If you only have two or three days, start with our 2-day and 3-day plans. This one is for travelers with five days, where the question changes from "what do I squeeze in?" to "where does paying for a private day make the most difference?"
The logic of two private days and three free ones
A private day buys three things: a vehicle that waits for you, a driver who handles the road, and an English-speaking host who shapes the day. Those matter most where distance, sequencing or context are hard, which means a first look at the city and a day outside it. They matter least on days when you want to wander your own neighborhood at your own speed.
So the plan alternates. A free day sits before and after each private day, which gives you time to recover and to use what you learned.
The five days
Day 1: Arrive and stay local
Do not schedule anything ambitious. Check in, walk around the neighborhood where you are staying, eat something simple and sleep. If you arrive in the afternoon after a long flight, you will do the city better on Day 2 than on the first evening. Ask your host about pickup areas if you are not sure where to stay; our pickup guide explains what El Poblado, Laureles and Envigado change.
Day 2: Private city day (8 hours)
Use the first private day for orientation and the stops that are awkward to sequence alone. A typical Route Card might combine Comuna 13, Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia area, and a viewpoint or a neighborhood meal, then you choose what stays. Eight hours is $400 for 1–2 guests, or from $475 for 3–6 guests. If you prefer a lighter start, the 4-hour block is $250 for 1–2 guests. Our 8-hour itinerary guide shows how to keep that day from feeling rushed.
The reason to do this early is that it gives you context for the other three days. By Day 3 you will know which area you want more of.
Day 3: Free day, your choice
This is your day to follow a thread from Day 2. Some options that do not need a driver:
- Spend longer in one museum instead of three.
- Walk and eat in a neighborhood you liked.
- Ride up to Parque Arví on public transit. The park's own directions are Metro to Acevedo station, Line K of the cable to Santo Domingo, then Line L to the park. Check the park's schedule first, because it lists Tuesday as a maintenance closure. Our guide to Parque Arví and what a driver changes compares both approaches.
- Do nothing and call it recovery. That is a legitimate plan.
Day 4: Private road day (Guatapé or coffee)
This is the day to leave the valley. Choose Guatapé for the classic lake-and-rock day, 9–10 hours at $500 for 1–2 guests (from $575 for 3–6). Choose the coffee experience if coffee is your real interest: 5–6 hours at $300 for 1–2 guests (from $375 for 3–6). Our Guatapé guide and coffee farm guide cover the trade-offs. If you cannot decide, this comparison of day trips helps.
Admissions, meals, boat rides and tips are separate, so budget for them on top of the base price. Do not stack this day on top of a hard evening commitment, since road days can run long.
Day 5: Free day and departure
Treat it as a buffer. If your flight is late, you have a few free hours for last purchases and a long lunch. If it is early, you have already had four days. Do not book a tour that ends close to your airport transfer. If you have a long gap before your flight, our layover and short-stay guide shows how to work out whether a private block fits.
What it adds up to
These totals are simple arithmetic from our public prices, for the private group, not per person. Admissions, meals, boat rides, tips and optional extras are additional.
| Version | 1–2 guests | 3–6 guests |
|---|---|---|
| 8-hour city day + Guatapé day | $400 + $500 = $900 | from $475 + $575 = $1,050 |
| 8-hour city day + coffee experience | $400 + $300 = $700 | from $475 + $375 = $850 |
| 4-hour city day + Guatapé day | $250 + $500 = $750 | from $325 + $575 = $900 |
For a couple, the first row works out to $450 each over five days. Our pricing guide explains how to compare it with other options.
Ways to swap the plan
- City-heavy. Make Day 4 a second city theme, such as museums, and skip the road day. The city theme does not change the base price inside a time block.
- Road-heavy. Do the coffee experience on Day 2 and Guatapé on Day 4, with a free Day 3 between them. Keep the free day, since two road days back to back are tiring.
- Rain. If the forecast is poor on a private day, your host can reshape the order. See our rainy-day guide.
- Slower travelers. Move the private city day to the 4-hour block and add a half-day of free time. Read the notes for older travelers.
Bottom line
Five days is the sweet spot for the two-private-days approach. Put the city day second, the road day fourth, and protect the three free days. Send your dates, group size and pickup area, and we will build the Route Cards for the two private days.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do both Guatapé and coffee in the same five days?
Yes, but then the city is mostly on your own. Put one on Day 2, the other on Day 4 and keep Day 3 free between them. If you also want a guided look at the city, add a third private block. Avoid two road days back to back.
Is the price per person?
No. Prices are for your private group in the stated size range. Larger groups cost more because they need a larger SUV or van.
What if I arrive late on Day 1?
Treat Day 1 as arrival only. The plan puts the first private day on Day 2 so you are rested.
Do the free days need a driver?
No. They are for walking, museums, meals and rest. If you want a ride for a specific plan, ask us whether it fits, but the plan does not depend on it.
Can I swap which days are private?
Yes. Send your dates and we will confirm what fits. A hard flight time or a fixed reservation is the main thing to tell us early.
Plan the private city day, or send your five dates and number of guests on WhatsApp.