Colombia Backpacking Guide [Must-See Places, Costs, Hostels] • Indie Traveller

Should you e book forward? Well, if you happen to’re not choosy you may all the time discover a mattress, however the top-rated hostels do usually e book out fully. For instance, Costeno River Hostel in Minca is extraordinarily well-rated and I came upon it was 100% full for the subsequent few weeks after I tried to remain there. If you e book with Hostelworld they often allow you to cancel without cost as much as 24 hours earlier than your keep, letting you continue to journey in a versatile means.

Best hostel chains: If you’re on the lookout for barely extra premium hostels, then try Selina, a hostel chain that may be very lively in Colombia. There are a whopping three (!) Selinas in Bogota alone (try the primary one in La Candelaria). The Selina in Quindo caught my eye because it’s the center of the espresso nation, in addition to the one in Villa de Leyva which is in a superbly restored colonial constructing. The Selina components is to principally supply hotel-like facilities whereas nonetheless attempting to take care of considerably of a hostel-like ambiance.

My favourite hostels: Personally, I desire staying in smaller unbiased backpacker hostels. Some of my favorites embody Black Sheep Hostel and The Wandering Paisa in Medellin (each are a bit like traveler establishments and nice for making pals), Casa Loma in Minca, Utria Hostel in Bahia Solano, and Viajero Hostel in Cartagena.

Unique idea hostels: There are a few very distinctive hostels in Colombia. One that all the time will get talked about is Casa en el Agua, a hostel close to the San Bernardo Islands actually constructed on the water. You can’t e book it via any platforms anymore; solely through an internet kind, with cost solely through PayPal, and availability solely updating each 60 days. (I suppose it’s a must to be devoted.)

Another ‘concept hostel’ may be discovered south of Medellin: Casa en el Aire, which is constructed on a cliffside the place you may chill in hammocks suspended over a valley. Pretty loopy! They get their enterprise via word-of-mouth solely; you may contact them through Whatsapp.

Eco hostels: Many hostels are principally within the type of ecolodges or are in transformed fincas (espresso farms). The Colombian hostel chain Masaya has two unimaginable eco-hostels: the Coffee Reserve La Manchuria and the Masaya San Agustin. In Tayrona, try the Viajero Tayrona Hostel & Ecohabs. Although fairly secluded, these lodging is usually a vacation spot in and of themselves.

Another one I can extremely advocate is Finca Carpe Diem within the Paso del Mango valley, which is simply north of the key backpacker hub of Minca. It’s one the highest-scoring hostels in all of Colombia so that is one other one price placing in a reservation for if you need the possibility to remain there. The view from the higher swimming pool is nuts.

Apart from the hostels, there are numerous nice native motels and guesthouses. I often keep about half my time in hostels and the opposite half in motels or guesthouses. It’s greatest to make use of Hostelworld for hostels, however use Booking.com to seek out smaller (budget-friendly) motels.

Is Colombia secure?

The security scenario in Colombia is totally nothing like what it was in the course of the unhealthy years within the Nineteen Eighties or 1990. Colombia journey guides from a minimum of a decade in the past should still warn of kidnapping dangers or drug gang violence however fashionable editions are freed from such warnings.

For probably the most half and purely from the attitude of a vacationer, it’s only a regular South American nation to journey via (very like Peru or Ecuador). Still, the previous picture persists.

Of course, as with many international locations in South America, you do want to recollect to pack your brains. So… possibly don’t stroll into that darkish alley at night time. But if you happen to journey responsibly, you’ll discover that Colombia is simply an unimaginable backpacking vacation spot.

I get the sense that Colombians are literally a bit sick of continually being requested about security by vacationers — in the identical means that Germans have that “sigh, here we go again” look on their faces when somebody mentions the Nazis. They’re most likely a bit bored with it.

Then once more, Colombia is certainly not a crime-free paradise — and in some particular areas, it may be worse than different South American international locations.

