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Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

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2 Week Itinerary Backpacking Colombia’s Caribbean Coast

Last Updated: October 20, 2021 · Colombia, South America

Taking a trip to Colombia? The hardest part is not the planning itself, but choosing which part of Colombia you want to see! Since Colombia is so diverse, a short plane trip can take you anywhere from whale watching on the Pacific Ocean, to exploring sand dunes in the desert, to trekking in snowy mountains, to ziplining in coffee country, and so much more!

Of course, it’s not possible to see all those amazing regions in 2 weeks. But you can still have an unforgettable time on your first, second, or third trip to Colombia! The Colombian Caribbean coast invites backpackers and adventurers from all over.

Whether you want to lounge on the beach with turquoise waters or speed in a truck across the sandy desert, Colombia’s Caribbean coast is the place to be.

Here’s the recap of my 2 week travel itinerary traveling Colombia’s Caribbean coast!

Table of Contents show
How to Spend 2 Weeks on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast
Preparing for the trip
Flight from Bogotá
What to pack for colombia’s coast
Days 1-3: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Days 3-5: Cabo de la Vela
Days 5-7: Punta Gallinas
Days 7-9: Palomino
Days 9-11: Minca
Days 11-14: Cartagena

How to Spend 2 Weeks on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast

2 Week Itinerary Colombia's Carribean Coast | Bucketlist Bri

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Preparing for the trip

Flight from Bogotá

You’ll probably arrive from a different airport, but we flew from Bogotá to Cartagena at night.  We flew with Avianca, and so we only had carry-on luggage for the approx. 14-day trip.

What to pack for colombia’s coast

I brought my camera, journal, toiletries, bug repellent, bathing suit, 1 dress, hiking pants and shoes, a couple tanks/t-shirts, a rain jacket, a microfibre towel, a light sweater, sandals, and a handful of undies.

I ended up wearing the same thing almost every day, but I was pretty happy to not have a gigantic backpack to lug around (especially on the buses or when hiking in Tayrona).

Days 1-3: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona

We debuted our backpacking trip in the picturesque Tayrona National Park.

It is a majorly popular destination nowadays, but it’s worth going if you want to discover the lush greenery of the Sierra Nevada Mountains as they meet with the bright blue and green hues of the Caribbean sea.

2 Week Itinerary Colombia's Carribean Coast | Bucketlist Bri

We took an overnight van from Cartagena to arrive in Tayrona. It took about 5-6 hours and we were pretty tired when we arrived. Luckily, we were more excited than we were sleepy. But since we arrived two hours early before the park opened, we had time to relax and enjoy the fresh air as the sun rose behind the hills.

Stay at least 2-3 days in Tayrona to take advantage of the cut-off-from-the-world vibe and explore its wild rainforest and beaches.

Click here for my guide on what to do and where to stay in Tayrona National Park!

Traveler’s Tip: If you have extra time, you can explore Santa Marta and Minca at this point, or wait until you head back down the coast.

Days 3-5: Cabo de la Vela

Just when I thought Tayrona’s beach was gorgeous, nothing could prepare me for the Caribbean-desert landscape at Cabo de la Vela. It’s not at all crowded like you’ll see at Tayrona, and the scenery is just mindblowing.

If you want to go anywhere on the Caribbean coast, it should be to Cabo de la Vela. Getting here can be tricky though, but if you leave early on the 3rd morning from Tayrona, you can get to Cabo by the mid-late afternoon.

2 Week Itinerary Colombia's Carribean Coast | Bucketlist Bri

Many travelers come to Cabo to take courses at the renown kite surfing center, but some just come for the adventure. Before arriving you’ll have to speed across the desert in the bed of an old truck. It’ll be a whirlwind of adventure and pretty uncomfortable. I mean, have you ever felt sand at 100 mph?

This old fishing village is truly a hidden gem. It’s no doubt that it’ll continue to popularize in the coming years though. I hope it can retain its small, indigenous authenticity while bringing sustainable economic growth to the community and Wayuu families.

