Updated March 24, 2020
If you didn’t already know, Colombia has quietly become South America’s hipster capital. Check out all the awesomeness below to see why.
Bogota is home to some of the best art and nightlife Colombia has to offer, so start your Colombian adventure off in the capital. Besides, with an average temperature of just 58℉, Bogota is cool in more ways than one—so make sure to break out your skinny jeans and cardigan.
Wander the streets of the Teusaquillo neighborhood, one of Bogota’s street art hotspots, to see Bogota’s artists in action. The art might be gritty, but Teusaquillo—like Bogota on the whole—is quite safe for travelers, so wander at your leisure.
After seeing the art in Teusaquillo, head over to Chapinero for a bite to eat. Chapinero’s pretty much the center of Bogota’s hipster life. It has the trendiest restaurants and bars in the city, and it’s home to the biggest LGBTQ+ club in South America.
Usaquen is the most on-the-rise barrio in Bogota, packed with street markets, antique stores and cafes. Add Usaquen to your Bogota checklist and go to one of the barrio’s award-winning restaurants for brunch, Colombia-style. Eat your heart out, Brooklyn.
Spend the afternoon learning (learning is cool now!) at one of Bogota’s world-class museums. The Gold Museum is home to the largest collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts in the world; if all that swag isn’t your thing, though, you can always head to one of the city’s art museums.
Climbing up Monserrate can be a hike, but you literally will never see anything like the view of Bogota from the top. Even with the physical exertion (we know some of you hipsters hate exercise), this is a Bogota highlight your Instagram will thank you for.
Going bar hopping in La Candelaria is basically a necessity—the barrio is home to some of the Bogota's best nightlife. Its central location can make the neighborhood a bit touristy.
To make the most of your third day in Colombia, wake up early and grab a cup of tinto, the most authentic preparation of Colombian coffee. There’s nothing more legit than street food… except for street coffee.
Once you’re back in the city, find your way to one of Bogota’s adored craft beer breweries. Drink with the locals for a real (and delicious) taste of Bogota
Before going on to the next big city, spend a day and night in Cali. The city’s reputation isn’t the best, but Cali is safe if you know where to go—and perfect for dancing!
Cali gives you the chance to absorb the everyday feel of Colombian since it’s less crowded than the country’s other cities. And be sure to enjoy the great culture and art that the city provides. Considering people don’t know just how cool Cali is, you’re going to be one of the first to really see Cali before it becomes one of THE places to go.
While there are great things to do in Cali during the day, it’s after dark that the city comes to life and earns its title of “salsa capital of the world”. Classes, performances, and even casual clubs have let this amazing dance turn Cali into a city on the rise.
Whether you take the one-hour flight or eight-hour scenic car ride to Medellin, prepare to find yourself in another great city to add to your itinerary. Things are gonna get crazy.
Medellin has so many hip locations and cool things to do, and it’s becoming one of the safest cities in South America to boot. But the first thing you need to do there? Use the Metrocable to get a view of the city from above. And don’t worry about the weather; Medellin didn’t earn the nickname “The City of Eternal Spring” for nothing.
You can’t go wrong with the nightlife of any of Colombia’s cities, but Medellin might have the best restaurants in the entire country. You can find the place best for you because there are countless options that you’re going to obsess over soon enough.
Comuna 13 is easily the unique and interesting neighborhood in Medellin. The town is home to the former hideouts of Pablo Escobar and other members of Colombia’s drug-fueled past, but today is home to some of the best street art and street culture in the country.
Some of the best hiking spots in Colombia are in and around the city of Medellin, including a trail that winds around the Arenales Waterfall, plus one that goes up to the city of Guatape. The natural world of Colombia is above and beyond, and with such great trails in the there is no reason not to see what the country can provide.
The nightlife in Medellin is superb, and you can find great drinking and dancing in nearly every neighborhood. If you’re looking for a fantastic night out on the town, though, you can’t go to El Poblado. It’s got the coolest bars and clubs in Medellin.
You could spend a full week in the Coffee Triangle, the center of Colombia’s biggest industry. Just outside of the city, check out some of Colombia’s coffee equivalent of vineyards, or just enjoy the seclusion from the city and enjoy the food and drink. Needless to say, the coffee farms are any former barista’s wildest fantasy ( cough).
Getting to Cartagena is a must for any Colombia itinerary. It’s one of the hottest cities in South America—and we’re just not talking temperature. Cartagena is hip and entertaining, from its beautiful beaches to colonial architecture straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Why wouldn’t you want to go to the Walled City of Cartagena? It’s the oldest neighborhood in the city and packed with everything that makes Colombia cool—from unreal great food and drinks to picture-perfect sights and electrifying street life.
If you thought the walled city was amazing, wait until you go beneath it. Also known as Las Bovedas, the dungeons below the streets of Cartagena are a little-known landmark that you can’t miss.
Just off you can boat to the unreal Rosario Islands. The beach and nature are unparalleled, and even the most indoorsy people will enjoy the Cartagena islands. The views are unbelievable (and perfect for Instagram) and the hiking, swimming and sunbathing are the best in the country. Relax
Cartagena comes to life at night, and some of the best clubs and bars await your return from the beach. Head back over towards El Centro, which is probably the hippest neighborhood in Cartagena. The clubs are some of the most notorious and beloved in Colombia, the streets are filled with musicians and food, and the locals hit the streets to party once the sun goes down. Don’t miss it.
Today, you’ll step into a volcano and you will LOVE IT. The mud volcano of El Totumo is just a quick trip from Cartagena, and is maybe the most relaxing spa treatment nature can provide. And… it just so happens to be inside of a dormant volcano.
If you are looking for something a bit more down-to-earth, the clubs in Getsemani are classier and perfect for a night out without drama. The neighborhood has some great bars and clubs, but it is also perfect for a night to enjoy the city at its best. Plus, Cartagena is becoming one of the safest cities in Colombia, so feel free to wander the neighborhood and take in the revelry.
Located a solid drive away from Cartagena, you will need at least two days to really understand what makes Tayrona one of the absolute best places in the country (and the world). A natural wonderland, Tayrona offers hiking through the jungle, sunbathing on the beach, exploring ancient ruins and so much more.
Seriously, Tayrona is so incredibly photogenic that you won’t believe what you’re seeing. Rainforest, waterfalls and more all combine to make Tayrona a uniquely beautiful destination. Want even more FOMO fuel? You can rent a hammock and spend the night in the park. Seriously.
Get back to the city and relax for the evening; you've earned it after days of hiking and adventure. But if you’re a true go-all-night hipster, you’ve also earned a night of bar hopping at some of the breweries in El Centro or Getsemani, both of which are full of street musicians, outdoor parties, cafes, and fun.
If you haven’t taken the time to eat at one of Cartagena’s restaurants, you’re missing out. Considered by some to be the dining capital of Colombia, the food is incredible across the city.
Getsemani isn’t just home to some of the best nightlife establishments in Colombia, it also is one of the nicest neighborhoods in Cartagena. It has some of that city’s best street art and outdoor arts and crafts outdoor marketplace. Getsemani has so much to do that you’ll have no trouble finding something awesome to do any time of the year.
Dance it out! Cartagena has one of the best music scenes in Colombia, so catch a festival or just an impromptu street show. No matter what, you’re going to go hard.
The street markets of Cartagena are a perfect place to get one last taste of authentic Colombian food, an open-air experience that shows you how the Colombian people really eat. Your mouth will be watering, needless to say, as you head off to the airport.
Find your way to Cartagena’s airports and return home. Paradise will be here when you get back.
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