Colombia · PRIVATE
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 private tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Spend five to six hours with a private English or Spanish-speaking guide such as Daniel, Camilo, or David. Ride up Monserrate to 3,100 meters, visit the Emerald and Botero museums, walk Plaza de Bolívar and Chorro de Quevedo, and enjoy a Colombian snack.
“Daniel is a very fun and knowledgeable guide, if you get an opportunity to pick a guide go with Daniel.”
Spend about five hours with a private Spanish or English guide exploring Medellín by car, cable car, and on foot. See Pueblito Paisa, Botero Plaza, Comuna 13’s graffiti and escalators, and Parques del Rio. Guides such as Hector, Natalia, Jorge, and Nelson are praised for flexible, personal storytelling.
“Andres was amazing, guiding us all day and making us feel secure. Highly recommended!”
Travel from Bogotá to Zipaquirá in a private vehicle with an English or Spanish-speaking driver-guide. Explore the vast underground Salt Cathedral with an audio guide or group tour, then stroll through Zipaquirá’s colonial center and stop for Colombian food. Drivers such as Julio, José, and Edwin are often praised for clear communication and flexibility.
“Jhon is a very friendly driver. This is a comfortable service that takes you from your hotel to Zipaquira and back. For solo travelers, might cost some more than a tour or renting a car but it is much better experience. If you’re in a group this is definitely a the best way to visit Zipaquirá.”
Travel by private, air-conditioned van from central Medellín to Guatapé with a bilingual guide such as Manuel, Manny, or Christian. Climb 740 steps at El Peñol, cruise the reservoir, explore colorful Guatapé, and eat a traditional lunch. The private format lets you adjust the pace.
“Our guide Manuel was so friendly and knowledgeable. His tour company is named EPIC tours Medellin for a reason! Climbing the steps up the monolithic rock, and seeing the surrounding arid land was so impressive. The town of Guatapé was charming, and very instagrammable indeed. We had such a lovely time. This is definitely the tour you should choose.”
Spend five hours with a private English- or Spanish-speaking guide such as César, Daniel, Andrés, or Juan. Visit Escobar’s grave, the rooftop where he died, a victims’ memorial, and Comuna 13, with hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and time to ask questions.
“Highly recommend this trip with Juan for our tour of Comuna 13. He was informative, with an incredible breadth of knowledge about Medellin, the history of Colombia and the impact of Escobar. He was attentive to our needs and patient with all our questions. Comuna 13 in particular is a really special place and incredible community with a vivid history. Being on a private tour made this even more special, with stops at a recommended grafitti galleries and brilliant local coffee shop. We felt safe for the entirety of the trip and in great hands with Juan. He also gave us some top restaurant recommendations too. Thank you so much!Read…”
Spend 270 minutes with a private English- or Spanish-speaking guide such as Carlos, Jaime, or Andrés, visiting Inflexión Memorial Park, Montesacro Cemetery, Escobar-linked neighborhoods, and a cable car station. Hotel pickup, transport, water, and metro tickets are included.
“Camilo was a fantastic tour guide! Knowledgeable and honest about all aspects of this time period in Colombias history. Had a good time seeing the sites and getting history along the way.”
From Salento, Armenia, or Filandia, your private English or Spanish-speaking guide leads you through Cocora Valley and a working coffee farm. Expect wax palms, rugged trails, coffee picking and roasting, tasting lessons, hotel pickup, and an itinerary that can shift with the weather.
“The tour was excellent and exactly what we were expecting. We took the 7am tour which was perfect as we had the Cocora Valley almost for ourselves (my gf, the guide and me) and could therefore enjoy the hike to the three viewpoints very much. Our guide Alejandro was very knowledgeable about the area, being from this region himself. Moreover he had also deep knowledge in the coffee making process, having worked for almost 6 years for a coffee company. Overall it was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to hike the Cocora Valley and has an interest in Coffee.”
See Cartagena with a private guide and driver in about four hours. Visit La Popa, the city’s great defensive fort, Las Bóvedas, the Walled City, and Saint Peter Claver Church. Guides such as Nico, Ismael, Julia, and Niomi tailor the pace, explain the past, and assist with mobility needs.
“We were a group of 3 people, who thoroughly enjoyed the private city tour. The guide was informative and kind. The vehicle was air conditioned and comfortable. Most of all, we avoided the crowds and were able to see the sights that we preferred. A. Venezia”
Spend four hours with a private English or Spanish-speaking guide in Cartagena’s Walled City and Getsemani. See Plaza de Bolívar, San Pedro Claver Square, colonial streets, sea walls, and bastions, then taste arepa with egg and raspao. Hotel, hostel, Airbnb, and cruise-port pickup are available.
“Jhon knew so much about the history of the city and was so nice. He answered all my questions and gave me more in depth information than what I thought I was going to get. One of the best tours I’ve taken here”
Travel privately from El Poblado or Laureles to family-run farms near Medellín. With guides such as Laura or Sara, you’ll hike to a coffee plantation, process beans, taste cacao, enjoy a farm lunch, and make chocolate from roasted beans.
“We are a family of four (kids are 9 and 11) and we had a great time on this tour. Our guide was Laura and she is wonderful. She is full of energy and knowledgeable about the entire process. What a great way to spend a day off you are in Medellin. We highly recommend!”
Travel privately from your Cartagena hotel to Santa Marta in an air-conditioned SUV, minivan, or minibus. Your driver sets out at your chosen time, with optional breaks near Barranquilla and lunch stops available on request. Drivers do not speak English, so arrange special needs ahead of time.
“Ride from Cartagena to Santa Marta rodadero was amazing and the views were spectacular. The driver was friendly and knowledgeable. Your service is greatly appreciated. Thanks.”
Book a private ride between José María Córdova International Airport and your Medellín hotel for $50 per group of up to four. Your driver confirms details by message, meets you at Door 5 on the second-floor departures level, and handles the roughly 40-minute trip.
“Driver was not at baggage claim with a sign. Driver was delayed and another driver had to come get us. Had to walk to the other side of the terminal for a pick up.”
Travel privately from Pereira or Armenia through Colombia’s coffee country. Walk among Cocora’s giant wax palms, explore Salento’s Royal Street, and see the coffee region from Filandia’s illuminated hill viewpoint with a bilingual guide and door-to-door transport.
“Une journée exceptionnelle. Très belle organisation et à ma demande une guide francophone. Je conseille vraiment sans aucune réserve.”
Start with hotel pickup and street art in Poblado and downtown, then ride the cable car to Comuna 13. Your bilingual guide explains the murals, the neighborhood’s past, and Medellín’s changes. Guides such as Manuel, Cristian, Luis, and John are praised for personal stories and warm local connections.
“You can’t leave Medellín without visiting comuna 13 and listening to all the history behind it. John was an excellent guide.”
Travel from Bogotá with a private or shared guide to the Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavita. Expect about 10 hours on the road, two hours at each main site, a walk uphill at the lake, and free time for lunch in Guatavita. Guides such as Sergio, Diego, and Luis have earned special praise for their care and local insight.
“Excellent full day tour. Did this along with the same tour operator’s 7hour tour of Bogota and it was a great combination. Our guide was Jose Vasquez… we were one native Spanish speaker and one English, both passable but not perfect in the other language. He happily switched back and forth between languages as needed for us to both understand everything, which was very much appreciated. (Some guides previously have told us to pick one language only!) The lagoon has a great story, and the unusual vegetation was beautiful. The guide also knew a ton about the different plants. The salt cathedral was amazing also. Highly recommended if you have…”
Pick a coastline, a mural or a coffee farm.