Read my guide on what to do and where to stay in incredible Cabo de la Vela

Days 5-7: Punta Gallinas

As part of our Cabo de la Vela tour package with our local guide, we traveled to the northernmost point of South America at Punta Gallinas. This trip is not for those who get bored after 1 hour of traveling in a 4×4. We left at 6 am from Cabo de la Vela and drove nearly 3-4 hours across the barren desert.

It was both humbling and heartbreaking to travel across this barren land and see families bearing the brunt of the desert’s unforgiving living conditions. Children were guarding makeshift checkpoints, and to have passageway, you needed to give something in exchange (candy, water, fruit, etc.)

2 Week Itinerary Colombia's Carribean Coast | Bucketlist Bri

Our trip to Punta Gallinas included a visit to the northernmost geographical point in SA, a visit to a beautiful lookout and the surreal Taroa sand dunes where you can slide down a towering hill of golden sand right into the Caribbean sea.

Traveler’s Tip: I’d recommend adding a day or two for Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas (just because they take quite the effort to get to!)

Read more about getting to Punta Gallinas and what it’s like to stay here!

Days 7-9: Palomino

After our painstakingly long drive back to Riohacha from Punta Gallinas, we took another bus to Palomino.

This little hipster town is a popular backpacker’s destination and it’s no wonder why. It offers the sunny, tropical vibe that most people look for when traveling along the coast. The beach, however, was my least favorite aspect of Palomino.

2 Week Itinerary Colombia's Carribean Coast | Bucketlist Bri

The local craft shops, delicious cafes and restaurants, and colorful hostels are what make this place come to life.

While you can just hang out, eat, drink, and be merry (like we did), you can also go hiking around Palomino or partake in some fun river tubing!

Read more about what to do and where to stay in this laid-back Caribbean coastal town!

Days 9-11: Minca

Minca is an adorable mountainous town located in the hills behind Santa Marta on the coast. It’s a perfect little retreat and is a popular destination for backpackers wanting to relax in the fresh mountain air and take a break from the sunny coast.

2 Week Itinerary Colombia's Carribean Coast | Bucketlist Bri

Unfortunately, my time in Minca wasn’t as pleasant as I expected, thanks to a nasty virus that our traveling group caught.

Nonetheless, travelers head to Minca in search of the “world’s largest hammock” and for its local coffee plantation and hikes. Most travelers who I spoke to here though were just coming to rest, read a book, and eat some good food.

Read more about Minca and my unlucky misadventure

Days 11-14: Cartagena

We spent our last days in Cartagena, which was the cherry on top of the cake. Cartagena is a colorful, colonial port city that’s hard to miss if you’re traveling along the Colombian Caribbean coast.

2 Week Itinerary Colombia's Carribean Coast | Bucketlist Bri

While it can get heavily crowded during peak season, there’s so much to discover here.

If you love fresh seafood, pristine beaches, bright colors, and awesome architecture, then you’ll fall in love with Cartagena! Its people and its history make it a popular travel destination for both Colombian nationals and internationals.

Check out my 3-day travel guide and discover the best of Cartagena!

And that’s it! What do you think about this 2-week travel itinerary for discovering all the must-sees of Colombia’s Caribbean coast?

We managed to pack A LOT within just less than two weeks. But if I ever have the chance do to it twice, I would definitely give more time to Cabo de la Vela, perhaps revisit Minca and Palomino, and spend extra time beaching it up off the coast of Cartagena. 

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By: Bri · In: Colombia, South America

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  1. Georgie says

    January 21, 2018 at 7:25 pm

    As always, your adventures are so interesting to read! Makes me want to visit there with you one day!

    Reply
    • Bri says

      January 21, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      Thanks momma!!! We’ll get to do awesome stuff in Mexico! <3

      Reply

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3 Days in Cartagena, Colombia: Discovering The Colorful & Colonial

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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