Caribbean coast

Colombia’s Caribbean coast works well in a week: three days in Cartagena, then Santa Marta as a base for Tayrona National Park and the mountain village of Minca. With ten days or more you can add the Lost City trek, the beaches of Palomino or the La Guajira desert. This is the Colombia of heat, sea and music, but also of colonial cities and jungle running down to the beach. Here you’ll find the highlights, a day-by-day itinerary, travel times and when to go.

What to see on the Caribbean coast: the highlights

Stop	Why go	How long
Cartagena	the country’s most beautiful colonial city, base for the islands	3-4 days
Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca	clear water an hour from Cartagena	1 day
Santa Marta	base for Tayrona, Minca and the Lost City	1-2 days
Tayrona National Park	beaches between rainforest and granite boulders	1-2 days
Minca	coffee, waterfalls and birdwatching in the Sierra Nevada	1-2 days
Lost City (Ciudad Perdida)	Colombia’s most famous trek	4-5 days
Taganga	fishing village, diving and boats to Playa Grande	half a day
Palomino	a quiet beach and river tubing	1-2 days
La Guajira	desert, Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas, with the Wayuu communities	2-3 days on a tour

If you have more time, consider San Basilio de Palenque, the first free town in the Americas, founded by escaped slaves, about an hour from Cartagena, and Mompox, a colonial town on the Magdalena River, beautiful but far from everything. For the Barranquilla Carnival (February or early March), book months ahead.

A 7-day Caribbean coast itinerary

1. Day 1 – Cartagena. The old town, San Diego and sunset on the city walls.
2. Day 2 – Cartagena. Getsemaní, the Castillo de San Felipe at opening time and La Popa.
3. Day 3 – Rosario Islands or Playa Blanca. A day trip by boat, back in the afternoon.
4. Day 4 – Transfer to Santa Marta and Minca. Morning shuttle (4-5 hours), then a colectivo up to Minca, where you sleep somewhere cooler.
5. Day 5 – Minca. Coffee farms, waterfalls and the Los Pinos viewpoint; in the evening head down towards the Troncal del Caribe.
6. Day 6 – Tayrona National Park. Go in early through El Zaino, walk to Cabo San Juan and sleep in the park or just outside.
7. Day 7 – Palomino or home. Half a day in Palomino or a flight out of Santa Marta.

With 10-14 days, add the Lost City (4-5 days, only with licensed operators, around 2 million pesos) or a 2-3 day tour of La Guajira.

Getting around the Caribbean coast

Route	Time	How
Cartagena – Santa Marta	4-5 hours	shuttle, including door-to-door, or bus via Barranquilla
Cartagena – Playa Blanca	about 1 hour	bus tour or boat
Cartagena – Rosario Islands	45-55 minutes	launch from the Muelle de la Bodeguita
Santa Marta – Minca	about 45 minutes	colectivo, about 10,000 pesos
Santa Marta – Tayrona (El Zaino)	about 1 hour	bus, about 10,000 pesos
Santa Marta – Palomino	about 2 hours	bus along the Troncal del Caribe

Cartagena (CTG) and Santa Marta (SMR) have direct flights from Bogotá and Medellín. Everything on buses, shuttles and flights is in our guide to getting around Colombia.

When to visit the Caribbean coast

The best time is December to April: little rain, a breeze and clearer sea, although from January to March the wind can make boat crossings choppy. It’s hot all year, with highs of 31-33 °C (88-91 °F); October is the wettest month. From mid-December to mid-January and over Holy Week prices rise sharply. Month-by-month details are in our guide on when to visit Colombia.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need on Colombia’s Caribbean coast?

At least a week for Cartagena, Santa Marta, Minca and Tayrona National Park. With 10-14 days you can add the Lost City or La Guajira.

Cartagena or Santa Marta?

They complement each other: Cartagena is the more beautiful city and the base for the islands, while Santa Marta is less attractive but the gateway to Tayrona, Minca and the Lost City. If you’re short on city time, give Cartagena more days and use Santa Marta only as a base.

How do you get from Cartagena to Santa Marta?

By shuttle or bus, in 4-5 hours via Barranquilla. Some companies offer door-to-door service, picking you up at your accommodation.