento and the nearby Filandia and Armenia base their economy on the production of coffee: we are in fact in the Cafetera area of Colombia, the most famous when it comes to this drink. So how do we spend our afternoon here? Obviously visiting a coffee farm to discover all the secrets of its production, from harvesting to tasting the local Arabica. Our guide will accompany us through the plantations, explaining when is the right time to harvest the precious beans, and then we will relax with the locals and with a good cup of coffee!
Included: overnight stay with breakfast at Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel or similar, internal flight, ground transfer, coffee experience and tasting at a local Finca
Money pot: extra excursions
Not included: meals and drinks
Cocora Valley: Among the Tallest Palms in the World!
The tallest palm trees in the world
Ready to see the tallest wax palms in the world? This morning we immerse ourselves in Colombian nature and we do it by exploring the Cocora Valley , which is located 15 km east of Salento and extends to the slopes of the Parque Natural de los Nevados. As soon as we arrive in the park, the very tall palms that dominate the landscape will immediately catch our eye: they can reach up to 60 meters in height and are also the national tree of Colombia . We can explore the valley on foot, on horseback or on board the historic Colombian jeeps, called Willy - we will cross forests and rivers, and if we are attentive we might even be able to spot the hummingbirds that live in these parts.
Strolling around Salento
After lunch we have the tour of Salento, it is the perfect time to discover a little more about this town. Here we can find many shops of artesanias colombiana that sell local handicraft products. Of course, it is only the fourth day, but it is not too early to buy some travel souvenirs, right? When we realize that it is almost sunset time , we move to the Mirador, from where we can admire a view of Salento and the surrounding area - and then we go back to the center for dinner!
Included : overnight stay with breakfast at Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel or similar, tour of the Cocora Valley and walking tour in Salento
Money pot: additional transport and any entrance fees
Not included : meals and drinks
Medellin and Comuna 13
A Colombian symbol
We wake up early because today we have a flight to Medellin . We arrive around lunchtime: we are in the city of Pablo Escobar, which almost everyone associates with the scenes of Narcos... but in reality it has much more to offer. Named by Time magazine as the most innovative in the world in 2013, Medallo, as its inhabitants affectionately call it, is the symbol of Colombia that is reborn and looks forward .
In Commune 13
In two days we will have the opportunity to explore Medellin far and wide, riding the metro, the cable car, the tram, means of transport that have become symbols of the city's innovation. This afternoon, however, we will dedicate ourselves to an obligatory stop: a walking tour of Comuna 13 , once a very violent barrio perched on the mountain, today made more touristic by a system of open-air escalators , unique in its kind, built by the Municipality to facilitate the mobility of its inhabitants. It will be incredible to see with our own eyes how this neighborhood has been revalued after years of abandonment: it is the magic of Medellin!
Here we have the opportunity to support a local social project dedicated to the children of the Comuna, so that they can enrich their education, be safe and have an alternative to the poverty that characterizes this area. The founder will tell us about her project and we will have the opportunity to be an active part of the center, playing soccer with the children she welcomes or simply spending time with them. If we want to open our hearts and minds, this activity could affect us more than we expect!
Included : overnight stay with breakfast at Masaya Medellin Hostel or similar, transfer, flight from Salento to Medellin and excursion to Comuna 13
Money pot: other transport and any entrances
Not included : meals and drinks
On the streets of Medellin
The city center
Day 2 in Medellin and we are really spoiled for choice on what to do first! Near the Museo de Antioquia, there is another area not to be missed, especially for lovers of architecture and shopping: it is the pedestrian area Carabobo . Here shops, stalls, musicians color the street that begins in Plaza Botero and ends with the doors of the Edificios Vásquez y Carré, in Plaza de las Luces.
Many other points of interest in the city are located in the surrounding area: the Parque Explora, the Palacio Nacional, the San Vicente de Paúl university hospital, and the La Alpujarra Administrative Centre.
Then there is Ciudad del Rio , the city park and meeting place for young people, which surrounds the MAMM , the Museum of Modern Art; the Parque de los Deseos , a popular meeting place, which gives access to the beautiful University of Antioquia, the wonderful Jardin Botanico , and the interactive science museum Parque Explora.
A day in Guatapé
Or we can spend the whole day in the beautiful Guatapé , also known for being the most colorful city in all of Colombia . Not too far away is also the famous El Peñón de Guatapé, also called Piedra del Peñol , a granite monolith that is a national monument: to get to the top there are quite a few steps to do, but apparently the view is one of the most beautiful in the whole country, and since we are here… let’s get going!
So today we can customize the day based on our interests together with our group!
Whatever our choice, for the evening we are in Medellin and we can experience a bit of its nightlife first hand. Are we dancing?
