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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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Guide to Palomino, Colombia | Bits of BriBackpacker’s Guide to Palomino: Colombia’s Hipster Beach Town

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Comments

  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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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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Memories from Morjim, Anjuna, & Panjim (Goa, India Memories from Morjim, Anjuna, & Panjim (Goa, India) 🇮🇳 

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PS. All of these memories and experiences wouldn’t have been possible without @nurall_co 💛 Nurall's next remote work retreat is in KHAO LAK, THAILAND 🇹🇭this July 2023 (cost: $900 USD only). Comment or DM me for an extra 5% off if you’re interested in signing up!

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Whether its for adventure, community, or leveling Whether its for adventure, community, or leveling up your business, a digital nomad / remote work retreat is one of the best ways to work remotely and travel! 💻✈️

I’ve rounded up some of the best curated trips and retreats out there in my latest blog post (🔗 in bio to check it out!) 

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Types of experiences you could discover with these guys range from training for 🥊 Muay Thai in Khao Lak, Thailand (@nurall_co co) to 🥾 hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain (@beunsettled) to ⛺️ camping out in the desert of Morocco (@minoma.co), and more!

WHY JOIN A NOMAD / REMOTE WORK RETREAT? 👇

Retreats offer curated itineraries/experiences designed to bring you epic adventures in bucket list destinations, plug you into the local scene, and collab with like-minded souls — all while leveling up your business/entrepreneurial skills and remote lifestyle and giving you creative space to cowork in beautiful places. 🤗

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💡Strike a new business idea
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In short, these programs have the power to evoke positive change in your life and, more often than not, your investment is rewarded handsomely (in more ways than one). ✌️

I’m long-time digital slomad, but after discovering Goa, India with @nurall_co I’m most definitely going to attend more retreats like this in the future! ✨✨

*Not spons, btw! Just sharing ways you can find a community of digital nomads, whether you want to be one or already are one! 👩🏼‍💻💛

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< 1 week until we get to do this again! Adventur < 1 week until we get to do this again! 

Adventures await us in our beasty 1990 Roadtrek 🚐🌲🥾 — she’s been sitting out winter in Washington while we tanned our toes in Mexico 🇲🇽 

I’ve never been able to choose between the mountains ⛰️ and the sea 🌊 … you? 

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I’m stoked (read 90% nervous, 10% excited), to share that @slomadstories is officially OUT THERE! 

I actually had the first episode published on April 4th, but was too shy to share about it until now. 

But, as you’ll hear when you tune in... (🥳) this podcast isn’t just about highlighting raw, meaningful stories of adventure by ordinary people who seek an extraordinary life — YES, it’s mostly about that — but the very heart of this podcast is about DOING things despite how much they SCARE you or thrust you into the UNKNOWN.

I’ve always *tried* to live my one very short life by seeking to know, chasing curiosity, and jumping headfirst into the journey. 

— This podcast is simply a new endeavor, a new project that WILL NOT stop whispering at my heart. I’ve been trying to deny this urge, this tug, for so long! The whispers started in 2020 when a person who I thought would become a close friend bailed on the idea to start one together. So I let the idea go, for a while. But then it came back twice as strong in 2022, when I was living as a temporary nomad in Portugal for two months. It was there that I had my podcast cover art designed. That was already 1.5 years ago! 

Life passes us by...

We hear the whispers, we see the project coming to life in our heads, we feel the pull...

But we say no over and over again, and we make very legitimate excuses, until ultimately, the idea, the spark, the magic, fades; it chooses someone else to birth the idea and manifest itself into creation (something I learned reading “Big Magic” by Liz Gilbert, it’s amazing, go read it!). 

I have no idea why I felt the need to start a podcast, it’s not like I am already juggling enough.

But I wanted to, for me.

For you ✨ 

For everyone who ever chased that feeling, that tug. 

Because that?? 

That’s been my life for the last decade. I moved abroad countless times — and stayed — from Nepal to Mexico and beyond, and I would’ve never done ANY of it if I had not listened to the whispers.

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MINI GUIDE TO JIUFEN 🏮🇹🇼👇 🍡 Explor MINI GUIDE TO JIUFEN 🏮🇹🇼👇

🍡 Explore Jiufen Old Street and try local street food (The taro balls came highly recommended! We ate giant pork buns, xiao long bao dumplings, and a vegan pork noodle dish!) 

🍵 Visit the iconic A-Mei Tea House for traditional tea ceremony and sweets (a bit touristy, but worth it for the views imo)

🐉 Pick up some of the magic of “Spirited Away” in the shops (there are so many souvenirs and Studio Ghibli themed goods)

⛰️ Hike to the top of Keelung Mountain for a fun and sweaty adventure (go before sunset and go prepared for thousands of steps, lol)

🏮Wander through the narrow alleyways — explore away from Old Street!! 

⛏️ Learn about the town’s history at the Jiufen Gold Mine Museum — you can take night tours for a small fee or organize them through your hotel

🎭 Visit the two-story historic Shengping Theater, an abandoned cinema that provides a glimpse into Jiufen’s past

💦 Explore the nearby Golden Waterfall (10 minute drive)

Most people only come to Jiufen for a couple of hours to stroll through Old Street and take a photo of the teahouse since it evokes the bathhouse in Spirited Away🏮🐉 with its architecture and lanterns. But DON’T make the mistake of coming only for a day!! 

There is so much to do in Jiufen, even though we stayed 2 nights in the town (highly recommend), we wished we had stayed longer. 🥹

Oh yeah, and BRING AN UMBRELLA!! ☔️ Or don’t, the locals will give you one out of the goodness of their hearts (our hosts were the sweetest!!) ❤️

Save this to your Taiwan bucket list, pass this reel along to a friend, anddd check out my blog @bucketlistbri .com for more adventures abroad! 💃

#discovertaiwan #jiufen #spiritedaway #northtaiwan #asiatravel #travelbucketlist #jiufenoldstreet
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