BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: We visited in August and it was a bit rainy during our stay. However, there were much fewer tourists than we anticipated as well. Tourism has been increasing in Colombia, so it might be worth considering visiting after the peak season. So, I would recommend traveling from May-August.

NOTE ON TRAVEL: We took flights between most cities. Viva Air has flights for under $50, so it is the most efficient and economical way to travel throughout such a MASSIVE country.

pereira.

NOTE: We opted to visit Pereira, but Salento is another popular city in the coffee region. If we went back, we would probably opt for Salento because it seems like there is a bit more to do.

For a beautiful view, I recommend staying at Finca Villa Illusion. They have an infinity pool that overlooks the entire city. However, we found it to be a bit isolated, and made meals a bit difficult. They serve breakfast, but there are no other meals served there, so if you want to relax there for the day, you will need to bring food with you. After breakfast, head to the Termales Baths. We chose to take a local bus, but Willy Jeeps are another popular option. If you take the bus, there will be two different hot springs that it stops at. The first stop is for the larger springs where many of the locals go. I recommend going to the second stop. It’s more for visiting tourists, but is MUCH less crowded. When you arrive, you should start your experience by walking up to the waterfall and taking a dip in the ice cold water. Then, you can go relax down in the hot springs. Plan to have lunch at the hot springs.

For the afternoon, after taking the bus/jeep back into Pereira, take a taxi over to Café don Manolo. The tour was IMPECCABLE. They walk you through every stage of coffee making and teach you about the coffee industry in Colombia. You will get to see where they pick the beans, dry them, and roast them. The family lives on the property, so you feel like their guest. The tour finishes with a coffee tasting, where they will give you the opportunity to try their beans with different brewing methods. Finally, for dinner, head to La Ruana for traditional Colombian food. The food here was good, and the atmosphere was really fun. Prepare for 70s-era Colombian disco music to be on repeat. Then, head back to your hotel to relax in the pool for the evening.

medellin.

Definitely stay in Poblado. It is a hipster neighborhood with great food and cool artwork. There are a ton of good hostel and AirBnb options. It is also the hub for major nightlife.

DAY 1: To start the day, grab a coffee and a small bite at Pergamino. Then, head to paraglide over the city with Zona de Vuelo. You will need a reservation in advance, but we were able to schedule one the day before we went. They are super professional and friendly, so I can’t recommend them highly enough. Then, have them take you to the top of the cable car line. You will ride over Comuna 13 as you make your way toward the city center. We made a quick stop along the way to check out Casa Museo Pedro Nel Gomez. If you are short on time, I would cut it, but I am a sucker for museums in the artist’s home. I remember there being a really nice temporary installation here when we visited as well. For lunch, you can either find a place nearby, or grab lunch at Hacienda near the city center for some food that is traditional to the region.

Then, explore Botero’s works in the Plazoleta de la Esculturas. On the plaza, you will see the Museo de Antioquia. They have some of Botero’s most famous paintings in here as well. It is a really nice museum to walk around, with a lot of different types of art and exhibits. After an hour or two, head back to Poblado to relax and get ready for a night out. For dinner, do not miss Panka!!! It was one of my FAVORITE meals I had on the trip! It is super upscale, but really really affordable. The atmosphere and food are just awesome.

Then, for your night out, head to the Charlee Hotel Envy Rooftop for a panoramic view of the city and nice cocktails. Since it’s a bit more expensive, have a drink or two and then head to Parque Lleras. Our strategy was to walk around and decide what looked like the most popular spot for the night. If you want more of a plan than that, this site looks like it has some good recommendations.

DAY 2: Start your day at another popular coffee shop, Café Velvet. Then, have a prearranged tour to take you through Comuna 13. I recommend this one. While you can walk through the area safely by yourself, the tour allows you to gain a greater appreciation for the history of the neighborhood. For lunch, grab a bite at Alambique, a total hidden gem in Medellin (no really, it’s super difficult to find). Then, head out to watch a soccer match. We went to an Independiente game. Although you may be able to haggle for a good deal on tickets, I recommend just getting tickets at the ticket counter—they will not sell out no matter what people tell you.  The Norte section is where the party will be, but we opted to sit nearby in Occidental since the crowds can sometimes be a bit rowdy and dangerous. Just grab dinner at the stadium, and enjoy your time being a local!

minca.

