Ultimate Colombian Road Trip: From Bogotá to Cartagena

Ultimate Colombian Road Trip: From Bogotá to Cartagena

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Leaving Bogotá, we embarked on an adventure into the unknown, driven by our love for exploration and to immerse ourselves in the Colombia we had been dreaming of. Despite receiving mixed opinions from locals about the journey, we set off and were rewarded with an unforgettable experience. Our road trip wasn’t nearly as daunting as expected, proving to be quite enjoyable and packed with unique moments we couldn’t have planned for.

Here’s a high-level overview of the trip we took. You could absolutely do this much quicker than we did, but we chose to take it slow and enjoy the small towns along the way. Some of these places turned out to be our favorite discoveries in the six months we spent exploring Colombia. If I could influence you to do one thing, it would be to visit these towns and cities, but if you only had time for one, make it Barichara. It’s straight out of a movie (quite literally), but more on that later.

Itinerary Overview:

• Day 1: Bogotá to Villa De Leyva (3-hour drive)

• Day 2: Explore Villa De Leyva

• Day 3: Villa De Leyva to Barichara (4-hour drive)

• Day 4: Explore Barichara

• Day 5: Barichara to Bucaramanga (4-hour drive)

• Day 6: Explore Bucaramanga

• Day 7: Bucaramanga to Santa Marta (12+ hour drive)

• Day 8-9: Relax in Santa Marta

• Day 10: Santa Marta to Barranquilla to Cartagena

Villa De Leyva | Days 1-2

Our journey began with renting a car in Bogotá and heading to Villa De Leyva, a picturesque village with charming cobblestone streets. Despite a few delays, we arrived later than expected and decided to extend our stay to fully immerse ourselves in its charm. This village feels like a step back in time with its colonial architecture and slow pace. It’s the kind of place you arrive at, take a deep breath, and immediately feel the stress of the big city melt away.

We explored Plaza Mayor, one of the largest town squares in Colombia, surrounded by beautiful whitewashed buildings. It’s perfect for people-watching while enjoying a meal or a coffee. We found a lovely little spot, Sybarita Café, where we indulged in Colombian coffee and local beer—both excellent ways to settle into the town’s laid-back vibe. Villa De Leyva is a popular weekend escape for those in Bogotá because it’s just a three-hour drive away, but it never feels too crowded.

One highlight of our stay was visiting the Pozos Azules, a surreal landscape of bright blue ponds that contrast beautifully with the arid surroundings. While we didn’t make it to the Fossil Museum, which houses a 120-million-year-old Kronosaurus fossil, it’s a great stop if you’re interested in Colombia’s prehistoric past.

Barichara | Days 3-4:

Next, we traveled to Barichara, and let me just say, it’s easily the most beautiful town I’ve ever been to. No exaggeration. We didn’t book our accommodations in advance, so after driving through the town’s breathtaking streets, we lucked out and found Hotel Misión Santa Bárbara, a charming historic hotel. It was such a gem—under $50 a night for our family of three, with breakfast included, and the staff couldn’t have been nicer.

Although many pueblos claim to be the town from Encanto, Barichara is truly the one that inspired the village in Disney’s Encanto, and after spending time there, I can see why. It feels like a movie set, with its red-tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, and whitewashed buildings set against a stunning backdrop. After getting settled, we headed into the town square, where we found a local guide offering Jeep tours of the town. We hopped in, not knowing what to expect, but it turned into one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.

Our guide didn’t speak a word of English, and our Spanish still wasn't great, but that didn’t stop him from becoming our impromptu photographer. He literally took my phone out of my hand and started snapping photos at each scenic stop—something we weren’t expecting, but the pictures are some of our most treasured memories. He took us to the Mirador, a viewpoint with panoramic views of the Suarez River Canyon. It’s one of those places where you just have to stop and soak in the sheer beauty. The sunset there was nothing short of magical. As we posed for photos, the locals were sitting along the cliffside, sipping drinks and chatting as the day ended.

After the Jeep tour, our guide took us to a little paper-making shop, where we spent about $2 USD on a quick tour. The next morning, we hiked the Camino Real, a hike at the edge of town our guide had recommended the night before. The hike is an ancient stone path connecting Barichara to the nearby village of Guane. Keep in mind that you do not need a guide for this hike. The path is clearly marked, and I promise there will be jeeps that will come by at the end to pick up hikers, you do not need to arrange any transportation. We had no idea what to expect from the hike, but it turned out to be the perfect way to enjoy the countryside. As the hike was wrapping up you emerged in to the town of Guane. You follow the dirt road until you come upon an old wooden bench and a supermarcado to grab a drink, and just as we finished, an old Jeep pulled up to take us back to Barichara. While we waited for other hikers to fill the Jeep, we shared a few beers with locals, laughing and chatting (in very broken Spanish) until it was time to head back.

