
Ajiaco
Ajiaco is a hearty Colombian soup made with chicken, corn, potatoes, and a variety of herbs. It's a...

The Caribbean region of Colombia stretches along the country’s northern coast, boasting vibrant cities like Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta. With a rich history influenced by Indigenous, African, and Spanish cultures, you’ll find colorful colonial architecture, lively rhythms, and delicious coastal cuisine.
In mid-December, temperatures are warm (around 28°C/82°F), with sunny days perfect for exploring beaches and old walled cities. Solo travelers can wander Cartagena’s cobblestone streets, visit Tayrona National Park for breathtaking hikes and beaches, or enjoy Barranquilla’s energetic nightlife—all on a moderate budget. The welcoming local culture and festive December atmosphere make this a perfect solo getaway.
Customized for these preferences:
Travel StyleSolo
Dates14-28 December 2025
BudgetAverage budget
AccommodationHostel
Interests and Activities:
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Location
Northern Colombia
Currency
Colombian Peso (COP)
Religion
Roman Catholicism
Population
11,000,000
Language
Spanish, English Creole
Electricity
110V, 60Hz, Types A/B
Time zone
UTCCOT (UTC-5)
Country code
+57
Internet access
Good in cities, moderate rural
Climate
Tropical, hot, humid, rainy season
Language:
Spanish
hello
goodbye
yes
no
how much
please
thank you
excuse me
To reach Colombia’s Caribbean region, flying is the easiest option. Major hubs like Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta have airports with daily direct flights from Bogotá, Medellín, and international cities. Flights are frequent and affordable, making them ideal for solo travelers on a budget.
Intercity travel is best by bus, with frequent and inexpensive routes between coastal cities. December is dry season, so weather-related delays are rare, but book transport and accommodation early since holiday travel peaks. Local boats and moto-taxis can also take you to nearby islands or beaches for day trips.
The Caribbean region of Colombia enjoys a warm, tropical climate year-round, with average temperatures between 25°C and 32°C (77°F to 90°F). The area typically has two seasons: a wet season from May to November and a dry season from December to April. Humidity is high, but sea breezes help keep coastal cities comfortable.
Between December 14 and December 28, expect mostly sunny and dry weather, as this time marks the start of the high season. Rainfall is minimal, and extreme weather events such as hurricanes are very rare during this period. Conditions are ideal for outdoor adventures, vibrant nightlife, and exploring local festivals, cuisine, and the rich arts and culture scene.
The Caribbean region of Colombia is famous for dishes like arepas de huevo, fresh ceviche, sancocho de pescado, and coconut rice. Don’t miss local fruit juices like corozo or lulo. Major cities like Cartagena and Barranquilla offer casual eateries, beachfront stalls, and lively cafés where you can comfortably dine solo.
Try La Cevichería in Cartagena for authentic seafood and Caffé Lunático for casual brunch with a view. In Santa Marta, Ouzo offers excellent Mediterranean-Colombian fusion and Lulo Cafe is great for healthy meals. Street food is safe and delicious, especially at outdoor markets or evening plazas.
Tipping is customary; most restaurants add a 10% service charge, but you can tip extra if you had great service. Vegetarian options can be limited but are available in tourist areas—just let staff know your dietary needs upfront.

Ajiaco
Ajiaco is a hearty Colombian soup made with chicken, corn, potatoes, and a variety of herbs. It's a...

Bandeja Paisa
Bandeja Paisa is a traditional Colombian platter featuring a generous serving of rice, ground beef, chicharrón, chorizo, black...

Arepa
Arepa is a popular Colombian staple made of corn dough and often filled with cheese, meat, or eggs....

Sancocho
Sancocho is a traditional Colombian stew featuring a variety of meats, including chicken, pork, and beef, along with...

