Looking for an amazing and affordable vacation destination? Look no further than Colombia! This beautiful country is home to some of the best places to visit in the world. From the bustling city streets of Bogota to the stunning beaches of Santa Marta, there is something for everyone in Colombia. In this blog post, we will share with you our 11 favorite places to visit in Colombia. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!
Best places to visit in Colombia
Before you go to Colombia, it is important to pick which region you want to see. This article will show the different places you can visit in Colombia. The sights are organized by different regions:
- Central
- North
- South
And if you love hiking, you’ll love this list of the best Colombia hikes!
1. Best places to visit in central Colombia
Start your journey in the capital Bogotá
Start your vacation in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. The perfect place for a first introduction to Colombia as there are a lot of things to do in Bogota. And with Colombian coffee: a cup of Bogotá Coffee is considered one of the tastiest coffees in the world, so you need to try it.
Bogotá is a really big city that makes a good first impression. And it takes some time to get used to being so high up: Bogotá is located at 2,640 meters. The center of the city is surprisingly modern, with lots of tall buildings, but also with some old and charming buildingcas. The old center is called La Candelaria and that’s where you’ll find most of the sights of Bogotá. Narrow streets with colorful houses give this district its atmosphere. Plaza de Bolívar is by far the most impressive square in the city. The Zona Rosa district is considered the safest area of the city.
Those who want to escape Bogotá will like Chicaque Natural Park. It is a place with cold air, fog, and many hiking trails in the Andes Mountains. You can even stay overnight!
There is a special place to visit north of Bogotá called the Salt Cathedral. This is a place where people mined salt in the past and made a cathedral inside the mine. There are not many places like this in the world, so it is a special attraction. You can take a tour of the cathedral in Spanish or English. There is also a church service held here on Sundays. It can get very crowded, especially on weekends and holidays, so it is best to visit on a weekday if possible.
Salento
Salento is a Colombian village with colorful streets. It is a small town with friendly people. Salento may look like a sleepy village, but there is actually a lot to do here. At the end of the main street, Calle Real, you will find Mirador Alto de la Cruz, a viewpoint with beautiful views and, sometimes, stunning sunsets.
Many people come to Salento to hike through Valle de Cocora. This is because it is a very special place in Colombia with the tallest palm trees in the world. Some palm trees grow as tall as 50 meters, which is even taller than some buildings! When you see this, it is very breathtaking, especially if you walk under the palm trees.
There are two types of hikes in the Cocora Valley: a short one that takes about 45 minutes and a long one that takes more than 5.5 hours. The long hike is the best because it allows you to spend more time enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Discover colorful Medellin
Medellín is the second largest city in Colombia. It is more appealing than the capital, Bogotá. Pablo Escobar had a grip on the city long ago, but fortunately, that time has passed, and the city has developed positively.
Medellín is called “the city of eternal spring” because it has a perfect climate. The climate is perfect because of the location in the Aburra Valley.
The center of Medellín is always busy, and there is always something to do. The streets are full of food stalls, street performers, and vendors.
In Medellín, there are a lot of statues and paintings by an artist named Fernando Botero. His artworks and paintings depict people and animals in absurd proportions; everything is out of proportion and that is what makes his work interesting. It is therefore recommended to visit Plaza Botero. On this square are some gigantic statues of Botero that you can view for free. In the Museo de Antioquia, which can be found on this square, you will also find paintings by the artist Botero, who was born in Medellín by the way.
It is recommended that you visit Guatapé when you are in Medellín. It is called the most colorful village in Colombia. And that’s because all colors of the rainbow have been used to paint the houses there. The houses also have lots of colorful decorations. You will be happy as soon as you enter the village. Near the village of Guatapé, you can go for a walk and find El Peñón de Guatapé. It is a very tall rock that stands above everything else. You can climb up 740 steps to the top for a great view of the lake area around it. Even though it is not a ‘hidden gem’ anymore, the view from the top is still worth seeing.
Adrenaline mecca San Gil
In San Gil, there are many outdoor activities that you can do. For example, you can go paragliding above the mountains, water rafting on the Rio Suarez, mountain biking, kayaking, hydrospeed, caving, hiking, abseiling along the 180-meter-high Juan Curi waterfall, or horseback riding. If you like to get some adrenaline then San Gil is the place to be!
You can find beautiful places with clear water and nature around San Gil. If you want to relax and swim in the river, Pescaderito is a good place to go. It is less than 30 minutes from San Gil.
2. Best places to visit in central Colombia
Hiking in Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Colombia. It is located in the northern part of Colombia. You can experience both the beach and jungle when you go hiking in Tayrona National Park.
You can take walks and see a lot of different animals. Bird lovers will be very happy because there are more than 400 different types of birds. You might also see monkeys, turtles, caimans, and boa constrictors. Tayrona National Park in Colombia is a great place to visit for people who love nature.
It’s also one of the most popular destinations in all of Colombia. So take into account the associated crowds. Try to plan a visit to the park on a weekday. During the weekend, many Colombian families also go to the beaches of Tayrona, and it is extra busy. It is possible to move around the park with a donkey. This is especially useful for people who have difficulty with the hike or people who want to camp while they are there.
Cartagena: the most beautiful city in Colombia
Cartagena is a city with a lot of history. It is located on the water and has a big harbor. The historic center is special because it has old buildings and squares. Many people think Cartagena is the most beautiful city in Colombia due to its historic center.
