COLORFUL TOWNS IN COLOMBIA
When I mention Colombia, you probably imagine coffee, salsa dancing, and lush green jungles. Of course, those are all things to love about the country, but did you know Colombia is one of the most colorful countries?
Almost every small town I have visited in Colombia has bright-colored doors and buildings. I’m not sure why people choose to paint their homes so lively, but I can tell you that it’s a characteristic of their culture and the Colombian people. They have bright, energetic, and colorful souls.
I’ve had the opportunity to see many small Colombian towns. However, on this list, I will mention the easiest ones to get to and the most colorful ones I encountered. But, no matter which ones you choose to see, you will love these colorful towns in Colombia.
Coloful Towns in Colombia
Table of Contents
Guatapé
Guatapé is the most popular day trip from Medellin. This charming town characterizes itself with displays of colorful zócalos (emblems) on the homes and buildings. Some of them tell a story, and some simply represent the family or business. These zócalos are what makes the town so beautiful. In my opinion, Guatapé is the most colorful town in all of Colombia and maybe in the world.
Various tours head out daily and meet at Parque Poblado in Medellín. The tours usually include breakfast, lunch, a stop at Peñol Rock, a boat tour on the reserve, and a final stop at the town of Guatapé.
The price of a day-long tour is typically around $30 (120,000 COP). You’ll need to pay an extra 20,000 COP if you choose to walk the more than 700 stairs up to the top of Peñol. However, the view is worth the extra money and the sweat.
You can also go on your own by heading to Terminal Norte Bus Station. Buses from this terminal head north and east. Guatapé is to the east, so you’ll find buses that go there. The cost should be about 14,000 each way.
Salento
Salento is one of my favorite towns in Colombia. I fell in love with the colorful streets, the chill vibe, the hot coffee weather, and most of all, the scenery all around. Of course, I wanted to stay there and live in a finca, but that was just me daydreaming.
Salento is where you will find the famous Valle de Cocora, which tourists specifically come visit and hike. Valle del Cocora is a field of mountains covered in wax palm trees, something you’ve most likely never seen before. Your hotel base will be in Salento, and wandering the streets is like a fairy tale. Every structure is stunningly beautiful with its bright colors.
To get there, you must arrive at one of the bigger cities, Armenia or Pereira. Most major cities like Bogotá and Medellín are far, so I recommend flying. Once in Armenia or Pereira, you will take a small bus that goes to Salento and Filandia. The price of the bus should be about 8,000 COP ($2). You can find a flight within Colombia for about 20 USD.
Side Note: Filandia is another colorful town that neighbors Salento. If you have time, make sure to visit.
Jardín
Jardín is a lovely colorful town found near Medellín. It sits about an hour and a half away. The mountains surrounding this town make it beautiful, and there are many things to do, such as hiking to waterfalls and drinking coffee. However, you will quickly be mesmerized by the colorful homes and cute flowers that decorate the town.
I recommend spending the night to go hike waterfalls one day and exploring the town the next day. Besides Guatapé, I highly recommend visiting this town if you are in Medellín.
To get there, you must go to Terminal del Sur in Medellín. From there, the ride to Jardín will be about 3.5 hours on a road with lots of curves. To get to the terminal, you can take an Uber ride. The cost for the bus will be about 35,000 COP ($9). That’s a typical price for buses in Colombia if the ride is about 3- 4 hours long.
Jericó
What I loved about Jericó was how relaxed the town felt. It’s a little less touristy than Jardín but just as beautiful. Jericó is unique in the number of churches it has. You can go up to the Cristo Salvador viewpoint and admire the colors of the city, the mountains, and you can count all the churches in sight.
To get to Jericó, you will need to go to Terminal del Sur in Medellín and booth #18. The bus ride will be about 3 hours long, and the cost will be about 27,000 COP (7 USD). It will also be a road with lots of curves.
Barichara
What’s to love about Barichara are the white-washed buildings and cobblestone streets. However, another attractive characteristic is the pop of color on the doors and windows. I love this town because it’s so clean and crisp. It has its own rustic style, and it’s easy to fall in love with its beauty. I say this about many places, but this town is another one of my favorites in Colombia. You can also find Chicamocha Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the world.
Barichara is in the Santander Department (state). Getting there is not hard, but it’s not as simple because it’s located in the middle of Colombia in a section that tourists visit less.
To get there, you can either fly into Bogotá or Bucaramanga. Then, you’ll have to take a bus to San Gil, the larger town in the area from either city. Bucaramanga to San Gil will be about a 3-hour ride. From Bogota to San Gil, it will be a bit over 6 hours. The price should be about 35,000-40,000 COP ($8-10). Bogotá is more touristy and is cheaper to fly into, so this might be the most likely route you’ll take.
Once in San Gil, you will go to the bus station to take a smaller bus that takes approximately a little over 30 minutes to arrive in Barichara. The price for this bus should be about 8,000 COP ($2). It sounds complicated, but the bus rides are worth visiting the department of Santander.
Side Note: San Gil is a town famous for extreme sports. If you get a chance, visit for a couple of days to try out some fun activities.
Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva isn’t necessarily colorful like the other towns I have mentioned. It’s quite the opposite. The homes lack color because they are white-washed. However, the pop of color that this town transmits comes from the red roofs and the windows and doors. It’s what makes Villa de Leyva so beautiful.
Similar to Barichara, it’s also a very crisp and clean town. Both towns are similar, but Barichara has a rustic feel, and Villa de Leyva feels more antique. Walking through the streets feels like you’re in the past. It’s historic, gorgeous, and fun. Plus, it has one of the biggest and loveliest plazas in Latin America.
Villa de Leyva is in the department of Boyacá just northeast of Bogotá. To get there, you’ll need to fly into Bogotá. Once in Bogotá, take a taxi to Terminal Salitre, where you will take a bus to Villa de Leyva. The bus ride should be about 3 hours and the cost about 35,000 COP.
Cartagena
Okay, I’m cheating a bit here. Getsaminí is not a town. It’s a neighborhood in Cartagena that is full of color. It feels like another town in Colombia. The difference here is that it’s colorful because of all the artwork displayed on the walls of the buildings. Plus, flags are hanging everywhere, and the buildings are also colorful. It’s a must-visit spot for all you color lovers.
To get there, you fly into Cartagena. If you stay in Old Town, walking to Getsemaní only takes about 10 minutes. Or, you can stay in Getsemaní itself, which is a cheaper area of Cartagena to sleep in.
There you have it! These are seven colorful towns in Colombia (or cities if we’re talking about Cartagena). There are many, many more! Some are small towns I’ve passed through, and others are ones I haven’t had the opportunity to visit. I will add them here as I get to them during my extended stay in Colombia.
Which one would you like to visit?
What to Pack For These Colorful Towns
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