Here are some issues to know as a way to journey responsibly:

• Check security guides for any ‘bad areas’ and easily don’t go to them. They’re principally areas near the borders with Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, or very deep within the Amazon. I just like the security map offered by the UK overseas workplace because it’s very clear. Don’t hassle with the US State Department report for Colombia which makes use of an excessively paranoid and alarmist tone. For a extra balanced take, try the Australian, UK, Canadian, or different stories.
• Do take a bit extra care within the cities; don’t exhibit costly gear, carry solely money you want for the day, and take official taxis (or use ride-hailing apps), notably at night time. Ask your hostel or resort workers if there are any unhealthy neighborhoods within the metropolis, simply to make sure you don’t wander away someplace you shouldn’t wander.
• Do take further care within the nightlife too; don’t get too drunk, preserve your nostril clear, and don’t settle for drinks or cigarettes from strangers. Drugging/spiking is unfortunately identified to happen; that is necessary to know for ladies however particularly for boys. If a Colombian girl in a membership or on a Tinder date appears extraordinarily and unrealistically motivated to get in your room instantly, be very alert as this might imply waking up with a really unhealthy hangover and/or amnesia and all of your shit being stolen. If it feels such as you’ve inexplicably develop into an irresistible chick magnet in Colombia, be very suspicious and instantly swap management away out of your engine room and again to the bridge (i.e. your mind).
• Colombia is usually a rustic the place it’s higher to take public transit like coaches/buses than to self-drive (until you’re well-informed and know what you’re doing). Car leases are very costly in Colombia anyway.

While the following tips will assist preserve you secure, it’s nonetheless clever to take out an excellent journey insurance coverage plan to your journey. That means, you gained’t ever get financially ruined by hospital payments, theft, or emergency bills ought to something unlucky occur. It can even offer you a trusted helpline you may name or textual content if wanted.

I take advantage of Heymondo Travel Insurance, which is backed by AXA (one of many world’s largest insurers). They cowl virtually any sort of sport or journey exercise you would possibly do in Colombia, akin to paragliding, horseriding, or trekking, in addition to full protection for a variety of eventualities.

I’ve been utilizing and recommending Heymondo for a number of years now as a result of they merely have a greater providing and for much less cash than different manufacturers like World Nomads. You can get a quote for journey insurance coverage at Heymondo right here.

Psst, do you might have insurance coverage for Colombia?

Travel Advice

Travel insurance coverage will cowl you for theft, medical bills, cancellation, and extra. Heymondo provides nice protection, COVID-19 included, zero deductibles, and an app with 24/7 help & physician chat.

Backpacking Colombia suggestions

Travel prices

Colombia will not be an final cheapie like another Latin American international locations (e.g. Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru or Bolivia). However, it’s additionally not practically as costly as some others (e.g. not anyplace near Costa Rica).

While every thing will depend on your private journey type, I like to recommend budgeting round $40 a day when touring as a backpacker. If you’re frugal, you are able to do it for about $30 a day, but it surely’ll most likely contain cooking a few of your individual meals and avoiding any day excursions for probably the most half.

Budgets are all a bit depending on the forex alternate charges which fluctuate through the years. In Colombian pesos, contemplate a day by day backpacker price range of round 130,000 – 180,000 COP.

Here are a number of money-saving suggestions:

• Try to maintain your itinerary compact so that you spend much less cash on transportation (it’s less expensive on common to journey one area than attempting to see each nook of Colombia).
• Avoid excursions and check out doing issues your self; for instance, usually it’s doable to hike to a waterfall as a substitute of taking a paid organized tour
• Stay in hostels with kitchens and make your individual meals
• Make lunch your most important meal of the day and search for ‘platos del dia’ or ‘menu executivos’. These provides sometimes embody a hearty soup, meat with a number of sides, and a recent fruit juice for about 10,000 COP.
• Contact motels straight and ask for the most effective deal they’ll supply if you happen to e book via them. I bought a room virtually 50% cheaper than the Booking.com worth by simply displaying up and asking. (This hack gained’t work with hostels a lot.)
• Always ask locals concerning the native costs. Things could also be less expensive than you understand! In a neighborhood espresso city, I had a espresso and croissant for simply 1,000 COP. It was so low I truly thought they’d made a mistake. On the opposite hand, outlets typically cheekily cost foreigners extra, so inform your self of the actual costs.

The favorable alternate fee with currencies like USD and EUR lately has made Colombia extra of a cut price than it was once, so now’s fairly an advantageous time to journey there.

Do it’s essential know Spanish?

You’ll discover that most individuals in Colombia don’t communicate English, however you may nonetheless survive simply superb with out Spanish. Some hostel/resort workers and a number of the tour guides might communicate English. Not realizing the language will probably be limiting in some ways, but it surely’s fully doable.

Knowing a minimum of some fundamental Spanish will certainly improve your expertise. It’s price taking some Spanish lessons when you have the time. Language alternate occasions additionally supply enjoyable alternative to satisfy locals. Read extra suggestions right here: Do you want Spanish to journey in Latin America?

