Cartagena, Salento and the Cocora Valley · Colombia
Cartagena and the Coffee Region
Balconied streets and sea walls in Cartagena’s old city, a day on the Caribbean islands, then a flight into the green hills of the coffee region for wax palms and farm visits. Six days from the coast to the Andes.
- 6 days
- $$ Mid-range
- Moderate
- Good with kids
- Couples
- Families
- Friends
- Culture
- Beaches
- Nature
Day by day
The plan
Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.
- Day 1
The walled city
- 08:30
Torre del Reloj
Activity
The clock tower gate, the main way into the walled city.
- 09:30
Plaza de Santo Domingo and old-town streets
Activity
Walk in the cooler morning past bougainvillea balconies and Botero’s reclining woman.
- 12:30
Lunch: fried fish and coconut rice
Food & drink
The classic coastal plate, with patacones and a fresh juice.
- 14:30
Rest through the midday heat
Other
Early afternoon is the time for a pool, a nap or a museum with air conditioning.
- 17:30
Sunset on the city walls
Activity
Walk the top of the walls toward the sea as the heat breaks.
- 08:30
- Day 2
Forts and Getsemaní
- 08:00
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
Activity
The Spanish fortress on the hill, with tunnels you can walk through. Go early for the shade.
- 10:30
Palace of the Inquisition and Plaza Bolívar
Activity
A colonial museum on the shaded main square of the old city.
- 13:00
Lunch: ceviche and arepas de huevo
Food & drink
Fried corn arepas with an egg inside are the Caribbean coast’s snack.
- 16:30
Getsemaní street art
Activity
The neighborhood outside the walls, with murals, umbrellas strung over the lanes and a lively square.
- 19:30
Dinner in Getsemaní
Food & drink
Stay for the evening crowd around Plaza de la Trinidad.
- 08:00
- Day 3
Islands day
- 08:00
Boat to the Rosario Islands
Getting around
Boats leave from the tourist pier; the ride out can be choppy.
- 10:00
Snorkel in the Corales del Rosario park
Activity
A protected marine park of reefs and clear, warm water.
- 13:00
Lunch on the island
Food & drink
Fish, coconut rice and fried plantain by the beach.
- 15:30
Boat back to Cartagena
Getting around
Back in time to shower before dinner.
- 19:30
Dinner in the old city
Food & drink
A last Caribbean night among the lit-up plazas.
- 08:00
- Day 4
Fly to the coffee region
- 09:00
Fly to Pereira or Armenia
Getting around
A short flight from the coast to the coffee region’s airports.
- 12:00
Drive to Salento
Getting around
About an hour on winding roads through coffee and plantain farms.
- 13:00
Stay in Salento
Stay
A small town of painted houses and wooden balconies, base for the next two nights.
- 14:00
Lunch: trout with patacón
Food & drink
Trout from the mountain streams is the local favorite, served on a huge fried plantain.
- 16:30
Calle Real and the Alto de la Cruz lookout
Activity
Craft shops on the main street, then steps up to a view over the Cocora valley.
- 09:00
- Day 5
Cocora Valley and a coffee farm
- 07:30
Jeep to the Cocora Valley
Getting around
Old Willys jeeps leave from Salento’s main square when full.
- 08:00
Hike among the wax palms
Activity
The full loop crosses river bridges and cloud forest and takes most of the morning; with kids, walk straight up to the palm meadows and back.
- 13:00
Lunch back in Salento
Food & drink
Bandeja paisa if you are hungry: beans, rice, meats, egg, arepa and avocado.
- 15:00
Coffee farm tour
Activity
Small farms near town show the path from cherry to cup, with a tasting at the end.
- 19:00
Dinner in Salento
Food & drink
A quiet evening in the plaza when the day visitors leave.
- 07:30
- Day 6
Filandia and fly home
- 08:30
Drive to Filandia
Getting around
A short drive to a quieter coffee town with the same colorful streets.
- 09:30
Filandia’s plaza and the Colina Iluminada lookout
Activity
A tall wooden tower with views across the green hills toward the central range.
- 12:00
Lunch: ajiaco or sancocho
Food & drink
Hearty Andean soups, the comfort food of the interior.
- 14:00
Drive to the airport and fly out
Getting around
Pereira is about an hour away; connect through Bogotá or Medellín.
- 08:30
Good to know
Tips
Two climates
Cartagena is hot and humid all year, driest from December to April. The coffee region is mild with frequent afternoon rain, so pack a light rain jacket and shoes that can get muddy.
Pace yourself in Cartagena
Sightsee early and late, rest in the middle of the day and drink plenty of water. Beach and street vendors can be persistent; a firm, friendly no works.
Cash in the hills
Cards work widely in Cartagena, but jeeps, small farms and many shops in Salento take cash only. Withdraw pesos before you leave the city.
Islands and the park
Choose a licensed boat operator for the Rosario Islands and expect a port tax at the pier. Weekends and holidays are crowded at both the islands and Cocora.
Keep exploring
More guides
5 daysGood with kidsEcuador
Quito and the Andes
Quito, Cotopaxi and Baños
- Price
- $$$
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best time:
- Jun–Sep, Dec–Jan
5 daysGood with kidsEcuador
Galápagos: Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal
Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal
- Price
- $$$
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Best time:
- Dec–Jun
5 daysGood with kidsPeru
Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
- Price
- $$$
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best time:
- Apr–Oct