Slow Travel is a way to travel more sustainably. Inspired by the Italian Slow Food movement, slow travel emphasizes quality over quantity and a deep and mindful immersion in local experiences. Slow travel involves spending more time in fewer locations, allowing travelers to develop a more profound connection with the places they visit and the people they meet. It also means preferring (slow) overland travel over (fast) air travel.
In Spanish there is the beautiful word of “vivencias”, deriving from “vivir” (to live). It’s hard to translate but in the context of travel it often implies locals inviting you to share their authentic day-to-day experiences. Think of a standard coffee tour vs. a coffee harvesting vivencia where you will participate in a real coffee harvest. Slow Travel creates a lot of opportunities for vivencias.
Colombia is the ideal country for slow travel since it is so incredibly diverse and the landscape changes constantly, revealing surprising new vistas at every corner. You may have heard that Colombia ranked 3rd among the 50 most naturally beautiful countries in the world in a 2022 report published by money.co.uk.
But not only nature is mega-diverse, Colombia is also home to many different cultures. There are various indigenous cultures all over the country, the culture of the Andean region is very different from the coastal culture, Afro-Colombian culture is yet another thing.
Photo by Silvana Palacios, Titi Monkey (mod.)
The public transport network in Colombia is really extensive and many interesting travel destinations, even the lesser-known ones, can easily (and cheaply) be reached by bus and overland.
Due to its dense concentration of diverse cultural and natural landscapes many destinations in Colombia offer a wide range of experiences without needing to travel far.
Nature, outdoor and adventure activities: Flora and fauna and whole ecosystems can change drastically in less than a 2-hour drive within the country. Many destinations allow for a myriad of activities, like trekking, paragliding, caving, canopying, kayaking, birdwatching, wildlife spotting, biking, you name it.
Cultural immersion: Due to the friendliness and openness of Colombian people it is very easy to engage in authentic, local interactions and learn about people’s daily life, way of thinking, culture, history and unique personalities. Of course, the longer you stay in a place, the deeper the immersion and connection. Travel deep, not wide.
Culinary experiences: Another thing that is very diverse is Colombia’s cuisine. Not only the dishes vary a lot, also the settings. In cites like Bogotá and Medellin you will find everything from street food stalls, local food markets, and simple neighborhood restaurants to high-end dining experiences with spectacular views.
History and archaeology: Colombia is full of fascinating historical sites that allow you to learn about the country’s pre-Columbian and indigenous roots, colonial past, as well as its recent history. Just investigate a little and you may discover that there are some ancient petroglyphs just about an hour from you.
Opportunities for personal growth: Colombia is a very spiritual and artistic country and you will encounter a lot of opportunities everywhere to connect with yourself through art, music, dance and nature. It’s a great country for detoxing from busy day-to-day life.
Colombians value their country’s nature and its different cultures and are concerned about conserving them. A lot of inspiring grassroots community initiatives evolve around environmental defense and the protection of local cultures.
Colombia as a country wants to incentivize an ecologically and socially conscious travel style, which creates a positive local impact. One strategy is to reward sustainable travel destinations in Colombia with a certificate. In our article about Sustainable and Responsible Travel in Colombia you can find out which destinations have already been certified and get some inspirations how you can contribute to sustainable tourism.
Our Colombia Slow Travel Itinerary is composed of 12 independent 1-week modules. This “mega itinerary” can help you understand what the different regions of Colombia have to offer and assist you in picking your favorites to assemble your own travel route.
We have tried to identify the shortest route between different interesting travel destinations, a bit like in that game where you have to connect a lot of dots with a single line… The itinerary tries to avoid planes as much as possible and works well as a backpacking route for independent solo travelers. We have concentrated on bus connections, but biking (in a group) can be an interesting alternative in some regions. Colombia is a bike country!
You will notice that this itinerary still is not extremely slow… If you can, stay twice or three times as long, or longer! The indicated values are what we consider the minimum amount of time needed to get an idea of the place. Also remember what Anthony Bourdain said: “Let the happy accident happen!” Don’t stick rigidly to your itinerary, be open for surprises and serendipity. Happy travels!
