Colombia has been on our list for a long time and wow — it did not disappoint. Three very different cities, three completely different vibes, and every single one of them left a mark. We’re going to break this down city by city so you have everything you need. Buckle up because there is A LOT to cover.
Cartagena – Stop 1
Cartagena is one of those cities that just looks like a postcard everywhere you turn. Colorful colonial buildings, flowers spilling off balconies, the old walled city baking in the Caribbean heat — it’s gorgeous and chaotic and totally alive. We based ourselves at Apartamento de Pembo, which was a great spot, and hit the ground running from day one.
Food & Drinks — Cartagena Does Not Mess Around
La Brioche — Start your mornings here. Great café, great pastries, exactly what you need before a long day of exploring.
Café del Mar — Sunset drinks on the old city walls. This is one of those experiences you don’t forget. The view over the Caribbean with a cocktail in hand as the sun goes down — honestly, stop reading and just book your flight.
Plaza de Santo Domingo with Orlando — Pizza in the plaza with our guy Orlando! The energy around Plaza de Santo Domingo is electric — street performers, vendors, people everywhere. Get a table outside and just soak it all in.
San Pedro Restaurant — Solid dinner spot. Great food, great atmosphere in the heart of the old city.
Casa Della Pasta — We grabbed lunch here and also loved the hostel vibe of the place. A great stop if you’re in the area and need a break from the heat with a good bowl of pasta.
La Divinidad Smoothies — Fresh, cold, and exactly what you want in tropical heat. Find them and thank us later.
Things to Do
Walk the Old City Walls — This is a must. The walls are massive, the views are incredible, and the history is fascinating. Walk them at sunset if you can — the light is unreal.
Calle Sierpe Street Art — One of the coolest streets in Cartagena. Incredible murals and street art around every corner. Bring your camera and give yourself time to wander.
Street Market — Great for souvenirs, local crafts, food, and just soaking up the local atmosphere. Go with cash and your bargaining face on.
Day Trip Alert — 4 Islands & Snorkeling with Backpackers: We booked a day trip through Backpackers to four islands with snorkeling and it was an absolute highlight of Cartagena. The Caribbean water out there is stunning — crystal clear, warm, and full of color. Highly, highly recommend getting out on the water while you’re here.
Dinner of the Trip — Agua de Leon
Okay we need to give this place its own moment because it deserves it. Agua de Leon was one of the best dinners we’ve had anywhere. We’re talking pork belly, grilled octopus with rosemary on an open fire, and a beef hump that’s cooked for TWELVE HOURS. Twelve. Hours. It melted. We said nothing for a few minutes after the first bite. Just go.
Las Americas Hotel — A Splurge Worth Every Penny
We treated ourselves to a stay at Las Americas Hotel and we have zero regrets. Infinity pool overlooking the beach, gorgeous property, and the restaurant — Erre de Ramón Freixa — is helmed by a Spanish chef with TWO Michelin stars. Two! The food was extraordinary. One heads-up: the hotel bars close at 10pm Sunday through Thursday, so plan accordingly (they stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays). Don’t let that stop you — it’s a stunning property.
Guatapé – Stop 2
Guatapé is a day trip from Medellín and honestly one of the most special places we’ve ever been. It’s colorful, quirky, and completely unlike anywhere else. Don’t skip it — even for a day it’s worth every minute.
Marinilla Town — Free History Museum & A Church You Enter With Your Right Foot
On the way to Guatapé you pass through Marinilla, a small town with a free history museum that houses the largest collection of crosses in all of Colombia — over 2,500 of them. It’s a fascinating and unexpected stop.
The Capilla San Agustín church in Marinilla comes with a very specific set of rules: you must enter from the right side with your right foot first, and exit from the left. And here’s a fun one — it’s actually illegal to sell smoothies or alcohol at the vendor stand right outside the church. Only in Colombia!
Fun Fact – We love these kinds of local quirks that you’d never find in a guidebook. Marinilla is a great reminder to slow down, explore the small towns, and let the stories find you.
The Rock (La Piedra del Peñol) — Climb It. All 707 Steps.
The Rock is the main event in Guatapé and it costs about 18,000 pesos to climb — roughly $4 to $5 USD. There are 707 steps carved directly into a crack in the rock and yes, it will get your heart rate up. But the view from the top is one of the most stunning things we have seen on any trip anywhere in the world. The reservoir stretching out in every direction, the islands, the colors — it’s breathtaking. Every single step is worth it. Do not let anyone talk you out of climbing.
707 steps. About $4-5 USD. One of the best views on the planet. That math is unbeatable. Climb the rock!
