One Week in Colombia: Self-Launched Adventure

Arrive at Rafael Núñez International Airport and take an official yellow taxi to your guesthouse in the Getsemaní neighbourhood — agree the fare before you get in (approximately COP16,000–25,000, around £3–5). Check in and explore at your own pace. Spend the afternoon wandering the UNESCO-listed Old City (Ciudad Amurallada): visit the Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver (free exterior, small entry fee inside), stroll through Plaza de Bolívar, and admire the colourful colonial facades. In the evening, walk the old city walls at sunset — it's free and spectacular. Head to Getsemaní for dinner; look for local comedores (set-menu restaurants) serving bandeja paisa or fresh seafood for under £5.

🚌Official yellow taxi from airport to hotel — approx. £3–5

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Getsemaní (e.g. El Viajero Cartagena or Media Luna Hostel) — approx. £12–16/night

• →Self-guided walk through the UNESCO Old City — free
• →Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver visit — approx. £1.50
• →Sunset walk along the city walls — free
• →Dinner in Getsemaní neighbourhood — approx. £4–6

Take an early morning public bus or shared colectivo from Cartagena's main terminal (Terminal de Transportes) to Barranquilla — journey is approximately 2–3 hours and costs around £4–7 with operators like Berlinas or Copetran. On arrival, make your way to the World Bicycle Relief factory — they welcome independent visitors; check their website to confirm visiting hours. Then rent a bike locally (ask your hostel for recommendations, typically £3–6/half day) and cycle the Malecón waterfront promenade yourself, stopping to see the famous Shakira statue. Grab lunch at a local fritanga spot near the waterfront. In the evening, explore Barranquilla's vibrant street food scene near the city centre.

🚌Public bus or colectivo from Cartagena to Barranquilla — approx. £4–7

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Barranquilla city centre (e.g. Hostel Barranquilla or Hotel El Prado budget options) — approx. £12–16/night

• →World Bicycle Relief factory visit — free/donations welcome
• →Bike rental and self-guided cycle along the Malecón — approx. £4–6
• →Shakira statue photo stop — free
• →Street food dinner near the city centre — approx. £4–6

Take an early shared taxi or colectivo from Barranquilla towards Pueblo Viejo (approx. 1.5–2 hours, £3–5). From Pueblo Viejo, arrange a local fisherman's boat tour to the stilt villages of Buenavista and Nueva Venecia directly at the waterfront — local operators charge approximately £15–25 per person for a shared boat, and community guides at the Visitors' Centre in Nueva Venecia can be hired on the spot for a small tip. After the tour, take a shared taxi or bus onwards to Minca, a small mountain village above Santa Marta (approx. 2 hours total including connection through Santa Marta, £5–8). Arrive in Minca for the evening; grab a simple dinner at one of the village's eco-cafés.

🚌Shared taxi/colectivo Barranquilla to Pueblo Viejo (~£4), local boat tour (~£15–25), shared transport to Minca via Santa Marta (~£6)

🛏Eco-hostel in Minca (e.g. Casa Elemento or Casas Viejas Minca) — approx. £10–14/night

• →Shared boat tour to Palafitos stilt villages (Buenavista & Nueva Venecia) — approx. £15–25
• →Community guide visit at Visitors' Centre, Nueva Venecia — tip-based, approx. £3
• →Floating football field viewing — included in boat tour
• →Evening in Minca village — free

Start the morning with a walk through Minca's charming streets — the village is tiny and wonderfully unhurried. Then set off on the self-guided hike to the Marinka Waterfalls (approximately 4 km each way, well-marked trail). The trail follows the river and is alive with birdlife including toucans and hummingbirds. Swim in the crystal-clear pool at the base of the falls — bring a packed lunch from the village. Entry to the waterfalls area costs a small community fee of approximately £1–2 collected at the trailhead. In the afternoon, visit La Candelaria coffee and cacao farm independently — they offer walk-in coffee and chocolate tours for approximately £8–12 per person (confirm directly with the farm). Relax at your hostel for the evening.

