I Can See Why They Lost It

2 hours drive from Santa Marta, then another 2 hours on the roughest track you can imagine, then a 2.5 day hike.  La Ciudad Perdida is no misnomer.  Described as Colombia's Machu Picchu. That's some good marketing, but it is still a worthwhile trip. 

Advice:  The hike is tough so bring proper footwear and a light bag.  It rains, A LOT, so make sure you can waterproof all your stuff.  Don't worry too much about which tour company you choose.  They all offer the EXACT same tour and Colombian logic means the price is the same regardless of whether you want to do 4, 5 or 6 days (choose 4, it's only 45km in total).  Bring your own lightweight hammock and sleeping sheet if you can find them.  Sheets and pillowcases here are washed once a season (no lie) and even the hardest core travellers feared what lurked the mattresses.  Oh, and a lifetime's supply of the strongest DEET you can find.