Colombia Tailor-made Holidays

You can cover Colombia's best known attractions in eight days. To save on travel the most efficient route is to start in Cartagena on the Caribbean coast. Then fly to the impressive city of Medellin before travelling by road to the scenic coffee region. It's then a short fly to Bogota where you can pick up your international departure flight.

If you want to get off the beaten track and head further south to the mysterious archaeological site of San Agustin, or include a few days in the gorgeous colonial town of Villa de Leyva just north of Bogota, allow anything from two weeks to 18 days.

While Colombia continues to develop as a world-class tourism destination, accommodation options fall on either end of the spectrum - budget or high-end. There's plenty of hostels, guesthouses and 3 star hotels that are good value for money but sail closer to the rustic side, especially in places like Tayrona National Park where the jungle lodges put you right in the heart of the wilderness, and the Coffee Zone where you can stay in attractive haciendas.

Mid-range options are few and far between. If you want anything resembling luxury then you will have to go for pricey boutique properties or 5 star hotels and pay accordingly.

We always include the services of qualified English speaking local guides from Colombia at each of the places you visit. These guides know their cities and towns inside and out and are best placed to ensure you get the most out of your holiday. We can also arrange for a national guide/escort to accompany you throughout your holiday, so if you would prefer this option, please ask us for associated prices.

With the Andes mountains running through the centre of the country, road travel is slow. Highways are generally undeveloped and the winding mountain roads add hours onto journeys that aren't too great a distance. In most cases, the best way to get around is by air. There are plenty of domestic airports in Colombia connecting towns and cities with a healthy number of airlines keeping prices competitive. Fuel is expensive in Colombia, which can sometimes mean that a domestic flight is much better value for money than a private transfer by car.

Some journeys will only allow for road transfers, like the trip from Bogota to Villa de Leyva. Others are best suited to flying and our team will recommend the best transport methods for your particular itinerary.

As Colombia's top destinations are quite spread out, there will be a fair amount of travel involved in any holiday itinerary. Generally speaking a half day of travel is required to get from one spot to the next, whether you're flying or being transferred by road. You can then spend the second half of that day on a guided tour of the city or town you're in. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, allow yourself more time in each place so you can enjoy a day at leisure. This is particularly recommended in places like Cartagena and Tayrona National Park where there's so much to discover and enjoy.

If you can't resist visiting the Caribbean without including a bit of downtime on the beach, the best option near Cartagena is Providencia Island. It's a 2hr flight away via San Andres Island. On this island you'll find white sand beaches and lovely boutique hotels. Another good option is Isla Mucura, which has a minimum two night stay so you won't find any day trippers here. Secluded and small, it's perfect for a spot of relaxation after your touring of Colombia.

Whether you want to give a salsa dance class a go or refine your coffee tasting skills, just let our team know of any activities you want to include in your holiday. In Cartagena you can visit the local markets and then try your hand at cooking a typical Colombian dish. If you're including San Gil - the adventure capital, on your itinerary then you can also choose from thrilling activities like white water rafting, mountain biking and paragliding.

Colombia is not the cheapest travel destination in South America but it's certainly not the most expensive. To make your money go further, opt for 3 star hotels and guesthouses. If your itinerary includes a number of flights then book as early as possible to get the cheaper fares. Colombia is a year-round destination but December to April is peak season thanks to Christmas and Holy Week so travel outside of these months for better availability and prices. To keep costs down you can also opt for a driver/guide in the Bogota and Medellin region rather than having a driver accompanied by an English-speaking guide. Ask us for more info.