My family and I went to Colombia in December 2023 and it was a whirlwind! in 14 days, we landed in Bogota, flew to Medellin, took a 4hr bus to Jardin in the countryside. Then flew to Minca/Santa Marta, and then took a bus to Cartagena!
There were so many fantastic parts to it. While I enjoyed the hustle of Bogota and Medellin, my absolute favorites were the countryside in Jardin - ate some amazing fish dishes and chocolate, and relaxed with some peacocks at a countryside bed and breakfast. I also loved staying in the jungle in Minca, where we could birdwatch and see the clouds hang above the coast.
This is such a great post - I have literally just booked flights for a family trip to Colombia next Easter. We land in Bogotá but will only have 1 full day there and plan to do a graffiti walking tour. From there we head to Salento, Medlilin, Carteghena and the Rosario Islands. We are not Spanish speakers so will be trying to get a few words under our belt, do you speak the language? Maybe in Bogotá it’s not as necessary? Such interesting photos, thanks for sharing. And thanks for supporting my posts too, it means a lot x
I am not yet a Spanish speaker, although after moving to Miami, it is clear I must be. (Learning Turkish currently.) I did not need Spanish as a tourist, and did not need it at all in Bogota, but if you do important things (like when I tried to just show up at a Chilean winery) please make arrangements in advance for a native speaker in English or whatever language you are comfortable in. I kept trying to wing it on this last trip, and I would have done much better with a little planning.
Please post about your trip. I will go back to Columbia, and I need to know where to go next! And you're welcome for reading Findaway Travels. I'm always looking for useful information when I travel and like your posts.
I'm currently in Medellin. We will miss Bogata as we only have two weeks to get to Ecuador. Next time, we will visit Bogata. I was stunned by how lucha and green everything looked when flying into Medellin. Medellin also closes streets on Sunday for exercise. I'm so surprised Bogata doesn't have a metro. We have enjoyed Medellin's.
Great photos as usual. I've heard so much about Colombia, some day I'll get there! From another travel writer, it also looked like the food fare is stick-to-the-ribs kind of food. Perhaps due to altitude? What is your take?
Yes, you may be right about the food. The best restaurant we chose was technically a French restaurant, and the food was a little on the heavy side. Since we went there for steak in the first place, we were very happy.
Maybe too a more rural mountainous society and terrain? So more basic meals? Though the photos I’ve seen of the cities and the drop dead gorgeous old colonial buildings—so impressive. Disfrutas!!
Bogota was definitely at a high elevation, but I found the city vibrant with many choices of restaurants and things to do. I'm ready to see the rest of that country.
My family and I went to Colombia in December 2023 and it was a whirlwind! in 14 days, we landed in Bogota, flew to Medellin, took a 4hr bus to Jardin in the countryside. Then flew to Minca/Santa Marta, and then took a bus to Cartagena!
There were so many fantastic parts to it. While I enjoyed the hustle of Bogota and Medellin, my absolute favorites were the countryside in Jardin - ate some amazing fish dishes and chocolate, and relaxed with some peacocks at a countryside bed and breakfast. I also loved staying in the jungle in Minca, where we could birdwatch and see the clouds hang above the coast.
Cheers to a great trip!
You have given me great ideas for my next trip! Thank you.
Bogota is definitely on our list as we set out to wander (roughly) the PanAmerican Hwy over the next 2, 7, or 25 years. Thanks for this glimpse.
You’re welcome!
This is such a great post - I have literally just booked flights for a family trip to Colombia next Easter. We land in Bogotá but will only have 1 full day there and plan to do a graffiti walking tour. From there we head to Salento, Medlilin, Carteghena and the Rosario Islands. We are not Spanish speakers so will be trying to get a few words under our belt, do you speak the language? Maybe in Bogotá it’s not as necessary? Such interesting photos, thanks for sharing. And thanks for supporting my posts too, it means a lot x
I am not yet a Spanish speaker, although after moving to Miami, it is clear I must be. (Learning Turkish currently.) I did not need Spanish as a tourist, and did not need it at all in Bogota, but if you do important things (like when I tried to just show up at a Chilean winery) please make arrangements in advance for a native speaker in English or whatever language you are comfortable in. I kept trying to wing it on this last trip, and I would have done much better with a little planning.
Please post about your trip. I will go back to Columbia, and I need to know where to go next! And you're welcome for reading Findaway Travels. I'm always looking for useful information when I travel and like your posts.
I'm currently in Medellin. We will miss Bogata as we only have two weeks to get to Ecuador. Next time, we will visit Bogata. I was stunned by how lucha and green everything looked when flying into Medellin. Medellin also closes streets on Sunday for exercise. I'm so surprised Bogata doesn't have a metro. We have enjoyed Medellin's.
I plan to go back and Medellin will definitely be part of that trip. What did you like about it most?
Great photos as usual. I've heard so much about Colombia, some day I'll get there! From another travel writer, it also looked like the food fare is stick-to-the-ribs kind of food. Perhaps due to altitude? What is your take?
Yes, you may be right about the food. The best restaurant we chose was technically a French restaurant, and the food was a little on the heavy side. Since we went there for steak in the first place, we were very happy.
Maybe too a more rural mountainous society and terrain? So more basic meals? Though the photos I’ve seen of the cities and the drop dead gorgeous old colonial buildings—so impressive. Disfrutas!!
Bogota was definitely at a high elevation, but I found the city vibrant with many choices of restaurants and things to do. I'm ready to see the rest of that country.
Fascinating piece! Thank you!
You're welcome. Thank you for reading.