Colourful Colombia by rental car

Day 3: Bogotá

This day is free to spend as you wish. If you’re interested in history, the Museo de Oro and the National Museum are highly recommended. Art lovers should definitely visit the Botero Museum. There is a wide selection of excellent restaurants, cosy bars, exclusive shops, charming markets and beautiful city parks to explore. A visit to ‘Paloquemao’ Square is an absolute must; this is where one of the city’s largest food markets is held. Meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, flowers, beans, quinoa, seeds, coffee… and pretty much anything else you can think of is sold at this local market.
Accommodation: Hotel B3 Virrey | bed and breakfast

Day 4: Bogotá – Guasca

(approx. 65 km | 2-hour drive)
Today you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Bogotá airport. Your rental car (a Renault Duster or similar) will be waiting for you there, and you will drive to Guasca. On the way to Guasca, you can stop off at Zipaquirá to visit the famous underground salt cathedral. In Guasca, you’ll be staying at Estancia San Antonio, situated on the Bermeja II estate. The house has been completely renovated. From the terrace, you can enjoy views of the Aponwao waterfall, which is surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna. On the second floor, there is a large balcony offering views over the landscape of meadows, fields and mountains. It is the ideal spot to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Accommodation: Estancia San Antonio | bed and breakfast

Day 5: Guasca – Villa de Leyva

(approx. 145 km | 4-hour drive)
After breakfast, you’ll drive on to Villa de Leyva. On the way, you’ll pass through Guatavita; the nature reserve and the lake of the same name are situated at around 3,000 metres above sea level. Many bird species, such as hawks and various hummingbirds, have made this area their home. You’ll also find countless native tree species here, such as the Mano de oso, Uvos de Monte and Té de Bogotá. You may choose to stop here briefly to visit the village with its characteristic whitewashed houses and the beautiful Lake Tominé. A visit to the charming town of Villa de Leyva will feel like a romantic journey back in time.
Overnight stay: La Posada de San Antonio | bed and breakfast

Day 6: Villa de Leyva

Today is a day at your leisure. You can visit Lake Iguaque (approx. 10 km / 30-minute drive). This lake is considered sacred by the indigenous Muisca people, who believe that the origins of humankind lie in this lake. The legend associated with this tells of a woman named Bachué. She is said to have emerged from the lake with a young boy, whom she raised. Once the boy was old enough, they married and had many children who populated the earth, and this is said to be how the human race came into being. Years later, they returned to the lake and are said to have turned into snakes and to still live in the lake. This lake is therefore of great significance to the people. The trek to the lake is beautiful but challenging, so please bear in mind that you need to be in good physical condition to undertake this trek.
Accommodation: La Posada de San Antonio | bed and breakfast

Day 7: Villa de Leyva – Barichara

(approx. 190 km | 5.5-hour drive)
You continue on your way to Barichara, considered to be the most beautiful village in Colombia thanks to its charming whitewashed houses, built in the so-called Bahareque style, in which wooden frames are covered with clay and a layer of white plaster. Barichara is set amidst a breathtakingly green and mountainous landscape. It is a place where you feel as though you have travelled back to times long past, far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern life, where time moves at a different pace. Your senses will be awakened by the chirping of birds and the scent of bougainvillea in bloom. Although the beauty of this picturesque little town is recognised throughout Colombia, relatively few tourists still find their way to Barichara. Johan recently visited Barichara for the second time. Read more about this place on our blog.
Accommodation: Achiotte Boutique Hotel | Bed and breakfast

Day 10: Barichara – Bucaramanga

(approx. 120 km | 4-hour drive)
You’ll leave Barichara and drive on to Bucaramanga, known as ‘La Ciudad de Los Parques’ (the City of Parks) due to its countless parks, and ‘La Ciudad Bonita de Colombia’ (the Beautiful City of Colombia). Today you can enjoy the perfect blend of nature and culture, thanks to the city’s rich history, local market stalls and more than 160 parks.
Overnight stay: Hotel Barí Bucaramanga | bed and breakfast

