Last updated: June 2026
I was a bit hesitant about heading out on a solo trip to Colombia, but it quickly turned into one of my favorite destinations in Latin America!
After studying in Brazil for 5 months, I found myself with a month to spare before Carnival kicked off and wanted to explore another Latin American country. My study-abroad friends couldn’t come, and I was eager to travel solo again. I’d traveled solo plenty of times before but had gotten used to having a travel partner. Getting back into hostel life felt daunting — and then Colombia happened.
I can honestly say I fell in love with Colombia like I thought I never could after my long-lasting romance with Brazil began. Taking this trip as a female solo traveler was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Here are my recommendations — based on a month of traveling solo, staying in hostels, speaking Spanish, and being a social butterfly — alongside some honest mistakes I’d tell you to avoid.
Things to Know Before You Go
- More than Pablo Escobar: Colombians are by far the nicest people I’ve met in Latin America — genuinely warm, not fake-polite. The country has moved far beyond its cartel past, especially after the peace deal with the FARC in late 2016.
- Spanish: Colombian Spanish is probably the clearest and most understandable for non-native speakers. A great place to practice.
- Weather: Wet season August–December, dry season January–July. Colombia is huge, so don’t expect uniform weather. Bogotá and Salento are cool enough to need a jacket during the day; Cartagena and the Caribbean coast are tropical. I visited in January — perfect weather throughout.
- Safety: Colombia’s drug-war reputation is outdated. That said, drugs are very available and some travelers go for that reason. Know this: I met several people who got busted by police — most got out without arrest but only after paying off officers, which can get expensive and is not a fun experience. You’ll do what you’ll do, but stay safe.
- Female travelers: Catcalling happens but it’s manageable — certainly not worse than many places I’ve been. In Medellín and Cartagena you can safely walk around at night in the tourist areas, which is more than I can say for many parts of Brazil.
- Flights over buses: Flights within Colombia are incredibly cheap — my flight from Medellín to Cartagena was $30 USD. Always check for flights before defaulting to a long bus ride.
- Uber: Available in the cities and very affordable with upfront pricing. Use it.
My Trip Itinerary (January, 4 weeks)
- Bogotá – 4 days (Casa Bellavista)
- Salento – 3 days (La Serrana)
- Medellín – 8 days (La Playa)
- Santa Marta – 4 days (The Dreamer Hostel)
- Cartagena – 1 night → Rosario Islands – 3 days (Saman Hostel) → Cartagena – 2 days (Friends to Be Hostel) → Casa en el Agua – 2 days → Cartagena – 2 days
Bogotá – 4 days
I spent 4 days in Bogotá and it was honestly a day or two too many. It’s worth a couple of days but I wouldn’t push it further — the city felt a bit gray and heavy to me.
What to Do in Bogotá
- Graffiti Tour: This tour brought the city to life for me. Behind the murals there are powerful stories, political messages, and real emotion. The one advertised by my hostel was great.
- Cerro De Monserrate: Take the cable car to the mountaintop for great views over the city. I arrived around Christmas so there were festive decorations at the top. One thing I really enjoyed was having tea (wine for my travel companion) at the restaurant on top while watching the sunset — Bogotá is so cheap that you can afford a little luxury. That said, this isn’t a must-do as far as I’m concerned.
- Free Walking Tour: Especially great if you’re a history buff. The part about Bogotá and Colombia’s past was genuinely fascinating.
Where to Stay in Bogotá
I stayed at Casa Bellavista in La Candelaria — the area where everyone stays, close to all the tours and main sights. The hostel has a kitchen, free breakfast (not vegan-friendly), great common areas, and the most affordable laundry in Colombia — 2,000 pesos per kilo, and clothes came back clean and smelling great. The staff were the real highlight: knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely helpful. The only downside is the common areas are close to the rooms, so late-night socializing can be noisy.
Transportation in Bogotá
La Candelaria is walkable. For the rest of the city, Uber is extremely affordable — use it without hesitation.
Salento – 3 days
3 days is the right amount of time for this beautiful village.
Salento sits in Colombia’s coffee region and is the gateway to Valle de Cocora. It’s touristic, but not so overwhelmingly so that it loses its local feel. I happened to be there on January 6th — Día de los Reyes Magos — and the village completely came alive with Colombian music and street performances. If you’re visiting on a holiday, book ahead, or show up and look for “vacancy” signs in windows.
Where to Stay in Salento
I stayed at La Serrana — an incredible hostel/inn set in the middle of green valleys and meadows, about 10 minutes from the village center. It was fully booked when I found it online, so I called them directly and they somehow had a room. Worth the effort. Clean spacious dorms, big lockers, plugs by every bed. They offer a free breakfast — fresh fruit salad, eggs, or pancakes, made right in front of you by two lovely ladies. The camping area hosts van travelers, the staff is warm (mostly Spanish-speaking), and the common areas attract genuinely interesting people. A communal dinner a few nights a week brings everyone together beautifully.
What to Do in Salento
- Valle de Cocora Hike (Palmeras Hike): The big one. About 5 hours total, with the hardest stretch being the muddy, steep ascent — after that it’s mostly downhill. Leave early. Wear rain boots (the hostel sometimes lends them out) — I didn’t, used three pairs of socks, and still ruined my Nikes. Once you’re past the mud the hike is beautiful, with hundreds of towering palm trees that are so tall they won’t even fit in your photos. I met an Argentinian guy on the jeep to the trailhead who ended up joining me — easy to find hiking company as a solo traveler. Avoid horseback riding on this trail — the path is so steep the horses are clearly struggling, and you can tell they’re not in good shape.
