THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN COLOMBIA
I never imagined how much I would love Colombia when I arrived that first day in the country! Let me tell you, it stole my heart. From friendly people to colorful towns to beautiful waterfalls, Colombia has it all. I spent four months exploring the country and eventually decided to call it home for half of a year because I loved it so much.
Colombia is lively and beautiful and should be added to everyone’s bucket list. It has awesome cities like Medellin, Bogota, and Cali. There are beautiful beach destinations like Cartagena, San Andres Island, and Tayrona. You can find the loveliest waterfalls in the regions of Satander. And you can even find desert destinations in La Guajira and the Tatacoa Desert.
Plus, the people are absolutely welcoming, friendly, and happy! It’s one of the countries I’ve encountered with the most amazing and positive vibes. Music plays everywhere, people hang out on the streets, and Colombian friends invite you into their homes. It’s more than amazing!
Here are some of the best places to visit in Colombia:
The Best Places to Visit in Colombia
Table of Contents
Medellin
This is my favorite city in Colombia because it has it all. There are many things to do in Medellin as well as nearby places to escape. The city has incredible spring weather year-round and the most amazing mountainous views all around.
In Medellin, you can visit the Comuna 13 to learn about the dark history that took place but has now transformed into a positive environment. You can immerse yourself in nature at the Botanical Garden or Parque Arvi, or you can simply hang out in hip cafes and restaurants in the city.
Cartagena
As soon as I arrived in Cartagena, I felt taken back in time to a colonial era. This beautiful location is on the shores of the Caribbean Sea and has beautiful islands and beaches nearby. It’s mostly known for its colonial architecture, vivid nightlife, and cultural events.
It’s one of the most popular tourist destination in Colombia and is the main stop for cruises. My favorite part of the city is the walled city which has narrow walkways, colonial buildings, and beautiful balconies. Another favorite spot is the old neighborhood of Getsemani which is vibrant and lively.
Cali
The first word that comes to mind when I think of Cali is salsa! It’s more of an obsession here and Cali locals love going out to dance it. The city is the world capital of salsa so make sure to visit La Topa Tolondra Nightclub for some dancing or salsa classes.
Aside from the love of music and dancing, there are lots of fun ways to keep busy in the city. Nearby you find lakes and rivers, city viewpoints, and activities to do in the city. I definitely recommend a stop if you have time.
Bogota
This vibrant city is the country’s capital. I visited Bogota thinking I wouldn’t like it and I was worried I wouldn’t feel safe. However, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this urban city with over eight million people. It is full of diversity and culture.
My favorite part of Bogota was the city’s cultural and historic downtown, La Candelaria. This area is popular amount tourists for its preserved colonial buildings, historic museums, and many restaurants and cafes. If you can’t handle too much city, you can escape to Cerro Monserrate which has incredible views of the city!
Barranquilla
My admiration for my favorite Latin singer, Shakira took me to visit her birthplace city. The truth is there isn’t much to do in this large port-town but the relaxed vibe of the city and the people is something I very much enjoyed.
There are many nice hotels with decent prices if you want to treat yourself in this kickback city. Mainly, Barranquilla is calm throughout the year until February comes around and the city goes wild for its famous Carnaval, the country’s biggest street party.
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is mainly a great hub for day trips to other beaches and towns nearby. Tourists visit Santa Marta to relax at Rodadero beach or they head to Taganga where backpackers enjoy the party scene. Nearby you have Tayrona National Park, Palomino, Minca, Sierra Nevada, and treks to the Lost City.
Guatape
Guatape is perhaps the most colorful town I have seen in the world! It has brightly painted bas-relief depictions of animals, people, and other pictures that make up a story. The houses are all painted in bright colors and have become an attraction for tourists stopping by.
This charming small town has an artificial lake and a monolith rock called Piedra del Peñol 10 minutes away which is the top attraction in the area. Guatape is definitely one of my favorite places in all of Colombia.
Salento
When I arrived at this breathtaking coffee town, my heart wished to own land and live on a Finca drinking coffee every morning for the rest of my life. Sounds drastic but I felt so much peace here. The landscape in Salento was one I fell in love with.
This enchanting town is filled with colorful homes, coffee farms, and nature. Only a short ride away is Valle de Cocora, a gorgeous mountainous landscape with wax palm trees.
However, what I most enjoyed in Salento were the misty mountain views you see throughout the day. For me, Salento is the enchanting town you see in the Colombian inspired Disney movie, Encanto.
Jardin
Jardin is a beautiful and stunning town located in the mountain region of Antioquia. This colorful town has a gorgeous plaza and cathedral to visit. You can find lots of cute cafes, places to explore, and lovely streets to wander.