Day 11: Bucaramanga – Mompox

(approx. 355 km | 8-hour drive)
An early start today, as you have a long but beautiful drive ahead of you to your hotel in Santa Cruz de Mompox. Thanks to its rich history and well-preserved historic buildings, this region has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll be staying in a small-scale hotel situated on Santa Barbara Square in the historic centre. The hotel dates back to the seventeenth century but offers all the comforts of the^21st century.
Overnight stay: Hotel San Rafael | bed and breakfast

Day 12: Mompox

You have a day off today. You can set out to discover the age-old stories at the central cemetery, where it becomes clear that these stories are still very much alive. The white graves are stacked on top of one another, forming walls of memories around a central chapel. Mompox is renowned for its filigree craftsmanship, in which artisans create highly intricate and delicate jewellery from silver and gold wires. This craft has been passed down from generation to generation in this town. Nature lovers are highly recommended to visit the nearby Cienaga de Pijino Nature Reserve. This wetland nature reserve is a must for birdwatchers.
Accommodation: Hotel San Rafael | bed and breakfast

Day 13: Mompox – Santa Marta

(approx. 315 km | 6-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive on to Santa Marta, Colombia’s oldest city, which was once known as the gateway to the New World due to its access routes to the harbour. The city was founded on 29 July 1525 when the conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas chose this location for its strategic position on the coast. From the coast, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the ‘Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta’ with its snow-capped peaks – the highest coastal mountain range in the world – including Mount Simón Bolívar and Mount Cristóbal Colón.
Accommodation: Don Pepe Boutique Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 14: Santa Marta

You have the day free to spend as you wish. Santa Marta is of immense historical significance; here you will find the ‘Hacienda Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino’ museum, where the independence fighter and first president of Gran Colombia, Simón Bolívar, died on 17 December 1830. You can stroll through the old town centre, admiring the historic architecture and colourful houses. Today you also have the opportunity to explore the Caribbean coast, with its diversity and stunning beaches.
Overnight stay: Don Pepe Boutique Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 15: Santa Marta – Tayrona

(approx. 50 km | 1-hour drive)
From Santa Marta, you’ll take a short drive to the nearby Tayrona National Park, situated on Colombia’s Atlantic coast. The park’s boundaries stretch from Taganga Bay to the mouth of the Piedras River. Temperatures in this area can reach 30 degrees. The many bays, beautiful beaches, white coral reefs, green mangroves, mountains and lush vegetation give every visitor that ultimate holiday feeling. This park is home to many birds, mammals and numerous reptiles. Johan visited the Tayrona Nature Reserve; you can read his story on our blog.
Accommodation: Villa Maria | bed and breakfast

Days 16 and 17: Tayrona

You’ll wake up to the sound of birdsong as wildlife slowly stirs to life. The coming days are open to you. A visit to the various archaeological sites, which bear witness to the existence of ancient cultures, is highly recommended. One example is the town of ‘Chairama’, where many remains have been preserved. Here you’ll find numerous little bridges, canals, terraces, shops and pottery, so you won’t get bored and there’s plenty to see. In the surrounding area, you can visit the beautiful beaches of Arrecifes, La Piscina, Cabo de San Juan del Guía and Castilletes. Some boast crystal-clear blue waters, whilst others feature diverse vegetation. Each of these beaches gives you the feeling that you’re in a different world every time.
Accommodation: Villa Maria | bed and breakfast

Day 18: Tayrona – Cartagena

(approx. 270 km | 5-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive the final few kilometres of your road trip through Colombia, with Cartagena as your final destination. You’ll return your rental car at Cartagena airport, from where you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Cartagena de Indias is a beautiful colonial town on the Caribbean coast. The old town features a maze of small, picturesque streets, with brightly coloured colonial buildings and romantic squares. Beyond the old city walls, the city has since expanded to include modern, attractive neighbourhoods. From the city ramparts near the old town, you can take in both the charming colonial city centre and the impressive skyline of Boca Grande at a single glance.
Accommodation: Hotel Bantú | bed and breakfast