Renting a car in Colombia: our road trip from Cartagena to Tayrona
After several weeks traveling through Colombia as a family, we wanted to change things up a bit.
Since the beginning of our journey, we had alternated between planes and buses to reach the different stages of our itinerary. It was convenient, but there was one thing that was starting to be missing from us: the freedom to stop whenever we wanted.
Because in Colombia, the road really is part of the journey.
A small fruit stand by the roadside, a restaurant that seems friendly, a beautiful view, a small shop… From the bus, we sometimes watched all this pass by, thinking that we would have loved to be able to stop and have a look.
For the rest of our journey, between Cartagena, Santa Marta and the Tayrona National Natural Park, Therefore, we decided to rent a car.
We booked our vehicle with BSP Auto, With pick-up directly at Cartagena airport and return to Santa Marta airport.
There were four of us, two adults and two children aged 12 and 17, with four large backpacks for our trip.
And this car has eventually become much more than just a means of transportation.
It allowed us to discover this part of Colombia at our own pace, to take impromptu breaks, to stop in the middle of nowhere, and above all to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
If you are preparing your own trip, you can find my complete guide to Colombia, With our itinerary and all our stages.
Why did we choose to rent a car in Colombia?
We didn’t plan to rent a car for our entire stay in Colombia.
The country is immense and, depending on the stages, the bus or the plane are sometimes much more convenient.
But to reach the Caribbean coast, we really wanted to be self-sufficient.
We had already made several trips by bus and that was exactly when we realized what we were missing.
The power to stop us.
On the Colombian roads, you come across a lot of small stalls, fruit vendors, restaurants, and small businesses.
And when you’re on a bus, even if a certain spot appeals to you, you obviously can’t ask the driver to turn around because you’ve just spotted a lovely mango stand!
With the car, we could simply stop.
We therefore discovered that the journey itself could become part of the journey.
And for one road trip in Colombia with the family, That is exactly what we were looking for.
Our car rental with BSP Auto
For this part of our trip, we booked our car with BSP Auto.
And what interested us particularly was being able to offer a one-way rental.
We picked up our car at Carthage Airport and we returned it a few days later the airport of Santa Marta.
For our itinerary, it was really perfect.
We absolutely did not want to have to return to Cartagena just to return the car.
Our journey continued towards Santa Marta and Tayrona. Being able to drop off the vehicle directly in Santa Marta allowed us to continue our itinerary without having to turn back.
This is a detail that I really recommend you to look at when comparing rental offers.
We often only think about the price, but we also need to look at the quality. the place of pick-up, the place of return and any fees associated with a one-way rental.
In our case, this formula perfectly suited our trip.
Our car: a Nissan X-Trail e-POWER
For our road trip, we had a Nissan X-Trail e-POWER.
And for our family, this was really the type of vehicle we were looking for.
There were four of us with four large backpacks, And we knew that we were going to travel several hundred kilometers, but also to take some less comfortable roads and trails, especially around Tayrona.
Therefore, we wanted first and foremost space and comfort.
The backpacks easily found their place in the trunk and we had enough space to be comfortable during the long journeys.
After several weeks of travel, it was nice to find some space again!
And we also had Apple CarPlay, This was particularly useful for us.
Our iPhone was connected to the car and we could display Waze directly on the screen.
Waze in French, podcasts in the car, children in the back and the Colombian landscapes in front of us…
We were ready for our road trip!
From Cartagena to Santa Marta: finally free!
Once the car was recovered in Cartagena, we loaded our four large backpacks and set off.
And very quickly, we realized that we had made the right choice.
We no longer needed to check the time for the next bus.
We could take our time.
Taking a break when we wanted to.
Modifying our program slightly.
And above all, we could stop whenever something caught our attention.
We listened to a lot of podcasts during the drives. The children were seated in the back; we talked, we looked at the scenery, and from time to time we simply decided to take a break.
It’s silly, but after several bus rides, this freedom has done us a great favor.
Is it dangerous to drive in Colombia?
This is certainly one of the questions that people ask themselves before renting a car in Colombia.
Before our departure, we had heard quite a lot about security.
So we were cautious.
We preferred day trips, avoided leaving visible belongings in the car, and chose as many private parking lots as possible or those offered by our hotels.
We also came across a lot of military and road control, This rather reassured us.
And above all, during our entire rental period, We have not encountered any security problems.
Of course, this remains our personal experience. Situations can vary depending on regions and times, and it is important to research before leaving.
But I wanted to share our feelings because we ourselves had some apprehensions when we left.
In the end, we found this part of the trip much easier than we had imagined.
🅿️ Where to park your car in Colombia?
We have always tried to prioritize private parking spaces.