🚌On foot within Minca — free

🛏Eco-hostel in Minca (same as previous night) — approx. £10–14/night

• →Self-guided hike to Marinka Waterfalls (~8 km round trip) — approx. £1–2 community entry fee
• →Swimming at the base of Marinka Waterfalls — free
• →La Candelaria coffee or chocolate farm tour — approx. £8–12
• →Birdwatching along the trail — free

Take a shared mototaxi or jeep down from Minca to Santa Marta (approximately 45 minutes, £2–4). Check into your hotel, then set off on a self-guided orientation walk: head to the historic centre around Parque de los Novios and the Cathedral Basílica de Santa Marta (one of Colombia's oldest), then stroll along the Malecón de Bastidas seafront promenade. Visit the Santa Marta Public Market to try local tropical fruits and snacks — a brilliant foodie experience for next to nothing. In the evening, join the locals around Parque de los Novios, which comes alive with bars, restaurants and street performers. Try fish sancocho or cayeye from a local restaurant.

🚌Shared mototaxi/jeep from Minca to Santa Marta — approx. £2–4

🛏Budget hotel in Santa Marta centre (e.g. Hotel Miramar or La Brisa Loca Hostel) — approx. £12–16/night

• →Self-guided walk through Santa Marta historic centre — free
• →Cathedral Basílica de Santa Marta visit — free
• →Santa Marta Public Market visit — free (budget £3–5 for snacks)
• →Malecón de Bastidas seafront stroll — free
• →Dinner near Parque de los Novios — approx. £5–8

Today, head independently to Tayrona National Park — one of Colombia's most spectacular natural reserves. Take a local bus from Santa Marta's market area towards El Zaino entrance (approximately 1 hour, £1.50–2.50). Pay the park entrance fee at the gate (approximately £8–10 for foreign visitors). From El Zaino, hike through the jungle to the beaches of Cabo San Juan, Arrecifes and La Piscina — the trails are well-marked and take 1–2 hours on foot. Swim in sheltered coves and enjoy the dramatic scenery of jungle meeting sea. Bring snacks and water from Santa Marta. Return to Santa Marta by local bus before sunset. Alternatively, visit the Tairona Gold Museum (free) and Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino Museum (approx. £3) in the city if you prefer a slower day.

🚌Local bus Santa Marta to Tayrona (El Zaino) — approx. £1.50–2.50 each way

🛏Budget hotel in Santa Marta centre (same as previous night) — approx. £12–16/night

• →Tayrona National Park entry — approx. £8–10
• →Self-guided hiking and swimming at Cabo San Juan and La Piscina beaches — included in park entry
• →Tairona Gold Museum (alternative/addition) — free
• →Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino Museum (alternative/addition) — approx. £3

Take a public bus from Santa Marta's main terminal back to Cartagena (approximately 4–5 hours, £6–10 with operators like Berlinas or Marsol — book the night before if possible). Arrive in Cartagena and check back into your guesthouse in Getsemaní. Spend the afternoon exploring: visit the San Felipe de Barajas Castle (Castillo San Felipe), the largest Spanish colonial fortress in the Americas (entry approx. £4–5). Explore the Getsemaní graffiti street art scene on a self-guided walk — the murals are free and unmissable. Drop into the Zenú Gold Museum (free). In the evening, join a rum tasting at a local bar or try a street food tour — book directly with local operators like Cartagena Street Food Tours (approx. £12–15 per person).

🚌Public bus Santa Marta to Cartagena terminal, then taxi to Getsemaní — approx. £7–12 total

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Getsemaní — approx. £12–16/night

• →San Felipe de Barajas Castle visit — approx. £4–5
• →Self-guided Getsemaní graffiti street art walk — free
• →Zenú Gold Museum — free
• →Rum tasting at a local bar — approx. £8–12
• →Street food tour (bookable via GetYourGuide or directly) — approx. £12–15

Your last morning in Colombia — savour it! Grab a traditional Colombian breakfast (calentado or arepas con huevo) at a local panadería for under £2. If time allows before your departure, take a final stroll through the Old City at dawn when the streets are quiet and golden. For a memorable send-off, consider booking a Rosario Islands snorkelling trip (bookable via GetYourGuide, approx. £30–40) or a half-day mangroves kayaking tour (approx. £20–25) if you have an afternoon flight. Take a yellow taxi to the airport (COP16,000–25,000, approx. £3–5) — agree the price before you get in.

🚌Yellow taxi to Rafael Núñez Airport — approx. £3–5

🛏No accommodation needed (departure day)

• →Final Old City morning stroll — free
• →Traditional Colombian breakfast at a local panadería — approx. £2
• →Optional: Rosario Islands snorkelling day trip (via GetYourGuide) — approx. £30–40
• →Optional: Mangroves kayak tour — approx. £20–25