u/kabuscha

Hey everyone!

My wife and I are from Germany and we're super excited to visit Colombia for the first time this December. We've put together a rough itinerary and would love to hear what you guys think about it before we start booking everything.

We're particularly interested in nature, hiking, experiencing Colombian culture, good food, and at the end some relaxing days at the sea.

Here's our current plan:

• Bogotá (3 nights): Explore the city, La Candelaria, Monserrate, museums.
• Salento / Coffee Region (4 nights): Valle de Cocora, coffee farms, Filandia, hiking.
• Manizales (3 nights): Nevado del Ruiz / Los Nevados, páramo landscapes, hot springs.
• Medellín (4 nights): Explore the city, Comuna 13, Metrocable, day trip to Guatapé.
• Cartagena (2 nights): Explore the old town and Getsemaní.
• San Bernardo Islands (4 nights): Relax, swim, snorkel. Currently considering Isla Múcura or Tintipán.
• Cartagena (1 night): Return from the islands before flying home.

We're planning to fly from Bogotá to Pereira and from Medellín to Cartagena, while using buses or transfers for the other connections.

We'd especially appreciate your thoughts on a few things:

1. The itinerary overall: Does this seem like a reasonable pace, or are we trying to fit in too much? Would you spend more or less time somewhere?
2. Salento & Manizales: Any recommendations for hikes, guides, or experiences around Manizales?
3. San Bernardo Islands: Would you recommend Múcura or Tintipán for a 4-night stay? We're looking for beautiful beaches, and an overall relaxed atmosphere.
4. Hidden gems & local favorites: Are there places, experiences, restaurants, or activities along our route that you think we absolutely shouldn't miss? We'd especially love recommendations that aren't in every travel guide.
5. Practical advice: Anything we should know about traveling in December? Local festivities, transportation, or safety tips for the places we're visiting?
6. Administrative: What is the best way to organise mobile internet access? (We don't speak any spanish and are heavily reliant on translate apps lol)
7. Booking: Do you have recommendations on how to book the flights and stays best?

Our itinerary is still flexible, so feel free to be creative and suggest changing the route completely.

Feel free to reply in spanish!