The 15 Best Day Trips from Barranquilla

How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.

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There are 15 good day trips from Barranquilla, Colombia, led by Cartagena, Santa Marta, Sabanalarga. The closest is Sabanagrande, about 30 min by car, and 3 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.

Built from 15 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.

Day trips from Barranquilla

  1. 1

    Cartagena, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car100 km south-west of Barranquilla

    Known for Castillo San Felipe de Barajas.

  2. 2

    Santa Marta, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 20 min by car71 km north-east of Barranquilla
  3. 3

    Sabanalarga, Colombia

    Half-day trip
    About 45 min by car41 km south of Barranquilla
  4. 4

    Ciénaga, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 5 min by car58 km east of Barranquilla
  5. 5

    Baranoa, Colombia

    Half-day trip
    About 35 min by car24 km south-west of Barranquilla
  6. 6

    Fundación, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car82 km south-east of Barranquilla
  7. 7

    Turbaco, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car99 km south-west of Barranquilla
  8. 8

    Arjona, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car100 km south-west of Barranquilla
  9. 9

    Plato, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 5 min by car131 km south of Barranquilla
  10. 10

    El Carmen de Bolívar, Colombia

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 15 min by car144 km south of Barranquilla
  11. 11

    Aracataca, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 30 min by car77 km south-east of Barranquilla
  12. 12

    Bosconia, Colombia

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 20 min by car148 km south-east of Barranquilla
  13. 13

    San Pablo, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 50 min by car115 km south-west of Barranquilla
  14. 14

    Sabanagrande, Colombia

    Half-day trip
    About 30 min by car20 km south of Barranquilla
  15. 15

    San Juan Nepomuceno, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 50 min by car118 km south of Barranquilla

A sample day: Barranquilla to Cartagena

  1. 07:30Leave Barranquilla
  2. 09:05Arrive in Cartagena (1 hr 35 min drive)
  3. 09:20Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
  4. 11:20Lunch
  5. 12:35Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Cartagena
  6. 15:05Head back to Barranquilla
  7. 16:40Home in Barranquilla

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Barranquilla?
The best day trips from Barranquilla are Cartagena, Santa Marta, Sabanalarga, Ciénaga, Baranoa. The closest is Sabanagrande, about 30 min away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Barranquilla?
Sabanagrande is the closest, 20 km south of Barranquilla, roughly 30 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
Where can I go within an hour of Barranquilla?
3 places are within about an hour's drive of Barranquilla: Sabanagrande (30 min), Baranoa (35 min), Sabanalarga (45 min).
What is the biggest city near Barranquilla for a day out?
Cartagena is the largest city in day-trip range, 100 km south-west of Barranquilla and about 1 hr 35 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
Where can I go for a weekend from Barranquilla?
For a weekend away from Barranquilla, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Bosconia (148 km, 2 hr 20 min), El Carmen de Bolívar (144 km, 2 hr 15 min), Plato (131 km, 2 hr 5 min), San Juan Nepomuceno (118 km, 1 hr 50 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
How far is too far for a day trip from Barranquilla?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Bosconia at 148 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.

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