Internet in Colombia

Besides WiFi, it’s straightforward and low-cost to get a neighborhood SIM card (if you happen to really feel the should be on-line in fact). Just get your SIM in an official store in a bigger metropolis. For instance, seek for “tienda claro”. Claro is likely one of the most important cellular service suppliers.

Once you might have your pay as you go information sim, you may all the time prime it up in any small store or grocery retailer that has the Claro signal (even in very small cities). Ask them to purchase a ‘paquote’ (a top-up package deal) and get the vendor to enter the code for you.

The web is often fairly quick with a minimum of 4G protection. Less so in distant areas in fact.

Getting to Colombia

To fly on to Colombia, test your choices on Skyscanner or Google Flights. There are quite a few direct flights from all over the world to Bogota. Just a few additionally go to different cities (for instance Amsterdam to Cartagena is a direct route as of late).

A pleasant possibility may be to fly through Miami. This airport is tremendous well-connected internationally and with Colombia. I flew from Portugal (the place I dwell) through Miami to Cartagena, then I ended my journey flying again from Cali to Miami and residential. This averted any backtracking inside Colombia and enabled me to do a north-to-south overland route.

Are you on a much bigger journey? Then have in mind you may’t go to or from Panama overland! Well, you theoretically might if you happen to had been some loopy Bears Grylls-style survivor, however the so-called Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia has no roads in any respect and is bursting with smugglers and jaguars. The prudent factor to do is to fly throughout.

If you like to not fly, you can even sail from Panama to Cartagena or the opposite means round. This takes 4 or 5 days and also you’ll have to discover a mattress on one of many personal crusing boats that run this route. I did this journey and it was spectacular.

How to get round

The greatest option to get round on a backpacker price range is by bus or coach. Some may be booked on-line, however many you may solely purchase tickets for on the native bus terminal.

The bus stations is usually a bit complicated at first as there’ll be a great deal of desks representing totally different bus corporations and locations. There gained’t be a centralized departure board. Ask round if you happen to’re uncertain.

Besides the buses for lengthy distances, you might use minivans, taxis, or moto-taxis for extra native journeys. The moto-taxis are particularly enjoyable; you’ll go on the again of the bike whereas your backpack will probably be in entrance between the wheel and the motive force. They’re an affordable option to get round.

Keep in thoughts that in Colombia not every thing might run 100% easily. Maybe your journey goes completely or possibly you’ll have some delays.

Or possibly you occur to be in Colombia precisely on the fiesta de Virgin Del Carmen, the patron saint of transportation — a day throughout which all of the bus drivers are far too busy driving their embellished buses in zig-zag patterns throughout all accessible lanes, taking pictures fireworks from the home windows, and honking constantly to get you anyplace it’s essential be in any affordable timeframe. (Uh yeah, in order that’s one factor that occurred to me. I wouldn’t have needed to overlook it although!)

Yellow fever vaccine

Officially talking you want a yellow fever vaccine to enter Colombia. Technically they won’t test it, but it surely’s greatest to simply get it, because it’s a vaccine that may final your total life. It’s additionally a vaccine that’s been round because the Nineteen Forties so it’s been examined in each possible means.

That’s only one much less illness to fret about — yay for vaccines! Make positive you retain your proof of vaccination that you could present if requested.

Backpacking locations

Now for a little bit of inspiration, let me share just some of the most effective backpacker locations in Colombia.

Colonial City of Cartagena

While its fashionable components jogged my memory faintly of Miami with its high-rise condos alongside the waterfront, Cartegena additionally has one of many prettiest colonial city centres in South America.

Picture numerous quaint homes with flowers hanging from balconies and leafy squares the place folks play chess, and avenue distributors promote bananas and different fruits. The partitions and fortresses that ring the city are price a wander, providing some vantage factors into the cobbled colonial-era streets beneath.

Budget vacationers ought to know that photogenic Cartagena is basically the tourism crown jewel of Colombia and so costs are fairly a bit larger than elsewhere. The neighborhood of Getsemani — which was as soon as a backpacker district, however now way more gentrified — nonetheless provides extra price range choices than contained in the walled metropolis.

Playa Blanca is a phenomenal seashore about an hour’s drive exterior the town; it’s a lot better than any of the town seashores, so it’s definitely worth the journey.

Float in Totumo Volcano mud baths

Okay, I gained’t fake this isn’t a foolish vacationer entice, but it surely’s an excessive amount of enjoyable to not point out.

