I went to Colombia for the first time. It was an exciting 10 days, but there are a few things I’d skip next time.

• My partner and I spent 10 days in Colombia exploring the South American country.
• It was our first time there, and we loved visiting the Rosario Islands and trying local eats.
• But we probably wouldn’t do a private tour in Cartagena or visit La Serrezuela Mall again.

Colombia has blossomed into a popular tourist destination — in 2023, the South American country welcomed 5.9 million international visitors, a 24.3% increase from the year prior.

My partner and I recently embarked on a trip to Cartagena, Minca, and Medellín in search of good food, beautiful nature, and a new-to-us cultural experience.

We had a wonderful time on our 10-day vacation and would repeat much of our itinerary again if we returned. But there are some things we’d do differently the second time around.

If you’re planning to visit the South American gem anytime soon, here’s everything I’d recommend doing and skipping on your trip.