Included: overnight stay with breakfast at Masaya Medellin Hostel or similar
Money pot: private transportation, guide in Guatapé and Piedra del Peñol
Not included: meals and drinks
Two days in a tent in Tayrona National Park
We arrive in Tayrona
Time to say goodbye to Medellin and continue with our journey to discover Colombia: this morning too the alarm clock is set early because we have a flight to catch - Santa Marta, here we come! We leave the hinterland behind us and finally see the ocean! In fact, from Santa Marta, where we arrive with our flight, we have a transfer that takes us to the entrance of the Tayrona National Park , a true Colombian paradise, where we will spend two nights... in a tent ! More local than this...
Immersed in nature
Tayrona Park is very large: it includes about 120 km2 of protected territory and 30 km2 of marine waters rich in corals. Our campsite is very close to the sea, so we have the whole afternoon to enjoy this paradise.
On the second day, we can explore the surroundings with a trek. We came here to immerse ourselves in the peace of nature, so the impact of man here is reduced to a minimum so as not to ruin the balance of the park. We will have to adapt to it and its inhabitants (we are talking about plants and animals, yes, even insects) - these nights will be even more magical, since we will sleep under the starry sky in tents. Ready to overcome your limits and live two days that you will never forget?
Included : overnight stay in tent with breakfast at Camping Castillete or similar, internal flight, transfer to the entrance of the Park
Money pot: Tayrona Park entrance fee and mandatory park entrance insurance
Not included : meals and drinks
From Tayrona to Cartagena
Discovering Cartagena
In the morning we will take a bus to Cartagena through Santa Marta. It will be strange to return to city life after our nights in the park, but the journey must continue! We spend the day in Cartagena , the jewel in the crown of the Caribbean coast.
In this city you can breathe an atmosphere of "dolce far niente" and we definitely need it after crazy adventures and internal flights. We have the afternoon to discover every corner of this city and let ourselves be enchanted by its streets full of colorful houses, buy some souvenirs to bring to friends or for ourselves and taste some typical dishes: the local cuisine is one of the best in the country!
Included: overnight stay with breakfast at GHL San Lázaro Art Hotel or similar, transfer from Tayrona to Cartagena
Money pot: transport and any entrance fees
Not included: meals and drinks
Cartagena: The Getsemaní Neighborhood
Walking around Cartagena
We are free to spend the morning as we please. So let's enjoy the city, set off to explore the various neighborhoods, pick up some souvenirs or head to one of the nearby beaches for a dip in the sea.
But whatever we do, we'll move slowly: this is the Caribbean, after all!
In the afternoon, and in our quest to get into the skin of this fascinating city, we could take a guided tour of the Getsemaní neighborhood, or a salsa lesson ! No one is born a dancer and we are all companions in this adventure: let's have fun!
Included: oovernight stay with breakfast at GHL San Lázaro Art Hotel or similar
Money pot: any excursions
Not included : meals and drinks
Islas del Rosario: a paradise archipelago
Pure relaxation
It's our second day in Cartagena, so let's make it special. Today is the day we can finally hit the open sea with a full-day trip to the beautiful Rosario Islands , the 31 islands that make up the Corales del Rosario National Natural Park, a precious set of ecosystems, inhabited mainly by coral reefs, colorful fish, crustaceans and other species.
With the launch we will reach one of these islands, where we will enjoy a day of rest, sunbathing, enjoying the sea and enjoying a drink on the beach.
We enjoy the sea
If we want adventure and adrenaline, there is no shortage of water sports , as well as the possibility of snorkeling and discovering the sea from this new point of view.
We return to Cartagena to prepare to enjoy the atmosphere of the Colombian nights. Between exotic flavors, colorful cocktails and fun dances, it will be an unforgettable evening!
Included:overnight stay with breakfast at GHL San Lázaro Art Hotel or similar, lunch, transfer by boat from Cartagena to Islas del Rosario and return
Money pot: possible activities
Not included : other meals and drinks
Goodbye Colombia
Check out and goodbye
Check-out and goodbye – until your next WeRoad adventure!
End of services. The itinerary may undergo some variations that differ from what is stated above. These variations may not be predictable nor depend on WeRoad’s will, i.e. climate conditions, national holidays, strikes, etc.







The travel coordinators
Our travel coordinators are chosen because they are people like you. Not only are they the best travel buddy you could hope for, but they're trained professionals guaranteed to show you a travel experience like never before
Info to know
Passport
For this trip it is mandatory to provide an image of your passport at least 30 days before departure and your passport must have at least 6 months of residual validity from the day of return to Italy. In this way we can proceed with the booking of all the travel services. If it is not provided or the passport does not comply with the validity, we cannot foresee your participation in the trip. The image can be uploaded in the reserved area following the booking.
Staff
Our trips are led by a Travel Coordinator who has been specifically trained by us to lead group travels to ensure you have the best time. A WhatsApp group with all travel participants will be created two weeks prior to departure by your Travel Coordinator.
Visas and Vaccinations
Before booking, please ensure to check what documents, visas, and vaccinations are required to enter the country you are visiting. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Arrival and Departure Times
We always advise trying to get to the meet-up point for the first day of your tour by 5pm. On the last day of the tour you are free to leave whenever you want!
