Top Recommendations For Solo Female Travel in Northern Colombia
In January 2024, I spent just over three weeks travelling around the Caribbean coastline of Colombia towards the Venezuelan border and, to put it mildly, had the most incredible time. It’s only natural then, that I should want to share my experience with you lovely C Word readers. But before I delve into my favourite places, let’s set the record straight.
Colombia has a bad rep in the West, and after having been there I’m here to tell you that as long as you have your head screwed on and your wits about you, it is one of the most safe, friendly and embracing countries I’ve ever been to, even as a solo female traveller.
Cartagena
I started my travelling in the North in a vibrant, colourful whirlwind of a city called Cartagena. A must-do in Northern Colombia.
Stay:
Viajero Hostel - this is a big hostel, but their bar crawl is a fantastic way to see the city and meet new friends.
Santuario Getsemaní Hostel - on the smaller side, but a great way to stay in the fashionable, urban Getsemaní district.
Eat/Drink:
Café del Mar (sunset drinks on the wall)
Eivissa (rooftop bar)
Exito Matina (big supermarket)
Do:
The Free Walking Tours
Plaza de la Trinidad (great for street food - definitely try the arepas!)
Camellón de los Mártires
Get the 5-day sailing boat via the San Blas islands into Panama. I highly recommend Blue Sailing - it’s fairly expensive, but worth every penny and the food is SUBLIME. I went for a 10-man boat called Big Fish I, but I know people who went on various boats and catamarans and not one person had a bad word to say.
Santa Marta
I ended up staying for 3 days in central Santa Marta which is longer than most backpackers tend to stay here. I will say that for me, Santa Marta felt a little more sketchy than Cartagena. Most people stay 1-2 nights here, and often not in the centre so they have better access to Tayrona National Park. If you want to do this, I’d recommend the Viajero Hostel here as well. However, if you want to chance it and take a look at the town, here are my recommendations.
Stay:
Republica Hostel - I loved this hostel and I think the best one in central Santa Marta.
Flamingo Co-Working - this hostel was great for anyone working whilst travelling. Super quiet.
Eat/Drink:
Pink Monkey - I loved the acai here which you can eat whilst waiting for your laundry!
Do:
Parque de los Novios
Bahía de Santa Marta
Day trip to Taganga beach by local bus - worth doing this for the day if you have time!
*Take the local buses from Mercado Público de Santa Marta to get to Tayrona!
Tayrona National Park
Most people go up towards this part of Northern Colombia for this specific reason, to visit Tayrona National Park. Known for its outstanding beauty and beaches, it’s one to get on your itinerary. Hop on a local bus for 1-2 hours to get to your hostel (all bus drivers and ticket boys know the hostel names, so just tell them where you’re staying when you get on the bus).
Stay:
The Journey Hostel - I loved this place. High in the mountains (the walk up is no mean feat) with an infinity pool, it’s on the luxury side but well worth it. Sign up for family dinners to meet new people, bond and have the time of your life. It’s also a 15-minute walk to the park entrance.
Costeño Beach Hostel - I did a walk from The Journey up towards the beach and went for lunch here, but had heard from people I’d met that it was also a great place to stay.
Eat/Drink:
Eat and drink at the hostel (there aren’t many shops along the main road) but you can find places to get bits for a packed lunch to take into the park.
Do:
A day trip into the park - you’ll need to walk early to the entrance and queue for a ticket. Once through, you’ll be put on a small shuttle and driven to the start of the hike. The hike to the main beach takes about 2 hours and the same back. The park closes at 5pm, so just make sure you make it back in time!
Overnight hammock in the park - this can be organised through any local hostels but can be very competitive.
The Lost City Trek - I didn’t do this as it is quite expensive, but everyone I met who did love it.
Buritaca
Heading further down the main road past Tayrona, you get to a small town called Buritaca, probably best known for The Rio Hostel backpacker parties and tubing. And both were very good, I have to say!
Stay:
Viajero Tayrona - this is more like a hotel resort than a hostel. It is HUGE. Right on the beach, there’s a huge bar, volleyball court, surf shack and more.
El Rio Hostel - although Rio is a party hostel, it’s also a great place to stay given it’s right on the river.
Eat/Drink:
Again, there’s not much in the way of restaurants along the main road here, so you are fairly reliant on food and drink at your hostel of choice.
Do:
Play volleyball, go surfing (watch the currents though)
Tubing - I really enjoyed this activity! Did this on my birthday and spent the afternoon sipping beer and floating lazily down the river.
Palomino
Even further down the same road, very near to the Venezuelan border is a cute hippie town called Palomino. This was my last stop on this Northern Colombian coastline before returning to Santa Marta for one last Northern Colombian destination in Minca. If you like tie-dye, beach parties and hippie vibes, this is the place for you.
Stay:
Tiki Hut Hostel - I didn’t stay here but friends of mine did and I wish I’d stayed with them. I was at Beach Life Hostel and I wouldn’t recommend it.
Eat/Drink:
Café 360
Holss - this place is fancy but amazing and you can also co-work here.
Do:
Chill and go to the beach
Surf (if you’re brave enough with the currents)
Go to Beach Life Hostel’s parties (they’re pretty good)
Watch Indigenous singing groups at SUA restaurant
Minca
I’d been pre-warned as I was travelling along the coastline about Minca for several reasons. Firstly, the water makes everyone ill. Secondly, the mosquitos as it’s in the jungle. I ended up absolutely loving my time in Minca! Yes, there were mosquitos, but I was prepared. Yes, the water did upset my stomach a little, but with a few trusty Electrolit drinks, everything was sorted quickly. Essentially, only drink bottled water here no matter what the hostel staff tell you.
Stay:
Rio Elemento - big hostel, great pool and spacious bunk beds in shared dorms.
Eat/Drink:
Casa Loma - go for sunset cocktails, great view but a bit of an uphill hike to get there!
Do:
Waterfall hikes! There are loads: Pozo Azul, Cascada de Marinka, Cascada Oído del Mundo
Travelling in Northern Colombia as a solo female backpacker is, in a word, fantastic.
The route along the coast means you often bump into the same travellers, making the experience even more enjoyable. I highly recommend this adventure—it’s truly worth it.
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Emily King is the founder of The C Word Magazine and a passionate advocate for art, travel, culture, cinema, fashion, sports, and feminism. Connect with her on Instagram @emlrking, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, read her articles on MuckRack and leverage her expertise in marketing, brand and content strategy by booking a free introductory discovery call!