A day journey from Cartagena, this mud volcano allows you to swim inside it. The viscosity of the mud makes you float on prime of the floor such as you’re swimming within the Dead Sea. Sometimes you keel over and should paddle like a canine to seek out your middle of gravity once more.

Look, no matter… simply go do it. It’s hilarious.

Trek to the Lost City

The Lost City Trek is likely one of the greatest hikes I’ve achieved in South America. It takes 4 to six days, departing from Santa Marta. The trek runs via lands owned by the indigenous Kogi as much as an historical pre-Colombian metropolis atop a mountain.

The ruins might not precisely be Machu Picchu, however they don’t seem to be really the purpose of this hike. The vacation spot is simply an excuse for the journey, which meanders alongside clear river streams and thru lush inexperienced jungles.

You sleep in hammocks or bunks in primitive lodges—they’re just a few roofs with out partitions, actually, so that you’re primarily sleeping out within the open save to your mosquito internet. At night time you’ll go to sleep to an orchestra of crickets, frogs, and monkeys.

Explore Tayrona Park

Is a 5 day hike a little bit too lengthy to your itinerary? Then you’ll discover some shorter walks in Tayrona National Park.

The 3-hour hike via the jungle to the ruins of Pueblito is one possibility, as is a hike to the seashore of Cabo San Juan.

Tayrona Park itself has a number of lovely secluded seashores and an opportunity to see plenty of wildlife. You can camp in a single day contained in the nationwide park in Cabo San Juan and sleep in a hammock or tent.

Some backpackers do complain concerning the considerably inflated costs for meals and lodging contained in the park, although realistically you may in a single day in Tayrona for as little as $20. It’s greatest to e book your hammock or tent upfront although as areas are restricted.

Stay in Minca

Minca is an interesting instance of a vacation spot that’s develop into ‘discovered’ by backpackers in just some years. When I backpacked Colombia for the primary time in 2012 nobody had heard of Minca and everybody simply stayed in Santa Marta or Taganga. When I went to Colombia once more in 2022, Minca was all anybody would speak about. A brand new street had made this city extra accessible and turned it into an ecotourism hotspot.

It’s the truth is a tremendous little place. The small mountain city itself will not be so massively outstanding, although it has some good cafes and eating places. But probably the most wonderful areas are within the jungles across the city, providing epic views of the Sierra Nevada National Park.

There are numerous hostels in Minca with a tremendous vibe. Everyone simply involves Minca to chill out, to see tropical birds, to hike, or to journey a scooter across the mountain roads. I believe it’s price staying 3 nights at least.

Don’t miss my information for the greatest locations to remain in Minca.

San Gil: the hub for journey sports activities

San Gil within the Santander area is Colombia’s capital of journey sports activities. Go there for rafting (as much as class 5 rapids, i.e. there’s some loopy rafting right here), paragliding (beginning at $40), kayaking, canyoning, mountain biking, and extra. I did some tandem paragliding right here which was nice enjoyable.

Besides the journey actions, the city of San Gil is price taking a look at as effectively, which has some good botanical gardens and distributors promoting plates of fried giant-bottomed ants. They’re crispy and salty like popcorn. Om-nom-nom!

Visit the city of Barichara

Barichara is a city in northern Colombia identified for its cobbled streets and colonial structure. It makes for a pleasant day journey from San Gil.

You’ll discover some previous church buildings and cemeteries, a number of small museums, and a historic strolling path that takes about 2 hours and connects the picturesque cities of Barichara and Guane.

Discover cultural Medellin

Many huge cities in Latin America is usually a letdown as they are usually chaotic and overwhelming. Medellin, then again, has an actual cultural coronary heart that’s straightforward to like. It might look grungy at first look, however give it one other look and also you’ll discover an interesting metropolis to discover.

Its city renewal over the previous few years has been incomes Medellin many worldwide innovation awards, with squares that had been as soon as the websites of cartel battles now changing into thriving public areas, considered one of them doubling as an open-air mini-museum that includes sculptures by Fernando Botero.

I like to recommend trying out the Plaza Botero, the Minorista market (a conventional farmer’s market), and Parque Lleras at night time (a enjoyable nightlife space the place folks spill out from the bars into the streets and patios). Be positive to journey the metrocable as much as Parque Arvi, go to the Joaquin Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden, and go to the Medellín Museum of Modern Art as effectively. I may extremely advocate occurring a tropical fruit tasting tour.