Guatapé Town
After the rock, head into town. Guatapé is consistently named one of the most colorful towns in the world and seeing it in person you totally understand why. Every building is painted with intricate, colorful bas-relief panels called zócalos — each one telling a story about the family or business inside. It’s incredible to walk through.
We loved La Piedra Restaurant for lunch with a view, did some shopping through the market stalls, and finished with dessert at Dulcinea — do not leave Guatapé without stopping at Dulcinea. Trust us on this one.
Medellín – Stop 3
Medellín. We did not know what to expect going in and we left completely blown away. This city has been through things most cities never recover from — and it didn’t just recover, it transformed into something remarkable. Creative, innovative, full of energy, and deeply proud of how far it’s come. We loved every single second here. We stayed at Los Patios Hostel which was a fantastic base — great community, great location.
Hacienda Lunch — Traditional Colombian, the Real Deal
One of our first meals in Medellín was a traditional Colombian lunch at a hacienda and it set the tone for the whole stay. Hearty, delicious, generous portions — Colombian food is seriously underrated on the world stage and this meal was the proof.
Thanksgiving Dinner with Live Music
We happened to be in Medellín over Thanksgiving and the city showed up for it — live music, drinks, a full spread, and an incredible atmosphere. Celebrating a very American holiday in Colombia surrounded by good people from everywhere in the world was one of those moments that just reminds you why you travel.
Vintrash Bar — Medellín Nightlife
Vintrash was a great night out — cool bar, great vibe, exactly the kind of place you stumble into and end up staying way longer than planned. Medellín’s nightlife scene is buzzing and this place is a solid spot to experience it.
Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Capture Colombia — CJ Was Amazing
This was one of the most powerful experiences of the entire trip. Not just of this trip — of any trip we’ve taken. Comuna 13 was once considered the most dangerous neighborhood in the most dangerous city in the world. Today it’s an open-air gallery of extraordinary street art, with outdoor escalators connecting the hillside community, and a story of resilience that gave us genuine chills.
Our guide CJ with Capture Colombia Tours was phenomenal. He told the full story of the neighborhood — the real history, no sugarcoating — and brought us through the art in a way that made every mural mean something. We cannot recommend this tour enough.
Important note: While the transformation of Comuna 13 is incredible, gangs and drugs are still present in the area. It is NOT safe at night. Only go with a reputable guided tour during the day. Capture Colombia Tours was excellent — book through them.
The Metro System — Under $1 USD and It Goes Everywhere
Medellín’s metro system is genuinely one of the things that impressed us most about the city. Trains and cable cars connect the entire city — including the hillside communities — for less than $1 USD. It’s clean, it’s efficient, it’s affordable, and it’s a point of serious civic pride for Medellín residents. Riding it isn’t just practical — it’s an experience in itself.
Local Knowledge – Yellow license plates = personal vehicles, which can only be driven 3-4 days per week. White license plates = public transportation, which runs every day. The city implemented this system specifically to reduce pollution. On top of that, the government actively offers to relocate businesses up into the mountain areas to be surrounded by forest. Medellín is genuinely thinking about its future in ways that most cities aren’t.
El Güero — Mexican Lunch in Medellín
Sometimes you need a taco. El Güero delivered in a big way — delicious Mexican food, great spot, highly recommend for when you want something a little different from the Colombian classics (as amazing as those are).
Alborada Festival — We Stumbled Into One of the Best Nights of the Trip
In early December, Medellín celebrates the Alborada — a massive traditional festival with fireworks, dancing, drinks, and a full traditional Colombian dinner. We had NO idea this was happening when we planned our trip and stumbling into it was one of those lucky travel moments you can’t manufacture. The city was completely alive. Absolutely unforgettable.
Metro & Cable Car to Parque Arví — Free National Park Hiking
Take the metro, jump on the cable car, and ride up to Parque Arví — a free national park with hiking trails above the city. The cable car ride itself is stunning (you go right over the rooftops of the hillside communities) and the park at the top is a beautiful escape from the urban buzz. And did we mention it’s free? It’s free.
Metro + cable car + free national park = one of the best half-days you’ll spend in South America. This is why we love Medellín.
· · ·
Colombia surprised us in every possible way. Cartagena is gorgeous and full of life. Guatapé is a color explosion with a view from the top that will stop you in your tracks. And Medellín — Medellín is one of the most inspiring cities we have ever visited. The history, the transformation, the people, the creativity, the food — it all comes together into something really special.
If Colombia isn’t on your travel list yet, fix that immediately. It belongs near the top.
Justin and Lindsay
P.S. Shoutout to our guide CJ at Capture Colombia Tours — book him for the Comuna 13 tour. You will not regret it.
P.P.S. Subscribe below for more adventures, or reach out — we love helping people plan trips like this! And book your next adventure at EndlessTravel365.com!