If we only had 2 weeks: Colombia Caribbean itinerary

So you’ve booked to spend two weeks in Colombia’s Caribbean, but you have no idea what to do? Let me help you work out a tasty 2 week itinerary in Colombia! Having spent 9 months in the country, I’d like to think I have a pretty good grasp of where to spend your time for a vacation that you love 🙂

Now, travel in Colombia is so very diverse and offers so much that I couldn’t narrow it down very easily. Thus, I’ve actually created multiple versions of the 2 week itinerary for Colombia for you, depending on whether you’re looking for paradise relaxation (that’s this one!) or a whistlestop all-rounder.

Saying that, this 2 week itinerary is still a bit of a whirlwind, so if you’re looking for more chilling than you are backpacking, cut out a destination or two.

Because of its airport and extensive bus links, Cartagena is the best place to start your 2 week itinerary in Colombia’s Caribbean. The dusty northern city is definitely an assault on the senses, so I’m suggesting that you spend minimal time here, and instead to arrange to get out to the beaches quicker in this 2 week itinerary. Colombia’s Caribbean coast & islands have plenty of beaches, but Cartagena’s aren’t the ones you want to pitch up a sunbed on.

After that you’ve reached the end of this 2 week itinerary: Colombia Caribbean Edition, make sure to check out my guides to:

• Isla de Providencia
• Isla Barú & the Rosario Islands
• The safest countries in Latin America (and the least!)
• Must-visit islands in South America

How to spend 2 weeks in Colombia’s Caribbean:

Here’s a quick run-down of my suggested 2-week Peru itinerary with recommended places to stay; below I’ll tell you more about what to do in each of these destinations.

What not to miss in your 2 week itinerary: Colombia Caribbean

Day 1: Cartagena

Take a history tour, have brunch at Stepping Stone Café, view sunset from Soy Local’s rooftop, visit Getsemaní (just outside the walls) to watch the buskers during the evening, choose from one of the best restaurants in Cartagena for dinner.

Days 2-3: Isla Barú

Pick up a Playa Blanca & Rosarios boat tour from La Muralla port in Cartagena in the morning, and don’t skip the snorkelling at the first stop. You’ll get to Isla Barú at lunchtime (lunch included).

Find a spot on the sand, chill out and enjoy watching the beach empty out as all the day trip boats to leave! Then, relax in the bath-warm turquoise sea as the sun comes down, and maybe even get a massage.

The next day, wake up in paradise, spend the morning at leisure. Ask your hostel to organise a car or help you get the bus back to Cartagena for around midday to get a bus to Santa Marta (5 hours from the Marsol terminal).

Days 3-4: Santa Marta

Chill out in El Parque de los Novios and grab dinner on Carrera 3 with Calle 17. If you fancy a day trip, hiking to the waterfalls in Minca is a wonderful day out, and trekking to the gorgeous beaches in Tayrona National Park is a little more work but you’ll be well-rewarded. On a Sunday, don’t miss out on the Masaya Hostel pool party.

Days 5-7: Costeño Beach Club/beaches around Guachaca

Get a bus or shuttle down, check in and then RELAX.

Day 8: Travel day to San Andres via Cartagena

Sorry, I hate to interrupt all the relaxation of your 2 week itinerary of Colombia’s Caribbean, but when spending time in Latin America where transport links aren’t always fantastic, travel days are a bit of an unavoidable fact of life!

Take an early morning bus to Santa Marta and then change buses to get to Cartagena. A more comfortable alternative of course would be to invest in a seat on a private minibus shuttle.

Once you get to Cartagena, you’ll need to get to the airport in time to catch the evening flight to San Andres Island (the very specific 6:52pm with Latam Airlines). Flights to San Andres are very limited, so don’t miss it!

Top tip: See if you can arrange with the hotel you’re staying at in Cartagena on day 13 to leave your bigger suitcase in their storage while you head to the islands. Luggage on the Providencia propellor plane is extremely limited, so aim to only take hand luggage for this leg of the 2 week itinerary: Colombia Caribbean.  

Day 9: San Andres

The island exploration starts here! Rent a golf buggy from one of the garages in the main town, and then spend the day taking it all around San Andres island, stopping at whichever beaches take your fancy! My personal favourite beach on the island is San Luis. Along the way, also don’t miss La Piscinita, El Hoyo Soplador and the views from the Botanical Gardens.

Don’t want to fly anywhere? Instead of heading to San Andres & Providencia, adjust your 2 week itinerary in Colombia’s Caribbean to carry on West along the coast, from Costeño to Palomino and Cabo de la Vela.

Days 10-12: Isla Providencia

Get yourself on the earliest propellor plane on offer, and marvel at the views as you land on the tiny tropical island of Providencia.

What you do here is up to you, you could either hire another golf buggy and go round the island in a day, or you could get a taxi to an Isla Providencia beach or two, or you could embark on a day of snorkelling with a boat trip.

One thing you shouldn’t leave off your 2 week itinerary is Colombia’s absolute GEM of an islet – Crab Cay (pronounced ‘key’), below.

Day 13: Travel day back to Cartagena via San Andres

What goes up must come down! Fly back early to Isla San Andres, then back to the glorious walls of Cartagena. Enjoy your last evening on Colombia’s Caribbean coast by watching the sunset from a Cartagena rooftop bar, and then head to Getsemaní to watch street performers in the square.

Day 14: Home time!

Pack your bags, you’re going home! Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, you never know what traffic and queues might be like. Hope you enjoyed your 2 weeks in Colombia’s Caribbean!

And that’s all 14 days covered of your 2 week itinerary! Colombia’s Caribbean offers so so much, and there are a thousand ways you could organise this holiday, but I hope you get a lot of joy out of this trip plan 🙂

Now that you’ve reached the end of this 2 week itinerary: Colombia Caribbean Edition, make sure to check out my guides to:

• Isla de Providencia
• Isla Barú & the Rosario Islands
• The safest countries in Latin America (and the least!)
• Must-visit islands in South America

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Last Updated on 27 November 2023 by Cuppa to Copa Travels