Every South America backpacking route should include Colombia, and some people even say Colombia is the real heart of Latin America.
Think quaint cobblestone towns, crystalline waters, indigenous cultures and some of the most epic landscapes that your eyes will have seen.
This backpacking guide is designed to assist you in planning a trip to Colombia, as well as give you some practical Colombia travel tips.
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Backpacking Colombia
I usually travel to Colombia every year, so this is a living guide that I will update before, during, and after my most recent trips to Colombia.
If you’re in a rush, know that traveling to Colombia for just two weeks is little time, especially if you want to get to know the country well.
I fine-tune my Colombia itinerary four weeks at a time, as I find one month is a good amount of time to be able to see and do more.
Be sure to take a look at this list I created to get a better idea of the cities, towns and communities that I have visited while backpacking Colombia.
Map of Colombia
Below, I’ve added an interactive Colombia map for you to navigate to the individual places in this backpacking Colombia guide.
When flying into Colombia from the USA or Europe, I suggest you start in Bogotá or even Medellín to get an overview of the country.
Aim to check the weather in different regions to work out the best time to go to Colombia so you can decide what to pack for your trip before arriving.
Depending on your route and onward plans, if you’re backpacking Colombia, it may make more sense to start on the Caribbean coast.
If you’re traveling from the USA and you have one week in Colombia you can enjoy many places by spending time in a region that suits you.
Colombia Typical Costs and Budget
Cost Breakdown:
🇺🇸 1USD — 🇨🇴 4,255COP
My daily budget:
Up to 200KCOP
Suggested budget:
100K-150KCOP/$25-35US
Is it possible to travel to Colombia on a budget? Most certainly! Even the most frugal travelers will find it very easy to keep costs down here.
Most travelers quickly realize that the cost of living in Colombia is relatively low compared to North America, and can even save money while here.
See these quick tips below to give you an idea of what to expect!
Places in Colombia I Visited
Below, you’ll see I’m standing at the world-famous Valle de Cocora, a must-see place in Colombia, close to Salento after completing a relaxing hike.
Want to connect with nature but not so keen on the heat? I recommend that you add the coffee triangle to your list of places to go in Colombia.
📍 Here is a list of places that I have visited in Colombia so far:
- Bogotá
- Medellín
- Cartagena
- Santa Marta
- Minca
- Taganga
- Capurgana
- Riohacha
- Eje Cafetero
- San Andrés
On this blog, the city that I have written about most from my travels in Colombia is Medellín since is it the place I have spent the most time.
But is Colombia actually safe?
Yes, it can be! I used to get people asking me to tell them the best place to visit in Colombia, or asking questions like is Colombia safe to travel to?
If you search around the internet, you’ll find many Colombian travel itineraries with places to visit that are safe for you to travel to.
My first ever time in Colombia was in the middle of my Spanish learning journey after my Central America backpacking trip. During this time I was staying with families and visiting different parts of the country.
When it comes to safety, knowing how to communicate with locals in Colombia is imperative! Also, it is one of the reasons I have shared these Spanish conversation tips to help first timers who are not native speakers.
Will you Travel to Colombia soon?
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Backpacking Colombia
In this Colombia backpacking guide, we’ve looked at some travel basics you’ll need before embarking on your trip and what to expect.
By reading more city and regional articles on this blog, you’ll get more specific information needed for the best tourist attractions in Colombia
Also, remember to check out this list of Colombia travel guides for more tips, tricks, and ideas on where to go in this amazing country.
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👉🏽 Did you enjoy this guide? Feel free to buy me a coffee to say thanks!
Daniel James
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