View our 3-months Colombia Travel Itinerary on Google Maps (without remote destinations)
Bogotá (4 nights): Explore Colombia’s fascinating capital, located 2600 m high in the Andes mountains. Indulge yourself in the city’s cultural life, history, gastronomy and nature. Have a look at our recommendations on things to do in and near Bogotá. Take day trips from Bogotá, for example:
Cultural day trips: Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, Guatavita (beautiful, artsy white colonial-style town by a lake)
Nature day trips: hiking along Camino Real de Tena (dense, jungle-like forest), waterfalls in Villeta , Páramo de Sumapaz (a unique ecosystem in the very South of Bogotá), Chingaza National Natural Park (to look for spectacled bears and endemic dears), Suesca for rock climbing, etc.
Villa de Leyva (2 nights): Travel by bus from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva (5h). Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this gorgeous colonial town and hike in the beautiful and extremely diverse surroundings (from desert to green valleys). Among Colombians, Villa de Leyva is also known for its sacred soil with its “holy children”. Check out our tips on things to do in Villa de Leyva.
Guadalupe (1 night):Travel by bus from Villa de Leyva to Tunja and then on to Guadalupe via Oiba (3h). Stop over at the fascinating outdoor paradise of Guadalupe with its multi-colored river filled with natural jacuzzis called “Gachas de Guadalupe”.
San Gil and Barichara (4 nights): From Guadalupe take a bus towards Bucaramanga and hop off in San Gil (ca. 2h). San Gil is dubbed Colombia’s outdoor and adventure capital and you can engage in all sorts of adventure activities like white-water rafting, paragliding, caving, etc. Nearby Barichara, and lesser known Guane, are pretty and peaceful colonial towns well worth visiting with great natural surroundings for hiking.
Bucaramanga (2 nights): Travel by bus from San Gil to Bucaramanga (2h). Enjoy green Bucaramanga, “the city of parks”, and the charming colonial neighbor towns Giron and Floridablanca. Take a day trip to the Chicamocha Canyon, dubbed “the Grand Canyon of Colombia”. (Alternatively you may stop over for the night at Chicamocha on your way from San Gil to Bucaramanga.) See our recommendations on things to do in and near Bucaramanga for inspirations.
Options: If you want to explore off-the-beaten track Colombia, you may head from Bucaramanga to the department Norte de Santander with its beautiful cities Pamplona and Cúcuta and unique natural sites like the Estoraques Rocks. Make sure to check current security advice beforehand, since some places of this region are home to Guerilla groups.
Valledupar (1 night): Travel by bus from Bucaramanga to Valledupar (8h). Set between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serranía del Perijá mountains, hidden gem Valledupar enchants with beautiful surroundings and a rich cultural heritage. Find out what to do in Valledupar.
Options: A new direct bus route takes you in just 4 hours from Valledupar to colonial Mompox, a river island gem forgotten in time. Mompox, once difficult to access, is now well-connected to Valledupar, Barranquilla, and Cartagena, with Valledupar being the closest.
Riohacha (1 night): From Valledupar it’s just about 3.5 hours by bus to Riohacha, the charming capital of la Guajira which is located right by the Caribbean sea. Get ideas on things to do in Riohacha and La Guajira here.
Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas (3 nights): Take a tour from Riohacha to the fascinating desert landscapes of Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas, right next to the sea. Enjoy the nights under the starry skies of these remote places and listen to the stories of the indigenous Wayuu people. Cabo de la Vela is also a great kite-surfing destination.
Palomino (1-2 nights): When you get back from your tour, take the bus from Riohacha towards Santa Marta and hop-off in Palomino (ca. 1,5h drive) to spend the night there. The next day explore the jungle around Palomino with a local guide or do river tubing and float into the Caribbean sea. (We suggest to do river tubing in nearby San Diego for a more tranquil experience.)
