20-Day Ultimate Budget Backpacking Route in Colombia
Colombia is a paradise for the budget-conscious traveler, offering a rich tapestry of high-altitude cities, lush coffee plantations, and turquoise Caribbean waters. By mastering the art of the 'Corrientazo' (budget lunch) and utilizing the extensive intercity bus network, you can experience the diversity of this nation without breaking the bank.
This 20-day itinerary focuses on the backpacker trail, prioritizing free walking tours, hostel communal kitchens, and public transport. From the street art of Bogotá to the soaring palms of the Cocora Valley, get ready for an epic journey that balances culture, adventure, and extreme affordability.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Bogotá, Colombia - Arrival and La Candelaria
Arrival at El Dorado Airport
Land in Bogotá and clear customs. Avoid expensive private taxis; instead, take the 'Feeder' bus to the Portal El Dorado TransMilenio station for a fraction of the cost.
Check-in at La Candelaria Hostel
Drop your bags at a budget hostel in the historic center. This area is perfect for walking and is surrounded by cheap student eateries.
Explore Plaza de Bolívar
Witness the heart of Colombian politics for free. The plaza is surrounded by the Cathedral, the Justice Palace, and the National Capitol.
Street Food Dinner
Grab an 'Oblea' (wafer with caramel) and a 'Chicha' (fermented corn drink) from local street vendors for a few pesos.
Day 2: Bogotá, Colombia - Views and Gold
Hike up Cerro de Monserrate
Skip the expensive cable car and hike the stone path to the top of Monserrate for panoramic views of the sprawling capital.
Menu del Día Lunch
Find a local 'restaurante corriente' for a fixed-price lunch including soup, juice, and a main plate of meat, rice, and beans.
Museo del Oro
Visit the world-famous Gold Museum. It has a very low entry fee (and is free on Sundays) and houses over 34,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic gold.
Botero Museum
Visit this free museum in a beautiful colonial house, showcasing the 'chubby' art style of Fernando Botero.
Day 3: Bogotá to San Gil, Colombia - Transit Day
Terminal Salitre Bus Station
Take a public bus to the main terminal. Negotiate your fare at the booths for a bus headed toward San Gil (approx. 7 hours).
Roadside Snacks
The bus will stop at a 'parador' for lunch. Buy some 'Arepa de Choclo' for a cheap and filling snack.
Arrival in San Gil
Check into your hostel in the adventure capital of Colombia. San Gil is significantly cheaper than Bogotá.
Parque la Libertad
Relax in the central square under giant ceiba trees and watch the town come alive at night.
Day 4: San Gil, Colombia - Barichara Hike
Bus to Barichara
Take a local 'buseta' to Barichara, often called the prettiest town in Colombia with its white-washed walls and cobblestone streets.
The Camino Real Hike
Walk the ancient 6km stone path from Barichara to the tiny village of Guane. It is free and offers stunning canyon views.
Guane to San Gil
Catch the local bus back from the Guane square. It’s cheap and allows you to chat with locals returning from the market.
Pescaderito Natural Pools
If time permits, head to these nearby natural river pools for a free, refreshing swim.
Day 5: San Gil to Medellín, Colombia - The Big Move
Explore El Gallineral Park
Walk through this beautiful riverside park known for trees draped in silvery 'old man's beard' moss.
Market Lunch
Eat at the San Gil public market. Look for 'Mute' soup, a regional specialty that is both cheap and hearty.
Overnight Bus to Medellín
Book an overnight bus (approx. 9-10 hours). This saves you the cost of one night's accommodation in a hostel.
Night Transit
Rest as the bus navigates the winding Andean roads toward the City of Eternal Spring.
Day 6: Medellín, Colombia - Cable Cars and Innovation
Terminal del Norte Arrival
Arrive in Medellín and immediately use the clean, efficient Metro system to reach your accommodation.
Metrocable Ride to Santo Domingo
Use your Metro ticket to ride the cable cars over the mountainsides for a free (included in fare) aerial view of the city.
Botanical Gardens
Enjoy the free Botanical Gardens, home to the impressive Orquideorama wooden structure and many iguanas.
Plaza Botero
Walk through the downtown square to see 23 bronze sculptures donated by the artist Fernando Botero.
Day 7: Medellín, Colombia - Comuna 13
Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour
Join a tip-based walking tour of this once-dangerous neighborhood. See the street art and use the outdoor escalators.