However, what I loved most about Jardin were the lush green mountains that surround it. When visiting, go to coffee farms and cafes, explore the beautiful waterfalls nearby, or go for a hike and bird-watching. I highly recommend visiting Cueva del Esplendor when choosing a waterfall to visit.
Jerico
Jerico is yet another colorful but smaller and less popular town near Medellin. Mainly known as the birthplace of Santa Laura, Colombia’s first and only saint, many pilgrimages are done to this town.
Jerico has about 17 churches, museums, libraries, colorful buildings, and a nice town square. If you visit, Jerico is also known for coffee tourism and paragliding.
Barichara
Barichara is this dreamy colonial town with cobblestone streets, white-washed buildings, and red rooftops. The town is so lovely it has been used in sets for telenovelas and is even declared a national monument since 1978.
In Barichara, you can wander the town streets, look out to the canyon at the Salto del Mico viewpoint, or simply shop around the small souvenir stores. This town is for walking around and taking in its beauty.
San Gil
Although it’s more of a small city, San Gil feels more like a large town. This is the place to visit if you are into extreme sports. In San Gil, you can find paragliding, rappelling, trekking, rock climbing, rafting, mountain biking, and many more outdoor activities and adventures.
If you aren’t much of an extreme-sports enthusiast or adrenaline junkie, you can visit the town square and Parque El Gallineral which is a beautiful reserve with a river right in the city.
Another option is Pozo Azul, a swimming hole with small waterfalls for cooling off. An hour away is the Chicamocha National Park which is a deep canyon that also has adventurous activities to try.
Villa de Leyva
Another colonial town or village found in Colombia is Villa de Leyva. Like Barichara, this town is also declared a national monument since 1954. The town seems like it froze in time as you wander through admiring the cobblestone roads and white-washed buildings.
Villa de Leyva has one of the largest plazas in South America and is also commonly used in telenovelas and historic films. It is a gorgeous town to include in your itinerary!
Valle de Cocora
One of my favorite landscapes in all of Colombia was Valle de Cocora, a half-hour away from Salento. This mountainous green valley took my breath away when the mist rolled out in the hills. The most interesting part of this landscape is the wax palms that decorate the hills.
They are the largest in the world and are Colombia’s national tree. This valley is surrounded by a coffee landscape that is part of Unesco’s Coffee Cultural Landscape. Other things to do include horse riding, hiking the trails, visiting waterfalls, and relaxing by the rivers.
Desierto de La Tatacoa
Not too far from Bogota lies the Tatacoa Desert, which isn’t really a desert. It is a dry tropical forest that can hit high temperatures. What’s interesting about this landscape is it mirrors a desert with red eroded cliffs sculpted by the infrequent rain.
It gets quite hot but don’t let that stop you. Visit the area to explore the desert, ride ATVs, or jump in the pool after a hot day of hiking.
Tayrona National Park
Located on the Caribbean coast, this national park has gorgeous sandy beaches surrounded by beautiful rainforests. In the park, there are scenic trails, beaches, and camping spots.
I recommend staying the night in a hammock in Cabo San Juan beach to experience sleeping under the stars. This is one of my most memorable experiences to have in Colombia so make sure to visit the park!
Minca
Minca quickly became one of my favorite destinations in Colombia. I was going to stay one day but extended it to three. I could have easily stayed a whole week or more here though. Minca is the place to relax or a place for digital nomads to work.
This small mountainous village is located high up in the Sierra Nevada near Santa Marta. I experienced some of the most beautiful sunsets here and saw many types of birds on my hikes.
In recent years, Minca has become a more popular traveler destination but it still feels a bit off the beaten path. What makes Minca special, is staying in accommodations in the mountains which include a rough ride in a 4×4 drive or by motor-taxi to get there, but it is quite worth it.
Minca is known for its organic coffee, its mountain views, beautiful waterfalls, and lovely sunsets.
Cabo de La Vela, Guajira
Cabo de la Vela is a remote desert village in northern Colombia. Nearby you get some of the most beautiful and most deserted beaches. There is also kitesurfing, nearby you find sand dunes for sandsurfing, and you can learn about the indigenous Wayuu people.
I found this northern part of La Guajira to be one of the most unique areas of Colombia for its culture, remote location, and virgin landscapes. Getting there is isn’t simply done on your own, so I recommend going with a good tour group that will take to all the main spots.
San Andres Island
San Andres Island is another one of my favorite spots in Colombia. The turquoise beaches are popular in the country amongst Colombians making the island a perfect getaway.
You can find some of the clearest beaches when you go beach hopping and you can try snorkeling and scuba diving. The culture here is vibrant and unique due to the Caribbean island influence.
My Favorite Items to Pack
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!
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The Best Places to Visit in Colombia