- Mirador: Walk up Carrera 6 to 100 steps that lead to a stunning viewpoint over the village. Go before sunset.
How to Get to Salento
Fly into Armenia, then a 30-minute taxi to Salento. You can take a bus from major cities to Pereira or Armenia, but I wouldn’t recommend it — the road is very winding and you’ll be swinging from side to side the whole ride.
Medellín – 8 days
Medellín is my favorite city in Colombia — its urban jungle energy, history, and modern vibrancy just got to me. I was supposed to leave after 4 days but deliberately missed my $30 flight and stayed for 4 more. No regrets.
What to Do in Medellín
- Guatapé: About 1.5 hours by bus from the city — the Rock of Peñol offers a spectacular view of the lake and meadows below. About 600 steps to the top, but there are railings and even kids do it. Have a fruit smoothie at the top. I’d recommend taking an organized tour from your hostel over the public bus option.
- Pablo Escobar Tour: For those who’ve watched Narcos — this tour is worth doing, but keep in mind that Narcos is highly subjective and presents everything from an American perspective. The tour gives you another side of the story. We did a 2-hour private car tour visiting his neighborhood, his grave, and where he was shot. Worthwhile.
- Exotic Fruits Tour: One of my favorite experiences in all of Colombia. You’ll taste about 18 exotic fruits in the market — including one you open with a hammer. Plus a fresh arepa made on the spot, the best I had in the entire country.
- Metrocable: Ride the cable car connecting the hillside neighborhoods for beautiful city views.
- Plazoleta De Las Esculturas: Wander Botero Square and see his famous chubby sculptures.
- Shopping: If you’ve been on the road a while or just love it, Medellín is the place.
- Nightlife: El Poblado is the hub — multiple bars and clubs, different vibes each night. Happy Buddha is the main party hostel.
Where to Stay in Medellín
Stay in El Poblado — that’s where the hostels, bars, restaurants, and metro access are. I stayed at La Playa, right across from Happy Buddha so you can pop over for the nightlife and come back to sleep peacefully. Beautiful rooftop for working or reading during the day, great WiFi, and pretty drinks at the bar (open till ~11pm so it doesn’t disturb guests).
Santa Marta – 4 days
Santa Marta is the launchpad for several key attractions in the area, including Tayrona National Park and the Lost City Trek (which I chose not to do). About 20 minutes away is Taganga, a fishing village that’s worth a visit.
Where to Stay in Santa Marta
I stayed at The Dreamer Hostel — shaped like a courtyard with a gorgeous pool in the middle, almost a resort-style hostel. After the Palmeras hike I needed to decompress, and this was perfect. The 1-liter fresh smoothies from the menu were absurdly good for the price. I’d buy fruit from the nearby supermarket for breakfast, then spend the hottest afternoon hours horizontal by the pool with a smoothie in hand.
What to Do in Santa Marta & Taganga
- Sunset in Taganga: Taganga has the best sunsets in Colombia — I’d agree. One key tip: leave at least an hour before sunset. There’s only one road into Taganga, and right before golden hour everyone is trying to get there at once. We saw people stuck watching the sunset from traffic. Leave early.
- Taganga Boardwalk: Souvenirs and great seafood restaurants along the waterfront.
- Tayrona National Park: Stunning beaches and jungle — a must if you have the time.
Rosario Islands – 3 days
This was my absolute favorite place in Colombia. A must-do. I loved it so much I wrote a whole dedicated post about the Rosario Islands.
- Snorkeling: Coral reefs and a sunken plane wreck.
- Kayaking or Paddleboarding: Through mangrove tunnels connecting the island’s lakes.
- Bioluminescent Plankton: A nighttime trip to Laguna Encantada to see the glowing water — one of the most magical things I’ve ever seen.
- Biking: Ride through the island’s forest trails.
- Sunset at Playa Cocotera: The local island dogs will join you. Bliss.
Cartagena – 4 days total
Cartagena is the hottest city in Colombia — and I mean that literally. That means cold showers and limiting activity to the cooler parts of the day. The old city is stunning — colorful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and an energy that’s hard not to love.
What to Do in Cartagena
- Wander the Old City: The walled city with its colorful architecture, boutique shops, and restaurants is the main attraction — and rightfully so.
- Castillo San Felipe de Barajas: A beautiful fort with great views over the city and port. A bit pricey, but worth it if you have the time.
- Nightlife: Great variety of bars and clubs across the city.
What NOT to Do in Cartagena
- Playa Blanca: Skip it. Completely overcrowded. If you’ve been to a genuinely beautiful beach before (I was coming straight from Brazil), this will disappoint. I decided last-minute not to go and was glad.
- Ciénaga del Totumo (Mud Volcano): You enter a tiny mud pool crammed with other tourists while male workers massage you — whether you asked or not. Then you’re washed off in a river by more workers. I found it totally unnecessary, overly touristy, and honestly uncomfortable for female travelers. Skip it.
Where to Stay in Cartagena
I stayed at Friends to Be Hostel — right in the center of the city, beautiful high ceilings typical of Cartagena architecture, a small (but clean!) pool great for the afternoon heat, and AC from 6pm to 9am. The private rooms are absolutely beautiful and surprisingly affordable for two people — I’d strongly recommend going private here.
Casa en el Agua – 2 days
After returning from the Rosario Islands I spent a few more days in Cartagena, then moved to Casa en el Agua — a hostel literally built in the middle of the ocean. I don’t think you can find anything else like this in the world. Read my full post about Casa en el Agua here.
- Swimming directly off the platform into open Caribbean water
- Snorkeling in crystal-clear water right from your front door
- Complete disconnection — no roads, no traffic, just ocean and stars
