LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: Sun, Sand and Sea
TWO TO FOUR WEEKS
This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to laze on the beach and take in a bit of Colombian culture. You could easily see the main sites in two weeks, but you'll need more time if you plan to scuba dive or tackle some treks.
There's a lot to see and do along the Caribbean coast, which means less arduous travel. Start by flying to Santa Marta, which makes a fine base to explore the surrounding area. If you want to do the Ciudad Perdida trek begin making inquiries early, as trips don't run all the time, or they may be booked out. Once you've sorted out your dates for the trek, take some side trips to Taganga, Parque Nacional Tayrona and El Rodadero. You may also want to do a dive course - Taganga is one of the cheapest places around to get certified; it's well worth blocking out a week for this. Parque Nacional Tayrona is another place that can take time to see. Plan for at least two days there (although some travelers stay a week or more).
If it's Carnaval time, make room in your itinerary for a trip to Barranquilla, otherwise, bypass the city and head straight for Cartagena. You'll need at least two days to explore its glorious backstreets, plus at least one full day for a trip around the Islas del Rosario. With more time on your hands, spend extra days in Playa Blanca, Volcan de Lodo El Totumo or Mompos. From Cartagena, fly back to Bogota, visit San Andres and Providencia, or join a sailboat tour to Panama via Archipielago de San Blas.
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