Minca is a really quiet town with not much to do, but it is super beautiful and relaxing. If you feel like you may be tried from constantly moving from one city to the next, this is a great spot to take a break. I HIGHLY recommend staying at Casa Loma Minca. It is a long hike to get up to the hotel, but it has BEAUTIFUL views above the mountains. In the morning, they will host yoga lessons on their terrace. Travelers from all around Minca gather on their yoga terrace before dinner to watch the sunset together. In the evenings, you can have a vegan dinner with all of the other travelers staying at the hostel. Also, definitely get the massage at Casa Loma. It was super cheap, and AMAZING. For lunch options, pop down to The Lazy Cat, the most popular hangout in the area. We also really enjoyed DUNI for coffee and lite bites. They will have freshly-made bread wafting in the air every time you walk by. For activities, Pozo Azul is really popular. It is a collection of swimming holes. It is a nice spot to relax and appreciate the nature around you. Los Pinos is another option for a hike that goes by Pozo Azul and las Cascadas. This hike is a bit more rigorous, taking 5-7 hours. If you didn’t make it to Pereira, coffee and chocolate tours are popular here too.

cartagena.

I recommend staying in Getsemani. It is really touristy, but Cartagena is such a vacation destination, you might as well stay here.

DAY 1: Upon arrival, grab some coffee and lunch at Epoca. The quality of the food is some of the best in Cartagena, and the atmosphere is really cute too. You can’t start your day any better way.

Then, venture over to Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. It can get super hot during the day, so try to get here as early (or late) as possible. Make sure to take the stairs you see below ground, and explore the underground tunnels.

For lunch, avoid La Cevicheria (as it is way overpriced for the portion size) and grab some ceviche at La Laguna Azul. Then, finish off lunch by a quick walk over to Santo Domingo Square. Here, you will find a bunch of women lined up with jars full of traditional Colombian sweets. I can’t recommend any in particular, but just grab a mixed bag of whatever catches your eye. Continue to spend the afternoon wandering around Getsemani and Old City.

To start your evening, grab dinner La Perla. It is Peruvian cuisine, and is super affordable for a nicer place in Cartagena. Then, for after dinner drinks, head to the Town House Hotel rooftop. If you are in the mood to dance, Donde Fidel is a popular spot to head to afterwards.

DAY 2:

Spend the day relaxing poolside at Hotel Movich Cartagena de Indias. You are able to get a day pass, and the view from the pool is UNBELIEVABLE. It is a panoramic view of the old city and the ocean.

For pre-dinner drinks, catch the sunset at Café del Mar. It gets really crowded, so you need to get there early if you want a chance at a table. Once the sun sets, head to El Arsenal for dinner. They will greet you with a non-negotiable hug, a shot of rum, and a sampling of chocolate. I thought the food was good, but the atmosphere is really why I recommend this place. After dinner, check out Alquimico. There are three different floors with different vibes, but all three have awesome cocktails. The rooftop bar is definitely the perfect spot to end the evening.

providencia. 

The biggest piece of advice that I can give for visiting Providencia is to try to book a flight in advance! We thought we would book one on arrival, but ended up having to take the ferry (which only leaves once a day from San Andres). The boat ride is legitimately one of the WORST experiences of my life. If you do get stuck on the boat, just sit in the back outside the main cabin and take multiple motion sickness pills before you board. We spent our time in Providencia diving. I recommend Sonny’s Dive Shop. They also have lodging available, which was decently affordable and really convenient since it was just across the street from the dive shop. If you want a break from diving, spend the day at Cayo Cangrejo instead.

For food, we grabbed a bite a few times at Monasterio de Viento. The food was fine (one of the better places on the island), but it has a really nice view. Tom’s Corner was also recommended, but we didn’t get to check it out.

For nightlife, definitely head to Roland Roots Bar. To get here, you will need to flag down a scooter to take you there. Definitely don’t miss this place, and plan to stay here late. It’s a great spot to have a beer, relax in some hammocks, and dance on the sand. On Fridays, they also build a bonfire and have live music.