When our hotel had a parking lot, we used it.
Otherwise, we were looking for a private parking nearby.
We avoid leaving the car on the street as much as possible and we don’t leave anything visible in the cabin.
With our four large backpacks, we obviously had all our travel gear with us.
So we paid particular attention not to leave our bags or valuables on display.
📱 An eSIM to use Waze
For our road trip, the eSIM really made life easier for us.
We had constant internet access to use Waze, search for an address, find a gas station, or simply check our route.
Thanks to Apple CarPlay, Our iPhone was connected directly to the car.
Waze therefore appeared on the screen of the Nissan X-Trail and we could follow the instructions in French.
Meanwhile, the podcasts continued!
For several hours of driving, it was really comfortable.
👉 If you are preparing your trip, you can find it here all my promo codes and travel deals on my blog.
🚨 Pico y Placa: remember to check the plaque
If you plan to drive in Colombia, there is a rule you need to know: the Pico and Placa.
In some cities, traffic is regulated according to the vehicle registration number and according to certain days or times.
And when you rent a car, of course, you don’t choose the license plate!
I therefore advise you to check the rules in effect in the cities where you will be traveling at the time of your trip.
They can vary and are not identical everywhere.
Our advice: when you pick up the car, immediately note its license plate number. This will make it easy to check for any restrictions.
📸 Take a photo of the car before you leave
As with all our rentals, we took the time to photograph the car before leaving the agency.
I really recommend that you take a complete tour of the vehicle.
Take photos of any scratches, wheels, rear-view mirrors, windshield, interior, dashboard, and fuel level.
Personally, I'm even making a short video.
This only takes a few minutes and allows you to have a record of the car's condition at the time you pick it up.
This is a small habit that I recommend for any car rental, in Colombia and elsewhere.
⛽ Gasoline in Colombia
In terms of fuel, we found the gasoline cheaper than in France.
During our trip, we were around 4,200 Colombian pesos per liter, or approximately 1,10 €, As an indication.
The price obviously varies depending on the cities and gas stations.
A small detail to be aware of: in Colombia, prices are usually displayed in gallon.
You must therefore take action as soon as you arrive at the station!
💰 The tolls: keep pesos in cash
On our journey between Cartagena and Santa Marta, we met several Tolls.
Therefore, it is necessary to consider including them in your budget when preparing a road trip.
And above all, I advise you to always have a few Colombian pesos in cash.
We found this much more convenient for tolls and the small expenses encountered on the road.
When traveling by car, having some liquid on you is always a good idea.
My BSP Auto promo code: -5 %
If you would also like to compare car rental offers for your next trip, you can take advantage of -5 % with my BSP Auto code: TRAVELMEXP.
❓ FAQ – Renting a car in Colombia
Can I return a car in Cartagena and have it returned in Santa Marta?
This is possible depending on the offers and the rental companies available. This is the formula we chose for our trip with BSP Auto: pick-up at Cartagena airport and return to Santa Marta airport.
Which car to choose for a road trip in Colombia?
We had one Nissan X-Trail e-POWER. For our family of four and our four large backpacks, we appreciated its spaciousness and comfort, especially on long journeys and on less comfortable roads.
Is it dangerous to drive in Colombia?
We encountered no problems during our road trip. However, we took a few precautions: mainly daytime trips, private parking, and no visible objects in the car.
Can we go to Tayrona by car?
Yes, we reached the El Zaino area by car. The tour of the park then continues on foot.
Do I need to rent a car to visit Tayrona?
It is not mandatory, but in our case it allowed us to be self-sufficient and to easily reach our accommodation and the entrance to the park.
How much does gasoline cost in Colombia?
During our trip, we paid approximately 4,200 COP per liter, or around 1,10 €, However, this price is indicative and may vary.
Are there many toll roads in Colombia?
Yes. Be sure to plan for this expense and keep Colombian pesos in cash.
Can I use Waze in Colombia?
Yes. We used Waze with our eSIM and Apple CarPlay directly on the screen of our Nissan X-Trail.
🇨🇴 Our other articles to prepare your trip
If you are preparing a trip to Colombia with the family, I recommend that you start with Our complete guide to Colombia.
You can also find all my articles about Colombia to discover our itinerary, our accommodations and our various experiences.
If you plan to visit Tayrona, don't miss it our guide to the Tayrona National Natural Park.
And if you are looking for accommodation near the El Zaino entrance, I can also tell you about it. Our family stay at Casa Iwana Tayrona.
Finally, before booking your car and other services, be sure to check my promo codes and travel deals.
This article was written in collaboration with BSP Auto. Here I share our personal experience of car rental during our road trip in Colombia, as well as the tips that proved useful during our trip.
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