Post-Wedding Travel: Your Colombian Adventure Guide

Planning to extend your stay in Colombia after the wedding? Here’s a curated list of travel ideas, organized by distance from our celebration—so you can plan your next adventure!

NEARBY ESCAPES | 15min-1.5hr from Cartagena

🏖️ Stay in Cartagena! If you’re looking to extend your Colombian adventure after the wedding, why not stay in Cartagena a little longer? You can explore more of this beautiful city, try out a different hotel, and visit areas you didn’t get a chance to see during the wedding weekend. Stay in Bocagrande at a beachfront resort, immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Getsemaní, take a day trip to the Rosario Islands, or enjoy some of the city’s top restaurants and bars. The options are endless! Use the Things to Do section to help plan your trip!

🏝️ Tierra Bomba: Just a 15-minute boat ride from Cartagena, this island offers chill beach clubs, soft sand, and fewer crowds—perfect for a quick escape without going far.

🐠 Rosario Islands: Crystal-clear Caribbean waters, coral reefs, and snorkeling galore. This stunning island chain is just 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena—perfect for a dreamy day trip or an overnight stay in paradise.

☀️ Barú: Postcard-perfect white sand beaches like Playa Blanca - accessible by boat (45min) or car (1.5hr)

CARIBBEAN COAST EXPEDITIONS | 4-5hr from Cartagena

🌃 Santa Marta: Historic coastal city serving as base camp for nearby adventures featuring beautiful beaches and incredible food

🌴 Tayrona National Park: One of Colombia’s natural gems where lush jungle trails lead to hidden coves and untouched beaches. Pro tip: The park closes for short periods in February, June, and October for ecological preservation—check dates before you go!

☕ Minca: Mountain retreat with world's largest hammocks at Casa Elemento, coffee farms, and waterfalls

🪩 Rio Hostel Buritaca: Fancy a rave? Rio Hostel hosts their Bonanza Festival every February for those who enjoy world-class DJs in the jungle

🛶 Palomino: Float down a river on inner tubes until you reach the Caribbean Sea - the ultimate lazy adventure!

🧭 Lost City Trek: Channel your inner explorer on this challenging 4-5 day jungle trek to ancient ruins older than Machu Picchu - starts from Santa Marta

COLOMBIAN HIGHLIGHTS | Flight Required

🤿 San Andrés Island: A Caribbean paradise with seven-colored seas, this island is just a 1.5-hour flight away from Cartagena. San Andrés is a world-class scuba diving destination with crystal-clear waters and a unique blend of Colombian, Jamaican, and Nicaraguan cultures. Since this is a Colombian island, the flights there from Cartagena will be cheap!

🚡 Medellín: Known as the "City of Eternal Spring" for its perfect year-round climate. Explore the vibrant La Poblado neighborhood, take a scenic cable car ride over the lush valleys, and enjoy the city's abundant greenery and flowers. Once transformed from a troubled past, Medellín now shines as an innovative, thriving hub surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Take a day trip to Guatapé, a colorful town known for its iconic El Peñol rock—climb 740 steps for breathtaking views. Medellín is just a 1-hour flight from Cartagena.

☕ Salento & Coffee Region: Visit the charming towns of the Coffee Region, like Salento, with their dreamy coffee farm tours, towering wax palms, and small-town charm. A perfect destination for those who enjoy nature and culture. To get to Salento, you’ll need to fly to Pereira (about a 1.5-hour flight from Cartagena), which is the closest airport. From Pereira, you can take a bus (about 1.5-2 hours) or arrange a private transfer to Salento.

🏙️ Bogotá: A 1.5-hour flight from Cartagena will take you to Colombia’s capital, where history and modernity converge. Explore fascinating museums, historic sites, and vibrant neighborhoods. Bogotá offers a fantastic mix of attractions—from colonial-era treasures to bustling shopping areas and innovative culinary experiences.

💃 Cali: Cali is the salsa capital of Colombia. If you love to dance, there’s no better place than Cali. The city is alive with rhythm, offering amazing restaurants, salsa clubs, and plenty of local flavor. A 1.5-hour flight from Cartagena. Fun fact: This is Mateo's vibrant hometown!

INTERNATIONAL BONUS ROUNDS | Flight Required

🛳️ Panama: Experience the famous Panama Canal, where you can watch massive ships navigate this engineering marvel, then explore vibrant Panama City. If flying with COPA Airlines, consider a stopover.

🐢 Ecuador & Galapagos: Explore the Galapagos Islands, where you can walk with giant tortoises and experience the wildlife that helped inspire Darwin’s theories.

🏔️ Peru: Machu Picchu awaits those willing to extend their adventure to legendary status.