Tayrona National Park (1-2 nights): Take the bus from Palomino towards Santa Marta and hop-off at the Zaino entrance of Tayrona National Park (ca. 1h from Palomino). Spend the night inside or close to Tayrona National Park, which is one of Colombia’s top nature attractions. During the day you can hike through Tayrona Park looking out for wildlife and archeological remains, and in the night you can fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle and the waves. See our tips for your solo trip to Tayrona National Park.
Santa Marta (2-3 nights): Spend some time in one of the oldest cities in South America and enjoy its beautiful colonial architecture and enchanting sea promenade. Visit nearby fishing village Taganga and other fascinating places in the surroundings. Check out our tips on what to do in Santa Marta.
Minca (2 nights): Take a bus from Santa Marta to Minca in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (45 min). It’s well worth spending a few nights in Minca because there are a myriad of beautiful hiking trails in and around this little paradise full of waterfalls and gorgeous views, including the incredible view of the Sierra Nevada from Cerro Kennedy.
Options: You may add another week in this fascinating region for specific activities.
Lost City Trek – Ciudad Perdida (4 days): Santa Marta is the most common starting point for the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) Trek, which leads you through dense jungle to the ruins of an abandoned ancient city high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Ciudad Perdida is one of the most important archeological sites in Colombia and sometimes called “the Machu Picchu of Colombia”.
Scuba Diving Course (3 days): You can find excellent dive centers in Santa Marta and Taganga which offer great prices for dive courses. Some of them do their courses inside the sea of Tayrona National Park.
Cartagena (3 nights): From Santa Marta take the bus to Cartagena (5h). Walk on the city walls of the old town, and explore Cartagena’s vibrant neighbourhoods full of live music, street art and great local food. Get inspired about interesting things to do in and near Cartagena here.
Islas del Rosario, Isla Barú or Isla Múcura (2 nights): Visit one of the fascinating tropical islands or peninsulas close to Cartagena. Go snorkeling or diving, relax on the beach and learn about island life from the local communities.
Coveñas, Tolú or Rincón del Mar (2 nights): Spend a few more relaxed days on the beach close to Coveñas in the South of Cartagena.
Options: Consider going from Santa Marta to Cartagena via Barranquilla and Mompox.
Barranquilla (2 nights): In merely 2 hours by bus from Santa Marta you reach Barranquilla. Experience the vibrant music and art scene of this seaside metrópolis and immerse yourself in the Caribbean vibe. Read our suggestions on Things to do in Barranquilla.
Mompox – Santa Cruz de Mompós (2 nights): From Barranquilla it takes about 7 hours by bus to get to Mompox. Stroll along the cobblestone streets of this laid-back colonial town by the Magdalena River, which only recently has become easily accessible via ground transport. There is a direct bus from Mompox to Cartagena (6-8 hours).
Medellín (3 nights):Take a bus from Coveñas to Medellin (10 hours). Visit the vibrant Comuna 13 in Medellin, take a cable car to Parque Arví, explore historical and trendy neighborhoods, enjoy local concerts, etc. Take day trips to the beautiful surroundings of Medellin, for example to the colorful lake town Guatapé with its massive granite rock, the Piedra del Peñol. Have a look at our suggestions on things to do in and near Medellin.
Options: Medellin is the easiest access point to the tropical paradises in the remote Chocó region and you may consider a detour. There are direct flights from Medellin to Nuqui and Bahia Solano at the Pacific Coast, and to Capurganá in the Caribbean. Capurganá is reachable also by a mix of bus and boat. Discover more about Chocó.
Manizales (2 nights): Take a bus from Medellin to Manizales (4h). Manizales is a charming city in Colombia’s coffee region with relaxed cafes and an interesting art scene. It’s a great place to spend a few days also because of its natural surroundings and opportunities for outdoor and adventure activities. For example, you can hike in the Los Nevados National Park and relax in one of the natural thermal springs of the area after your hike. Find more inspirations in our article on things to do near Pereira, Armenia and Manizales.
Salento (2 nights): From Manizales take the bus to Salento (3h) via Pereira. Spend a few days in this relaxed and beautiful colonial little town, visit nearby coffee plantations, andhike through the otherworldly Cocora Valley with its majestic wax palms. Another beautiful colonial town to visit nearby is Filandia. Also check out the thermal baths Santa Rosa del Cabal near Pereira where you may feel like being in the Garden of Eden.
