Should I Still Go to Colombia Solo After Being Ghosted?

Short answer: yes, still go.

Longer answer: go only if you’re willing to run a different trip shape than the one you originally planned with someone else.

Use this 90-second decision check

Go now if all four are true:

1. You can afford the trip without emotional spending to “rescue” it.
2. You’ll keep the first 72 hours intentionally low-friction.
3. You’ll use rideshare at night and avoid ad-hoc late logistics.
4. You can handle one low-energy day without spiraling or overreacting.

If two or more are false, postpone and rebook on purpose.

First 24 hours: script it before you land

• Pre-book transfer from airport to hotel.
• Eat one normal meal, hydrate, sleep early.
• Send one check-in text to a trusted person.
• No heavy drinking on night one.
• Don’t decide whether to shorten/cancel the trip while jet-lagged.

This is the difference between a rough first night and a full trip recovery.

Rebuild the itinerary in one evening

Before you fly, do these five things:

• Delete old couple-specific pins/reservations from your map.
• Book one base for your first 4–5 nights.
• Pre-book airport transfer for arrival day.
• Keep nights 6–12 flexible (refundable when possible).
• Share lodging + check-in window with one trusted person.

Which first city should you pick?

Choose Medellín if you need easier momentum

• Predictable weather and beginner-friendly metro
• Lots of practical daytime activities
• Good if you want social options without pressure

→ Medellín destination guide

Choose Bogotá if you want structure and calmer nights

• Strong museum/café routine
• Less pressure to party every night
• Better if you prefer a deliberate pace

→ Bogotá destination guide

12-day salvage itinerary that actually works

Days 1–4: Stabilize in one city

• 1 anchor activity/day (museum, walking tour, viewpoint)
• 1 admin task/day (SIM, laundry, onward transport, ATM setup)
• In bed early at least 2 nights

Days 5–8: Add one controlled expansion

• Medellín option: Comuna 13 + Guatapé day trip
• Bogotá option: Monserrate + Gold Museum + Candelaria split across days

Days 9–12: Switch once, or finish strong

If your energy is good, switch to one contrasting city.

• If you started inland, finish in Cartagena for coast + easier decompression
• If you started in Cartagena, finish inland for museums and structure

→ Cartagena destination guide

Safety rules worth following (especially when emotions are high)

• Use app rides after dark.
• Keep phones off street-edge tables and out in sparse blocks.
• Don’t disclose your exact hotel to strangers.
• Keep one backup card/cash stash separate from your wallet.
• If a street suddenly empties at night, move to a busier corridor immediately.

Budget reality (solo, mid-range)

• Bogotá or Medellín: ~320,000–520,000 COP/day
• Cartagena: ~420,000–700,000 COP/day (higher food/lodging prices in Centro/Getsemaní)

You can spend less with hostels and local lunch menus, but Cartagena is rarely the cheapest stop.

What to do on the inevitable bad day

Pre-plan this now so you don’t improvise badly:

• Morning: short walk + coffee
• Afternoon: one low-effort activity indoors
• Evening: simple meal + call home + sleep

A safe boring day is a successful day on a trip like this.

Bottom line

Don’t cancel an entire country because one person disappeared.

Do redesign the trip around your current energy: fewer moves, safer evenings, and concrete daytime structure.

Photo credits

1. “2018 Bogotá, Cund - Colombia” by EEIM via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2018_Bogot%C3%A1,_Cund_-_Colombia.jpg (License: CC BY-SA 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
2. “View of Cartagena from Convento de Santa Cruz de la Popa 01” by Bernard Gagnon via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:View_of_Cartagena_from_Convento_de_Santa_Cruz_de_la_Popa_01.jpg (License: CC BY-SA 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

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Updated from current high-signal Reddit demand in r/solotravel: “Should I (34M) still go to Colombia solo after being ghosted?”