Lechona
Lechona is a popular Colombian pork dish made by stuffing a whole pig with rice, peas, and a...
For solo travelers on an average budget, the Caribbean region of Colombia offers great hostel options in Cartagena’s Getsemaní neighborhood—try Selina Cartagena or Media Luna Hostel, both highly rated on Hotels.com. In Santa Marta, Masaya Hostel and Dreamer Hostel are social, affordable, and near great attractions.
Barranquilla’s Via 40 and El Prado areas have safe, vibrant hostels like Viajero Hostel. Book well in advance on Hotels.com if visiting from December 14 to 28, as the holiday season is busy. Hostels often include extras like communal kitchens, free walking tours, and rooftop terraces, making them perfect for meeting other travelers.
Get introduced to the vibrant Caribbean spirit as you settle in and explore the local culture, architecture, and culinary scene of your arrival city.
Begin your journey by wandering the vibrant streets of Getsemaní, famous for its street art, colonial architecture, and welcoming locals. Take in the lively ambiance and stop for photos with the stunning murals.
Indulge in an authentic Caribbean meal at La Cevichería, where you can sample renowned seafood ceviche and other regional specialties. Perfect for your first taste of local flavors in a friendly, relaxed setting.
Take a leisurely stroll atop Cartagena’s historic city walls as the sun sets, offering breathtaking views over the Caribbean Sea and the city's old town. It's a magical, atmospheric way to understand the area's history.

23 Day Ultimate Colombia Experience
This is a complete 3-week tour of Colombia, that will fill you with wonderful memories that will last you a lifetime! You’ll voyage back in time to discover the culture of Bogotá, the magnificent Andes, and the most beautiful town in Colombia; Barichara. You’ll stay in an ecolodge within the Amazon jungle, where you’ll explore during the day and in the pitch darkness of the night; venturing out by boat and on foot. Furthermore, you’ll discover the untouched beauty of the Pacific Coast; with whale watching, waterfalls, and thermal pools. You’ll uncover the simplicity of wonderful mountain ranges, colorful buildings, fantastic architecture, and coffee in the heart of the Colombian Coffee Zone! Cartagena will be waiting to show you the beauty of this ancient city, along with a day on a Tropical Island and the unbelievable experience of a mud bath in a Volcano!

Cartagena : Private City Tour in the Walled city with Fortress
On this visit to the pearl of the Caribbean you will visit the Convent of the stern founded and built since 1606-1611, which is located on a mountain at 140 meters altitude and where the patron saint virgin of the city (Virgin de la candelaria) is located, and then arrive at the largest fortification of the Caribbean The Fort of San Felipe de Barajas, which witnessed and executioner in the most epic naval battle of the Caribbean in 1741 against Admiral Vernon, and finally will make a tour of the walled city visiting its squares, churches and monuments being part of this magnificent city, ending with a panoramic tour in the bay of Cartagena to better understand the defense system of the city and see the social distribution in Cartagena.
From $170 USD

Tour to the Carnival of Blacks and Whites of Pasto 7 days
You will be able to discover the best places in Nariño with an ecotourism and sustainable approach hand in hand with the communities, while enjoying the best carnival in Colombia with expert guides, medical insurance and certified transportation.
From $550 USD

Bogotá Tour: Monserrate, Food, City Walk & Gold Museum or Botero
We will explore walking by the historical center of Bogota and discuss its social and political history as a capital city. We will learn about Bogotazo and the pre-Colombian ancient cultures, as well as gastronomy and nature unique to Colombia. We will try dishes from many regions of the country. This tour gives you an opportunity to interact with locals and culture through food, history and museums, as well as support local and family-owned businesses. Guests will have the choice between visiting the Gold Museum or the Botero Museum. Welcome and enjoy.
From $54 USD

Full-Day Catamaran Tour through Tayrona
In this experience, I invite you to enjoy my passions: sailing, the sea, and the beach. This beach is located beneath the highest coastal mountains in the world, where melted snow flows directly into the Caribbean Sea. Tayrona National Natural Park is nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Just 34 km from the urban center of Santa Marta, it is one of Colombia’s most important natural parks. It is home to a vast number of species, spread across different ecosystems with varying thermal levels. I invite you to connect with the locals, share with the coastal people, taste the catch of the day, learn about their culture, and, most importantly, have fun! Tayrona Park is CLOSED on the following dates: February 1 – 15 June 1 – 15 October 19 – November 2 But we keep sailing on alternative routes!
From $80 USD

Party without limits! Cartagena; VIP Party.
We present you the best and most exclusive nightlife in the city of Cartagena with VIP access. Live, laugh, dance, and enjoy the best party in places that look like a postcard. We are open minded hosts. ;)
From $60 USD