Options: If you don’t have the time to go much further South from Medellin, here are some interesting stops for outdoor and nature activities on your way from Medellin back to Bogotá:
Bosque de Palmas de Cera nearSan Felix and Salamina (hiking in a wax palm valley similar to Valle del Cocora)
Rio Claro Nature Reserve near Doradal (river rafting, tubing, floating, etc.)
Río la Miel near Norcasia and La Dorada (river tubing, hiking, swimming, etc.)
Cali (3 nights): Take a bus from Salento to Cali (5h). Enjoy the nightlife in Colombia’s salsa capital, explore the bars and restaurants in the bohemian neighbourhood of San Antonio, take day trips to the fascinating natural surroundings of Cali. Have a look at our tips for things to do in and near Cali for more inspirations.
Options: If you are a nature lover, you may consider moving on from Cali to Buenaventura and take a boat to the pristine Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park, a great place for whale watching between July and October. Another fascinating destination near Buenaventura is the San Cipriano River. Check out the travel advice for Buenaventura before you go as there are times of social unrest.
Popayán (2- 3 nights): Move on from Cali to Popayan by bus (3h). Walk through the picturesque streets of this colonial “white city”, experience the delicious local cuisine and visit the nearby Natural Park Puracé. Here are some more inspirations what to do in Popayan.
Options: If you don’t have the time to move on to Pasto and explore the extreme South of Colombia, you can take a direct bus from Popayan to San Agustin (5h) with its impressive archeological park and unique pre-columbian statues. It’s a fun and bumpy ride through National Natural Park Puracé.
Pasto (2 nights): Take a bus from Popayan to Pasto (7h). Pasto is famous for its unique “Carnaval de Negros y Blancos” (Carnival of Blacks and Whites) in January. In addition to that, Pasto is a pleasant colonial town with beautiful natural surroundings, featuring, for example, the huge La Cocha lagoon. The spectacularly set Las Lajas Sanctuary is located about 1,5h southwest of Pasto, near Ipiales at the border to Ecuador. View our article on things to do in and near Pasto.
Mocoa, Putumayo (2 nights): From Pasto you can take a bus to Mocoa (5h). Though Mocoa is an easier accessible gateway to the Colombian Amazon than Leticia, it’s less visited. The unexplored Putumayo region is home to impressive waterfalls (for example, the breathtaking Cascada de Fin del Mundo), beautiful rivers, healing hot springs, natural pools, and majestic jungle animals. You may visit indigenous communities to learn about their ancestral knowledge, ceremonies and unique way of thinking. Make sure to check current travel advice for Putumayo before you go.
San Agustin (2 nights): From Mocoa take the bus to San Agustin (5h). San Agustin is famous for its unique archeological park and mysterious pre-columbian statues. This adorable little town is set in extraordinary beautiful natural surroundings where you can go hiking and horseback riding. Have a look at our recommendations of things to do in and near San Agustin.
Tatacoa Desert (1 night): From San Agustin take the bus to Villavieja (5h), home to the moon-like landscape of the Tatacoa Desert. Spend a night in this unique place and watch thousands of stars in the sky above the desert. Find out more about the Tatacoa Desert and Magical Huila.
Ibagué (3 nights). Ibagué may not be as beautiful as some other Colombian cities, but its immediate surroundings are spectacular. You can visit the magnificent Canyon del Combeima or the Ecological Park La Plata with its beautiful hiking trail leading to an impressive waterfall. If you are fit and love challenging mountain treks, you may also consider hiking in the nearby Nevado del Tolima (which is also accessible from the Cocora Valley near Salento). Get more information on things to do in and near Ibague.
Honda, Río la Miel or Rio Claro (2-3 nights): On your way back to Bogota you may consider a stop over in one or several of the following fascinating off-the-beaten-track destinations:
Honda and Ciudad Perdida de Falan: A bus from Ibague takes you to Honda in 2 hours. Honda is a beautiful laid-back town by the Magdalena River. About an hour from the town you can start a hike through the jungle to visit the little known Lost City of Falan (Ciudad Perdida de Falan), ruins of an abandoned colonial mining town. Read more about Honda and the Lost City of Falan.