Lunch in San Javier
Eat where the locals eat in San Javier for significantly lower prices than in the touristy El Poblado area.
Parque de las Luces
Visit this square at dusk to see the forest of 300 light poles illuminate the evening sky.
Laureles Nightlife
Walk the 70th Avenue in Laureles for a more authentic and cheaper nightlife experience than Poblado's Parque Lleras.
Day 8: Medellín, Colombia - Pueblito Paisa
Cerro Nutibara Hike
Walk up this hill to find Pueblito Paisa, a replica of a traditional Antioquian village with great city views.
Hostel Cooking Session
Save money by shopping at an Exito supermarket and cooking a communal meal with fellow travelers at your hostel.
Museum of Antioquia
Explore three floors of art for a modest fee, featuring more Botero masterpieces and colonial history.
Poblado Park Relax
Join the locals in Parque Poblado with a cheap beer from a convenience store—the classic budget way to socialize.
Day 9: Guatapé, Colombia - The Big Rock
Bus to Guatapé
Take a 2-hour public bus from Terminal del Norte. It’s cheap, frequent, and drops you right at the base of the rock.
Piedra del Peñol
Climb the 740 steps of this massive monolith. It’s the biggest expense of the day, but the 360-degree lake view is worth it.
Village of Guatapé
Walk through the colorful streets and admire the 'zocalos' (bas-relief tiles) on the bottom of every house.
Return to Medellín
Relax on the bus ride back as you head into your final night in the city.
Day 10: Medellín to Salento, Colombia - Into Coffee Country
Direct Bus to Salento
Book a direct bus with Flota Occidental. It is faster and more convenient than transferring in Armenia.
Check into Salento
Arrive in this colorful town. Walk up the 'Alto de la Cruz' for a sunset view over the town and the green valley below.
Play Tejo
Go to Los Amigos and play Tejo—Colombia’s national sport involving gunpowder and heavy metal pucks. Usually, you only pay for drinks.
Trout Dinner
Try 'Trucha' (trout) at a local market stall for a cheap, fresh, and filling regional dinner.
Day 11: Salento, Colombia - Cocora Valley Trek
Willys Jeep to Cocora
Head to the main square and hop on a shared Willys Jeep for a cheap ride to the entrance of the valley.
Hike the Loop
Do the 5-6 hour loop hike. It is free (save for a small trail maintenance fee) and features the world's tallest palm trees.
Acaime Hummingbird House
Mid-hike, stop for 'Chocolate con Queso' and watch dozens of hummingbirds. A very affordable and magical experience.
Recover in Salento
Grab a world-class coffee at a local cafe for a fraction of what you would pay abroad.
Day 12: Salento, Colombia - Coffee Farm Tour
Walk to a Finca
Walk about 45 minutes down the valley to reach a working coffee farm. The walk itself is scenic and free.
Pick Your Own Beans
Learn the process from seed to cup and enjoy a fresh brew overlooking the plantation.
Relaxing in Salento
Spend the afternoon reading or chatting at your hostel's social area to keep the daily budget low.
Hostel Dinner
Utilize the hostel kitchen to cook a big pot of pasta with your fellow travelers.
Day 13: Salento to Cali, Colombia - Salsa Capital
Bus to Armenia
Take a frequent local bus to Armenia terminal, then transfer to a larger bus headed to Cali (approx. 4 hours total).
Check-in at San Antonio
Stay in the San Antonio neighborhood, which is the historic and backpacker-friendly heart of Cali.
San Antonio Park
Sit on the hill of San Antonio, watch the sunset, and enjoy the street performers for free.
Free Salsa Lesson
Many hostels in Cali offer a free introductory salsa lesson to guests. Take advantage and learn the basics.
Day 14: Cali, Colombia - Cristo Rey and Dancing
Hike to Cristo Rey
Walk or take a shared taxi to the giant Christ statue for views of the Cauca Valley. It's a great free attraction.
Market Lunch at Galería Alameda
Eat at the Alameda market for the freshest seafood and local snacks at rock-bottom prices.
Loma de la Cruz
Visit this artisanal market for local crafts and often, free indigenous dance or music performances.
Dance at La Topa Tolondra
Head to this legendary salsa bar. While there is a small cover charge, the experience is quintessentially Cali.
Day 15: Cali to Cartagena, Colombia - The Long Journey North
The Big Decision: Bus vs. Flight
The bus to Cartagena takes 20+ hours and can be expensive. Check low-cost airlines like Viva or LATAM for deals that might actually be cheaper than the bus.