Barichara is often called Colombia’s most beautiful town, and after experiencing it for ourselves, I can’t argue with that. It’s a place I’ll visit again for sure—it felt like we were in a fairytale.

Bucaramanga | Days 5-6

From Barichara, we drove to Bucaramanga, a lively city known as the “City of Parks.” We hadn’t expected much, but Bucaramanga really surprised us—especially with its food scene! Our first stop, La Toscana, turned out to be an amazing little Italian restaurant. Bucaramanga doesn’t get many tourists, which made it feel like we were experiencing the city like locals. We spent some time at Parque del Agua, a beautiful park with water features and plenty of places to relax.

Our Airbnb came with a rooftop pool, and we took full advantage of it. Bucaramanga was a good place to recharge before hitting the road again. If you’re traveling with kids, like we were, the city offers a good break from the long drives.

Santa Marta | Days 7-9

The drive from Bucaramanga to Santa Marta was, without a doubt, the toughest stretch of the entire trip. What we thought would be a 12-hour drive turned into nearly 15 hours of road closures, dead-stopped traffic, and detours. However, we did manage to enjoy some popsicles from street vendors who emerged each time traffic came to a stop, and we drank our fair share of tinto along the way.

But then, things took a turn. After hours of being at a dead stop, the traffic finally started to inch forward, at this point we didn't even care we were only going 5 kph we were just thrilled to be moving. We then realized we were approaching the cause of the delay. Police were coordinating clean-up efforts, and locals seemed to be clearing the road. Suddenly, we heard a loud explosion. People started running, covering their eyes and mouths, and we were stuck with nowhere to go, except to continue inching forward in traffic. We still don’t know exactly what happened, but everyone outside eyes were wondering with snot running down their noses, we covered our son's face the best we could and just hoped whatever was going on wasnt something too serious. As we passed we saw the overturned semi truck, but we never found out what really happened there. Once we passed the scene the rest of the drive was smooth, though we arrived in Santa Marta completely exhausted and starving.

After checking into our oceanfront condo and grabbing a quick bite to eat, we collapsed into bed. The next morning, we finally made it to the beaches of Santa Marta, and it felt like the ultimate reward after months of inland travel. Santa Marta, Colombia’s oldest city, has a laid-back vibe and serves as a gateway to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. We spent our days exploring the historic center, including the Cathedral of Santa Marta and Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, where Simón Bolívar spent his final days.

I highly recommend a day trip to Tayrona National Park if you’re in the area—it’s a short drive from Santa Marta, and the combination of hiking, wildlife, and pristine beaches is unbeatable. The only downfall to Santa Marta is that it is a cruise stop, so once the ships dock the streets start to become crowded.

Cartagena | Day 10

Finally, we made our way to Cartagena, our last stop. We took a quick break in Barranquilla for lunch before arriving in Cartagena, where we spent two amazing weeks. Our condo had a rooftop pool and bar, where we spent hours each day, and it’s actually where our son learned to swim.

Cartagena is an incredible city that blends old and new, with the historic walled city as its crown jewel. Walking through the narrow, colorful streets and visiting landmarks like the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas was a perfect way to end our road trip. We even got to cheer on athletes competing in a half-Ironman that wound through the city during our stay. It was a great way to celebrate the end of our six months in Colombia.

This road trip from Bogotá to Cartagena was one of the most incredible experiences of our lives. We saw the best of Colombia, from charming colonial towns to bustling cities and stunning beaches. If you’re considering a Colombian road trip, this itinerary offers the perfect balance of adventure, culture, and relaxation—an unforgettable way to experience the heart and soul of the country. If you are interested in more of our experiences traveling through Colombia, check out our other posts.

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Mom, entrepreneur, and full-time nomad, looking to spark a love for adventure in families by sharing our wild and wonderful journey as full-time nomads. Through down-to-earth travel guides, relatable stories, and handy tips, I want to build a community that’s excited to pack up, hit the road, and explore the world together—with kids in tow or not. Thanks for reading!