This plan is for people who want a full week in Medellín without turning it into a checklist. If you only have five days, read our five-day plan.
The rhythm: big day, slow day
Most travel fatigue comes from stacking long days. Medellín adds a few specific pressures: hills, heat or rain depending on the day, traffic between neighborhoods, and the pull of every recommendation you hear. The rule for this week is simple. After any day that starts early or runs more than half the day, the next day has no fixed start and no ticket.
That is why the plan has four slow days and three private ones, and why none of the private days are back to back.
The seven days
Day 1: Arrive
Nothing scheduled. Find food, walk a few blocks, and learn where the nearest pharmacy and supermarket are. Hold the first night loosely.
Day 2: Private city half day (4 hours)
Start with orientation. A 4-hour block is $250 for 1–2 guests, or from $325 for 3–6, and it holds one anchor, such as Comuna 13 or Botero and the Museo de Antioquia area, plus one or two lighter stops. Our 4-hour itinerary guide explains why fewer stops is the better way to spend this block. Finish early enough that the afternoon is yours.
Day 3: Slow day, your neighborhood
Go back to whatever you liked on Day 2, or just stay near where you are sleeping. A long lunch, a walk, a park, a laundry run. The goal is to let the first impression settle.
Day 4: Private Guatapé day (9–10 hours)
This is the biggest day of the week. Guatapé is $500 for 1–2 guests and from $575 for 3–6, with El Peñol, the town, the lake and optional stops. The rock climb is optional, so you can spend more time in town or on the water instead. See our Guatapé guide for how to spend the time. Admission, meals, boat rides and tips are separate.
Day 5: Slow day, no alarm
This is the recovery day after the longest day. Sleep late. Do something that does not need a plan: a market meal, a bookstore, a museum visited alone, or nothing. If you want a gentle outing, a Metro-and-cable ride to Parque Arví is possible on your own, but check the park's schedule first, since its own information lists Tuesday as a maintenance closure.
Day 6: Private coffee experience (5–6 hours)
A shorter road day, and a different pace from Guatapé. Coffee is $300 for 1–2 guests and from $375 for 3–6, covering the private transport, driver and host; farm admission or specific tastings may be separate. The coffee farm guide explains what to ask. Depending on your start time, it can leave your evening open.
Day 7: Depart
Leave margin for the airport. Do not plan a morning excursion unless your flight is late in the day, and if you have a long gap before it, our layover and short-stay guide explains the arithmetic.
What the week costs in private days
These totals are arithmetic from our public prices, for the private group, not per person. They exclude admissions, meals, boat rides, tips and optional extras.
| Private day | 1–2 guests | 3–6 guests |
|---|---|---|
| City half day (4 hours) | $250 | from $325 |
| Guatapé (9–10 hours) | $500 | from $575 |
| Coffee experience (5–6 hours) | $300 | from $375 |
| Three private days | $1,050 | from $1,275 |
Swapping the 4-hour city day for the 8-hour city day ($400 for 1–2 guests, from $475 for 3–6) raises the total by $150 for a small group. Our half-day vs. full-day guide helps you decide.
Ideas for the slow days
- Walk without a destination. Pick a neighborhood in your pickup area and see how far it takes you.
- One museum, properly. Our museums and art guide shows how to choose one rather than three.
- Plan your own half-day. If a place from the week keeps coming up, such as Santa Elena or a nearby town, ask us how it could fit. We cover two options in Santa Elena and Jardín.
- Admin day. Laundry, groceries, messages home. Nobody regrets these on a one-week trip.
Adjusting for your group
A week with parents or kids should lean even slower. The 4-hour block can replace the longer days, and a slow day can sit on both sides of it. See our guides for older travelers and kids. If rain arrives on a private day, the rainy-day guide shows how to swap.
Bottom line
A week in Medellín works best with three well-chosen private days and four slow ones. The private days handle distance and context, the slow days let you enjoy what you found. Send your dates and group size, and we will confirm what fits and shape the Route Cards.
Frequently asked questions
Is a week too long for Medellín?
Not if you build in slow days and one or two excursions outside the city. The plan above spreads three private days across seven days so no stretch feels like a schedule.
Can I do Guatapé and coffee on the same day?
Our guides say it can sometimes be combined when the farm is well placed, but it makes a very long day. In a week, giving each its own day is easier.
What if I want to work during the week?
Use the slow days for it. The plan keeps arrival, departure and the day after each big day free, which leaves room for work hours.
How much does the week cost in private days?
For three private days (4-hour city, Guatapé and coffee), the total is $1,050 for 1–2 guests, or from $1,275 for 3–6 guests, before admissions, meals, boat rides, tips and optional extras.
Do I need to decide the whole week in advance?
No. Book the private days that depend on vehicle availability, such as Guatapé, early, and keep the slow days flexible.
Plan the private city day, or send your dates and number of guests on WhatsApp.