Transit Time
Whether flying or bussing, today is a travel day. Pack plenty of snacks from a local supermarket to avoid overpriced terminal food.
Arrival in Cartagena
Check into a hostel in the Getsemaní neighborhood, which is far more affordable and lively than the Walled City.
Plaza de la Trinidad
Hang out in this square in Getsemaní for free entertainment, cheap street food, and a vibrant local atmosphere.
Day 16: Cartagena, Colombia - The Walled City
Walking the Walls
Walk along the historic city walls. It is free and offers beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and the colonial architecture.
Fried Snacks for Lunch
Grab 'Arepa de Huevo' from a street stall—a Cartagena staple that is incredibly cheap and filling.
San Felipe de Barajas Castle
While there is an entry fee, you can walk around the outside of this massive fortress for free to appreciate its scale.
Sunset at Cafe del Mar (Outside)
Sit on the walls near Cafe del Mar to enjoy the same sunset as the paying customers without buying the $10 cocktails.
Day 17: Cartagena, Colombia - Beach and History
Free Walking Tour
Join a tip-based tour to learn about the dark history of the Inquisition and the legends of the pirates.
Bocagrande Beach
Walk to the public beaches in Bocagrande. It’s free to swim, just be prepared to say 'no' to persistent vendors.
Getsemaní Street Art
Spend the late afternoon photographing the incredible murals in the streets of Getsemaní.
Dance to Champeta
Find a local bar playing Champeta music and soak in the Afro-Caribbean vibes of the coast.
Day 18: Cartagena to Santa Marta, Colombia - Caribbean Transit
Marsol Shuttle
Take a Marsol or Berlinas shuttle to Santa Marta. It’s a bit more than the public bus but drops you in the city center, saving on taxis.
Check into Santa Marta
Choose a hostel with a pool to cope with the coastal heat. Santa Marta is the base for Tayrona Park.
Sunset at Taganga
Take a cheap local bus to the nearby fishing village of Taganga for a beautiful sunset and a cheap beer by the bay.
Dinner at Parque de los Novios
Explore the restaurants around this park. Look for the small side-street eateries for better prices.
Day 19: Santa Marta, Colombia - Tayrona National Park
Bus to Tayrona
Take the local bus from the central market toward Palomino and get off at the El Zaino entrance.
Hike to Cabo San Juan
Enjoy the 2-hour jungle hike. It’s free once you're in the park and passes through some of the most beautiful beaches in South America.
Swimming at La Piscina
Stop at this calm beach for a safe swim in the turquoise Caribbean waters.
Hike Back and Return
Ensure you leave early enough to catch the last bus back to Santa Marta to avoid high-priced park accommodation.
Day 20: Santa Marta and Departure, Colombia - Final Views
Visit Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
The place where Simón Bolívar died. It’s a beautiful hacienda with a reasonable entry fee and great history.
Final Caribbean Lunch
Enjoy a plate of coconut rice, fried fish, and patacones at the local market for your final meal.
Airport Transfer
Take the local 'Aeropuerto' bus from the city center to Santa Marta airport—the cheapest way to catch your flight.
Departure
Say goodbye to the magical land of Colombia as you head home or to your next destination.
Best Time to Visit Colombia
The best time to visit Colombia is during the dry seasons, which run from December to March and again from June to August. This is especially important for hikers heading to the Cocora Valley or Tayrona Park, as trails can become incredibly muddy during the rainy months. However, visiting during the shoulder season (April-May or September-October) can lead to even lower hostel prices and fewer crowds at major attractions.
Currency & Money
Colombia uses the Colombian Peso (COP). While credit cards are accepted in major supermarkets and upscale hotels, Colombia is very much a cash-based society for backpackers. Street food, local buses, and small-town hostels will almost exclusively require cash. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill or leaving 10% (propina) at sit-down restaurants is common. Always use ATMs inside banks for safety and to avoid skimming devices.
Getting Around Colombia
Buses are the backbone of budget travel in Colombia. Companies like Copetran, Bolivariano, and Berlinas offer comfortable, air-conditioned long-distance coaches. For shorter distances, 'busetas' or shared Willys Jeeps are the norm. While flying can save time, it often adds significant cost when including baggage fees. For the ultra-budget traveler, overnight buses are the gold standard as they combine transport and a night's sleep into one low price.
