I was just in Colombia for a month. Not once did I think having a rental was necessary. Or even beneficial at all. Super easy to get around on buses and Ubers and moto taxis. Super nice not having a car to worry about. But if you want that type of freedom go ahead but not worth the price or the headache for me. Super cheap and reliable buses
I don’t think you need a car around Santa Marta given how cheap buses/taxi and ride shares are. But really, it’s more just my own personal preference :) ….as I view car rentals as typically being more expensive and a hassle than necessary.
I don't know what Mexico City and Guadalajara are like for traffic, but the driving in Colombia was absolute madness. No regard to speed limits, traffic signs, marked lanes, etc, with motorbikes zipping around you constantly. I spent every Uber ride struggling between looking forward (and seeing what insanity was happening on the road) and looking down (and getting carsick from the driving). I would never, ever want to drive there.
More importantly, I don't think it's necessary. I got around with Ubers, shuttles, and buses just fine. I think driving would just be a big unnecessary stress.
there are buses everywhere in Colombia and they're plentiful and cheap. getting rentals will be too much money and too much hassle, and also more dangerous.
I don't have much advice except I live near the "salt church" in Zipaquira, if you have time there's the Salt Mine close two town over in Nemocon if you have time.
Not sure on Santa Rosa, I never met anybody that went there for coffee farms.
If you're already in the area, I'd just head to Salento - it's super touristy to grabbing a farm tour is a breeze. Big, obvious "get a tour here" booths in the central park.
Tbh, it'd probably be easier - particularly as a spanish speaker - to hop on a bus there and back. It's a solid day trip, and Salento is great.
Aside from that, seems solid. A lot to fit in, so you'll be on the go quite a bit, but should be fine. I'm a Medellin fan, so I'd be a bit sad to not have that (and the surrounding areas like Guatape) on the list, but only so much you can do.
I'd love to go to Medellin and go to the Pacific side and go whale watching or go to capurgana. I just dont have that much info on how to make it all fit efficiently. And I'm not even asking if the trip I have drawn is fine, I'm more curious to know if anyone has better recommendations
Salento is somewhere I've never heard of before, so I'll definitely check it out and replace Santa rosa
Santa Marta is a cool little town. I got my scuba license there it's some fun diving! Really cheap hostels too. Shame you won't get to see Medellin but the rest sounds fun!
Seems fine to me. I'd prefer to take bus for shorter trips - under 4 hours. And the flights you have listed will save you time. Tayrona is great. I can't really remember much about Santa Marta. If I go back to Colombia I would spend time in Bogota. I really liked it there.
You messed up renting cars instead of organizing other means of transport.
I saw you drove in Mexico City and think that will help…best of luck. The closest comparison to Colombia driving is Asian Driving. Motos everywhere and you are expected to yield in a car most of the time.
Best of luck but think you should try and avoid driving. Risk is not worth it
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Seeing all the “get rental” plans makes me anxious just thinking about it.
I mean buses exist and so does tour guides, but tour guides are expensive. Very expensive. Would you recommend just buses
I was just in Colombia for a month. Not once did I think having a rental was necessary. Or even beneficial at all. Super easy to get around on buses and Ubers and moto taxis. Super nice not having a car to worry about. But if you want that type of freedom go ahead but not worth the price or the headache for me. Super cheap and reliable buses
I don’t think you need a car around Santa Marta given how cheap buses/taxi and ride shares are. But really, it’s more just my own personal preference :) ….as I view car rentals as typically being more expensive and a hassle than necessary.
Are you used to driving in places that are insane? Like India? If not, I wouldn't recommend driving there. It's pretty wild
Got my license in NYC lol. Moved to Mexico City and Guadalajara for a bit, it couldn't be any worse than that https://tenor.com/bM5ak.gif
I don't know what Mexico City and Guadalajara are like for traffic, but the driving in Colombia was absolute madness. No regard to speed limits, traffic signs, marked lanes, etc, with motorbikes zipping around you constantly. I spent every Uber ride struggling between looking forward (and seeing what insanity was happening on the road) and looking down (and getting carsick from the driving). I would never, ever want to drive there. More importantly, I don't think it's necessary. I got around with Ubers, shuttles, and buses just fine. I think driving would just be a big unnecessary stress.
there are buses everywhere in Colombia and they're plentiful and cheap. getting rentals will be too much money and too much hassle, and also more dangerous.
Yeah rentals sounds terrible. Just take taxi for everything.
I don't have much advice except I live near the "salt church" in Zipaquira, if you have time there's the Salt Mine close two town over in Nemocon if you have time.
Not sure on Santa Rosa, I never met anybody that went there for coffee farms. If you're already in the area, I'd just head to Salento - it's super touristy to grabbing a farm tour is a breeze. Big, obvious "get a tour here" booths in the central park. Tbh, it'd probably be easier - particularly as a spanish speaker - to hop on a bus there and back. It's a solid day trip, and Salento is great. Aside from that, seems solid. A lot to fit in, so you'll be on the go quite a bit, but should be fine. I'm a Medellin fan, so I'd be a bit sad to not have that (and the surrounding areas like Guatape) on the list, but only so much you can do.
I'd love to go to Medellin and go to the Pacific side and go whale watching or go to capurgana. I just dont have that much info on how to make it all fit efficiently. And I'm not even asking if the trip I have drawn is fine, I'm more curious to know if anyone has better recommendations Salento is somewhere I've never heard of before, so I'll definitely check it out and replace Santa rosa
Yep, Salento is the go-to from that region. Also has the Corcora valley hikes which are pretty famous. Tallest palm trees in the world.
May your wifi get stronger friend. Appreciate the tip
Santa Marta is a cool little town. I got my scuba license there it's some fun diving! Really cheap hostels too. Shame you won't get to see Medellin but the rest sounds fun!
Seems fine to me. I'd prefer to take bus for shorter trips - under 4 hours. And the flights you have listed will save you time. Tayrona is great. I can't really remember much about Santa Marta. If I go back to Colombia I would spend time in Bogota. I really liked it there.
fyi, im staying in candelaria and extended that leg to 3 days. bogota really looks awesome actually
Awesome.
You messed up renting cars instead of organizing other means of transport. I saw you drove in Mexico City and think that will help…best of luck. The closest comparison to Colombia driving is Asian Driving. Motos everywhere and you are expected to yield in a car most of the time. Best of luck but think you should try and avoid driving. Risk is not worth it
I used public buses. Never needed to rent a car. Took taxis to/from airport.
**Note:** Are you asking for travel advice about Colombia? Read what the Solo Travel community had to say in the [weekly destination thread for Colombia](https://www.reddit.com/r/solotravel/comments/11r5v35/weekly_destination_thread_colombia/). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/solotravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I've never been but from what I've seen I personally wouldn't want to be responsible for one car rental in Colombia, much less multiple.
too many cities for such a short time. You could spend the entire trip in Medellin and still not scratch its surface.