Although you might not expect it, Colombia is a very suitable country to explore by car. The major roads are in good condition and it is so cool to stop along the way at beautiful places where the bus just drives by. I personally love driving in Colombia, and you may have thought about exploring (part of) this beautiful country by car. More and more travelers are thinking about it, but hesitate because of safety and traffic concerns. Very understandable! Fortunately, there is now an alternative for travelers who want to travel by car but would like more guidance. Namely, a group tour of Colombia with your own rental car, where you have all the freedom to discover the country by yourself and the conviviality of a group. How that works. Read on quickly!
With a rental car through Colombia in groups
I am always looking for how to discover a country in a different way than standard. A group car tour is one such alternative way that I get excited about. After all, I love driving in Colombia and will grant you that cool experience too.
That’s why I’d like to share with you this round trip set up by Patiperra Travels. With Patiperra you travel individually by car, but still have the security and conviviality of a group. The preconceived 21-day self-drive tour (see below) not only takes you through the highlights of Colombia, but also passes the nicest spots off the beaten path.
Guidance is available throughout the route and there is the opportunity for excursions. But nothing is mandatory. The car and hotels are arranged and the route mapped out for you, but you drive yourself from A to B. How often and where you stop along the way is completely up to you.
Therefore, this car tour provides you with a piece of safety, relief and adventure. A unique way to travel through Colombia.
Who is this car tour for?
This group car tour is designed for people who:
- Love adventure, with a little extra, and like to travel by car;
- Love the sociability of a group, but don’t want to go on a traditional group trip;
- Want to travel together, but also individually: you are not obliged to anything;
- Want to be unburdened;
- Wanting honest advice from someone who knows the country well;
- Happy to share experiences with others;
- Wanting it a little more luxurious.
In short: for people who like to rent a car, but don’t want to travel alone and still want the adventure.
Patiperra Travels
Patiperra Travels was set up by Martine Heijmen. Full
passion she traveled and lived in South America for many years, and now she has also been working in the travel industry for 15 years. Martine decided she would like to do things differently and started Patiperra Travels to offer a different kind of travel. Especially in South America, group car tours are a unique concept, with which Martine wants to pass on her passion for Colombia, among others, to other travelers.
At Patiperra Travels, you can book this prearranged group tour by car, but Martine also helps you with customized tours.
Colombia travel route by car
Patiperra arranges customized car tours as well as a prearranged itinerary for group car tours. The itinerary is mostly on paved roads that are passable with a normal car. Although the tour is in a group format, you have complete freedom to plan your own itinerary. In the evening you will meet the group back at your hotel to share your experiences and have a drink. Guidance is available throughout the trip.
The car tour of Colombia looks like this:
Day 1-2: Start in Bogotá
Day 3-5: Villa de Leyva – Barichara
Day 6-7: Río Claro
Day 8-9: Guatapé – Medellín
Day 10-12: The coffee region
Day 13-14: Honda – Bogotá
Day 15-17: Flying to Santa Marta – Palomino, NP Tayrona
Day 18-20: Cartagena de Indias
Day 21: Return trip to the Netherlands
Click here for more information or to book this trip! The next departure date for this group tour is July 18, 2020. You can also book a customized car tour for a date you want.
Driving in Colombia | Safety
Driving through Colombia by car is, of course, completely different from driving in, say, the Netherlands or France. There are different rules, people do not drive as neatly and the roads are not as good. In addition, especially in big cities, there are safety hazards that you don’t know about from home. That your mirrors can be stolen from your car while you are just sitting in the car and you should always lock your door, for example.
During this car tour, guidance is always present and there is always control that you arrive well at your destination. Patiperra provides a safe adventure.
Still, it’s helpful to read up well before getting into a car in Colombia. In this article you will read all about driving in Colombia.
Would you like to discover Colombia by car?
This article was written in collaboration with a company. I only recommend organizations and trips if I fully support them myself and think that travelers in Colombia can really benefit from them. Click here for more information.
