⚠️ Pre-Trip Preparation
A Chinese passport with a valid US visa grants you 90 days of visa-free entry into Colombia. Before your trip, make sure to complete the check-mig form and save it as a PDF. You’ll need to present this document both at check-in and at the boarding gate.
💰 Money Matters
We didn’t exchange any cash before leaving and instead relied on bank cards, carrying less than $100 USD in cash. At Cartagena airport, you’ll find currency exchange kiosks where you can use your credit card to exchange money for a 15% fee. In Medellin, we spotted an exchange booth in El Poblado, but the rates were significantly worse than those at the airport.
Stick to exchanging money at the airport if possible. Most restaurants and small shops accept card payments, but it’s always wise to keep some cash handy for emergencies.
📶 SIM Card Essentials
On the departure level of Cartagena airport, there’s a convenience store selling SIM cards for 18,000 COP each, payable only in cash. Each SIM card comes with 20GB of data and call credits, valid for 7 days. It’s a great way to stay connected during your travels.
🚗 Getting Around Town
In Cartagena, Uber is both convenient and affordable, with average fares around 25,000 COP for rides within the city or to/from the airport. In Medellin, the airport is quite a distance from the city center. Fixed-price taxis are available, costing 98,000 COP for a ride to a hotel in El Poblado. These taxis also accept card payments, making transactions hassle-free.
📌 Day 1: Cartagena Adventure Begins
We departed Los Angeles early in the morning, transited through New York, and arrived in Cartagena after an 11-hour journey. Despite the long flight, we wasted no time and began exploring the city in the afternoon.
📍 Cerro La Popa (p2/3)
This iconic church offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and is the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
📍 Old Town (p4/5/6)
Wander through charming streets lined with unique houses, including the famous Umbrella Street, where vibrant colors and intricate designs await.
Later that evening, we flew to Medellin, ready for more adventures.
📌 Day 2: Medellin’s Thrills
📍 Paragliding (p8)
Booked online in advance, this exhilarating experience costs $80 USD for a 4-hour round trip, including hotel pick-up and drop-off. Upon arrival, a coach takes you up for a 15-minute paragliding session, offering stunning aerial views of Medellin. The experience includes free GoPro filming, and the coach will skillfully transfer the footage to your phone afterward.
📍 Comuna 13 (p9/10/11/12)
For $20 USD, we booked a 4-hour walking tour online. We met our guide in El Poblado and traveled by metro and cable car to explore the vibrant brick houses nestled on the mountainside. A minibus then took us deeper into the neighborhood, allowing us to walk through and fully immerse ourselves in the local culture.
The return trip was equally smooth, combining minibus and metro travel. This is a must-visit area in Medellin, and the guide’s insights provide invaluable context about the city’s history.
📌 Day 3: Guatape Day Trip
We booked a full-day Guatape tour online for $35 USD, which included round-trip transportation from Medellin, breakfast, lunch (p17), and a guided tour lasting 10 hours.
📍 Guatape Rock & Thousand Islands Lake (p13/14)
Climb over 600 steps to the summit of Guatape Rock for awe-inspiring views of the Thousand Islands Lake below.
📍 Colorful Town (p15/16)
Known for its picturesque Umbrella Street, this town is a photographer’s dream and a vibrant representation of Colombian charm.