If you’ve bought the possibility to see a soccer match in Medellin, remember to take it. The degree of ardour from the supporters is certain to depart an impression. Things can get very mosh-pitty once they rating a aim although, so go together with a little bit group if you happen to can.

Many travellers keep within the Poblado space of Medellin, which is a excessive/middle-class residential neighborhood with an excellent popularity for security, and inside strolling distance of the Parque Lleras nightlife as effectively. You’ll additionally discover a excessive focus of hostels and guesthouses in Laureles (and the adjoining Libertadores), which has fewer hipster cafes than Poblado and extra of a neighborhood vibe. I loved staying in each these neighborhoods.

If you wish to study extra about Medellin’s previous, go on the Real City tour. It’s probably the greatest metropolis excursions I’ve achieved anyplace. It tells you in very emotionally partaking methods concerning the historical past of the town and the nation. After this tour, you’re assured to really feel a brand new emotional reference to Colombia and a deeper understanding of what’s occurred right here over the previous few many years.

Climb the massive rock of Guatape

A touristy however enjoyable day journey from Medellin (even perhaps warranting an in a single day keep) is the historic city of Guatape, famed for its vibrant homes with superbly sculpted depictions of village life adorning the decrease half of each facade. There are some arts and craft outlets, and a few historic colonial-era church buildings.

But the primary spotlight is Piedra del Peñol. This uncommon rock formation was as soon as worshipped by the indigenous tribes and given the imposing look of this monolith it’s straightforward to see why. You can climb stairs to the highest from the place you might have an ideal view of the encircling lakes.

Guatape is a little bit of a resort city for Colombians, so across the rock you’ll additionally discover a vary of vacationer actions akin to boat excursions across the lakes and excessive sports activities akin to hold gliding and jet snowboarding.

City excursions & museums in Bogota

The capital of Bogota has plenty of issues to see and do, however I’d advocate doing a number of issues particularly. First, go on a Bogota bicycle tour. You’ll be capable to cowl plenty of floor and acquire a better understanding of the town.

You’ll see stuff you often wouldn’t see: for example, why are all these shady-looking males loitering exterior this one explicit constructing? Turns out they’re grey-market emerald sellers attempting to dump their gem stones to the best bidder. You’ll see a number of the metropolis’s most eye-catching avenue artwork as effectively, and get to pattern uncommon tropical fruits on the native market.

Bogota additionally has a lot of museums. Don’t miss the Botero Museum and the National Museum, and particularly the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum) which has a shocking assortment of pre-Columbian gold artefacts.

Finally, it’s price taking the cable automobile to Monserrate Mountain, from the place you get an outstanding view of the town beneath.

Coffee farms in Salento

The small city of Salento in Colombia’s espresso area is a superb spot to remain for a number of days. After spending time within the cities, you might simply want to wind down for some time on this slow-paced rural place (although it’s been getting extra crowded lately).

Tours of a number of the native natural espresso farms can educate you concerning the espresso rising and roasting course of, although there may be way more to see and do in Salento.

Make positive you hike to the Cocora Valley, house to some gasp-inducingly tall wax palm timber.

Growing as much as 70 meters, they’re claimed by some to be a number of the tallest on the earth. The hike begins alongside a mountain stream, crosses over some previous swing bridges, and passes via some cloud forests (don’t miss the hummingbird sanctuary), earlier than lastly reaching the valley with the imposing palm timber.

The space can be a favourite place to go trekking or horseback using. A enjoyable factor you are able to do on the town in the course of the night is to play Tejo, a conventional Colombian recreation that entails throwing metallic balls at a goal lined with gunpowder. It’s good explosive enjoyable!

Stargaze in Tatacoa desert

The Tatacoa Desert, not removed from the southern metropolis of Neiva, is likely one of the hottest locations in Colombia. You’ll end up in the course of an arid expanse, house of vultures and eagles, with the beginning of the Andes mountain vary off within the distance.

A labyrinth of rocky canyons fashioned by years of abrasion is the primary attraction right here — it’s a surreal little place that’s enjoyable to get misplaced in.

Due to the low gentle air pollution, it’s additionally an ideal spot for stargazing. A resident astronomer offers shows each night time, which had been sadly exhausting for me to comply with with my restricted Spanish. But he did say “Goopitar” so much (I believe that was Jupiter), and he most likely mentioned some issues concerning the enlargement of the universe. Either means, I bought to see the rings of Saturn via a telescope, which was wonderful.