The old city center is Cartagena’s biggest attraction and consists of the neighborhoods El Centro, Getsemani, and San Diego. Because of the architecture, you can clearly see in which neighborhood the different classes used to be: in El Centro, you will find the large cathedral and various palaces. The beautiful Cartagena boutique hotels and houses in San Diego were home to the bourgeoisie, and the colorful Getsemani was home to the lower classes.
Cartagena has a lot of history. You can find cute squares and beautiful buildings around every corner. The houses in the San Diego neighborhood are very colorful. At night, you can find musicians and dancers who perform for the people. Restaurante Patagonia Asados del Sur is a very pretty restaurant that you should visit if you have the chance. It is located at the intersection of Carrera 7 and Calle 39.
Getsemani has a more relaxed feeling with the colorful street art, local markets, and street food stalls. It is especially cozy in the evening at Plaza de la Santisima Trinidad, near the yellow-colored church. You can buy delicious food from the barbecue and eat it with the locals.
Get some jungle vibe in Palomino
If you want to see a beautiful jungle and relax, go to Palomino. You will see a lot of different types of trees and plants. The beaches there are also pretty, with lots of palm trees. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try tubing down the Palomino River or exploring the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain area.
The center of Palomino is a long dirt road that connects the village with the beach. Most places to stay and eat are located on that road or along the beach. Walking from the village to the beach takes about 15 minutes.
Palomino has a long beach where you can lie in the sun and walk. It’s not the best beach, but it’s a nice place to relax. Near the village, there are lots of people selling things and playing music. If you don’t like that, you can walk further away and have the beach almost to yourself! There are also some bars where you can buy drinks and use lounge beds. If you want a quieter beach, try Costeño or Las Camarones. As you can read, there are a lot of things to do in Palomino.
Exploring Ciudad Perdida
The lost city of Colombia is called Ciudad Perdida. You can only get there by hiking. It is a hard hike, but if you are brave and don’t give up, you can do it! Not many people go there because it is so hard to get to, which makes it more fun to explore.
The challenging hike from Santa Marta takes you over steep, slippery paths through the jungle to Ciudad Perdida. On a 1,300-meter ridge, there are circular terraces, stone steps, bridges and roads that the Tayrona Indians built in the eighth century. The view over the valley and the jungle is amazing and will make up for all the hiking you did to get there. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Tatacoa Desert
After you’ve seen Colombia’s different landscapes, the red, green, and gray rocks in the Tatacoa Desert will look slightly different. The red rocks look like thick tree roots coming out of the ground.
The area south of Bogotá is dry and looks like a moonscape. There are small cacti with pink flowers that add color to the landscape. Even though it can get very hot (up to 40 degrees), Tatacoa cannot officially be called a desert because it rains too much. In official terms, Tatacoa is a tropical dry forest. It is a great place to visit while you are in Colombia and one of the best places in the country to admire the universe at night.
Relax in Minca
The village of Minca is located in the jungle in northern Colombia. Every year, more and more travelers visit Minca because it is a beautiful place to see. You only get to Minca from the town of Santa Marta. The bus takes about 45 minutes.
Minca is a perfect place to relax. However, there are also plenty of activities for people who want to have adventures. There are two waterfalls near Minca where you can take a refreshing dip: Cascada de Marinka and Pozo Azul. To get to Cascada de Marinka, it takes about an hour from the village. For Pozo Azul, it only takes 45 minutes. You only need to pay an entrance fee at Cascada de Marinka, which costs 5,000COP ($1.05) per person. If you don’t feel like walking, you can take a motorcycle taxi instead. The waterfalls might not be impressive, but it is still a nice trip overall.
Los Pinos is a place where you can see two cities, Santa Marta and Barranquilla, at night. You can also see the snow peaks of the Sierra Nevada in the morning. You can get there by taking a motorcycle taxi for about 20,000COP ($4.20) or by walking for more than three hours. There is also a small waterfall that you will pass along the way. The view from Los Pinos is really beautiful!
3. Best places to visit in the south of Colombia
Cali, the salsa city
Cali is the third biggest city in Colombia. It is after Bogota and Medellin. Many slaves were brought to Cali during slavery. So, there are many people with African influences living there now. Cali is also the capital of Valle del Cauca. This is a province with lots of sugar cane, citrus, avocado, and banana plantations. In the past, Cali was controlled by the Cali cartel for years. But now, it is safe to visit the city.
If you want to learn how to dance salsa, Santiago de Cali is the best place to visit. This city is known as the world capital of this dance, and you will see that in everything. Salsa clubs are everywhere, and every resident of Cali can dance salsa very well. When you travel there, you can take lessons for a cheap price. Or, if you want, you can meet some locals and get free lessons from them.
When is the best time to travel to Colombia?
Visiting Colombia is an unforgettable experience, no matter the season! The country’s natural beauty and vibrant culture come alive all year round. Depending on what type of experience you’re seeking, Colombia has a lot to offer during each period of the year.
It is usually best to visit Colombia between December and April. The weather is warm and dry during this time. Cartagena and Santa Marta are cities near the water with pretty beaches. There are also a lot of festivals during this time that you can watch or participate in.
From May to August, it rains more in Colombia. But the weather is still warm. So this is a good time for people who like to explore jungles and see different animals. Or people who like to watch birds around forests on mountains.
From September to November, the weather starts to get cooler. December to April is the rainy season. This can make it hard to do outdoor activities, but you can still explore cool places like Medellin and Bogota or San Agustin. These places have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which means they are important and worth visiting.
Author Bio
This article was written by Cynthia & Alexander, adventure travel bloggers from Travel your Memories. They travel the world and share all the tips they learn to inspire and help you plan your trips. You can also find them on Instagram and Pinterest.