Río la Miel, Norcasia: You can get from Ibagué to Norcasia (vía La Dorada) in 4 hours, or from Honda in about 2 hours. Here you can enjoy fantastic views of the immense Amani lake and have fun tubing and floating in the emerald green Rio la Miel.
Rio Claro, Doradal: You can take a bus from Ibague to Doradal (4-6h) or from La Dorada to Doradal (2,5h). The Rio Claro Nature Reserve is a little paradise in the jungle where you can do river rafting, tubing, hiking and more.
Bogotá (1 night): Take the bus back to Bogotá (4-6h) and relax a night in the capital of Colombia.
Villavicencio (1-2 nights): Take the bus to Villavicencio (4h). Villavicencio is the gateway to the Llanos Orientales, the Chiribiquete National Park and Caño Cristales. The surroundings of Villavicencio offer fantastic opportunities for outdoor and adventure activities. Find out what you can do in and near Villavicencio.
San José del Guaviare or Yopal (3-4 nights)
San José del Guaviare: Take the bus from Villavicencio to San Jose del Guaviare (6h), to access he UNESCO world heritage site Chiribiquete National Park where you can explore unique rock formations and 20,000 year old rock paintings.
Yopal: Head on from Villavicencio to Yopal (5h by bus) to explore Los Llanos Orientales (Eastern Plains), a vast tropical grassland and savannah area featuring unique ecosystems and wildlife.
Villavicencio (1 night): On your way back to Bogota you may spend another night in Villavicencio to relax.
Options: Visit “the river of 7 colors”, Caño Cristales. This mystic river takes on multiple colors between late July and November. Currently the only way to get to this unique destination, is via domestic flight from Villavicencio to La Macarena.
Some places of Colombia are so remote that they are only reachable by plane. We warmly recommend you to visit at least one of them for a totally unique experience.
Guainía: Guainía is home to the mystical Cerros de Mavecure, a group of otherworldly tabletop mountains ,and offers a unique Amazon experience in untouched territories.
Nuquí or Bahia Solano (Pacific Coast): The paradisiacal beach villages Nuquí and Bahía Solano are located on Colombia’s Pacific Coast, in the Chocó department. Between the two villages you’ll find the captivating Utria National Park which is a great place for whale watching between July and October. Discover what to do in Nuquí and Bahía Solano.
Leticia and the Amazonas Department: Leticia is directly located at the borders with Brazil and Peru and is Colombia’s most important gateway to the Amazon rainforest. You may visit the sustainable village Puerto Nariño to spot pink dolphins in the Amazon river, explore the Amacayacu National Park, and much more. Find out more about what you can do in and near Leticia.
Providencia Island: The Caribbean island Providencia is more remote and less touristy than its neighboring island San Andrés. You can find secluded beaches and abundant marine life in its crystal clear waters. The island offers many opportunities for nature activities, including diving, snorkeling kayaking, and hiking. See our recommendations on things to do in San Andres and Providencia.
Leave a few days of buffer in your Colombia trip plan, so you can stay a bit longer in the places you fall in love with.
Congratulations!!! You can easily spend much more than 3 months in Colombia without ever getting bored. There are many additional interesting off-the-beaten-track destinations and hidden gems close to the destinations we presented here.
We invite you to select your favorites from the mega itinerary and assemble your own route. Slow travel can mean focusing on a few regions rather than flying all over the country. We will also publish some shorter Colombia itinerary suggestions from 2 to 4 weeks in the future.
Last Update: October 31, 2024
Read more:
Colombia Travel Inspirations: Top Attractions and Hidden Gems
Colombia Travel Tips: General Information and Travel Advice for Solo Travelers
Best Places to Visit in Colombia: Ideal Bases for Solo Travelers
Off-the-beaten-track Destinations and Hidden Gems in Colombia