Luggage
Backpacks are mandatory to allow easy transfers - we recommend a 45L backpack for our trips.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Round-trip flights are not included in any of our trips because we like to give you autonomy and flexibility: you can choose the airline you want to fly with, the departure airport that suits you best, and how many and which stops you want to make.
Since flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: if possible, you can arrive at your destination a few days earlier or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!
This is the question of all questions, and here’s the answer, broken down into points!
The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all tour participants and managed by your Travel Coordinator.
It is used to streamline paymentsfor extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do and to guarantee flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group.
It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure.
You’ll find the amount of the money pot on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the money pot’ – how do you get there? Look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money pot? Click here’, and you’ll find the details.
The amount varies depending on the destination chosen.
It is used exclusively for group expenses that ALL participants decide to take part in.
It is estimated based on the experiences of other groups but can vary depending on the needs of the group itself. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip.
If not all of the money pot is used, the difference will be returned to all participants at the end of the trip in equal amounts.
The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the money pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator.
If you pay in advance part of the money pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded in case of trip cancellation.
We offer several payment methods to meet all needs:
1. Credit or debit card from Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
2. Installment payments for certain countries only
If you choose the deposit and balance option, you can pay the balance from your MyWeRoad Personal Area via bank transfer.
Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.
If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option.
How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at [email protected] or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.
In general, we always choose local accommodations, avoiding large hotel chains, because we love to experience the culture of the place and, whenever possible, contribute to the local economy. Typically, our accommodations are hotels, apartments, guesthouses, and hostels run by local entrepreneurs, with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.
For our Collection trips, which are our premium category, the accommodations are always 4 or 5-star or carefully selected boutique hotels.
The list of accommodations for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator between 5 and 3 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!
If you're wondering why WeRoad trips have a money pot, we’re assuming you already know what it is. If not, or if you have any doubts, we invite you to read all the information here!
Let’s quickly recap: The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all tour participants and managed by your Travel Coordinator. It’s used to speed up payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do and to guarantee flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group.
But let’s get to the point: why the money pot? First of all: it gives us a lot of flexibility. In all WeRoad trips you will have a bunch of Must See/Must Do activities already included - these are experiences, places or activities that simply cannot be missed! Any extra activities is decided by the group, why? Because each group is unique and may have particular wants or desires and the Money Pot allows each group to customise their trip to make it perfect for their requirements!
It also helps us speed up payments – imagine being in the subway in New York City, one by one purchasing the ticket...a nightmare right? Thanks to the Money Pot, the Travel Coordinator can simply purchase the tickets for everyone making the entire processes smoother! Any leftover money will be returned at the end of the trip and split equally amongst all participants.
In some destinations, buying goods or services on site is more economical as you are able to negotiate the price - places like Morocco, or South East Asia, bargaining is part of the culture. As such, our Travel Coordinators will be able to secure the best deal for all participants.
The amount of the money pot is specified in each trip – look for this button
which will take you to a detailed breakdown for each trip, like this:
WeRoad is not authorised to provide this information due to privacy reasons.
However, there is a solution - you can connect with your travel buddies by joining our Facebook group. Look for a post related to your trip, or ask the group admins for help in connecting with your future travel companions!
If a Travel Coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you're interested in, you can easily find their introduction post in the group via the website: in the tour list, click on 'Ask the coordinator', or in the trip details page, in the coordinator section, click on 'Ask [coordinator's name] for information on this trip in our Facebook group'. For both cases, see the screenshots below!
Tour List
Trip details page
In all our groups, the Travel Coordinator and participants speak English – knowing how to speak and understand English is therefore a fundamental requirement to participate in our trips.
On average the groups are made up of 6-15 people, with a minimum of 3/4 participants and a maximum of 15.
All our travellers are in theirs 20s, 30s and 40s. If you're very curios to know the age range of the group for a tour you're interested in, you can contact us by WhatsApp at +447716573700
Regarding the male-female ratio, this is not guaranteed and varies trip by trip.
The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller and will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will be available for any eventuality and will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary (transports, timings, accommodations, meeting points, etc.), so you can enjoy the trip without any worries!
You will have the chance to get to know them when the WhatsApp group is created approximately 2 weeks before departure - this will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking – their details will be specified in the schedule or on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your Personal Area, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.
Yes, in all our trips you will share a room with other same-sex travellers, and the bathroom will either be private or shared only with fellow participants of the trip. The rooms we select can be doubles, triples, quadruples, or multi-bed (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.
There are never dorms with people outside the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodations like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.
During the booking process, you can also choose to opt for a mixed room: in this case, if needed, only those who have agreed to this option may share a room with travellers of a different sex. If you are booking for multiple people together and select this option, the room will not be exclusive to your group but may be shared with other travellers in the group.
When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'Once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you, even if you no longer travel with us.
But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. We can also meet up for a dinner or a trek together at one of the events organised by our coordinators around the world!