Food Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá
The best way of really knowing a place’s culture and customs is by trying its food. Complete your trip in Bogota with this 3-hour tour around its downtown and taste tons of new and delicious flavors of our joyful and rich cuisine. Chocolate, arepas, obleas, almojabanas, coffee and more. Let our guide take you to the best sites, where locals will offer their best for you to try and enjoy. A gastronomic experience to remember. • 3-hour downtown tour along its important spots • A brief introduction to Colombia’s history through its gastronomy • Samples and samples of typical foods and drinks of the region (appetizers, desserts, finger foods, beverages) • An incredible chance to get in touch with locals and their stories • Memories full of senses about colors, smells and flavors of Colombia and its capital
From $63 USD

Street Food Tour in Cartagena Walled City and Getsemani
Whoever the traveler you are, cross tasting traditional food of your checklist trip and join us in this tour around Colombian Caribbean identity and culture through its cuisine. A trip wouldn’t be complete if you don’t go beyond touristic places and give yourself the chance to taste the place’s food. So, come with us to this food tour around Cartagena’s heart, so you get the best of Caribbean cuisine and its people: cocadas, carimañola, arepa de huevo, and more. Although those names are hardly relatable to something common or widely known, we are sure that it will be a gastronomic experience to remember. A walk along important spots of the city such as the emblematic Clock Tower A brief introduction to Colombia’s and Cartagena’s rich history of diversity in the Walled City Samples and samples of typical foods and drinks of the region (fruits, deserts, finger foods, refreshments) Memories full of senses about colors, smells and flavors of this Caribbean city
From $75 USD

PALOQUEMAO MARKET FOOD TOUR. EXOTIC FRUIT. LOCAL SNACKS. /Min 2 pax
Discover the authentic flavor of Colombia with our exclusive Fruit Tour! Taste local food and drinks, learn about the cultural context and taste the most diverse fruit tasting in the world. This tour was designed from the gastronomy of reconciliation, with the expertise of chefs and nutritionists to delight your senses and nourish your soul, while you explore the vibrant Paloquemao Market. Our experts will give you a select tasting of more than 12 varieties of local fruits, accompanied by exquisite appetizers typical of the region, while you discover the fascinating world of sustainability and conscious eating. In addition, you will be able to experience various opening and tasting techniques for each fruit, revealing its aromas, flavors and textures in a unique way.
From $55 USD

Old Town and Quinta San Pedro Santa Marta City Tour
Do you know why people believe Santa Marta’s Old city is magical? Come with us and find out! Santa Marta was once called The Pearl of America by the Spaniards. Nowadays, it deserves its name for being a natural and historical treasure for Colombia. So, if you want to learn why, join us in this private full-day tour around its most emblematic places. Then, continue to the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, death place of Simón Bolivar. Historical landmarks of Santa Marta city Walking along the old city Getting inside Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, Simon Bolivar’s death place Unforgettable memories of the oldest city of the country
From $89 USD

Food Tour in Barranquilla Downtown 4H
A trip wouldn’t be complete if you don’t go beyond touristic places and give yourself the chance to taste the place’s food. So, come with us to this food tour around Barranquilla’s heart, so you get the best of Caribbean cuisine and its people. Carimañola, arepa de huevo, butifarra, chipi chipi rice, enyucado, among many other options for you to taste. We are sure that it will be a gastronomic experience to remember. • A walk along important spots of the city • A brief introduction to Colombia’s and Barranquilla’s rich history • Samples and samples of typical foods and drinks of the region (fruits, desserts, finger foods, refreshments) • An incredible chance to get in touch with locals and their stories • Memories full of senses about colors, smells and flavors of this Caribbean city
From $65 USD

Totumo Volcano and Mar Rosa Tour in Cartagena with Lunch
Travelers should book this tour because they will have the opportunity to visit two exotic and medicinal attractions of the Colombian Caribbean such as the famous Totumo Volcano, which has gained national and international importance because the mud baths in this volcano are recognized as beneficial for the health of the body because the components of the mud contain salts and minerals that help relax it, exfoliate the skin and, according to many permanent visitors, improve health and cure different ailments. And the beautiful attraction Mar Rosa which has a great history and its salt flats steal the whole show, since they provide the waters forming the intense pink sea, being a natural phenomenon it has a pink hue depending on the season.
From $60 USD

Gastronomy and Street Food Tour in Sabaneta Colombia Experience
Welcome to the novel Gastronomy and Street Food tour in Sabaneta. On this unique experience you will be able to taste at least one dish from 3 different cultures of Colombia (Paisa, Tolimense and costeña). We will also try exotic tropical fruits fron the local fruit market, and also learn about the gastronomy history of these dishes as well as their preparation, specially from the antioquia region.
From $60 USD
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